Defence of Darwin Experience
Defence of Darwin Experience
Defence of Darwin Experience
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
The Defence of Darwin Experience is managed by Darwin Military Museum on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. It was established to tell a story of Darwin's role in World War II and is dedicated to the period 1932 to 1945 - a very important time in Territory history. The Defence of Darwin Experience opened on 18 February 2012, which was in time to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. Defence of Darwin Experience is the first facility in Australia to provide visitor with an immersive, interactive, multimedia experience which extends beyond the physical walls of the precinct 'hub'. The Defence of Darwin Experience is fully airconditioned inlcuding a gift shop and cafe. The Darwin Military Museum is only a step outside of the Defence of Darwin Experience, providing visitors with a different experience: artillery pieces; vehicles, uniforms, firearms, models and paintings and much more. The Darwin Military Museum is the original military museum which was established from the 1960s by the Royal Australian Association of the Northern Territory. The Darwin Military Museum is continuing to expand by adding more exhibitions to further educate visitors of Northern Australia involvement in WWII. Defence of Darwin Experience and Darwin Military Museum has formed a large World War II precinct at East Point. Visitors can move through the precinct and view the displays and exhibitions offered by both facilities.
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4.5
2,067 reviews
Excellent
1,311
Very good
637
Average
100
Poor
15
Terrible
4
mazzaintazza
London, UK306 contributions
Feb 2021 • Solo
Good in parts . . . The 15 minute film showing the attack on Darwin in 1942 is well produced, and plays throughout the day inside a modern screening room. There are other impressive digital and interactive displays. It feels like the Museum got a big grant to improve these elements of the visitor experience, but other areas feel dated and neglected because of it, especially the outdoor Nissan huts and old vehicles and equipment lying around. Generally the Museum offers a thorough retelling of the story, but it would have been nice to hear more of the Japanese side of things. Just about worth the $20 entry fee, although you can wander around some of the nearby large structures such as the gun emplacement, without charge.
Written 14 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eliza S
Cairns, Australia7 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
My two teenagers and I had a great half day on this tour. We would have liked to have spent more time at the museum as 40 minutes wasn't enough. The boat trip was fantastic and a great way to end the tour. The information provided by the guides was excellent. I feel that both my boys and myself have a much greater understanding of this part of our history.
Written 14 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mittagongprint
Mittagong, Australia66 contributions
Sept 2022
Well worth a visit. The exhibits range from very modern displays of the bombing of Darwin to old WWII vehicle slowing decaying in the NT weather. Lots of displays and memorabilia throughout the site, including one of the big gun emplacements
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tonip09
Da Nang, Vietnam215 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
As an Australian, I take offence at the name for this museum. It should be called "Defence of Australia". Darwin was the logical place for Japanese bombing of mainland Australia in 1942 but the war effort both before and after was throughout Australia.
The museum looked a little tired, dusty and not particularly informative with repeat photographs throughout.
The Larrimah museum in contrast, is much more informative and it is free.
The museum looked a little tired, dusty and not particularly informative with repeat photographs throughout.
The Larrimah museum in contrast, is much more informative and it is free.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frankie92374
72 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Defence of Darwin is the indoor exhibition, while the military museum is outside and in the old war buildings.
The 20 minute movie is very well done, although the uobeat excitement in the voice of the woman talking about the death of Daisy was weird.
The outdoor section has a lot of old machinery, weapons, equipment, and memorabilia from various conflicts.
We spent just over an hour there.
The 20 minute movie is very well done, although the uobeat excitement in the voice of the woman talking about the death of Daisy was weird.
The outdoor section has a lot of old machinery, weapons, equipment, and memorabilia from various conflicts.
We spent just over an hour there.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna P
35 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The video session of the Defence of Darwin was good, although the Bombing of Darwin show and virtual reality session downtown were better. Defence of Darwin at the Military Museum has fantastic displays and info inside and out. Well worth a visit. You can even scoot here on the electric hire scooters.
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave K
Upper Hutt, New Zealand10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Excellent museum showcasing exhibits from various conflicts Australian military have been involved with. Wide range of pieces. Nice mix of exhibits outdoors, in huts, and info inside main building
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsCulture
Melbourne, Australia229 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Really need a car to reach this museum. Entrance screams amateur museum with handwritten labels, dusty broken displays.
Once you reach the main exhibits it is quite interesting. Great film display. Plenty to explore outside. Would be terrific museum for kids.
Once you reach the main exhibits it is quite interesting. Great film display. Plenty to explore outside. Would be terrific museum for kids.
Written 1 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nzkrishke
Brisbane, Australia44 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Unexpectedly enthralling. Great tribute to the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese then outside is where some amazing well preserved war memorabilia can be found. Building after building, each one dedicated to either a separate war or branch of armed forces. Poignant tributes to lives lost. Highly recommended
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole M
Hornsby, Australia572 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
I was last here about 15 years ago. I brought my 10 year old son here to learn about Darwin and it’s history in the war.
He was amazed at the artefacts that were left behind. We even found a relative’s plaque on the Army wall.
Well preserved items and the information and detail amazing.
Well done on preserving and keeping the history alive for the younger generation to understand and learn
He was amazed at the artefacts that were left behind. We even found a relative’s plaque on the Army wall.
Well preserved items and the information and detail amazing.
Well done on preserving and keeping the history alive for the younger generation to understand and learn
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is this from the port where our ship will be docking
Written 18 February 2017
The Museum is approx. 15 kilometres from the wharf and as such too far to walk. Means of transport to the Museum are taxi or tour bus as there is no public transport to East Point
Written 19 February 2017
How would we get there from the cruise port?
Written 30 July 2016
You could take the hop-on, hop-off bus which goes right past the waterfront.
You could also contact the museum. See details on their website: defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au
Hope this helps.
Written 2 August 2016
How do we get to the Near Defence of Darwin Experience. Can we get there by public transport, taxi, or are there tours from Darwin centre. Also cost of entry for pensioners
Written 13 January 2015
Taxi. Worth the visit. Snacks available. Allow 2 hours.
Written 14 January 2015
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