Palmerston is 21 kilometres south of Darwin and east of the Stuart Highway.

Despite its proximity to Darwin, Palmerston is now an independent town, having been gazetted in 1980. It has developed as part of an innovative exercise in town planning for the Northern Territory. For the first time, a completely new and cleared site was chosen for a town, rather than building it on to an existing development.

This gave the town planners a lot of artistic license, and the chance to create an 'ideal' town. Palmerston is seen as an economic and commercial centre of the future, and provision has been made for the creation of up to 10,000 jobs by the year 2000.

The town has deliberately been designed avoiding the normal grid patterns of road systems, and curved roads and roundabouts are dominant features. Parks and gardens are also seen as priorities in the towns, and much work has been done in developing combinations of flora which will thrive in this tropical atmosphere.

There is a real focus on the community in Palmerston, and the schools double as community centres, making them a much more practical proposition, and offering a number of recreational choices to residents who would not normally be involved in school activities.

Services and facilities are very good in Palmerston, catering for both tourists and local residents. The Palmerston Tavern is a hive of activity, with a restaurant for all the family. The town also boasts full medical services, banks, post office, police station and a supermarket. There is also 24 hour fuel and mechanical repairs.


There are a number of things to see in Palmerston. Just studying the town design and structure is fascinating. There is also a Satellite Tracking Station on University Avenue which is open to visitors on weekdays.

There's a night market held here every Friday evening from 5.30 pm - 9.30 pm in the town centre, with entertainment, arts and crafts for sale, and an abundance of food !

There is a swimming complex which has pools for adults and children, as well as barbecue and picnic facilities and a kiosk.

There is a boat ramp near the Elizabeth River Bridge for public use - but beware the salt-water crocodiles and the box jellyfish. Swimming here is definitely prohibited !

Marlow Lagoon is situated in Elrundie Avenue, and the shaded grassy foreshores are an ideal family spot for picnics and barbecues. Swimming is very safe here, and canoe and boat hire is also available for the more adventurous.

For those looking for a round of golf, the Course in Palmerston is extremely popular, and is a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

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