Darwin City Council will organise and host the 65th anniversary commemoration in February 2007.
The 65th Anniversary Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin will be held on Monday 19th February 2007 at the Cenotaph in Darwin.
The service will commence at 9.30 am with the WWII air raid sirens sounding at 9.58 am. The sounding of the siren at this specific time coincides with the commencement of the initial attack on Darwin by Japanese aircraft on 19 February 1942.
Accommodation
The following hotels are offering a discount. When booking please state you are attending for the Bombing of Darwin Commemoration. Your booking will need to be made direct with the hotel. Phone numbers are supplied below with each hotel.
Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin (formerly the Carlton Crest)
122 The Esplanade, Darwin
Offering Superior Twin/Queen Superior Room for $115 per room per night including buffet breakfast for 1 or 2 persons. This Hotel features Sirocco Mediterranean / Seafood restaurant, a 24 metre pool, fitness centre, and entrance from both The Esplanade and Mitchell Street. All rooms feature a separate shower and bath.
Phone: 08 8901 0789
Holiday Inn Darwin – The Esplanade (formerly Travelodge)
The Esplanade, Darwin
Offering Superior Twin/Queen Superior Room for $115 per room per night including buffet breakfast for 1 or 2 persons. This hotel is a slightly older hotel but has a great reputation with its award winning Poolside restaurant and bar and fantastic views of the Esplanade and harbour. All rooms feature a private balcony and ceiling to floor windows. Holiday Inn Darwin also boasts one of the largest standard room sizes in Darwin and superb alfresco dining.
Phone: 08 8901 0789
Crowne Plaza Darwin (formerly Rydges Plaza Darwin)
Mitchell Street, Darwin
Superior Twin/King Superior Room for $135.00 – Room and Breakfast (1 or 2 persons). This is Darwin’s largest hotel and proudly holds the only five star hotel rating in Darwin’s CBD. Rooms feature 2 double or 1 king size bed and half of all rooms feature a harbour view. The hotel features a modern Steak and Seafood restaurant - Restaurant and a modern café / lounge bar. Crowne Plaza Darwin is located adjacent to two of Darwin’s leading restaurants Lewinsky’s Seafood Restaurant and Hanuman Restaurant which guests can charge back from their room.
Phone: 08 8901 0789
Quest Serviced Apartments
55 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
Winner of Quest Apartments National Franchise Awards 2005. The apartments feature separate living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen and a private laundry. All apartments provide the comfort of air conditioning, ceiling fans, kitchenette, television, work desk, direct dial phones with voicemail, dial up for internet and access to broadband wireless. A variety of Austar channels are available in all rooms at no charge to our guests. Prices from $135.00 single/double room. Please speak with Sonia or Tracey.
Phone: 08 8982 3100
Web site www.questdarwin.com.au.
Mirambeena Resort Darwin
64 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
All rooms have disabled access, except for the Townhouses, which have an upstairs bedroom and bathroom. Mirambeena Resort Darwin is in the centre of Darwin only 100 metres from the Central Post Office and a short walking distance to the City’s central shopping mall and restaurants. Prices from $89.00 single/double.
Phone 08 8946 0111 or email info@mirambeena.com.au
Proposed program
In extending Darwin’s hospitality to visitors, several bus tours to WWII sites and surrounds will be organised. Please note at this early stage (November 2006) the program is a DRAFT only.
Saturday 17th February 2007
9.00 am - morning tour:
- Aviation Museum
- WWII Military Museum
- 1934 Qantas hanger. The Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club will open up the Hangar at Parap to show their restored vehicles from different eras and vehicles under restoration.
1.30 pm - afternoon tour:
- Museum and Art Gallery of NT
- Australian War Memorial Exhibition – Australia under attack 1942-1943
Sunday 18th February 200
9.00 am to 2.30 pm - trip to Adelaide River:
- War Cemetery
- Railway Station (a gold coin donation will be required)
- Light lunch at Adelaide River Hotel before returning to Darwin. Lunch will be a Barra smorgasbord at the Adelaide River Hotel. You will be required to pay for your lunch.
Monday 19th February 2007
9.30 am - 65th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin:
- Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, The Esplanade, Darwin
- Undercover seating provided
Evening - dinner or cocktail party
- Hosted by Lord Mayor of Darwin, Mr Peter Adamson
Tuesday 20th February 2007
8.30 am to 12.00 noon - Tour 1:
- Strauss Airstrip, Berry Springs or Noonamah/Howard Springs
1.30 pm - Tour 2:
- Coastline off Casuarina/Nightcliff
- Frances Bay Explosive dump
- Quarantine Station
TOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
16 February to 13 May 2007: Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition
The Australian War Memorial will be bringing an exhibition to Darwin from 16 February 2007 until 13 May 2007.
The exhibition outlines the location of attacks and puts the attacks into a context that younger Australian’s can understand. It will be displayed at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in the Ken Waters Gallery.
How to register
Due to the weather conditions in February, please wear cool clothing, and bring a sun hat and umbrella.
Please advise the Event Coordinator, Maxine Dowley, if you or your family will be attending Darwin for the commemorations to be held on the 19th February 2007. Please do not indicate which tour/s you wish to partake in. Once you have advised Maxine Dowley of your interest to attend the commemoration, a tour booking sheet will be forwarded to you.
Maxine can be contacted:
Darwin City Council looks forward in seeing you at the Commemoration.
Ceremony will be held on