Absolute “must-do” when in Darwin! There are 3 areas in the museum/exhibit area:
1) The February, 1942 bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in WWII, interpreted with VR, holographic kiosks, traditional posters, and a short film. VERY interesting!
2) History of the Royal Flying Doctor Service — a unique organization still serving rural Australia today. Using a static aircraft display, VR, posters and a short film, this was my favorite aspect of the museum & could have used even more info, I thought.
3) A well-curated & presented gift shop with great Australian crafts & gifts — I spent some $$ here on souvenirs, a shirt, and a gorgeous poppy scarf — thank you!

Worth a visit Learnt so much about Darwin’s involvement in WW2. Great displays and videos. When talking to an uncle on return to home, he said there was a ban on any individual who served in Darwin to talk about there experiences.

When you come to Darwin this has to be a must see. Gigi was our first point of contact and was very cheerful and helpful to myself and my wife. A truly amazing place with the bombing of Darwin and the history behind the RFDS.

We were slightly disappointed with the experience today. Having been before we were disappointed with the changes to the virtual experience. We'd expected to get the same feel but it wasn't so. Very well done but we feel it was a lot better before. What genius thought that up?

This is a great destination with war history and information about the Royal Flying Doctors.
The hologram films were very good.
You have to watch the re-enactment film on the big screen on entering!

A great place to visit Thoroughly enjoyed. The virtual reality of the Darwin bombing was so well done. Learnt alot & very kind people working here.

Overall disappointing for such an iconic organisation. Exhibits were thin on the ground and experience is built around virtual reality opportunities. For the cost of entry I don't think it represents value for money.

A premier Darwin highlight that is equally informative, engrossing & educational. Recounts not only the origins of the crucial medical & allied health services Australia's Flying Doctors Services provide to the remote & inaccessible outback regions but also the WW2 Bombing of Darwin from a different perspective.

After half day tour of Darwin's WW2 bombarment the day prior, I should have been fatigued by overload of info on this subject matter but not! The VR & holographic presentations are brief & totally "eye witness" immersive experience not to be missed.

Excellent & moving tribute to essential services RFDS provides to health & mental well-being of remote communities. The origin of this service by Rev. John Flynn & others who contributed is illuminating as is the association with Quensland & NT Aerial Services (Qantas). The VR that showcases this section is in 2 parts: one takes you soaring over the red centre of this continent with pilot's narrative. 2nd: you are in the plane in an emergency situation with a real patient (not confronting). A sensory appreciation for the services & skills of highly trained nurse & navigating pilot. Explore the interior of an actual RFDS plane.

Facilty staff are very welcoming & helpful with suggestions on how best to utilise your 1.5 to 2 hours here.

A free courtesy shuttle bus operates to pick up & drop off in front of facilty from 11.30 am onwards every 15 mins (check the post outside for times & locations). Operates only from upper areas to this lower Wharf facility which is quite an uphill climb to return. Was almost 2km walk from my hotel middle of Esplanade to get down here but an eye pleasing cliff edge scenic walk heading towards Darwin Waterfront via Skybridge.

Got here just after 9.00 am opening y'day Sun 27/7/25. Much quieter! Avoid VR strap on after a sweaty walk - fogs up the lenses ☺️. Courtesy wipes & sanitisers provided for before & after use. Excellent gift shop here.

Loved it! ❤️❤️

I owe the RFDS a debt I will never be able to pay and the Darwin, VR experience was fantastic thank you. Keep up the good work.

The museum covers both the Japanese attack on Darwin and history and activities of the RFDS. They’ve done a good job by using tecnology to create experiences - Virtual Reality headsets and holographic movie, plud more. Worthwhile, an a good cause.

Great experience Was well worth the visit. We didn't expect it to be as good as it was. We have young kids ages 3 and 6 which weren't interested in reading the information but they really enjoyed the planes.
Wish we had more time to read the information provided.

Rfds dawin Even if you have been before its always good to go and support them. If you havent its very good. It also covers the bombing of darwin in ww2. Very unique way of experiencing this important part if our war history. Lots to look at. Children will love it

Fantastic experience What a hidden gem. well worth the visit. very informative. Lovely staff very helpful, we toured 15/6/25. I would recommend this place as a must see.

