An unexploded bomb from World War II discovered near the Darwin waterfront has been safely detonated.

Emergency services moved people away from Stokes Hill Road and closed other streets in the Northern Territory city when the device was found at the nearby wharf area yesterday.

The 50kg bomb was safely removed from the area and later detonated by explosives experts from the Australian Defence Force.

In February 1942, Darwin came under heavy attack by a force of Japanese military planes dropping bombs on targets including the harbour and industrial sites.

The raids left at least 252 troops and civilians dead and large parts of the city reduced to rubble.