The Forgotten War, Bombing of Darwin WWII Journey - DDTW2

Tour Details

Operator

Darwin Day Tours

Destinations

Darwin and Darwin Harbour

Departs From

Darwin

Tour Description

The Japanese air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 were the largest attacks ever mounted by a foreign power against Australia. They were also a significant action in the Pacific campaign of WWII and represented a psychological blow to the Australian population, several weeks after hostilities with Japan had begun. The raids were the first of almost 100 air raids against Australia during 1942 – 43.

The Bombing of Darwin is often called the "Pearl Harbor of Australia". Although it was a less significant military target, a greater number of bombs were dropped on Darwin than were used in the attack on Pearl Harbor. As was the case at Pearl Harbor, the Australian town was unprepared, and although it came under attack from the air a total of 64 times throughout 1942 and 1943, the raids on 19 February were massive and devastating by comparison.

Heading out to East Point we explore the Military Precinct and then visit the Darwin Military Museum. The museum was originally established as an artillery museum to exhibit photographs and artifacts from Darwin's history during WWII. The Museum now has large exhibits of items from the war, including Navy, Army and Air Force items from Australian, US and other armed forces. Its setting is, appropriately, amongst concrete gun emplacements and other fortifications in an area that was one of the most heavily fortified parts of Australia during the war.

Heading back towards the city, from Cullen Bay we’ll take a trip on the water to see what is happening now and learn more about when the first bombs fell in the harbour. The first part of your cruise takes us past the modern day Navy Base; HMAS Coonawarra. Then it is on to Doctors Gully which was once a Catalina flying boat base. Further towards the wharf precinct, the memorial to the USS Peary will guide us to the site of the most significant American warship wreck in Australian waters. Sonar of the wreck and footage from WWII will be shown during the cruise with passengers disembarking at Stokes Hill Wharf (a major target during the war).

Continuing your WWII journey we visit Charles Darwin National Park, this area was part of a network of WWII military sites established during the development of Darwin as Australia's northern defence line. The historic ammunition storage and testing areas were built in 1944. The bunkers and shelters in the Park were used for storage between 1944 and the mid 1980's. We visit the WWII display, an overview of Darwin's role in the Pacific War. As an added bonus visit the lookout platform with wonderful views of Darwin harbour and its wetlands, a great way to finish your morning experience