Community

The Territory offers a dynamic and progressive culture and contemporary tropical lifestyle in Northern Australia, the gateway to Asia.

Darwin is a modern city with amenities, activities and entertainment comparable to larger Australian cities.

To find out more about living and working in the Territory, including information on health and education facilities, housing, job opportunities and travelling to and from the Territory, go to The Territory website.

The Australian Defence Force has a long and respected history in the Northern Territory. Defence personnel and their families are welcomed in the Territory and have a supportive presence from Defence Families Australia. For more information go to the Defence Community Hub website.

Victory in the Pacific Day

Victory in the Pacific Day, also referred to as VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, commemorates Japan’s unconditional surrender to the allies on 15 August 1945. For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over. While Victory in Europe was declared in May 1945, fighting in the Pacific region continued until August 1945. The Territory was a vital asset in the defence against the Japanese in World War II (WWII) and Darwin was the target of more than 64 air raids from 19 February 1942 to November 1943. More than 17,000 Australians lost their lives in the war against Japan.

Read a transcript of the WWII sites of significance video.

As a result of the prolonged conflict, there are many incredible heritage sites in and around Darwin, and indeed through the Territory, including ammunition bunkers, gun emplacements, airfields, oil storage tunnels, explosives stores and watch towers.

Read a transcript of the Victory in the Pacific Day, 75th anniversary video.

Darwin and the northern half of the Northern Territory were at the front-line during WWII - particularly the bombing of Darwin during the Battle for Northern Australia. As a strategic allied military base, Darwin was the target of Japanese air raids in February 1942, with more bombs dropped on the city than on Pearl Harbor. Savage air raids continued to rain across the Top End during WWII, leading to a repositioning of armed forces in the Darwin region. This was the first attack by a foreign power on the mainland of Australia. Victory in the Pacific marked the end to the Territory’s involvement in WWII. This video provides an overview of the events that took place.

Victory in the Pacific Day educational package

The Northern Territory played a significant role in the lead up to the Victory in the Pacific. An education package has been created to provide an understanding of the Territory’s involvement in WWII and the sacrifices residents of the Top End endured during these times. For information regarding the educational package please call Defence and Veterans Engagement on 08 8999 7520.