Updated in September 2026, this WWII Oil Storage Tunnels guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The WWII Oil Storage Tunnels are an underground wartime heritage site on Darwin’s waterfront, Northern Territory. Adult admission now costs $12, and you can book tickets in advance through GetYourGuide to guarantee entry on busy days. This guide was updated in September 2026: the official price list changed on 20 April 2025, and some guides still describe a family pass that is no longer listed among the current ticket types.
Quick facts about the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Darwin Waterfront, Kitchener Drive, Darwin NT 0800 |
| Dry season hours (May–September) | 9am–4pm, daily |
| Wet season hours (October–April) | 9am–1pm, daily |
| Adult admission | $12 |
| Senior admission | $10 |
| Child admission (4–16) | $8.50 |
| Infants | Free |
| Typical visit duration | 30–60 minutes |
Why book WWII Oil Storage Tunnels tickets?
- 🏛️ A genuine top-secret wartime site: built after the 1942 Bombing of Darwin destroyed the city’s above-ground oil tanks.
- 🎟️ Self-guided and quick: a self-paced walk through the tunnel with information boards throughout.
- 🌿 Only opened in 1992: the tunnels stayed secret for 50 years before becoming a public museum.
- 📜 An AR and audio experience: scan a code for the AADFA Man augmented reality feature and a narrated audio track.
- 💰 Free for infants: with reduced rates for seniors and children.
Opening hours at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
The tunnels open seven days a week, but hours shift with Darwin’s tropical seasons. During the dry season (May to September), they are open 9am to 4pm. During the wet season (October to April, after school holidays), hours shorten to 9am to 1pm. There is no listed annual closure date, so check ahead only if visiting around a public holiday.
Ticket prices at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $12.00 |
| Senior | $10.00 |
| Child (4–16) | $8.50 |
| Infant | Free |
| School group (10+ students) | $7.50 |
| Private charter | $120 per hour |
Prices are in Australian dollars and were last updated on 20 April 2025. Bookings are not required, and you can pay at the entrance, but book in advance through GetYourGuide if visiting during the busier dry season, since spots can fill quickly.
How to get to the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
On foot: the tunnels sit an easy walk from Mitchell Street and the Darwin CBD, connected to the Esplanade above via a lift or stairs near Survivors Lookout.
By car: the entrance is on Kitchener Drive, within the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
By bus: Darwin’s public bus network serves the waterfront precinct from the city centre.
Parking at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Free parking is available in the multi-level car park on Kitchener Drive, a short walk from the entrance.
How long to spend at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes walking the tunnel and reading the information boards. Visitors who stop to read every panel in detail can expect closer to an hour.
Accessibility at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
The tunnel floor can be uneven and occasionally damp underfoot, given the site’s history of water leakage, so it may not suit strollers, prams or visitors with significant mobility restrictions. Flat, sure-footed walking shoes are recommended. The official site does not publish a dedicated accessibility statement, so contact the operator directly ahead of your visit if you have specific access needs.
What to see inside the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
The main tunnel: a long underground passage, built after the February 1942 bombing destroyed Darwin’s above-ground fuel tanks, lined with historical photographs and information panels.
The Pump Room: located about 60 metres from the main entrance, this space now holds the 5-metre AADFA Man sculpture, built from salvaged wartime artefacts.
The construction story: panels explain how the original plan for eight tunnels grew from a £220,000 budget to £1.2 million, with six tunnels reaching completion by the end of the war.
The end-of-tunnel film: a short film recounts the Bombing of Darwin and the Battle of Darwin that followed, the largest single foreign attack ever launched on the Australian mainland.
The AADFA Man AR experience: scan a QR code on-site to unlock an augmented reality feature and a separate narrated audio track on your own phone.
Practical visitor tips for the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead in dry season | Book tickets in advance through GetYourGuide between May and September when visitor numbers peak. |
| Wear grippy shoes | The tunnel floor can be uneven and occasionally damp. |
| Download the audio first | Mobile reception inside the tunnel is patchy, so download any audio guide before entering. |
| Pair it with the Waterfront | The tunnels sit minutes from Stokes Hill Wharf and the Royal Flying Doctor Service facility. |
| Check the season | Wet season visitors have a shorter 9am–1pm window, so plan accordingly. |
Frequently asked questions about the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | 9am–4pm daily in the dry season (May–September), and 9am–1pm daily in the wet season (October–April). |
| How much does a ticket cost? | Adult tickets cost $12, with reduced rates for seniors ($10) and children aged 4–16 ($8.50). |
| Do I need to book ahead? | No, but booking is recommended during the busy dry season. |
| Is it suitable for children? | Yes, it is generally considered a quick, engaging and affordable family activity. |
| Was oil ever stored in the tunnels? | Not during WWII, though light aviation fuel was successfully stored there in the 1950s and early 1960s. |
Things to do near the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Survivors Lookout, right above the tunnels, marks the spot where locals watched the 1942 air raids unfold over the harbour.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility, a short walk along Stokes Hill Wharf, combines VR experiences with the story of the Bombing of Darwin.
Stokes Hill Wharf offers waterfront dining with views over the harbour, a few minutes from the tunnel entrance.
The Darwin Waterfront Wave Lagoon and recreation precinct gives families a swimming break after the underground visit.
The Esplanade and Lookout Point, reached by lift or stairs from the waterfront, offer harbour views and a shaded walk back toward the city centre.
Alternative WWII heritage sites in and around Darwin
The Defence of Darwin Experience, part of the Darwin Military Museum at East Point, covers the air raids in more depth with a short film, uniforms and wartime relics, about 20 minutes away.
The Darwin Aviation Museum, on the Stuart Highway at Winnellie, displays WWII aircraft including a B-52 bomber, a Spitfire replica and Japanese Zero wreckage, around 20 minutes from the city.
The Adelaide River War Cemetery, roughly 120 kilometres south of Darwin, is the Top End’s only war cemetery, holding the graves of service personnel and civilians who died during the Japanese air raids.
More Northern Territory travel
Six reasons to visit Darwin: An introduction to the Northern Territory’s tropical capital, covering its unique multicultural food scene, sunset markets, and wartime history.
Cage of Death in Darwin: Face-to-face with a Saltwater Crocodile: Everything you need to know about the world’s only crocodile dive, located at Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of the city.
Corroboree Billabong Wildlife Cruise: A Mary River visitor guide: Detailed advice on spotting crocodiles, jabirus, and sea eagles on one of the Top End’s most bird-rich waterways.
Crocodile safety in Australia: A practical guide for travellers: An essential look at how to stay safe in “Croc Country,” explaining the difference between Salties and Freshies and how to read warning signs.
Spotting crocs and birds at the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve.
