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Second World War heritage · Darwin, Australia

Visit the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

From A$24 per adult

Photo credits

Tickets · Darwin

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Adult prices. Reduced rates for seniors and children aged 4–16; under-4s go free.

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WWII Oil Storage Tunnels photos 1 / 5

  1. A long concrete storage tunnel lit by lamps, with interpretive panels on its curved walls and water in a channel along the floor

Overview

Wartime tunnels below Darwin’s city cliffs.

  • Timed entryPick a date and an entry timePick a date and time
  • E-tickets by emailPDF tickets, sent to your inboxPDF to your inbox
  • Reduced ratesFor seniors and children aged 4–16Seniors and children
  • Total before you payPrices in Australian dollars, service fee includedIn AUD, fee included
  • Help every day8 am–8 pm New York time8 am–8 pm New York
  • Dug from 1943Dug by the Civil Constructional Corps from 1943Dug from 1943

Walk through two oil storage tunnels dug into the cliffs below Darwin’s city centre during the Second World War, now a self-guided heritage museum near the Darwin Waterfront.

Air raids in 1942 destroyed seven of the eleven oil tanks on Stokes Hill, and in 1943 work began on secret tanks underground. Water seeped in, and the tunnels never held oil during the war. Tunnels 5 and 6, about 4.5 metres wide and 5.4 metres high, opened to visitors on 19 February 1992, the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.

Facilities

Facilities can change through the year. Visitors can usually expect:

  • Photographs of wartime activity in the Top End along the tunnel walls.
  • Augmented-reality stories to open on your own smartphone.
  • Free parking in the multi-level car park on Kitchener Drive.
  • Restaurants and cafés at the Darwin Waterfront nearby.

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip, and bring water and sun protection for the walk outside. Ask staff about current arrangements when you arrive.

Accessibility

The tunnels are entered from the footpath on Kitchener Drive. Underground, floors can be wet in places and the narrow entrance tunnels have metal walkways; Tourism NT describes the site as suited to visitors who can manage a few steps, including people using walking frames. If you use a wheelchair, check access before you visit.

  • Check arrangements for your particular mobility or access needs before travelling.
  • If you are bringing a stroller, confirm the current arrangements before arrival.
  • Ask site staff for assistance or directions during your visit.

Opening times

All times are local to Darwin.

May to September
09:00–16:00 · Every dayDry season
October to April
09:00–13:00 · Every dayWet season
Closed
1–26 December and 1 JanuaryHours can differ on cruise-ship days

Allow time to explore before closing. Your ticket shows your date and entry time.

Visitor information checked 10 November 2026. Opening times and facilities can change; follow the date, time and instructions on your issued ticket.

Plan your visit

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  2. 2Tickets
  3. 3Date & time
  • Prices in Australian dollars
  • Total shown before you pay
Photo credits

Photography on this page by Andrew in Darwin, DaHuzyBru, Lance Vanlewen, Alex Healing and Jack Morlet. Full photography credits.

The Apollonaut way

How your visit comes together.

Field notes

Get to know the tunnels.

Our guide takes you through the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels, from the entrance on Kitchener Drive to the long storage tunnels and the wartime photographs on their walls. Decide what you’d like to see before you book.

Plan your visit

Find your time to go.

Choose general admission. Select your ticket types, then pick an available date and entry time.

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Ticket delivery

Take your tickets with you.

We email your tickets as soon as they’re issued. Need a hand? Our team is available daily, 8 am–8 pm New York time.

Field notesFig. 01

Before you book

A few helpful answers.

Understand your options and know what happens next.

All frequently asked questions
How do I book my visit?

Choose your experience, ticket types and quantities, then a date and time. Enter your contact details and review your selection before continuing.

What does general admission include?

General admission covers entry to the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels in Darwin. Check the inclusions shown with your chosen experience.

How will I receive my admission tickets?

Your admission tickets are sent to the email address you provide. For help, contact our team.

Which currency are the prices in?

Prices are shown in Australian dollars (AUD). Your total reflects the experience, ticket types and quantities selected. Review your total before continuing.

Where can I get help with my booking?

Email us with your booking reference and a short description of your question. You can also find practical information in our visitor guide.

Ready?Tickets from A$24 per adultGet tickets
Black smoke rising from burning oil tanks on Stokes Hill above Darwin’s main wharf during the first air raid, 19 February 1942, in black and white

History, memory & the Second World War

Built to keep
Darwin’s fuel safe.

Air raids in 1942 destroyed most of the oil tanks on Stokes Hill. Discover why tunnels were dug into the cliffs below the town, and why they never held oil during the war.

Discover the tunnels’ heritage

Plan your visit

Make time for the details.

A little preparation leaves more time for the visit itself.

01

Choose your experience

Check what general admission includes before choosing your tickets.

Explore the options 02

Prepare for your visit

Find practical guidance and keep your visit details ready before you travel.

Read the visitor guide 03

Visit with care

Keep to the walkways, leave the pipework and displays untouched, and remember that Darwin’s war years cost many lives.

Thoughtful visiting

Getting here

Find your way
to the tunnels.

WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Kitchener Drive, Darwin Waterfront
Darwin NT 0800, Australia
Open directions

Opens Google Maps in a new tab.

The concrete tunnel portal on Kitchener Drive, with large pipes, valves and a gated entrance beside an information panel

Apollonaut, a Global Travel Platform

Your visit.
Clearly arranged.

Clear choices

Review your selected experience, ticket categories and total in Australian dollars.

Help from our team

Contact us with your booking reference when you need support.

Tickets by email

Receive your admission tickets by email, ready for your visit.

This WWII Oil Storage Tunnels page is part of the Apollonaut Global Travel Platform, operated by Apollonaut Pty Ltd (ACN 703 643 485, ABN 74 703 643 485). WWII Oil Storage Tunnels tickets on Apollonaut are sold by Apollonaut Pty Ltd, which takes payment, emails your tickets and provides booking support.

Learn about our service

Discover the tunnels

There is more to explore.

Follow the story of the tunnels, from the air raids of 1942 to the heritage museum they are today.

Stories, journal and sources⌄
Black smoke rising from burning oil tanks on Stokes Hill above Darwin’s main wharf during the first air raid, 19 February 1942, in black and white

History timeline

The tunnels through time

Trace the chapters that shaped the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels.

Explore the history timeline A long concrete storage tunnel lit by lamps, with interpretive panels on its curved walls and water in a channel along the floor

Apollonaut journal

A closer look

Read about the tunnels, the raids that led to them and the details worth noticing underground.

Read the Apollonaut journal Rusted valve wheels and pipework against a stained concrete wall inside the tunnels

Behind our guides

Follow the sources

Find references and further reading behind our cultural introductions.

Behind our guides
Explore all stories

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