Darwin Aviation Museum

Darwin Aviation Museum

Darwin Aviation Museum
4.5
Military MuseumsHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A B-52 bomber (one of only two on display outside the U.S.) is exhibited here along with other military aircraft, engines and the wreckage of a Japanese Zero fighter shot down in the 1942 air raids on Darwin.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • C_and_J_Lewis
    Sydney, Australia501 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow! Huge array of incredible aircraft headlined by the ENORMOUS B52!!
    An incredible array of aircraft. I love visiting aviation museums and this is one of the best. If you like Australian aviation you will be amazed! If you just like planes you will love it. There is not much interactive, it is a walk around and read type museum, but the amount and quality of aircraft is awesome. From memory they have the unbelievably huge B52, the F18, F111, P3 Orion, Mirage, Spitfire, Sabre, a Cobra helicopter, Wessex helicopter, and this would be less than a tenth of the lineup. The information is great, and they provide the opportunity to see into some of the more fascinating areas - eg. the gunner area of a Lancaster Bomber (I'm too big and won't fit!!) Definitely worth a visit (AUD$20) adult and $15 for seniors and service people (July 2024). As a bonus the outside of the museum is at the end of the runway for the airport where amazing military and civilian aircraft take off. PS. you cannot capture the size of the B52 as it is just way too huge, but most aircraft in the museum are under it's enormous wings.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 July 2024
  • Cosmopolitan800580
    United Kingdom183 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    See biggest US bomber ever built plus lots of other planes
    Interesting collection of mostly military planes, including a giant US Bomber that dominate the hanger. The planes vie with the bombing of Darwin in WW2 and the subsequent Ariel warfare in and around Darwin for the visitor's attention. There are some good short videos and lots of show cases and a sort of chronological tour that takes the visitor around the bomber. No obvious explanations about the planes parked outside the hanger and it was too hot to go and explore them. Staff were friendly and there is a good bookshop including some second hand books for sale plus the usual hats and other museum merchandise. Also, ice-creams that are welcome when the temperature is in the 90s. To get to the museum take the number 8 bus, an experience in itself and currently free. The bus stops outside the museum entrance. You can buy a combined ticket for the RFDS and aviation museum that is cheaper than 2 separate tickets. worth the visit if you have kids or are interested in Darwin's history in relation to the air and the defence of northern Australia.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 21 August 2024
  • Walterc
    Greenwood, Australia18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth doing
    Well worth a visit. we did it on the way to departing Darwin. From the waterfront to the museum we took an Uber that was around $25.00 and then to the airport from there also a similar price. Lots of info and displays that are easy to see closeup. An hour there should be fine unless you are into aviation.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 August 2024
  • David n Sally B
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Reminiscing.
    Outstanding as always. Sad to see 757 still suffering outside, but understandable. Big thanks to Owen for indulging me a trip down memory lane in her nonetheless. Have been here many times, but still find something new to look at every time.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 September 2024
  • Kamal P
    Byron Bay, Australia9,568 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    They had some of the amazing yesteryear Giants and the Midgets that soared the sky
    We were amazed by the sheer size of the 8 engine B52 bomber which was as much long as the length of the display hanger. There were many smaller aircrafts as well as fighter aircrafts and helicopters. Most eye-catching exhibits outside the hanger, on an apron were the Douglas DC 3 Dakota, the Four engine Lockheed Orion and the Mitsubishi MU 2 and a vintage well preserved Airport Fire Fighting engine. De Havilland Dove, vintage biplane De Havilland Tiger Moth, the small Rutan Long EZe and the replica of the Spitfire were beautiful exhibits. Westland Wessex and the Bell cobra were some of the helicopters that we would never have seen other than in a museum like this. Vehicle mounted and portable boarding staircases provided access to take a closer look at some of the exhibits. The nose and the middle part of a North American B 25 D Mitchell bomber named “Hawg Mouth” which had been in active service was a great attraction.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 October 2024
  • Anne S
    Leeds, United Kingdom619 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    First time we had seen a B-52
    Came here as part of an excursion from our cruise ship. The B-52 is the star of the show and it's enormous. They have a viewing gallery so you can see it from above and you can even see inside the cockpit. There are lots of other aeroplanes to see, as well as the wreck of a Japanese Zero.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 December 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles985 reviews
Excellent
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Simon M
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
This imposing museum, primarily located in a large hangar, feels increasingly absorbing and intriguing every second you wander around and under the array of aircraft, engines, and displays. Initially, most patrons will feel in awe of the huge B52 bomber that covers most of the hangar--with a range of aircraft, from the slick F111C, to the Mirage, Avon Sabre, A21, and Wessex helicopter, surrounding this imposing plane. But, after the initial sense of wonder, as you climb the ladders to peer inside some of the cockpits, you are likely to notice many other remarkable features: the fascinating movie footage about the first flight, featuring the Smith brothers, from London to Darwin, the remarkable display that journals each day of their journey, the display of 500 personnel killed in Vietnam, the wreckages of air crashes, and so many other features. Perhaps, the museum is bursting at the seams and could be organised slightly more coherently, perhaps with a display or brochure that unifies the journey. But otherwise, this museum is flawless and fascinating.
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nathan Smith
31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
Doesn't look like much from the outside, but this was an amazing way to spend a few hours. The history of the exhibits is fascinating and the B52 and fighter planes are worth the price of admission alone. A definite must do in Darwin. Spend the time to read the info on each piece and you'll be immersed in the history behind them.
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert D
Brooklyn, New York5,375 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
The Darwin Aviation Museum is adjacent to Darwin Airport, but on the other side. A local bus stops in front of the museum. Its prize exhibit is the only Boeing B-52 Stratofortress on display in the Southern Hemisphere. It was built in 1959 and gifted by the U.S. government to the people of Darwin in 1990. They had to build a special hangar to accommodate this huge aircraft. I spent two hours at this museum enjoying their many exhibits.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