This place is awesome.The movies were so entertaining and interesting. The Virtual Goggles were a totally new experience and had you right there. It's a fascinating place to learn about not only the RFDS but the bombing of Darwin which interestingly happened where this center is. Trish was extremely lovely and helpful.Fantastic and Highly recommend.
Phil and Karen
LANDWATCH AUSTRALIA

Blown away by this place! The hologram videos are informative and entertaining, the other displays are great too!

Helpful and friendly staff. Great museum for everyone, 10 to 110 years of age. Includes Interactive VR experiences, Hologram films. Plenty of reading material but not too much. Gives good insight into RFDS and the bombing of Darwin.

Must do in Darwin Amazing virtual reality really shows the impact of flying doctors and the bombing of Darwin. Both exhibits were very informative I strongly recommend anyone visiting Darwin to put it on the to do list. Staff were super friendly and well versed in everything to do with the facility. Excellent

An amazing experience, you get to see and feel what it was like during the bombing of Darwin. Also included was an insight into the Royal flying doctors service, past and present. Such and important service provided by the Australian government and public donations,

Fantastic experience highly recommended Worth it in so many ways. Covers the whole history of the RFDS and the bombing of Darwin in WWII. Entry fee supports the ongoing Service. There are excellent displays of various kinds and an interesting gift shop. The virtual surround experience is amazing. Additionally the staff are very helpful.

Worth a stop on the harbor The museum is small but well put together. You can climb in a plane and see actual footage of patients being transported. There’s an added bonus of seeing to recreation of the bombing of Darwin.

Excellent value for money - fantastic exhibition, especially the VR and Hologram tours! Also has the Bombing of Darwin!

All ages would enjoy this educational & entertaining visit to the RFDS Tourist Facility is a ‘must-do’ when visiting DRW I’m a travel agent & l’d highly recommend a visit to the RFDS Tourist Facility, on Stokes Wharf, for anyone visiting Darwin. Allow up to 2hrs to experience it properly. My whole family enjoyed it, and all ages would too. There’s lots of fun things to see and do here, to keep young kids both educated and entertained.

Talking about both the history of the RFDS and the WWII bombing of Darwin, this attraction’s advanced technology and imagery is amazing. Enjoy wearing virtual reality (VR) headsets, to learn about the bombing of Darwin, plus the RFDS from both the pilot and patient’s points of view.

Enjoy two short movies about both in the cinema with hologram imagery.

Stand in front of the huge curved LED screen, watching an image of Darwin Harbour as it is now. Wait to hear the air sirens go off, then the peaceful Darwin Harbour scene changes to it being attacked by bombers during WWII, with lots of special effects.

Walk around to read about Darwin’s history on the walls, and hear stories from John Flynn (the RFDS founder), and a Japanese WWII bomber pilot via their projected hologram images.

And climb aboard an actual RFDS aircraft, to get an appreciation for its tight quarters, patient treatment area and the cockpit.

If you are visiting Darwin, the RFDS Tourist Facility is a must-do!

Amazing interactive experience. Absolutely amazing, It exceeded my expectations by miles.
The information was vast, and the understanding I've come away with is imesarable. A respect for what our allied health professionals do through the RFFA and the bombing of Darwin.

Excellent exhibit I loved this exhibit. You can see 2 films using holograms to explain what happened in the bombing of Darwin and the other is how the Royal Flying Doctor Service originated. You can also climb up into one of the RFDS planes and see how they are equipped. It's quite a long walk out to Stokes Hill Wharf but definitely worth it. So interesting!

Excellent display and well worth the visit. Note there are 2 excellent virtual reality experiences included and if VR makes you sick it is not worth doing.

Loved this little museum very informative and interesting on the history of the rfds and the bombing of darwin,the platform and virtual headsets are a must,the theatre goes through a great history story of the rfds,will definitely go again

Fantastic Historic Information Fantastic historical films on both the RFDS and on the WWII bombing of Darwin as well as many static displays, all of which are very informative. Also a real RFDS plane into which you can climb to see how it is equipped. A gift shop helps support the facility. Well worth the visit.

great RFDS & WWII exhibitions great place to visit, good WWII info & exhibition too, interesting videos, 3d video, bombing experience, well worth a visit

So much to see and do! A great way to donate to the RFDs as well. There’s a huge gift shop with loads of options, there’s movies to watch, heaps of interactive displays, you could easy spend half a day here. It’s cheaper if you package it up with the aviation museum as well

Visited on our first day. Probably the best museum anywhere. Incredible use of virtual reality headsets for information on the Darwin bombing and RFDS plane. 2 very informative films on these subjects. Nice gift shop to buy things to support RFDS.
Very helpful staff to explain use of the goggles and offered to store bags.

