The former RAAF Operations Room resulted from a direction of the Air Board for co-ordinated control of aerial defences, including Radio Direction Finding and anti-aircraft defences in the North Western Area of Operations in the north of Australia during World War II.
No. 5 Fighter Sector was formed on 25 February 1942 and the Operations Room was built on the site east of the former hospital in late 1942. It housed the personnel and equipment required to effectively plot and relay the positions of the enemy aircraft to put Allied fighter aircraft in an optimum position for interception, in cooperation with the RDF and anti-aircraft defences.
Manned 24 hours a day until 12 November 1943, the date of the last recorded bombing raid, Operations Room personnel directed Allied aircraft to intercept Japanese aircraft and generally monitored aircraft movements.
From November 1943 the Operations Room provided information on reconnaissance sorties by the Japanese and was instrumental in the downing of the last enemy aircraft intercepted over the Top End on 12 June 1944. The unit was disbanded in Darwin in April 1946.
What's Available
1 features
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Interesting WW2 relics, easy to walk around and it doesnt take too long to see everything which is basically 6 concrete gun emplacements. Sadly like all the WW2 sites in the Northern Territory the signage has been left to vandals and sun damaged fading and they pretty all need to be replaced. The place seems to have a regular lawn mowing so its neat and tidy to get around.
Makka Makka
Google review
Great piece of Australian war history. Pity NT Government or local Dawin council has respected it enough to maintain it! When we got there, the signs were faded, which seemed similar to a lot of other ww2 sites we saw - no real maintenance at all. Homeless persons were using it as shelter and place strewn with rubbish.
Given such an important part of Australian history and our freedoms was shame to see this..
Dan Paul
Google review
Run down and poorly done
The signage needs to be replaced and a pathway should be installed to allow the place to remain a historical landmark
I gave it four stars because of the significance of the site
The government should spend a little on it to maintain it
Raynor Grevell
Google review
This area is easy to find, and is close to the East Arm boat ramp. Grass is mown regularly, and the area was clear of debris. Educational information and a site plan guide you through the site. You can almost feel the importance this site played in June 1942. We enjoyed walking through the gun bays and command post. We couldn't find the latrine though.
Amber Tuchin
Google review
Would be a lot better if the signs were maintained and easier to read but overall a nice place to check out if you’re into WW2 history easy to find and plenty of parking