Explore the history of the Northern Territory

We provide educational tools and publications that allow people of all ages to appreciate the past

Welcome to the Historical Society of the Northern Territory

A white building with a sign that says History House

The Historical Society of the Northern Territory (HSNT) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the study and promotion of the history and cultural heritage of Central Australia and Australia's Top End .

Membership is open to individuals, families, and institutions. As a member, you will receive our annual journal (Northern Territory Historical Studies) and have the opportunity to take part in field trips and attend talks and orations.

The HSNT publishes books and occasional papers on a wide range of topics on Northern Territory history. These can be purchased from this website. Complimentary digital teaching materials are available on this site for download by schools and community groups.

Our Committee members are -

President – Derek Pugh

Vice President - Bev Phelts

Secretary – Libby Siebert

Treasurer – Clare Corfield

Council Members - Brian Reid, Clayton Fredericksen, Rosemary Cameron, Peter Siebert & Vida Goodvach

Our Life members are -

Nina Cameron, David Carment, Francis Good, Earl James, Michael Loos

Janie Mason, Lesley Mearns, Suzanne Parry, Brian Reid & Bev Phelts

Publications

The HSNT publishes an annual journal, books and occasional papers on a range of topics relating to the Northern Territory's history.

Some of our books

A History Written in Metal: Commemorative Plaques at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina Campus, 1972-2013

SKU 00021

AU$5.00

Explore the history of the Northern Territory

Welcome to the Historical Society of the Northern Territory

Publications

Some of our books

A History Written in Metal: Commemorative Plaques at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina Campus, 1972-2013

Forty Fine Years: A celebration of the Pantazis family and Parap Fine Foods.

Australia's Northern Capital: A Short History of Darwin

Bournemouth, The Bush and Beyond!

Beyond the Far Country

A Colonial Enigma Resolved: The Rediscovery of Fort Wellington, Cobourg Peninsula

A Legendary Partnership: Yolnu, Bapa Sheppy and Nandi Ella

Bravery & Ambition: A Family History of Contribution to the NT & South East of South Australia. Harold & Eileen Elcock

Blame and Martyrs: The Commonwealth Government and the Northern Territory Cattle Industry, 1911-1978

Charles James Kirkland

Buffalo Johnny: Portrait of an Aussie Battler: The True Story of the Top End's Notorious Outback Zookeeper

Crossed Tracks on Ngurra Mala: Ownership and Dispossession, Requests and Resilience at the Centre of the Northern Territory of Australia

Connecting Darwin and the Eastern Front: Anzac Nursing Stories

Collectors and Museums: Two Centuries of Collecting in the Northern Territory.

Midwives, Merchants and Miners

Distant Settlements: Convicts in Remote Australia

Mature Voices of Central Australia: Sounding Off to its Places and Times

The Not So "Silent Night"

The Bureaucrat and the Man

From Hospital to University: A Northern Territory Nursing Story

Darwin - No Place Like Home: Australia's Northern Capital in the 1950s through a Social History of Housing

Far Country: A Short History of the Northern Territory

John Anderson Gilruth: A Complex Man

Mud-punchers, Racehorses and a Roadhouse: Bob and Mavis Lindon in North Australia, 1950s-1980s

Mess to Mayhem: Up Front with the Never Never Mailman

In Search of History: Fifty Years of Field Trips by the Historical Society of the Northern Territory 1964-2014

Loathsome No Longer: Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) in Queensland 1850-1975

My Name is Bert: Bert Nixon's Memories of Katherine 1931-1990

Licence to Kill : Massacre Men of Australia's North

Off the Beaten Track

Power and Protection: The Contest between the Government Residents and the Medical Protectors of the Aborigines in South Australia’s Northern Territory

Rediscovering the Overland Telegraph Line: Further Memoirs of a Bush Surveyor in the Northern Territory of Australia

Pride and Revelation: Stories from Charles Darwin University Nursing Museum

Protection at a Price: Protection of the Aborigines in the Commonwealth's Northern Territory 1911-1978

Southport Northern Territory: 1869-2002

The conquest of Distance: Told in the Life Stories of Centralian Pioneer Families

A Judicious Use of the Wheel: The Bicycle in the Northern Territory 1890s-1950s

The Book of Harry, Eric and Bronte

Stubborn City: Darwin 1911-1978

Sheer Hard Work and Plenty of Guts: The Farrar Family of the Northern Territory

The Evolution of Darwin 1869-1911: A History of the Northern Territory's Capital

The Intrepid Hilda Abbott: Author, Designer, Red Cross Officer, Political Wife, 1890-1984

The Japanese Grave of Warruwi

The Resolute CLA Abbott: Swaggie, Policeman, Light Horse Captain, Pastoralist, Politician and the Northern Territory's Wartime Administrator 1886-1975

The Shadows Edge: Australia’s Northern War

Know Where You Stand:

Old Darwin Hospital Reunion 2009.

The Spinifex is Green Memoirs of the Bush Surveyor in the Northern Territory of Australia 1952-1996

Turning 40: The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory 1974-2014

Top End Nurses: Bush Nursing in the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory: 1964-1974.

'To Mend My Situation'; The Journey of James Stokes Millner 1830-1875

‘Two Excellent Girls’: Cissy and Clara McLeod, the Northern Territory 'half-caste' Foster Daughters of Captain and Mrs Mugg

Wild Dogs of Song: Palmerston (Darwin) Dingo Glee Club 1895-1905

Is there anyone alive in there?: Our Cyclone Tracy, Darwin, Christmas 1974

Worth Fighting For : Indigenous Territorians in the Defence of Australia

Life in Radio Land: Stories from the Bush before the Mobile Phone

Tales from the Field: Northern Territory Water Resources 1955-2008

Felix Ernest Holmes: Darwin 1890-1930: Racehorse owner, Pearler, Agriculturalist, Pastoralist, Butcher, Baker, Icemaker; and the first to switch on Darwin

The First Yalu:20 years of Yolngu Self-Determination and Self-Governance

Education and Resources

Medicine

Darwin Rebellion

Communications and Technology

Aviation

Goyder

Educational Resources

Medicine

Darwin Rebellion

Communications and Technology

Aviation

Goyder

Our Fieldtrips

Daly Waters, Hayfield Station & Newcastle Waters July 2023

VRD Region - July 2022

Southport to Adelaide River - June 2021

Channel Island Leprosarium & Middle Arm - July 2020