Go here first! Amazing museum. Visited on our first day. Probably the best museum anywhere. Incredible use of virtual reality headsets for information on the Darwin bombing and RFDS plane. 2 very informative films on these subjects. Nice gift shop to buy things to support RFDS.
Very helpful staff to explain use of the goggles and offered to store bags.

Really interesting. I learnt so much at this museum.

Australia owes a huge debt to the Royal Flying Doctors. They provide a great service.

They were pioneers in tele-health appointments.

It was a really interesting place.

An amazing experience Amazing. Loved the immersive experience of the bombing, the hologram films on both RFDS & Bombing of Darwin WW11, also 3D presentations.
Spent 2 hours but could have spent longer.
Suitable for all ages
Highly recommend

So glad we visited; two excellent attractions in one. First the story of the first Japanese air raid on Darwin (19 February 1942), and second the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Both are brilliantly presented with holographic movies. There are also excellent VR presentations featuring both attractions.

A withdrawn RFDS aircraft completes the display. Sit in the pilots seat, or lie on the patients couch.

Great staff too…

Great displays, VR type experiences and cinema shows. They even lent me a towel to dry off with when I entered the building soaking wet. Highly recommend this place!

museum on the bombing of darwin and rfds all in one! concession available and they have group tickets with other tourist sites like crocosaurus cove too. inspiration to hear about the beginnings and current works of the rfds. merch shop and donate to support the rfds! staff were super friendly and helpful with showing us around the facility also. worth a visit, especially if you catch the Darwin waterfront free shuttle.

Wonderful RFDS facility and staff!!! Wonderful facility and staff. We learned so much about the history of Darwin. Really nice displays, reenactment, holographic presentations, and actual RFDS aeromedical jets that can be toured as well. Nice gift shop as well! Great value and very fairly priced compared to other Darwin tours.

Really interesting and enjoyable- worth a visit! We really enjoyed this -we werent sure what to expect but it was well worth a visit. The facility is lovely with VR experiences to illustrate the pilot and patient perspective. The plane is interesting to see. The hologram movie was very informative and well done.

Two experiences for the price of one The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility tells two Darwin stories. The first is the Bombing of Darwin Harbour on 19 February 1942. The same Japanese crew that attacked Pearl Harbour attacked Darwin 10 weeks later. Every 20 minutes, the air raid sirens go off in the museum. That is the signal to head for the map of the harbour in the centre and watch the Bombing of Darwin Harbour on the big screen. Stokes Hill Wharf was destroyed along with several ships.

The second story was the Royal Flying Doctor Service which provides medical care for Australians who live in the outback, far from any town. They are flown to either Darwin or Adelaide for treatment in a plane such as the one exhibited here. This is a Pilatus PC12, in use from 1995 through 2016. It has room for two stretchers. There were also virtual reality shows and movies featuring holograms for both stories.

I highly recommend a visit here.

Fantastic What an interesting and fascinating museum. We learnt so much and were both very impressed with Renee who showed us around. She was so friendly and helpful.. . Would thoroughly recommend this place to all travellers

Not to be missed in Darwin This exhibit is amazing. The interactive virtual reality of both the bombing of Darwin and the RFDS flights were my favourite
Value for money with two short movies included
Excellent items in gift shop
Several purchased!!!

Royal Flying Doctors and Bombing of Darwin This was an absolutely wonderful place to visit.
I dont want to spoil the surprises, however, it is extremely professionally done and hugely interactive. We were there 2 hours and it passed very quickly.
The staff were wonderful, very friendly and made sure we didnt miss anything.
Highly recommend for all ages.

Two-in-one visit worth it for a couple hours in Darwin We’ll set up tourist facility, with the bonus of being a two-in-one RFDS story and the bombing of Darwin. Great hologram movie. Friendly staff

Excellent We did this tour both off them very moving regarding world war 2 Darwin Bombings
Staff where excellent just fantastic

Well presented and informative. Nice few hours in cool. Very well presented and two short videos were very informative. Stories well written and staff helpful and friendly. History of RFDs interesting as well as bombing of Darwin in WW2.

