50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy

On Christmas Day 1974, Cyclone Tracy unleashed unprecedented devastation on Garramilla/Darwin, destroying 70 percent of the city's buildings and forever changing Australia's understanding of natural disasters.

This story commemorates the 50th anniversary of Australia's worst natural disaster, honouring the resilience of Darwin’s people and their work towards recovery and rebuilding.

A doll amongst building material caught on a fence.

Aftermath of Cyclone Tracy in Darwin's northern suburbs, Boxing Day 1974. NAA: A6135, K30/1/75/3

People in colourful clothing walk on the footpath adjacent to Central Arcade.

Darwin before Tracy

In 1974 Darwin, was a close-knit multicultural city with a population of over 47,000 people.

Cyclone Tracy

Light to moderate easterly winds.

Recovery and rebuilding

Reshaping Darwin's physical landscape.

A man holding a house allotment sign infront of a damaged home.

The Darwin Reconstruction Commission

Tasked with transforming Darwin into a more resilient city.