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Australia’s Pearl Harbor: A Must-Do for History Buffs
Those who travel to the Top End may be surprised to discover that Darwin is deeply embedded in Australia’s military history. In fact, the Bombing of Darwin in February 1942 remains the largest ever single attack mounted on Australia by a foreign power and is, perhaps, the least well known. Over 19 months, the Top End endured more than 200 air raid attacks by the Japanese. The first two air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942, brought a level of destruction never seen before in Australia. Killing 235 and wounding hundreds more, the raids also destroyed 30 aircraft, sunk 11 ships and destroyed several civil and military facilities across Darwin. It’s little wonder, then, that the Territory’s tropical capital still holds the indelible marks of a courageous wartime history. To mark the 76th anniversary of this important Australian story, Tourism NT has prepared an itinerary of captivating sites, activities and destinations designed to ignite the inner history buff in each and every visitor. https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/destinations/darwin The Bombing of Darwin – An Anniversary Itinerary Day 1 - 9.30am: Royal Flying Doctor Service, Stokes Hill Wharf Start your day at the Bombing of Darwin Harbour and Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience, a multi-million-dollar facility that uses virtual reality technology to invite visitors to step into the future to truly see the past. Alongside VR headsets, with 360 degree views of the bombing of Darwin Harbour by Japanese forces, holographic technology tells the little-known story of the commanding officer of the USS William B Preston, Etheridge (Jim) Grant, who observed the attack from the water after being blown from his tender trying to return to his ship. http://rfdsdarwin.com.au/royal-flying-doctor-service 10:50am: Bombing of Darwin Cruise Hit the water aboard Sea Darwin’s Bombing of Darwin cruise. The one-hour journey gives a different view of historic sites such as Stokes Hill and Fort Hill Wharves, the Pearling Luggers and wreck sites of SS Neptuna and USS Peary. If you’re keen for more, the cruise can also be booked as part of a half-day tour on dry land, too. https://seadarwin.com/darwin-tours/bombing-of-darwin-cruise/ 13.15pm: World War II Oil Tunnels The World War II Oil Storage Tunnels were built during the Second World War by the Civil Construction Corps following the bombing of the fuel oil storage tanks at Stokes Hill on Feb 19 in the first air raids. This unique tourist attraction, located in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct remained secret to the public until they opened as a tourist attraction in 1992 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. https://northernterritory.com/us/en/tours/wwii-oil-storage-tunnels-tour |
Florence Falls Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park
Stuart Highway
Mindil Beach
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14:00pm The Defence of Darwin Experience and the Darwin Military Museum, East Point
East Point is home to the Defence of Darwin Experience, which has provided visitors an intimate glimpse into what really happened on 19 February 1942 since opening in 2012. Visitors can relive this significant day at the Bombing of Darwin Gallery, and through a curated selection of iconic objects, firsthand accounts and multimedia presentations.
Just next door, the Darwin Military Museum is a heritage-listed area that aims to collect Australian military artefacts from both at home and abroad, including WWII fortifications, artillery pieces, vehicles, uniforms, firearms and more.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/defence-of-darwin-experience
18:30pm: Dinner at Stokes Hill Wharf pop-ups
Stokes Hill Wharf was the epi-centre of destruction back in 1942. In modern times, the wharf offers a relaxed friendly atmosphere with seaside alfresco eateries, casual restaurant dining. Open seven days, enjoy year-round panoramic views and sensational sunsets, fish feeding at night and free live entertainment on Wednesday and Sundays during the Dry Season.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/stokes-hill-wharf
Day 2 – 08:00am Stuart Highway, Darwin to Adelaide River War Cemetery and Litchfield Park
No trip to Darwin is complete without a visit to Litchfield National Park, and the route out of Darwin offers a prime opportunity to contemplate the countless footsteps of men and women who travelled down this well-worn route in defence of Australia. It’s a great snapshot into the history of the region for those that don’t have the time to do the full 17-hour road trip between Darwin and Alice Springs.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/destinations/litchfield-national-park
Locally known as ‘the Track’ or ‘the Bitumen’, the Stuart Highway is the Territory’s most valuable legacy of World War II. Spend an hour or so at the Batchelor Museum, on the outskirts of Litchfield, which tells the story of how this tiny town became a strategic base for the Pacific region during WWII, and call in to Adelaide River War Cemetery whilst in the area for a poignant reminder of those who gave their lives in defence of Darwin.