Very informative War Museum and RFDS Museum. Cool VR experiences of the Bombing of Darwin and RFDS Flights. Awesome location as well!

Not to be missed experience I loved this exhibit with the interactive experiences made it so much better. I felt like I was really inside the Darwin Bombing in 1942 and learnt a lot about a subject I really did not know much about. Also the RFDS and the amazing work it does and how it started. Thoroughly enjoyed this museum. Take the time to read and use the head sets

Fabulous updated VR displays of Darwin Bombing in WW2 We have been now three times in the last 5 years, really impressed by how they keep improving the displays, especially the Visual reality headset of the Bombing of Darwin in WW2 . The VR program showing a hear attack patient being transported was also fantastic. A must see attraction in Darwin, have a coffee, lunch or dinner on Stokes Wharf after.

Love what they've done to help us see through virtual reality what happened when Darwin was bombed, very emotional.

Hats off to the RFDS , great insight into an average day in your life . Highly recommend a visit here! $30 Adult $24 Seniors

This clean, modern, well laid out small museum has hidden gems. For adults and children. It uses holograms, virtual reality goggles and short interactive films and imagery to take you back in time. We learnt about the bombing of Darwin AND the achievements of the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Now I know why the founder John Flynn is on your $20 notes! A very calming place, all ground level, easy access for prams and wheelchairs, exciting and interesting for all ages. And enjoy the stroll on the Darwin harbour pier after it. You can have a drink at the bar, a meal and even fish and chips. Excellent. We used the Hop on hop off bus. So easy to get around. All ages down there and felt very safe and relaxed. A very pretty spot.

They have a decommissioned plane you can sit in and a lot of great merchandise; it gives you a great insight into how important and lifesaving this service is! We must have missed the virtual reality part, but I remember the recording going on in the background.
Don't forget they have a WW2 Darwin bombing simulation, too, and a holographic presentation of the captain of the Willy B.
It's definitely well worth visiting. And don't forget it's cheaper to buy your tickets off the Big Red Bus!

What a great place to find out about the history of the Royal Flying Doctor service and the bombing of Darwin Harbour. Lots of interactive displays and the virtual reality was great.
I loved being able to climb aboard the RFDS plane and I chose the patient virtual reality clip. I kept turning around to see the pilot which was very cool!

Must do Amazing facility super interesting and friendly staff. The facility swell organized and the use of VAR and the cinema made it lots of fun for the children as well as us

Visit the Stop End This attraction is wonderful with the history of the RFDS explained in one of the videos. The other video is of the bombing of Darwin. Worth a visit

Amazing immersive experience for the whole family Incredible immersive learning experience. Kids loved the VR and the movies. They loved going in the Pilatus RFDS plane and learning about how and why the flying doctor was founded. Don’t miss it if you’re in Darwin

I enjoyed the RFDS display especially the interactive headsets and the plane. There is also a display on the bombing of Darwin.

Royal Flying Doctor facility. What a great experience. Well worth a visit. Leave plenty of time. The have two holographic short films, there are virtual reality tours fir both the Wrld War Two experience and the RFDS experience.
Excellent facilities.
Close to somewhere to eat and the Darwin Skyline wheel.

Great experience covering not only the history of the RFDS, but also the history of the bombing of Darwin in World War II.
The staff were great - really friendly, happy to help and actively trying to show people around the facility. Full of knowledge, definitely a great testament to the attitude and goals of the RFDS!
The facility was amazing, the now decommissioned PC-12 set up at the back for people to walk through and get an understanding of the space and setup. The info movies in the mini cinema are a must for everyone - so many facts and great stories!
The VR experience is also a must do! Experiencing a flight from the front of a PC12 with an obviously very knowledgeable and caring pilot doing the narration.
If you’re in Darwin, take an hour of your day at least to visit this incredible attraction!

Worth Doing Visited on Tuesday 2nd May. I'm glad I decided to see this display, well worth doing, two experiences in one place.

I enjoyed watching the vertual reality goggle, hologram by John Flynn, Flying Doctors, 3D Virtual Reality The Bombing of Darwin Harbour.