Much of the Territorian' image derives from this industry. During the late nineteenth century a substantial part of the Territory was acquired by pastoralists under pastoral leases issued by the South Australian government, which administered the Northern Territory from 1870 until 1911. They have been a place of employment, a place of residence, a place of birth and death, and a location for providing numerous government services, including education, health, welfare, census collection and law enforcement. The Archives' office in Darwin holds a range of records relating to the pastoral industry in the Territory. These include records relating to the issue and management of leases, investigations and reports into the leasehold system, as well as census and welfare records relating to Aboriginal people.
Many records use the station as a location on which to focus dealings with people.
The stations of the Territory have a rich history and for many researchers records relating to the pastoral industry are an invaluable source of information not only for historical, social and economic studies, but for research into personal and family histories. Some of the major series of interest held by the Archives Darwin office are listed below. Date Series no. Registers of pastoral leases, applications, purchases, rents etc. The Darwin office also hold maps and plans detailing pastoral leases in the Territory at different points in time.