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Events - Northern Territory, Australia |
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Want to see what is happening where you are going? Maybe you want to include a
destination in your plans, some stopover to coincide with events happening in
that town? Following are some events happening in Northern Territory. For more
information, check the destination pages of the town or area you are visiting.
Some events happen at the same time throughout Australia, such as Christmas
and New Years Eve celebrations, ANZAC Day, Australia Day, local markets,
agricultural shows etc. Some scheduled events only have approximate dates, with
some dates changing or being cancelled.
When planning your travel around events, contact the holder of the event
or the local visitor centre where the event is happening to confirm the event
timetable.
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Find out how to apply for an events listing.
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April Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Darwin |
Mindil
Beach Sunset Markets
• last week in April until the end of October:
Thursday 5 pm - 10 pm and Sunday 4 pm - 9 pm
• Recognised by the National Trust as
an ‘Icon of National Significance’ and with a swag of other awards under their
belt, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market continues its advancement of
multiculturalism in the Northern Territory. Managed by a community owned,
incorporated, non-profit association, the markets provides more self-made craft
than any other market in Australia, with over 56 different foods stalls, a huge
range of entertainment, from street theatre, children’s amusements and free
concerts. Iit is easy to see why this market continues to attract visitors from
around the world. |
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May Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Central
Australia & the
Top End |
Northern Territory Parks Alive
• May - September
• The NT ‘Parks Alive’ provides a great way to make the most of your visit to the
Northern Territory’s parks and reserves. Each year from May through to September
the Territory Parks Alive program offers the chance to join a Ranger from the
Parks and Wildlife Service on a guided activity of free walks and talks.
Activities can range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows. Check
the website for the latest information and to download a copy of the Territory
Parks Alive brochure. |
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Darwin |
Arafura Games
• Held every 2 years in May
• Arafura Games is a leading
international sporting competition for emerging champions of the Asia-Pacific
and beyond and is held every two years in the capital of Australia's Northern
Territory, Darwin. Unlike other Games, Arafura Games is not designed for current
world beaters or Olympic champions, instead it provides a high quality stepping
stone for athletes as part of their journey to compete at the highest level.
Arafura Games 2009 had an exciting line up of events across 27 sporting
disciplines. For the first time at the Arafura Games the sports of
Darts and Muaythai was included. |
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Mataranka |
Back
to the Never Never Festival
• Held over three days in May
• Annual event with a variety of
equestrian events that include a gymkhana, polocrosse matches and a rodeo. The
rodeo is held on the Saturday afternoon and night, followed by live
entertainment. The famous Bushman's Breakfast is available for all on the Sunday
morning. The events are held at various locations in Mataranka. |
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June Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Beanie
Festival
• June (over 4 days)
• A community- based event that began in 1997 with a ‘beanie party’, organised by
Adi Dunlop. In the early years, the festival was run by a group of friends on a
volunteer basis. The core group has slowly grown into a committed band of
beanie-ologists. We know our beanies! The festival was organised to sell beanies
crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities. It has grown into a fun
event where Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal artists share their culture and
exhibit together. The festival is unique because of the incredible amount of
community participation and our unique ties with local Aboriginal organisations.
The festival’s aims have always been to develop Aboriginal women’s textiles,
promote womens' culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as
promote handmade textile arts.
Check out some of
our
images... |
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Central
Australia & the
Top End |
Northern Territory Parks Alive
• May - September
• The NT ‘Parks Alive’ provides a great way to make the most of your visit to the
Northern Territory’s parks and reserves. Each year from May through to September
the Territory Parks Alive program offers the chance to join a Ranger from the
Parks and Wildlife Service on a guided activity of free walks and talks.
Activities can range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows. Check
the website for the latest information and to download a copy of the Territory
Parks Alive brochure. |
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Alice Springs
Central
Australia |
Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race
• 2nd weekend of June (Queen’s Birthday weekend)
•
The greatest desert race in the southern hemisphere attracts record entrants and
thousands of spectators. ‘The Finke’ to locals and off road racers around the
world, is a unique outback race for bikes, cars and buggies, stretching some 235
km through desert country, from Alice Springs to Finke (Aputula Community).
The race follows sections of the Old Ghan Railway service track, adjacent to the
railway line, along a winding corrugated track that snakes its way through red
dirt, sand, desert oak, mulga and spinifex country. The length of this
spectacular route enables people to stake a position along the track, and even
camp underneath the stars, whilst enjoying the adrenalin fueled fun of a
uniquely Central Australian event. See the website for more information. |
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July Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Show
• Organised by the Central Australian
Show Society since 1960, this traditional rural show provides all the fun and
excitement you can expect from a large rural show. With close associations with
the regional cattle stations, expect to see livestock and agricultural produce.
