A second recorded site is a large Banyan on the southern bank of Rapid Creek adjacent to the footbridge.

The major sacred site in the area is Dariba Nunggalinya (Old Man Rock) which lies to the north west of the creek mouth. (Heffernan, 1992).

Dariba means old man -a term of respect and Nunggalinya is the name of the first Larrakia man. Dariba Nunggalinya protects the Larrakia people and their lands. Larrakia oral traditions state that Dariba Nunggalinga is not to be disturbed. It is believed that if visitors disrespect this area it may cause severe weather, even cyclones. (Heffernan, 1992).

Some of the plants and animals that are in the Rapid Creek area are significant to the Larrakia people, such as the brahminy kites, green tree frogs, banyan, ironwood, pandanus and milkwood trees. Many bush tucker species grow along or near the creek and local Aboriginal people continue to work with other groups to ensure its protection.

- History -

 Pre-European Settlement

Long before European settlement the Larrakia people traded with many other Aboriginal Australian groups as well as the Macassan people.

The word 'Larrakia' was derived from the Macassan language of Indo-Malay which most of the Larrakia could speak as a result of years and years of trading with the Macassan people.

The Larrakia people would trade sea cucumbers (trepang) for Macassan language and seeds, fishing tools, digging tools, carving and cutting tools.

European Settlement

John McDouall Stuart arrived in 1860 and European settlement began in 1860's. Larrakia camps in the (now Darwin) area, where development was planned, were destroyed and the Larrakia people were either moved to other areas or chose to move away from the new changes on their traditional lands.

From 1882 – 1891 Rapid Creek was the site of a Catholic Jesuit Mission in the suburb of Millner. The main building was located near the corner of Ryland Road and Pinder Street, Millner. The grounds (including agricultural areas) extended down to the creek in the area of the Darwin Water Gardens and out to the coast. It is recorded as a Mission to Aborigines specifically the Larrakia and the Woolna people in the history of the Catholic Organisation.

From the 1940's to 1960's the Chinese community used the area for some celebrations and for Chinese vegetable gardens. Members of the Chinese community also congregated there to gamble (Pi Que).

In Darwin's early years there was close contact between the Larrakia people and their new visitors. Today, there are probably about 1500 people of Larrakia descent in Darwin.

For over a hundred years Rapid Creek has been a recreational area for Darwin residents and visitors. It has been used for picnics, boats, camping and fishing. Rapid Creek continues to be a significant recreational site today.