https://northernterritory.com/articles/up-the-track---the-stuart-highway
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/batchelor-museum
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/adelaide-river-war-cemetery
18.30pm: Sunset over Darwin Harbour
Even 76 years on, the story behind the Bombing of Darwin remains an emotive one, so to reflect on the day and everything you’ve uncovered, finish off your day by watching the sun set over Darwin Harbour. Mindil Beach, The Esplanade and the USS Peary Memorial are all beautiful spots to help put everything you’ve learnt into context.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/mindil-beach-sunset-markets
For an alternative option: The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour
If you’d rather leave it to the experts, The Darwin History and Wartime Experience tour take care of the planning. As one of the leading heritage tours in the Northern Territory, this operator will reveal the stories behind the historical events on their informative trips out and about in Darwin.
https://northernterritory.com/tours/the-darwin-history-and-wartime-experience
https://northernterritory.com/us/en/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/world-war-ii-history
Images: As supplied credit John Eve
East Point is home to the Defence of Darwin Experience, which has provided visitors an intimate glimpse into what really happened on 19 February 1942 since opening in 2012. Visitors can relive this significant day at the Bombing of Darwin Gallery, and through a curated selection of iconic objects, firsthand accounts and multimedia presentations.
Just next door, the Darwin Military Museum is a heritage-listed area that aims to collect Australian military artefacts from both at home and abroad, including WWII fortifications, artillery pieces, vehicles, uniforms, firearms and more.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/defence-of-darwin-experience
18:30pm: Dinner at Stokes Hill Wharf pop-ups
Stokes Hill Wharf was the epi-centre of destruction back in 1942. In modern times, the wharf offers a relaxed friendly atmosphere with seaside alfresco eateries, casual restaurant dining. Open seven days, enjoy year-round panoramic views and sensational sunsets, fish feeding at night and free live entertainment on Wednesday and Sundays during the Dry Season.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/stokes-hill-wharf
Day 2 – 08:00am Stuart Highway, Darwin to Adelaide River War Cemetery and Litchfield Park
No trip to Darwin is complete without a visit to Litchfield National Park, and the route out of Darwin offers a prime opportunity to contemplate the countless footsteps of men and women who travelled down this well-worn route in defence of Australia. It’s a great snapshot into the history of the region for those that don’t have the time to do the full 17-hour road trip between Darwin and Alice Springs.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/destinations/litchfield-national-park
Locally known as ‘the Track’ or ‘the Bitumen’, the Stuart Highway is the Territory’s most valuable legacy of World War II. Spend an hour or so at the Batchelor Museum, on the outskirts of Litchfield, which tells the story of how this tiny town became a strategic base for the Pacific region during WWII, and call in to Adelaide River War Cemetery whilst in the area for a poignant reminder of those who gave their lives in defence of Darwin.
https://northernterritory.com/articles/up-the-track---the-stuart-highway
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/batchelor-museum
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/adelaide-river-war-cemetery
18.30pm: Sunset over Darwin Harbour
Even 76 years on, the story behind the Bombing of Darwin remains an emotive one, so to reflect on the day and everything you’ve uncovered, finish off your day by watching the sun set over Darwin Harbour. Mindil Beach, The Esplanade and the USS Peary Memorial are all beautiful spots to help put everything you’ve learnt into context.
https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/see-and-do/mindil-beach-sunset-markets
For an alternative option: The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour
If you’d rather leave it to the experts, The Darwin History and Wartime Experience tour take care of the planning. As one of the leading heritage tours in the Northern Territory, this operator will reveal the stories behind the historical events on their informative trips out and about in Darwin.
https://northernterritory.com/tours/the-darwin-history-and-wartime-experience
https://northernterritory.com/us/en/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/world-war-ii-history
Images: As supplied credit John Eve