Planning and managing your visit
Defence of Darwin Experience
5434 Alec Fong Lim Drive
East Point, Darwin, Northern Territory
Phone:
Email:
Website:
08 8981 8702
info@darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au
http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au
Mailing address:
Wr
GPO Box 3220, Darwin NT, 0801
Why take your students to the Defence of Darwin Experience?
It is the story of Darwin's role in World War II and is dedicated to the period 1932 to
1945 - a very important time in Territory history. It was opened on the 18 February
2012 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin and provides
students with an opportunity to understand the impact of the war on Darwin and its
inhabitants, both civilian and military.
The Defence of Darwin Experience (DDE) is the first facility in Australia to provide
students with an immersive, interactive, multimedia experience which extends
beyond the physical walls of the precinct 'hub'.
The DDE is managed by the Darwin Military Museum on behalf of the Department of
Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS), Northern Territory
Government.
The DDE is located next to the Darwin Military Museum and has joined with it to form
the Darwin Military Museum Precinct. Visitors arriving at the Precinct can enter
through the Defence of Darwin Experience and move through it to view the grounds
and exhibitions of the Darwin Military Museum.
The Defence of Darwin Experience facility at East Point comprises exhibitions that
feature objects, images and interactive multimedia installations.
As a hub for a range of military heritage experiences, visitors can download a
smartphone app offering self-guided tours to nine unique World War II sites across
the greater Darwin area. The app can be downloaded through the free wifi portal at
the Defence of Darwin Experience facility, or access it prior through the link on the
Defence of Darwin Experience website in the Military Heritage Sites menu tab.
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Exhibitions and Collections
Exhibitions
The Defence of Darwin Experience tells the story of those men and women who lived
and worked in Darwin during World War II. More than 40 characters are introduced
throughout the exhibitions and students have the opportunity to follow each
character’s story as they wander through the exhibitions. A full biography for each
person is available in the final gallery. The exhibitions include a range of multimedia
experiences that interpret the history of the Defence of Darwin.
The Bombing of Darwin Experience is a major interpretive theatre production that will
give students a sense of what it must have been like to have witnessed the first
bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942.
A small temporary exhibition space is included within the facility and will feature
different displays rotated on an annual basis.
The final space in the DDE is StoryShare. This is a unique opportunity for students
to record a short five minute story that may relate directly to the events of World War
II in the Northern Territory or as a response to their visit to the Defence of Darwin
Experience.
Permanent exhibitions:
The Defence of Darwin Experience exhibitions cover the following topics:
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Darwin – Frontier Town
The Build-Up to War
After Pearl Harbor
The Bombing of Darwin
The Counter-Offensive
Character Biographies
Teachers should be aware and provide appropriate advice to their Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students that images and names of deceased persons are
present in the exhibition.
Temporary exhibition:
Each year, as part of the Bombing of Darwin commemorative activities which take
place annually on 19 February, the Temporary Exhibition Space at the Defence of
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Darwin Experience will unveil a new feature exhibition. The current exhibition opened
on the 18 February 2012 and features the Anti-Submarine Boom Net.
Collections
The Defence of Darwin Experience (DDE) displays over 60 objects significant to the
Darwin’s World War II history. The majority of the objects exhibited are on loan from
the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Other major loan
organisations include:
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Australian War Memorial
Northern Territory Library
Darwin Military Museum
USA Government
In addition a number of private individuals also agreed to loan objects to the Defence
of Darwin Experience.
Military Heritage Sites
Military Heritage Sites
The Northern Territory and Darwin in particular, played a significant role in Australia’s
defensive and offensive activities during World War II. There are a number of
heritage places within easy drive across Darwin and down the Stuart Highway. The
nine military heritage sites featured include airfields, explosives stores and watch
towers as well as important sites and scenic locations along the Darwin foreshore. All
of these places reflect a facet of Darwin’s World War II history as told in the
exhibitions at the Defence of Darwin Experience (DDE) facility at East Point Reserve.
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Further information on the sites is available by downloading the Defence of Darwin
Experience free smartphone application.
The free App for iOS (iPhone/iPad) can be downloaded at the Defence of Darwin
Experience at East Point Reserve (free wifi on site) or via the website
http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au. Look for the following sign:
The free App for Android can be downloaded at the Defence of Darwin Experience at
East Point Reserve (free wifi on site) or via the website
http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au or via the Google Play Store. Look for the
following sign:
Defence of Darwin Experience Site
The Defence of Darwin Experience is the major attraction within the Darwin Military
Museum. The precinct is located in the East Point Reserve along Alec Fong Lim
Drive approximately four kilometres from the Fannie Bay shops. School groups
arriving at the precinct can enter through the DDE and move through it to view the
groups and exhibitions of the Darwin Military Museum. Depending on the specific
activities you have planned for your students, you should consider allowing an hour
to explore the Defence of Darwin Experience and a further hour for the Darwin
Military Museum.
The Darwin Military Museum is home to many exhibits and displays complementary
to the Defence of Darwin Experience. For example the NORFORCE/Nackeroo
commando unit display located in the tunnel under the gun emplacement and the
model of the 17 ship attack fleet in the Command Post, together with Japanese
uniforms and weapons of the time.
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Parking
A free car park is available outside the entrance to the Museum. A bus drop off is
located outside the main personnel entrance. Free bus parking is located further
along the road.
