Darwin Combo: The Bombing of Darwin Experience & Darwin Harbour Cruise

Badge of ExcellenceDarwin, Australia

2 to 4 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

In February 1942, the North Australian city of Darwin was bombed by Japanese forces. With this two-for-one deal, cruise around the Darwin waterfront on the Bombing of Darwin cruise, sailing by landmarks like the wreck sites of the SS Neptuna and USS Peery; then visit the historic Royal Flying Doctor Tourist Facility and hear the local stories of those air raids. Don’t organize these two attractions separately; book in advance and confirm them for the same day.

Great for families: the cruise and the VR experience are suitable for children
Flexible: arrange your visit to the RFD Tourist Facility around your schedule
No long walk between sites: both attractions are on central Stokes Hill Wharf
No need for a paper ticket: just download your tickets to your phone

What's Included

One Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise
Entry to RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Sea Darwin - Sea Tiwi
Dock 2 Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Please wait at Dock 2 Stokes Hill Wharf at 10:50am. The crew will come to the gate and boarding will be by booking name. You do not need to check in at the Sea Darwin office prior to boarding. You choose to go in to the RFDS either before or after the cruise, just show your ticket.

Start time

11:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Sea Darwin

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Children must be accompanied by an adult
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 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

Melanie_E

Really good informative tour with fast boat fun! Also interactive and informative in museum - I found it really good value and something that was easy to fit in before returning to airport and flying home - highly recommend

Reviews

5.0

104 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 104 reviews

Fantastic & informative

Marjorie_G, May 2024

All forms of story telling regarding Darwin's part in the war were very interesting and well done. We enjoyed the Harbour Cruise which was also very informative and it was lucky we had a beautiful fine day to enjoy this trip.

A great experience

Judy_B, Apr 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The talk was amazing and detailed. We appreciated that the tour company adjusted our trip time as we were so Late getting off the ship. Thank you

Excellent tour

Chrissy_J, Apr 2024

Learnt so much of the history that has never been taught. Would highly recommend this tour and the operators were very friendly and helpful.

Very informative and fun!

John_D, Mar 2024

This exceeded expectation! Our guide was very informative and friendly. And the museum augmented nicely.

Unique history tour of the area

Vanessa_G, Nov 2023

Before this tour we had no idea that Australia was even bombed during WWII. The harbour cruise and commentary was well done. Following that we went to the nearby Royal Flying Doctor and Bombing of Darwin visitor centre. The movies and Virtual Reality experiences really helped bring the history to life. This was a unique tour for someone who likes history.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you so much for the positive feedback - we too think this tour is an important eye-opener and we are glad you enjoyed it so much.

Great arvo on the bay

Adi_R, Sep 2023

A great experience cruising the harbour with a very knowledgeable guide. We learnt a lot of the details of what happened both before and during the bombing. Worth a trip.

Listening to history of Darwin I wasn't aware of.

Michael_P, Aug 2023

This cruise is so worth doing, the hear the history of the Bombing of Darwin. The guide was very knowledgeable and easy to listen too.

Engaging and Informative

GlenW, Aug 2023

Guides provided a good overview of bombing of Darwin, pointing out areas affected. The museum, especially the virtual reality experience, was very good.

One of the best activities Ive done in Darwin

Angela_F, Jul 2023

The boat guides were very engaging and I really enjoyed the tour. The bombing experience and RFDS centre was excellent. You need to allow about 90 mins at least for this bit. Its very interactive.

Something everyone should learn about Darwin

Deborah_M, Jun 2023

The tour was very comfortable and the information was informative and entertaining. Great tour for all age groups. The boat was fabulous and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. The RDND museum is great with lots of interactive displays.

History’realities made clear!

Barbara_M, Apr 2023

Learning the history of Darwin Australia was phenomenal. It is the history we Australian’s should be taught in school!!! We went to all the areas that were bombed by the Japanese and where a ship went down after being bombed. The speaker was informative and interactive. The trip around the bay in the boat was amazing, with the aqua waters and the sun shining

Winter get away

Vanessa_M, Aug 2022

The boat was very comfortable and went fast which was fun. The gentleman was great on the mic telling us about the numbing and all the history the boat driver did a wonderful job manoeuvring the boat into its moarings a great morning out.

A great day on the water!

Sharon_H, Aug 2022

This was a great activity! We learned things we never knew about the bombing of Darwin, and we’re Australians! Excellent tour! Highly recommend 👍

Wonderful experience all...

Gai_W, Aug 2022

Wonderful experience all round. This is a must do. The harbour cruise was very informative and the RFDS/ World War 11 was amazing

Very informative and enjoyable

Emily_H, Aug 2022

Informative and huge learning experience for us all. The museum is brilliant. The tour was well run and very the guide was very knowledgeable

A great experience

Jill_D, Jul 2022

The boat trip We really appreciated the guides knowledge about Darwin. The RFDS base was amazing....

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Thanks Jill, our local guides are full of information that they enjoy sharing. We are pleased that you enjoyed the boat trip and agree that the Bombing of Darwin virtual reality display in the RFDS is amazing.

Fantastic

Jodie_L, Jul 2022

Loved hearing all the history it was a a great experience I recommend everyone to do this as there is a lot that you didn’t know

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Hi Jodie, thank you for your review and your kind recommendation. We are there is more for people to know about the Bombing of Darwin.

Good for its price.

Rebecca_M, Jul 2022

8 min VR - bombing. Impressive. Great story teller on board boat. Gives you an idea of the harbour shape and size and Darwin’s. Would be good to couple with a historical on shore tour. Includes royal flying doctor 3D type tour also. Good for kids.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

We're so please you enjoyed our cruise and the VR experience at the Royal Flying Doctors Service as well!

Worthwhile tour

brentonireland, Jul 2022

Great tour guides, very friendly and informative. The craft was comfortable and safe. Staff were helpful and accommodating.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Great to hear, thanks for leaving a review!

Amazing experience even...

Liana_W, Jul 2022

Amazing experience even though it was a bit choppy out on the ocean. It was really fun & it was still a very beautiful day to get out & have this great experience. Very informative tour & the tour guides where awesome. My family throughly enjoyed it.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Our expert skippers are great at managing all conditions, we're please you loved the trip!