The major components of the Daly Waters Aviation Complex are the Hangar, Public lavatory block, Shell Oil Store, Accomodation buildings, radio and navigational buildings, apron leading to the taxiway. Also associated with the Complex is the Flying Fox.

Hangar

The Hangar is a large corrugated iron structure built in 1930 and measures about 19m square and 7.2m high, with an annexe (3.7m x 8.1m) located on the eastern corner. The building has a barrel roof supported by a network of trusses connected to upright angle iron wall supports via lattice buttresses. Cladding is of corrugated galvanised iron on external walls only. The interior contains two areas which have been partitioned off. Externally, buttresses support the walls on all except the apron side.

Public lavatories

These lavatories are located to the west of the Hangar and are constructed of concrete block construction with a c.g.i. roof. Entry is from either end via pathways from the apron. The roof is of corrugated galvanised iron sheeting secured to a timber frame.

Shell Oil Store

The store is a steel framed, corrugated galvanised steel clad structure which dates to the same period as the Hangar. It has a distinctive barrel vaulted roof which is free standing and protects a square internal store.

Accommodation buildings

These two buildings are the former staff and grounds men's living quarters. The buildings are rectangular with wide verandahs, steel frames, fibro asbestos walls and corrugated iron roof. Both buildings were constructed in 1947.

Radio and navigational buildings

Little remains of these buildings which were constructed in 1942 except for a few foundation supports used to raise the buildings off the ground.

The complex also has significance as the planned rail terminus and as a vital link in postal communications. Its origins are connected with the ill-fated Darwin to Alice Springs railway which was planned to terminate at Daly Waters but only reached Birdum. Daly Waters became the distribution point for mail services between the Top End and the remainder of Australia.

Architecturally, the complex contains the oldest hangar in the Northern Territory, which was transported, along with the oil store, to Daly Waters by the Sidney Williams Company in 1930 and erected in its present position. Other remaining structures were built between 1940 and 1960. They are important as elements of an operational international and military areodrome during the pioneering and development period of North Australian aviation.

As an international stopover the Aerodrome was visited by prominent people of the day. Technically, it represents an era of Australian aviation in which aircraft with the longest range could not traverse Australia without numerous stops to refuel. The complex therefore is of importance to the history of Australian aviation.