Darwin

Along the coast of the Northern Territory lies Darwin, a city isolated by the vast Australian desert. The area was sought by the French, Dutch and British, and was established as the town of Darwin in 1869. In 1942, the city was under the threat of a Japanese attack, so a major Australian military base was established. Today Darwin is the largest city of the Northern Territory, offering sights from its colonial past and excellent shopping and dining opportunities.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Highlights of Darwin's Historical Past
Tour Code: DRW-005
Duration: 4 hours
Retail Value: $89.00
Price: Free

Darwin has a rich and colorful history and this tour highlights some important sights that help to chronicle this tropical city's past. Boarding your coach at the pier, you'll begin this fascinating journey that transports you back in time by first visiting the Fannie Bay Gaol Museum. Darwin's original penal institution in Fannie Bay is now a museum and here you will learn how, from 1883 through 1979, the old gaol, with its crude facilities and a chilling old gallows section, has served as a grim reminder of what life in the gaol was really like.

Following the convict era, Australian history was shaped by another phase, when colonial settlers traveled across the globe in the hope of finding a better world, eager to explore new lands in search of personal and financial growth and after a short transfer, you will stop at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, a great place to complete your exploration of Darwin's heritage. The Art Gallery houses a comprehensive display of Indigenous art and artifacts that reveal much about the various Aboriginal groups from Darwin and its surrounding environs. In the museum, you will also have the opportunity to learn how the city was devastated, then rebuilt in 1975 after Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974. Despite its ordeal, Darwin re-grouped, rebuilt and today stands stronger than ever. A very realistic Cyclone Tracy display recreates the atmosphere of that fateful Christmas Eve. Amongst the eclectic collection of exhibits here you will also find an excellent display of Aboriginal, South-East Asian and Oceanic Art, along with a permanent collection of major Australian fine art.

Re-boarding your coach, it's a brief panoramic drive of the city before returning the pier.

Please note: This tour contains a moderate amount of walking and is available to wheelchair guests and those with mobility concerns who are able to make their way on and off the coach. Comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and sun glasses are recommended. Exhibits are constantly being upgraded and added therefore some exhibits may be removed or changed. Order of sights visited may vary and the itinerary may be reversed. This tour does not operate with a separate guide, but rather with a driver/guide.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.