Defence of Darwin Experience

In the 1960s, the Royal Australian Artillery Association (NT), took action over the vandalising of the 9.2-inch gun emplacements of East Point. These guns, together with many six-inch pieces, formed the anti-ship defence of the town in World War II from the first bombing on the 19th February 1942 and the 64 subsequent attacks on Australia through 1942 and 1943. Over the decades, the museum grew in size and became a tourist attraction. From first opening the site collection has grown as the RAAA members sought out abandoned military hardware from around the Northern Territory. Despite Cyclone Tracy, which destroyed every tree of the precinct, the Museum prospered. In 2012, the Defence of Darwin Experience was added to the precinct. The exhibition space includes the Bombing of Darwin Gallery, iconic objects from that time, firsthand accounts and multimedia presentations. The new Experience is surrounded by the other buildings and artifacts of the Darwin Military Museum, artillery pieces, vehicles, uniforms, firearms, models and paintings and much more. The air-conditioned cafe and shop complement this presentation of Australia's north at war. It is the story of Darwin's role in World War II and is dedicated to the period 1932 to 1945.