Darwin Military Museum & Defence of Darwin Experience

In 1968, the Royal Australian Artillery Association (NT) (RAAANT) took action over the vandalising of buildings at East Point.

The 9.2-inch gun emplacements, together with many other artillery and antiaircraft pieces, formed the defences of the town in World War II from the first bombing on the 19th February 1942 and the 75 subsequent attacks on Darwin throughout 1942 and 1943. The RAAANT opened the East Point Military Museum, now the Darwin Military Museum, in August 1969. Over the decades, the museum grew in size and became a major tourist attraction. From first opening, the site collection has grown to include over 3,000 objects.

In 2012, the Defence of Darwin Experience was added to the precinct and opened to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. The Defence of Darwin Experience exhibition space includes the Bombing of Darwin Gallery, iconic objects from that time, first-hand accounts and multimedia presentations. It’s surrounded by the original museum buildings and artefacts of the Darwin Military Museum, artillery pieces, vehicles, uniforms, firearms, models and paintings and much more.

The air-conditioned café and shop complement this presentation of Australia’s north at war.

The Darwin Military Museum tells the story, not only of the Northern Territory’s role in World War II, but of Australia’s involvement in armed conflict over the years.