Of course it is jammed packed with more than 200 stalls and a range of events to
entertain the entire family. Activities and attractions range from pets,
poultry, cooking, art and craft, photography, equestrian, rides, sideshow alley
attractions and a firework display.
You can download the latest Alice Springs Show Program from their website.
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Camel Cup
• July
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Held annually. this event is
organised by the Lions Club of Alice Springs. Just imagine an atmosphere
combining:
- Camels... temperamental, vicious,
selfish, terribly unpredictable, very entertaining.
- Riders... rough, boys,
courageous, girls, brave, a bit crazy?
- Spectators... looking for fun, vocal,
count themselves lucky they’re not riders!
- Add them together and you have: Camel + Rider + Spectators = The
Alice Springs Camel Cup.
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Central
Australia & the
Top End |
Northern Territory Parks Alive
• May - September
• The NT ‘Parks Alive’ provides a great way to make the most of your visit to the
Northern Territory’s parks and reserves. Each year from May through to September
the Territory Parks Alive program offers the chance to join a Ranger from the
Parks and Wildlife Service on a guided activity of free walks and talks.
Activities can range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows. Check
the website for the latest information and to download a copy of the Territory
Parks Alive brochure. |
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Darwin |
Darwin Beer Can Regatta
•
July
• One of the world's most unique and
greatest recycled races in the world - boats made from beer cans. This annual
charity fund raiser is a family day out for locals and a must see spectacle for
tourist to Darwin Mindil Beach. With a range of competitions from thong
throwing, iron person, tug-of-wars, and boat races, this is definitely a fun day
out and something to remember.
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Darwin |
Darwin Dili Dally Rally
• Late July
• Held late July (visit site for
details), is this 480 nautical miles (890 km) race from Darwin to Dili. There is
a monohull and multihull division.
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Darwin |
Royal Darwin Show
• Held over the 4th weekend in July
• This is one of the premier event on
the Top End community calendar, where city and country come together for three
days of competition, entertainment and displays of primary industry,
horticulture, art, craft, cooking and photography. The official opening of the
event is followed by a grand parade of livestock and machinery. With over 200
stalls displaying a wide variety of products and information, visitors can also
enjoy equestrian events, agriculture, rodeo, art and craft, sideshow rides etc.
There is a variety of live entertainment and a wide assortment of food and drink
stalls that reflect the multicultural nature of Darwin. The show closes with a
spectacular fireworks finale. |
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Katherine |
Katherine Show
• July
• The Katherine & District Show is a
major event on the Katherine calendar drawing people from all around the region
and from across the Territory and Northern Australia. With a huge range of
events and activities including horse and cattle, campdraft, agriculture,
dog-jumping, pet displays, cooking, needlework, art and craft, photography, side
shows, trade exhibitors, and much more. |
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August Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Rodeo
• August
• As part of the Australian
Professional Rough-rider Association official circuit, the Alice Springs Rodeo
brings together the amazing skills and courage of the country's top professional
cowboys and cowgirls. Battling for top honours in Saddle Bronc, see bareback
bull riders, calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and
ladies barrel race. The events provides catering and other entertainment.
Check out Australian
Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) site for information and
event calendar.
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Alice Springs |
‘Harts
Range Bush Sports Weekend’
aka ‘Harts
Range Races’
•
Harts Range Amateur Racing Club
• Usually held some time in late July early August
• This annual event is held at the
Harts Range Racecourse, set in the majestic East MacDonnell area, 210 km north
east of Alice Springs on the Plenty Highway. Events include Gymkhana, Stockhorse
Races, Fashions on the Field, Rodeo, Sports Events, Novelty Races for the Kids,
Lizard Race, Ladies Cow Tail Toss, High Jump, Tug O War. Also playgroup
activities and jumping castle for the little ones. Over 2 days of fun for all
the family.
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Alice Springs |
Old Timers Fete
• Contact: details on the
Alice Springs
Council site.
• early August
• Alice Springs largest annual fete is
an fun filled day for the entire family, with stalls selling everything from
craft, bric-a-brac, second-hand books, home-made preserves and cakes, food
stalls, and raffles. Entertainment whilst you much on the variety of food on
offer. The fete a charity fun raiser.
