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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.