Since commissioning on 16 March 1970, HMAS Coonawarra has expanded rapidly. It relocated from its original site at Berrimah to Larrakeyah in December 2003. The Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, comprising HMAS Coonawarra and supporting Resident Units, is located near the mouth of the Beagle Gulf, close to Darwin’s city centre.
Darwin is a vitally important Navy port - a gateway to Australia’s northern neighbours and the centre from which border integrity operations are conducted. The city plays host to major exercises and operations involving around 100 visiting Australian and foreign major warships each year.
Currently, almost 700 Navy personnel are based in the area where they are focussed on supporting fleet operations.
Coonawarra is located 2km from the Darwin central business district. Surrounding Darwin are a number of world-class tourist destinations such as the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, Katherine Gorge and the Adelaide River.