Darwin Harbour Bombing of Darwin Cruise

Badge of ExcellenceDarwin, Australia

1 hour
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

See where World War II bombs fell on Darwin on this harbour cruise. On 19 February 1942, Japanese planes targeted Allied ships in Darwin’s waters, causing mass destruction. Board an open-sided boat to cruise by these and other landmarks as you hear stories of the fateful day and Darwin’s wartime history. See remnants of the raids and underwater shipwreck sites, and sail by historical wharfs, pearling luggers, and other maritime locations. Live commentary included.

World War II Darwin Harbour bombing sites cruise
Ride a boat to sites bombed by the Japanese in February 1942
See the remains of raids and wartime installations
Sit over the wreck sites of the USS Peary and SS Neptuna
Cruise by historical wharfs, luggers, Darwin’s naval base, and more
Hear stories of the attacks and wartime Darwin
Shaded, open-sided boat with live onboard commentary

What's Included

Cruise
Local guide
Live onboard commentary

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

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What To Expect

Sea Darwin

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Monica_K

A Very informative cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The boat was very comfortable. I would highly recommend this cruise

Reviews

5.0

62 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 62 reviews

Awesome Definite Must Do

Garry_W, Mar 2024

Great crew, very informative, I learnt things I had never been taught in school about what happened to Darwin during WWII, a definite must do activity for anyone visiting Darwin.

Brilliant piece of history tour

steven_c, Nov 2023

This was a very professionally run tour and gave us a much better awareness of the bombing of Darwin thanks to an excellent guide. I would recommend you take add the virtual reality bombing tour to this booking as it included entry to the flying doctors museum and bought separately was more expensive. The virtual reality and flying doctors museum was also well worth visiting too

Jim was very...

Genevieve_A, Sep 2023

Jim was very knowledgeable and PASSIONATE about the topic - very interesting and illuminating. This says it all.. thanks for the experience

A wonderful history lesson

Dianne_P, Aug 2023

The informative conmmentation on the bombing areas. The hosts were very engaging and fun personalities loved the Anzac biscuit

VERY ENLIGHTENED

Cherryl_m, Jul 2023

Both guides told us the story very well and very informative, had know idea to the extent of what really happened up here. very sad and a very poor indictment of the powers to be at that time..... thank you all so much. AWSOME boat ride

Eye Opener.

Philip_B, Jul 2023

Very enlightening experience. Shows up the governments then & now, having no idea how to look after our country.

Highly recommend to anyone.

Les_S, Jul 2023

Learning about the history was fascinating. We we taught in school all about World War 2 in Europe but hardly anything about the War on our own shores. Very insightful.

A history lesson to enjoy

BARRY_C, Jul 2023

I read the previous reviews & we had our fingers crossed they were genuine & we were not disappointed...... we learnt heaps about 19/2/1942 that was never mentioned at school .... an amazing trip

Great informative commentary

Dawn_H, Jul 2023

Great knowledge shared with real stories of people that were impacted during this frightening times Showed many sites that were destroyed by the bombings and the stragitic information that the Japanese had before the bombings .. all very interesting ..

It was wonderful. We had...

Angela_S, Jul 2023

It was wonderful. We had family staying from overseas and they like us had a marvelous time. The information we were given was absolutely fantastic

Just Right

John_P, Jul 2023

The whole presentation was designed to inform, entertain and challenge! The correct balance of entertainment and information.

Really enjoyable experience

Monique_W, Jul 2023

The whole experience was great, very informative and the speakers really explained things so well that even if you didn’t know anything it was easily understood.

great history story telling

Paul_B, Jun 2023

enjoyed all the historical information delivered well in a good story and seeing the present present day harbour & learning about that as well

Recommend to all, it gives you a better understanding of what happened to Darwin during the war.

Mark_B, May 2023

Nice staff very friendly, very informative and a great boat ride. We learnt what has been kept a secret for all these years as to the defence of Darwin. We were very suprised as what we heard. If you know little about the bombing of Darwin and want to know more then I recommend this cruise. Before and or after the cruise you can have coffee and a meal at the restaurants overlooking the Darwin harbour. Most relaxing and picturesque.

Worth the day's trip.

Anonymous, Jan 2023

Interesting historical presentation of the bombing in Darwin during the war.The your guide was very knowledgeable.

Bombing in 1942

Fiona_B, Nov 2022

Most memorable experience was the history of the bombing that took place 1942. How forunate we are living in this lucky country.

Amazing, heartbreaking to hear the suffering of so many in Darwin over this time

Carolyn_K, Jun 2022

Guide was amazing, very informative throughout 👏. Well worth doing, I would suggest this cruise is a must do, history of WW2 in Darwin needs to be told! My Dad was in the Airforce based in Darwin over this time, the stories he told were a match to the information on this cruise! Well done 👏

Response from Host, Jun 2022

It's great to hear feedback from locals, and that our interpretations align with other first hand stories. Thanks very much for your review!

A Very informative cruise...

Monica_K, May 2022

A Very informative cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The boat was very comfortable. I would highly recommend this cruise

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thanks for leaving a review, that's great to hear!

Very informative cruise

Jennifer_O, May 2022

The laconic guide, the new knowledge I gained and the beautiful harbour were the best parts of this cruise.

Response from Host, May 2022

We're pleased to hear you learned something new. Thanks for leaving a comment!