Darwin Tunnels: Tours of the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels
The World War II Oil Storage Tunnels in Darwin are moderately interesting, but highly atmospheric to walk through. They can be found on the Darwin Wharf Precinct. The Darwin Oil Storage Tunnels are worth a visit if you’ve got a few days in the Top End.
For a relatively small city, Northern Territory capital Darwin packs in more than its fair share of attractions. You can go for a swim in a crocodile enclosure, enter a cyclone simulator, enjoy a giant wave pool, get a history lesson on Smith Street Mall and mooch around the Mindil Beach Markets, for starters.
But Darwin also has a few important historic sites, most connected to World War II. Perhaps the quirkiest of these are the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
Darwin Tunnels: World War II in Darwin
During World War II, Australia’s northernmost city was on the frontline. More bombs were dropped by the Japanese here than at Pearl Harbor.
Darwin became a reachable target for Japanese bombing raids. The existing oil storage facilities were sited on an exposed headland, and were thus something of a sitting duck. With Darwin fairly isolated from the rest of Australia, having all the city’s oil was a huge risk.
So the decision was made to build the Darwin oil storage tunnels into the rock face behind the waterfront. Eventually five were constructed, stretching for hundreds of metres underground and shrouded in secrecy. The tunnels were never eventually used for storing oil, and in recent years, two of them have been opened up to the public.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
Inside the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels
They’re dank, dirty and a little seedy – but that’s part of what makes them so intriguing. No effort has been made to pretty them up, aside from a few panels of wartime photographs tacked on to the walls. There’s no real theme to these, and they range from pictures of the city at the time to servicemen hand-feeding wallabies.
As a museum about the wartime experience, the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels in Darwin are pretty forgettable. But the experience of wandering through the dark, grimy, secret tunnels is memorable. This one’s all about the atmospherics rather than the content.
Entrance to the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels in Darwin costs $8.50. The Darwin tunnels can be found at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct not too far from the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility, Aqua Park and Adina Waterfront Darwin.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.
More underground adventures in Australia
The subterranean show homes of Coober Pedy, South Australia.
The world’s oldest caves in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.
Copper mining heritage in Moonta, South Australia.
A tour of the tunnels under Fremantle Prison, Western Australia.
Cave tours in Margaret River, Western Australia.