Darwin WWII Heritage & Bombing Walk
Walk Darwin's World War II heritage sites — the city that endured 64 Japanese air raids in 1942-43 has preserved its wartime history in the Darwin Military Museum, the oil storage tunnels, and sites across the city.
- 1
Darwin Military Museum
The Darwin Military Museum at East Point tells the full story of the 19 February 1942 bombing — 188 Japanese aircraft attacked in two waves, killing 235 people in the largest foreign attack on Australian soil in history.
- 2
HMAS Deloraine Gun Emplacements
The East Point gun battery was part of Darwin's coastal defences — the massive guns were installed after the bombing to prevent a Japanese landing, and the concrete emplacements remain in excellent condition.
- 3
WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
The underground oil storage tunnels near Stokes Hill Wharf were built after the bombing — the tunnels could hold 10 million litres of aviation fuel protected from air attack, and guided tours explain their construction and wartime role.
- 4
Darwin Memorial
The cenotaph in the Darwin CBD commemorates those who died defending the city — Darwin's wartime role as the gateway for the Pacific campaign is often overlooked in Australian history, and the memorial corrects that omission.
- 5
Bombing Site Markers
Markers throughout the city centre identify sites hit during the 64 air raids — the hospital, the post office, and the government buildings were all bombed, and the city was largely evacuated by civilians during the attacks.
- 6
Darwin Aviation Museum
The Darwin Aviation Museum preserves aircraft from the Pacific War — the B-52 bomber and the Japanese Zero on display represent both sides of the conflict that shaped Darwin's development and strategic importance.
Walk this route with audio
Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — no tapping needed.
