Larrimah

The Big Stubby

Larrimah (15°35′S 133°13′E) is a tiny hamlet in the Northern Territory of Australia, approximately 158 kilometres southeast of Katherine and 428 kilometres southeast of Darwin. It has a population of 11. It is built along the Stuart Highway. It was the railhead on the North Australia Railway during World War II.

It was visited in an episode of Dom Joly's Happy Hour.

Larrimah is the home of the Big Stubby. The panther sitting in the chair used to be a soft toy which sat in a chair at the front of the Hotel. Unfortunately it proved too easy to move and so was replaced by the larger, heavier version shown here.

The town's pub original was 9 km south in Birdum, but was moved when Larrimah became the end of the railway.

World War II

The 8th Australian Staging Camp, built by the Australian Army was set up in Larrimah for troops making the journey by road from Adelaide before transferring onto rail at Larrimah siding for the rest of the journey to Darwin.

No. 45 Australian Camp Hospital was also set up at Larrimah by the Australian Army. The fuel Station burnt down in October 2009 so no fuel is available in Larrimah. Closest fuel available is North 76 kilometres at Mataranka or south 100 kilometres at Daly Waters. There is a Northern Territory Fire & Rescue unit stationed there to attend motor vehicle accidents and local bush & grass fires.