In February 1942, Darwin was bombed by the Japanese and Burnett was evacuated to Alice Springs. He designed a number of houses for the Central Australian climate, including the Riverside Hotel (now the Todd Tavern). Many of his residential buildings now make up the Hartley Street heritage precinct in Alice Springs. These include number 75, 80, 81, 82, 84 and 86 Hartley Street and 81 Bath Street.