Entrance
On arrival at the Defence of Darwin Experience, please inform the staff at the front
sales/tickets desk of your group’s arrival and confirm the number of students and
supervisors visiting. As there are no permanent Education Officers on site at the
DDE, teachers are encouraged to prepare students for the visit by outlining expected
behaviour and learning outcomes. A range of education resources is available on the
Defence of Darwin Experience website http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au . You
are able to view and download these through the Education menu tab.
Bags
Large bags and backpacks are a physical hazard and therefore cannot be taken into
the Defence of Darwin Experience. Bags can be left opposite the sales/tickets desk.
Storage facilities are limited and it is encouraged that students do not bring large
bags with them on excursion. The DDE takes all care but no responsibility for student
belongings and it is recommended that valuables are not brought on the excursion.
Wherever possible, bags should be left on the bus.
Please note that no food or drink can be consumed in the Defence of Darwin
Experience. Snack/meal breaks can be enjoyed outside in the Darwin Military
Museum or in East Point Reserve.
Drinking fountains
There are no drinking fountains on site. Students are encouraged to bring their own
water bottles. As drinks and food cannot be consumed in the Defence of Darwin
Experience, it is recommended that schools provide a crate for student water bottles
that can be placed opposite the sales/tickets desk on arrival.
Toilets
Toilets are accessible through either the cafe exit and to the right.
Photography policy
Photography and videography is permitted in the exhibition galleries of objects on
loan from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, for private purposes
only, using hand-held equipment and existing light (no flash). Photography and
filming of all other loan objects is not allowed.
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Entrance signage to the BODE Gallery
Bombing of Darwin Experience Gallery
The Bombing of Darwin Experience Gallery production plays every 20 minutes and
runs for 13 minutes. When the air raid siren sounds students and
teachers/supervisors should enter the Gallery. The doors will close when the show
begins.
In an emergency, visitors are able to exit the Gallery in two ways. Press the green
emergency button to open the entrance doors. It is located on the right hand inner
wall as seen when entering the Gallery. Alternatively use the Exit Door located on the
right hand side of the Gallery. This door leads to the grounds surrounding the
building.
Warning
The Bombing of Darwin Experience, located in the theatre, is multi-sensory. Loud
explosive noises, strobe lighting and flashes will occur during the presentation.
Anyone with small children or health problems may be startled or adversely affected
by the audio and visual special effects. Please consider this warning and take care
before entering the theatre.
Teachers and adult supervisors
It is a requirement that the school provide a supervisory team for excursions to the
Defence of Darwin Experience. The supervisory team must accompany students
throughout the excursion, actively monitor behaviour and intervene as necessary.
DDE staff are not responsible for the supervision or behaviour of students.
The Defence of Darwin Experience guidelines for the ratio of adults to students for
supervisory purposes are:
Transition to Year 2
Year 3 – 6
Years 7 – 10
1: 5
1: 10
1: 15
however, individual school policies and guidelines should be consulted when
planning school visits.
Teachers are encouraged to visit the Defence of Darwin Experience prior to the
school visit and to familiarise themselves with the facilities.
Please be aware that members of the general public may be visiting the Defence of
Darwin Experience at the same time as your school and it would be appreciated that
your students demonstrate responsible behaviour to ensure an enjoyable experience
for all.
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Entrance Fees
While booked school groups and the first two teachers are provided free entry,
normal fees apply for extra teachers and adult helpers. Free entry is provided to
those holding a Territory Pass and to pensioners who are Northern Territory
residents.
Hazards and emergencies
The Defence of Darwin Experience has an active Workplace Health and Safety
program in which hazards are identified and managed. Teachers can be assured that
predictable hazards have been dealt with. However, if teachers or students identify a
hazard during their visit they should report it to a Defence of Darwin Experience staff
member. The parking areas are shared pedestrian and vehicle precincts and
precautions appropriate to the students’ age need to be put in place.
It is imperative that students do not climb on exhibits which include military
vehicles and artillery pieces. Sharp edges are often present on aged and damaged
equipment. Every sign carries a warning to not climb on the exhibits. It is important
that teachers enforce this.
The Defence of Darwin Experience has public liability cover.
Visiting school groups should carry an appropriately stocked first-aid kit and
accompanying supervisors should have first-aid qualifications. Parent/caregiver
permission forms should contain medical information with accompanying procedures
and permission to access ambulance and medical services. Trained first aid officers
are on duty at the Defence of Darwin Experience and have appropriate equipment.
The closest medical practitioners are:
Territory Medical: Shop 3, 9 Keith Lane, Fannie Bay NT 0820 Phone: 08 8941 3729
The Defence of Darwin Experience is well protected and serviced with a variety of
fire and hazard reduction equipment. In the event of an emergency it is essential that
all school visitors take directors from Defence of Darwin Experience staff who will be
wearing bright yellow or red hats. The DDE is equipped with an Emergency Warning
System. An oscillating whoop-whoop-whoop sound will indicate an evacuation is
underway. If evacuation is essential, all visitors will be assembled at a common point
in the car park or another designated safe area. Teachers will need to do a roll call
and must immediately notify DDE staff if any students are missing.
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Defence of Darwin Experience Floor Plan
Darwin Military Museum Precinct
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