On 19 February 1942 war came to Australia. Dubbed the ‘Pearl Harbour’ of Australia, Darwin was subjected to two raids by the Japanese within an hour of each other. Over 240 people were killed, with another 300-400 wounded. Aircraft were destroyed, ships were sunk, and both civil and military facilities in Darwin were devastated. Over the next 21 months, Darwin, Adelaide River, Katherine and Milingimbi in Arnhem Land were bombed 64 times.
By taking part in a tour, you will learn about the people and history from leading experts. The tour covers only the Northern Territory sites, but will also commemorate and give some place in its special presentations to the other places affected around Australia – and covers the impact on the country as a whole.
Unlock the Past is teaming up with Clean Cruising, our travel/cruise partner, and Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, a leading Australian battlefield tour operator, to organise a War Comes to Australia: WWII Bombing of Darwin 70th Anniversary Tour in February 2012. For 6 days and 5 nights, you will travel to various museums and important historical sites in Darwin and south of Darwin, as well as participate in the town’s celebrations on the 19 February 2012.
There will be two three hour seminar periods on the tour with feature presentations by:
- Brad Manera, our tour historian and Executive Manager/CEO ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney.
- Dr Tom Lewis OAM, noted military historian, author and Director of the Darwin Military Museum.
- Shauna Hicks, archivist, genealogist, historian, and leading Unlock the Past pesenter and author.
For information regarding the various aspects of the tour, please click on the links to the left of this page, or download a pdf brochure.
17-22 February 2012
Darwin and vicinity, Northern Territory
Full tour $1750 (excluding airfares)
The Tour Itinery:
Friday 17 February
Arrive in Darwin, Seminar 1 afternoon/evening, welcome dinner in the evening.
Saturday 18 February
Sightseeing Stokes Hill, Fort Hill Wharf, World War II oil storage tunnel, Christ Church Cathedral, Government and Parliament House.
Sunday 19 February
Join to township of Darwin for the service and celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.
Monday 20 Feburary
Visit Darwin Military Museum, then on to the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre. Seminar 2 will be held in the afternoon/evening.
Tuesday 21 February
Sighteeing important airfields, Snake Creek Explosives Storage Dump, and the Adelaide River Cemetery.
Wednesday 22 February
Tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to Darwin Airport.
contact Unlock The Past
contact Clean Cruising