Royal Flying Doctor Service | Darwin Museum

Two Iconic Territory Stories - One Iconic Location

One started Territory operations in 1939, the other, occurred in 1942 as an act of aggression unparalleled on Australian soil.

Both forged the resolve and resilience of the people who live in Australia's Northern Territory.

See, experience and learn through the wonder of technology as this facility brings history to life.

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE

The first iconic story is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, affectionately known throughout Australia as the RFDS.

Founded by the Reverend John Flynn, it began its aero medical operations in the Northern Territory in 1939.

Enjoy the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the RFDS. Learn about the history and the activities of the RFDS's pilots, engineers, doctors and nurses, and the experiences of the patients that are carried and cared for each day.

See, experience and learn through the wonder of technology as this facility brings history to life.

BOMBING OF DARWIN HARBOUR

The second iconic story featured is the Bombing of Darwin Harbour.

Relive the drama of the Bombing of Darwin Harbour that rocked Australia in 1942. The bombing of the harbour brought destruction to the city of Darwin, and many of the experiences and stories of what happened that day are learnt through the most modern and exciting technology.

Rear Admiral Etheridge Grant was the Commanding Officer of the USS William B Preston. Grant was not on board the USS William B Preston at the time of the attack and He was blown into the harbour as he attempted to return to his ship and crew, and spent most of the attack in the water, clinging to a large ship's buoy. The life size hologram of Grant, narrates his own version of events.

TIMES

Open 7 Days 9.30am - 5.00pm - Last Entry 4.00pm

Public Holidays 10am - 3pm - Last Entry 2.00pm

Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday

My sincere congratulations to you and your team for a job exceptionally well done. The bombing of Darwin and history of the RFDS service experiences, are certainly a must see for anyone visiting Darwin. Your VR experience taking visitors back alongside MV Neptuna on the morning of the 19 February 1942 as she comes under attack, is truly exhilarating and at the same time very emotional.

Kevin Sumption
Director & CEO Australian National Maritime Museum