3 Darwin museums to visit

Darwin is one of Australia’s best getaway cities for the tropical landscapes.

Visiting Darwin’s museums is a great way to learn more about Darwin’s history. Or perhaps you want to escape the heat and walk through the airconditioning!

1. Darwin Military Museum

The Darwin Military Museum is in Eat Point and tells the Northern Territory’s military history. The Military Museum has all kinds of artefacts that are displayed inside.

The museum exhibits include the 1942 Darwin bombing and WWII history. In the outside exhibit, you can see trucks, cars, and tanks to be seen outdoors. Keep an eye out for the No.2 gun turret and the No.1 gun turret!

It’s well worth the visit to check out this museum for about an hour and a half to get a better insight into Darwin’s history.

2. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory features Aboriginal art and culture as well as permanent and limited exhibitions. This museum is in The Gardens, by Fannie Bay and a short drive from Mindil Beach.

Some of the most popular exhibitions to see are Cyclone Tracy and Sweetheart. Cyclone Tracy was a category 4 cyclone that hit Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974 killing 71 people and destroying the majority of the city.

Sweetheart was a large male saltwater croc that would attack dinghies in the 1970s, even tipping a few people into the water but not harming them. But in 1979 the attacks became more frequent and for the safety of people he was going to be caught. But unfortunately, when he was caught, he had become entangled with a sunken log and drowned.

You can easily spend around two to three hours walking through the museum, or maybe even longer!

3. Darwin Aviation Museum

Right by Darwin Airport is the Darwin Aviation Museum has the history and stories of aviation history and wartime in Darwin.

Inside the museum, you’ll see there are almost 20 aircraft, 21 engines, and 38 displays, including relics of crashed aircraft. Some aircraft highlights include the Spitfire replica, Wessex and Huey Cobra helicopters, and the P-3 Orion.

You may want to spend around an hour and a half checking out all the aircraft, photos, and video presentations.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.