Danala | Education and Community Precinct

Understanding your campus location is important. Charles Darwin University (CDU) has three campuses located in the top end of the Northern Territory.

• Casuarina campus
• Waterfront campus
• Palmerston campus.

On 5 October 2024, CDU will open its fourth campus in the heart of the Darwin CBD. This campus is known as Danala | Education and Community Precinct. You may also hear people refer to it as the city campus or Darwin City campus.  

This brand new campus will deliver state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to enhance the learning experience. The location of the campus means students will have access to employment and work-integrated learning opportunities in the heart of the Darwin CBD. 

The campus where your course is located will be identified both during your application and on your offer.  

Degree education will commence at Danala in the Summer Semester of 2024.

TAFE teaching will commence in 2025.

Most courses currently delivered at the Waterfront campus will move to the ECP.

Also, some IT programs that are currently based at Casuarina will move to the ECP.

The list of courses that will be taught at the Education and Community Precinct is below.

If you are a current domestic student there is nothing you need to do, you will be automatically transferred to the new campus.  

If you are a current international student, we offer you the opportunity to complete your studies at this new campus. If you hold a Student Visa, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be updated to the new campus.  Please note, this does not change your CoE code, and you are not required to apply for a new Student Visa due to a campus change.  If you have any concerns completing the remainder of your studies at the new campus we will be happy to discuss options available to you.

Contact Student Central.

The ECP is centrally located at 54 Cavenagh Street in the heart of the Darwin CBD.  

Students will have easy access to shopping, recreation and dining options.

Charles Darwin University is working with Larrakia Nation to restore place names and revitalise language across its campuses in the Northern Territory.  

The Education and Community Precinct will be named Danala, the name for dillybag, which represents a place to house knowledge.  
CDU students and staff will weave a strong spiritual Danala, a dillybag where they will carry knowledge and tools as they travel along a successful and fulfilling career.  

Danala will bring students, visitors, academics and other community members together to learn and grow in a place that strongly recognises First Nations people, culture, language and customs in place-naming.

Several bus routes operate close to the campus.

For students and staff, after-hours access will be available by securely swiping your ID card at the campus entrance.

Opening hours

There are two underground carparks that will be operational in early 2025.

Car parking is permitted for Electric Vehicles in all car parking bays. 

No charging facilities for Electric vehicles are provided, and no charging of Electric Vehicles is permitted in the underground car parks.

Yes, there will be a security presence on campus.
 
Security will also be able to escort people a reasonable distance off the site after hours if required.

Yes. In addition to lifts and ramps for access, there will be quiet spaces available.

There are a range of special-purpose rooms, including a multi-faith room, a family room, accessible toilets and adult change rooms.

Yes, water bubblers are provided in the building.

The campus is located across the road from a Woolworths supermarket, where staff and students can purchase grocery and convenience items.

In close proximity, there are several cafes and takeaway options for students to choose from.

Eventually, the campus will have a cafe inside the building.

The official opening of the ECP is 5 October 2024. The campus will be open to students and the public until the summer semester begins on 18 November.