The Department of Tourism and Culture’s latest Military Heritage Tourism campaign highlights the Top End as a place of significant historical value, as well as showcasing the city as an appealing holiday destination. 

The campaign commences tomorrow, Saturday, 17 February as Weekend Sunrise weather presenter James Tobin joins Darwin based military operators including Jim Henderson from Segway Tours NT, Norm Cramp from the Defence of Darwin and Garry Gallagher from Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours at the Darwin Military Museum, East Point.

Timed with the anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin on 19 February, the latest Military Heritage Tourism campaign highlights the Top End as a place of significant historical value, as well as showcasing the city as an appealing holiday destination.

Following the success of the campaign last year, the Military Heritage Tourism campaign targets the 50+ market and focuses on the Top End and specifically Darwin, while showcasing a number of other military sites throughout the Northern Territory.

Department of Tourism and Culture Acting Deputy CEO Andrew Hopper said that research has shown that military experiences can enhance the visitor experience and that the Top End is primed to take advantage of this appeal.

“The bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 is one of Australia’s most significant yet little known military events and has the potential to be a tourism drawcard to the region,” Mr Hopper said. 

“Domestic travellers lack awareness about the NT’s military past, so we are working to grow awareness of our destination for its historical significance with the ultimate goal of increasing travel demand.”

The campaign features relevant attractions, military-themed holiday inspiration and articles highlighting Darwin’s rich WWII history.

The campaign will run in the February edition of Traces magazine, which will be distributed inside Caravanning Australia; a takeover on the History Channel’s website; and targeted online advertising to mobile phone devices that are recognised as having previously been to other historical military locations, outside of the Northern Territory.                                    

Darwin Military Museum Director Norm Cramp said he was pleased to see the Northern Territory Government supporting the commemoration of the bombing of Darwin as it’s important to remember the loss of life and wide-spread destruction that resulted from the air raids.

“The commemoration allows us to reflect on that history as well as the opportunity to present and promote the NT’s rich WWII military history and tourism offerings - such promotion can only benefit the community and the economy and in doing so, lend much needed support in telling the Territory’s wartime history,” Mr Cramp said.

The Military Tourism campaign supports the Department of Tourism and Culture’s ongoing ‘Do the NT’ activity.

TEN TOP END MILITARY EXPERIENCES
There are many ways to uncover the Territory’s rich military history, regardless of your level of expertise.

1. Darwin Military Museum & Defence of Darwin Experience
Located at East Point Reserve, the Darwin Military Museum allows you to witness live footage and a captivating collection of artefacts including uniforms, weapons, artillery pieces and real life interviews with WWII veterans. To top it off, the museum houses a café which is steeped in lush tropical gardens – the perfect way to cap off a day of exploring!

2. Bombing of Darwin tour
Hit the water in Sea Darwin’s Bombing of Darwin cruise. The one hour journey gives a different view of historic sites such as Stokes Hill and Fort Hill Wharves, the Pearling Luggers and wreck sites of SS Neptuna and USS Peary. If you’re keen for more, the cruise can also be booked as part of a half-day tour on dry land, too.

3. Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility
History meets technology in this immersive attraction. Experience the Bombing of Darwin Harbour through cutting edge virtual reality, see amazing stories told through holographic presentations, and have your questions answered by historical figures via interactive displays.

4. Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours
Find out what really happened when Darwin was devastated during WWII.  This four hour morning tour visits many relics and reminders of this time, as you hear tales that bring the past to life again.

5. Darwin History and Wartime Experience tour
See historic sites from the back of a WWII army truck as you explore Darwin’s fascinating history.  The interpretive guiding will introduce you to some of the colourful characters of the past that

6. Battle of Australia Tour
Want to visit all the iconic sites, but don’t have time to spare? Darwin Tours’ Battle of Australia Tour is just the ticket. This one-day guided tour will take you to 15 of Darwin’s WWII sites, including the RAAF Ammunition Storage Facility, sites on Darwin Harbour, and the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre. Tour includes morning tea, lunch, and hotel transfers.

7. WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Located in the Darwin Wharf Precinct, beneath the cliffs of Darwin city, lie the oil storage tunnels built during WWII.  The tunnels feature a photographic display of Darwin during WWII and new interpretative boards.

8. Batchelor Museum
Spend an hour or two at this fascinating museum that tells how Batchelor became a strategic base for the Pacific region during WWII.  Housed in the old Single Women’s Quarters, the museum also tells the stories of the local Aboriginal heritage, mining and pastoral histories.

9. Walk Darwin tours
Explore the city of Darwin with a local guide on a 2-hour walking tour to hear the history and see the present day sights.  There are many hidden treasures to see and local insights to hear as you walk through the historic quarter of the city.

10. Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Boasting dozens of aircrafts, engines and plane crash remnants, this unique museum covers the fateful bombings of Darwin in 1942 and many other air battles of WII, including remains of a Japanese Zero fighter. Also on display is one of the last B25 Bombers in the world and other fascinating relics.

Visit northernterritory.com/militaryheritage for more information.

Media Contact – Department of Tourism and Culture – 0428 052 647