The Defense of Darwin
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Port
Darwin, Australia
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$99.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Darwin played a significant role in Australia's defensive and offensive activities during World War II. Identified as an ideal defensive position for protecting Darwin Harbour, the city was bombed 64 times over almost two years.
Venture today to the Darwin Military Museum for some free time to view war artifacts, including artillery, vehicles and firearms. The exhibition space includes the Bombing of Darwin Experience -- a major interpretive theater production that offers visitors a sense of what it must have been like to witness firsthand the bombing of Darwin in 1942.
Visit Charles Darwin National Park on the outskirts of the city, at Frances Bay. It is both a significant wetlands area and part of a network of World War II military sites established during the development of Darwin as Australia's northern defense line. The park is home to a number of bunkers and shelters that were used for storage between 1944 and the mid-1980s. Take a stroll approximately 500 yards along the park's pathways to a scenic lookout platform for views of the harbor and the surrounding wetlands. Along the way, you'll view the bunkers and shelters and hear about their history and use.
Notes:
Tour does not operate on holidays. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water.