Arabic version: افتتاح مركز لاراكيا الثقافي على واجهة داروين البحرية

According to ABC News, the $58 million Larrakia Cultural Centre has opened to the public at Stokes Hill Wharf on the Darwin Waterfront, 24 years after the idea was conceived. The centre, which showcases the culture, history and art of the Larrakia people, opened with a sunrise tour.

Planning began in 2002, while negotiations between the Larrakia Development Corporation and the Northern Territory government over the waterfront site and venue development ran from 2005 to 2022. Construction began two years ago.

Larrakia Development Corporation chair Mark Motlop said the venue would “fill a void” in Darwin’s cultural education offering. He said visitors seeking an Aboriginal and Larrakia experience had previously encountered only “dribs and drabs”, describing the new site as a “one-stop shop”.

The design drew inspiration from cultural centres in Canada, Alaska and New Zealand, including a venue in Whistler, Canada. The facility includes a museum space, art displays, meeting and office areas, a retail shop, cafe and restaurant.

Its displays include 23 cultural items repatriated to Larrakia land from interstate and overseas, a replica of the Larrakia peoples’ 1972 petition to Queen Elizabeth II, and an interactive display on the history of nine Larrakia family groups. Aboriginal Investment NT chief executive Nigel Browne said he hoped the centre would create cultural and economic opportunities for Larrakia people.