Darwin Military Museum & Defence of Darwin Experience

In the 1968, the Royal Australian Artillery Association (NT), (RAAANT) took action over the vandalising of buildings at East Point, including the 9.2-inch gun emplacements.

These guns, 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 (DMM) in August 1969 and 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 3000 objects.

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

The air-conditioned cafe and shop complement this presentation of Australia's north at war.
The DMM tells the story, not only of the NT's role in World War II, but of Australia's involvement in armed conflict over the years.