suellynhine
Newcastle, Australia245 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
A very informative and hands on experience at this great museum. It is jam packed wit( displays and aviation history and artefacts, it also has a great shop to buy all things aviation etc. Definitely a must see when in Darwin
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BelC0001
Sydney, Australia1,025 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
The B52 decommissioned bomber is the highlight of the collection. It's rare to see one up close, outside an air show. The F1-11 is one of a handful also decommissioned and distributed to aviation museums around Australia for the public to see.

As the B52 is so large, it takes up all the available indoor space. As such, the curators have had to park other exhibits underneath it, leading to more crowded-than-usual displays. This isn't a criticism, just a comment when comparing this museum to many other aviation museums we've visited. One would like to 'back up' in order to fit the entire B52 into one photo but one can't without backing into a wall or another display.

The souvenir shop is excellent, with a deep collection of books, model kits, Humbrol paints and brushes, T shirts and clothing, badges, toys for all ages. I was very happy to find and purchase a TAA coffee cup (the only other museum stocking such is the TAA Museum in Melbourne).

The staff are welcoming and informative.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peta
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023 • Family
Wow!! Impressive to see the B52 up close and a large collection of aircraft and other aviation including the bombing of Darwin, air race and women in aviation. A definite must see when in Darwin, great place for the kids as well.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrew R
38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
Having a B52 as your USP is obviously a massive plus point (and watching a history of this aeroplane from within the bomb bay was great) , but the museum has much more than this to keep you occupied. The footage from the winners of the 30 day London to Sydney competition in 1919 was really interesting, and the display of all 6 contestants' efforts for the 10,000 prize was very well done. Staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dukkkman
Beechboro, Australia82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
I must admit I love planes and this place ( for the price ) delivers a whole lot of interesting and diverse planes. Yes the B52 was the star of the show and I made sure I purchased The darwin museum B52 cap in the very pleasant memorabilia shop. The ultralights were so small with tiny motors that made it hard to believe that some one would be brave enough or crazy enough to fly one. Many displays, and the story of the zero pilot that was captured by the locals was a beauty. Wonderful insight to some of Darwins history.
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ronp1954
Langford, Australia792 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
This museum is on the main street going into town, and we drove pst it at least twice every day without seeing it. When we finally found it, it surprised us as to how closde it was to our caravan park. The displays here are simply amazing, from the WWII B52 bomber which is huge, to an F111 and a range of other aircraft. We were simply blown away at thr size of the B52 as we never thought it would be as big as this. The F111 was also great. Afetr seeing one in action at an airshow mny years ago at RAAF Pearce, it was good to see it up close. A lot of history to read up on and a good range of souvenirs are aviable.
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erin P
16 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Family
My three year old son is obsessed with planes. I take him here every so often - ok, so he isn't really interested in the videos or history displays (though I have to say, from what I have been able to take in while zooming around after him, they are very well done!) But oh my word, he is in absolute heaven here. He especially likes the spitfire (shark plane, as he calls it) and the tigermoth.
My only reason for not giving five stars is this: as a child, my son wants to climb everything, see everything, and play everywhere. It's my job as his parent to tell him where he can and can't go, and what he can and can't climb. Sometimes this is obvious, but it would be nice to see some clearer pathways in place for visitors to follow, and clearer signage given on stairs, display platforms, etc of what is open to the public to access, and what is simply for display purposes.
That said, a visit here and an ice-cream is a very special treat. The staff are friendly, and it's an interesting day out.
Written 29 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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