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ASSA ABLOY HENLEY ON TODD |
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Arnhem Land |
Garma Festival
• August
• Garma is an intimate, spectacular celebration of cultural traditions and
practices – dance, song, music, and art and the venue for a the sharing of
‘Indigenous Culture’ through the sharing of knowledge and real cultural
interaction. The celebration provides a unique line-up of entertainment and it
is a privilege to experience ‘Garma’.
Held at Gulkula, near Nhulunbuy, in northeast Arnhem Land, this is one of
Australia's most significant Indigenous festivals. The Garma Festival attracts
around 20 clan groups from north east Arnhem Land, as well as representatives
from clan groups and neighbouring Indigenous peoples throughout Arnhem Land, the
Northern Territory and Australia. Non-Indigenous Australians, and international
visitors are also welcomed to the annual Garma Festival, however you are
required to complete the online ‘Expression of Interest’ form. Book early as
places are limited.
Garma is a Yolngu word, describing a 'two way learning process'. |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Marathon
• Alice Springs
Half Marathon
• Alice Springs Running &
Walking Club
• August
• Run on a picturesque course through
part of the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges, the Alice Springs Marathon and Half
Marathon is recognised nationally and
internationally as an extremely friendly and well organised event, attracting
both interstate and international competitors in addition to local entrants. |
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Central
Australia & the
Top End |
Northern Territory Parks Alive
• May - September
• The NT ‘Parks Alive’ provides a great way to make the most of your visit to the
Northern Territory’s parks and reserves. Each year from May through to September
the Territory Parks Alive program offers the chance to join a Ranger from the
Parks and Wildlife Service on a guided activity of free walks and talks.
Activities can range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows. Check
the website for the latest information and to download a copy of the Territory
Parks Alive brochure. |
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Mataranka |
Mataranka Bushman’s Carnival
• Usually held over the first weekend in August
• A not-for-profit organisation whose
aim is to promote the sport of rodeo, campdrafting, cutting and gymkhana in the
Roper region. Riders all compete for great prizes and the title of ‘Bushman’s
Carnival Champion Rider’. This premier event is also a fund raiser to enable the
members to carry out the aims of the organisation. |
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September Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Desert Festival
• September
• The Alice Springs Festival of the
Desert, celebrates the rich diversity of Alice Springs and Central Australia in
this annual event. Showcasing acts locally, from interstate and overseas, the
festival brings together visual and performing artists, both indigenous and non
indigenous in a kaleidoscope of theatre, dance, film, sculpture, music, poetry,
theatre, workshops, pottery, writing, and all that makes up the arts and craft
of the Central Australia region.
There are a number of signature events including the Grand Opening Parade,
DESERTsong, Home Brew, Cinema in the River, Wearable Arts and the Bushfoods/Wildfoods
Culinary Competition, with a number of pre and post festival events that extend
the festival season from late August to early October. |
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Central
Australia & the
Top End |
Northern Territory Parks Alive
• May - September
• The NT ‘Parks Alive’ provides a great way to make the most of your visit to the
Northern Territory’s parks and reserves. Each year from May through to September
the Territory Parks Alive program offers the chance to join a Ranger from the
Parks and Wildlife Service on a guided activity of free walks and talks.
Activities can range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows. Check
the website for the latest information and to download a copy of the Territory
Parks Alive brochure. |
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October Events - Northern Territory
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| Location |
Event |
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Alice Springs |
Alice Springs Masters Games •
The Friendly Games
• Bi-annual event - held early October every two years.
• Known as the ‘Friendly Games’, this
bi-annual event offers a variety of sports competition for mature aged people.
With sporting categories ranging from athletics, track and field, badminton,
baseball, basketball, cricket, cycling darts, eightball, equestrian, football,
golf, hockey, lawn bowls, mountain biking, netball, shooting, swimming, tennis,
triathlon/duathlon, just to name a few. Pass games participants have come from
all states and territories across Australia, as well as overseas. Check the website for the latest information. |
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Adelaide,
SA
Alice Springs
Darwin
Cadney
Homestead, SA
Glendambo, SA
Katherine
Port Augusta, SA
Tennant Creek |
World
Solar Challenge
• Biennial event - held in October... 2007, 2009, 2011...
• A biennial event based on a
competitive field of solar cars crossing the Australian continent powered by
nothing but the sun. Teams are required to research, build and design vehicles
capable of completing the 3,000 km journey from tropical Darwin in the Northern
Territory, to cosmopolitan Adelaide in South Australia.
Check out some
images from previous even... |
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