Liberty Square Darwin
Liberty Square is a landscaped park located between Parliament House and the Supreme Court.
Liberty Square features the heritage listed State Square Banyan Tree. Artwork by Larrakia/Mayalli artist Keelan Fejo is embedded in a seating area on elevated decking surrounding the tree, which is culturally significant for local Larrakia people.
At more than 200 years old this banyan is a remnant of the original monsoon vine forest. It has survived cyclones, bombs and extensive development. In 1994, the tree was permanently protected under the Heritage Act 2011 for its significance in Darwin's history.
'Liberty Square' was named by Darwin Town Council in 1919 and commemorates the Darwin Rebellion of 17 December 1918. Hundreds of workers marched to this site, protesting the government's actions, resulting in a Royal Commission into the administration of the Northern Territory.
The Cable Station, responsible for maintaining the sub-sea communications cable which stretched from Indonesia to Darwin where it joined the Overland Telegraph Line, was built here in the 1870s. It was extensively damaged by bombing during WWII. A commemorative monument built from original cable station stone is located next to Parliament House.
Liberty Square also features an astronomical observation pillar by Pietro Baracchi who, with others, established the true longitude of Port Darwin in 1883 in the grounds of the Port Darwin Post Office (Parliament House).
