🔍

Hughes

NT 822 • Northern Territory

73
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
12.66 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteHistoricBushland

About Hughes

Hughes is a small outer rural locality situated approximately 38 kilometres south-west of Darwin in the Northern Territory, falling within the Litchfield Municipality. The locality takes its name from Hughes Airfield, a wartime airstrip constructed during the Second World War that remains significant to the area today. With a 2021 Census population of 73 residents spread across 12.66 square kilometres, Hughes is a lightly settled rural community that forms part of the Greater Darwin fringe.

The defining feature of Hughes is its heritage WWII airfield, which now serves as a base for aerial firefighting aircraft protecting the outer rural areas of Darwin. The surrounding landscape is typical Top End bush country — open savanna woodland with seasonal contrasts between the dry and wet. Residents enjoy a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle with access to the amenities of the Coolalinga and Humpty Doo corridor, and the broader services of Darwin are reachable within a 40-minute drive.

Hughes falls under postcode 822 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Spillett electorate.

📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
822
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Solomon
State Electorate
Spillett
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-11.76°, 130.63°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
12.66 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NT Government rural school bus services — Coolalinga / Humpty Doo interchange Approx. 30 min

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
38 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
40-55 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30-40 min

🛣️ Stuart Highway provides the main road link to Darwin. Car is essential for all daily needs.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Hughes is a rural locality with no local shops or footpaths; a car is required for all daily errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
73
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hughes NT known for? +

Hughes is best known for Hughes Airfield, a World War II-era airstrip constructed in the 1940s for military use. The airfield today functions as a base for aerial firefighting aircraft that protect the outer rural areas of Darwin and the Litchfield region.

How far is Hughes from Darwin CBD? +

Hughes is approximately 38 kilometres south-west of Darwin CBD. The drive takes around 30 to 40 minutes in off-peak conditions, or 40 to 55 minutes during peak hour via the Stuart Highway.

Does Hughes NT have public transport? +

There is no rail service to Hughes. The NT Government operates rural school bus services in the broader Litchfield area with interchanges at Coolalinga and Humpty Doo, but for general daily travel a car is essential.

What is the population of Hughes NT? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hughes has a population of 73 residents across an area of approximately 12.7 square kilometres, making it one of the more sparsely settled rural localities in the Greater Darwin fringe.

Is Hughes NT a good place to live? +

Hughes suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle on the outskirts of Darwin, with open savanna bushland and a sense of space. Essential amenities are available in nearby Coolalinga and Humpty Doo, and Darwin is accessible within about 40 minutes by car.

What is the postcode for Hughes NT? +

The postcode for Hughes, Northern Territory is 0822.