There are two events that have left an indelible mark on the city of Darwin; Cyclone Tracy and the bombing of the city during World War II by the Japanese. Reminders of both exist throughout the city centre - the oil storage tunnels under Stokes Hill are perhaps the city's greatest legacy of the Japanese bombing. The tunnels were built to protect Australia's north coastal wartime oil supplies from further air attacks following the bombing of Darwin in February 1942. Like most things past generations of Australians built to protect themselves against foreign invasion, it was a case of "too little, too late".

By the time the tunnels were completed in 1946, the war had been over for a year and besides, the builders had been unable to effectively seal the tunnels from infiltration of water, so they were never used for their initial purpose. Nevertheless, the tunnels are unique in Australia and are a symbol of the dogged determination and willingness to try against the odds that characterises the defenders of this country.