The Northern Territory Top End cyclone season has commenced and will continue until end-April 2012. During this period, Northern Territory coastal areas, including Darwin and surrounds, are naturally prone to cyclonic events.
The World War II Shipwrecks are a direct result of the first Japanese air raid on Australia, which occurred in Darwin on 19 February 1942. The wrecks are memorials to those who lost their lives in the first bombing raid on Australia and for those who defended Darwin. Thirty two years later Darwin was again attacked. On Christmas Day 1974 Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin and caused major havoc.