Events April 2009

Free entry

Relax and enjoy a stress-relieving massage or cool tropical juice.

Darwin's oldest market is situated only 20 minutes from Darwin city, in the Rapid Creek Business Village. Come on down for a massage, followed with a relaxing Sunday brunch, before browsing the stalls for fresh organic produce, Asian fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, exotic plants, flowers and seafood. You’ll also find a range of local handmade crafts for that special gift. The markets are open from 7am to 1pm every Sunday.

Buses from Darwin city and Casuarina stop by the market on a regular basis.

Event types

• Produce
• Craft
• Exhibition/Show

Events March 2010

Inspiring rural gardens are open to the public as part of the Open Garden Scheme.

Unusual and rare plants - cycads, succulents, bromeliads, cacti, hoyas and caladiums. Only 20 minutes out of Darwin - excellent teas available, and locally made pottery. $8 admission (free under 18). Open 10am to 4.30pm.

    Productive Gardening at CDU  The Horticulture Aquaculture group at Charles Darwin University is again hosting it's popular series of talks and workshops on gardening in the Top End.

    Where:  Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina.

    When:  Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May.  Sessions:  9am & 1.30pm on both days.

    Fee:  $10/person; free under 18. No bookings required.

Events April 2010

Free Entry

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets will commence on Sunday 29th April, 2010 and operate every Thursday and Sunday till the 28th October, 2010.

Sip on a cool drink while watching the beautiful sunset over the Timor Sea. Select from the lengthy food stall menus including our famous Barramundi.

View an array of markets with products ranging from soaps, leather, puppetry, clothing, jewellery, while the atmosphere is relaxing with music

Events May 2010

Program

5 - 6.30pm  - Up to Grade 3 (parental supervision required)

7 - 9pm  - Grades 4 - 7 (parental sign in and out required)

Cost $10 per child (includes drink, chips and choccy treat)

Events June 2010

Opening night for the Katherine Speedway 2010 is 5th June.

A night of speedway action with local and intrastate competitors.

Other dates for 2010 include:  21 August, 11th September, 2nd October & 30th October.

FREE Events in June and July at the Darwin Waterfront.

Sunday 20 June - Movie Under the Stars - The Tale of Despereaux - rated G. A tale about a brave mouse and his friend rat who rescue a princess. Screening at 7pm (running time 90 mins) on the Waterfront Lawns, bring your own chair or rug.

Thursday 1 July and Friday 2 July - Life. Be In It activities for the kids on the Waterfront Lawns between 2pm and 5pm.

Saturday 3 July - Sand and Sound - Watch an amazing sand sculpture form before your eyes - show starts at 3pm, with free activities for the kids from 3.30pm. Live music 5.30pm to 7pm on the Waterfront Lawns.

Sunday 4 July - Celebrate Top End NAIDOC week with a FREE Movie Under the Stars - Bran Nue Dae - rated PG. Set on Australia's west coast, Bran Nue Dae is a road movie, coming of age, comedy musical which celebrates the adventure of finding home. Screening at 7pm (running time 85 mins) on the Waterfront Lawns, bring your own rug or chair.

Thursday 8 July and Friday 9 July - Life. Be In It activities for the kids on the Waterfront Lawns between 2pm and 5pm.

Saturday 10 July - Tour Nation Adventure Race at 7.30pm at the Waterfront Recreation Lagoon.

Thursday 15 July and Friday 16 July - Life. Be In It activities for the kids on the Waterfront Lawns between 2pm and 5pm.

Saturday 17 July - Movie Under the Stars - Avatar - rated M. In the epic action adventure fantasy AVATAR, James Cameron, the directot of Titanic, takes us to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination. On the distant moon Pandora, a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption, discovery and unexpected love -- as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. Screening at 7pm (running time 162 mins) on the Waterfront Lawns, bring your own chair or rug.

Saturday 31 July - Sand and Sound - Watch an amazing sand sculpture form before your eyes - show starts at 3pm, with free activities for the kids from 3.30pm. Live music 5.30pm to 7pm on the Waterfront Lawns.

Food and drinks for sale at all events. Please remember NO alcohol or glass.

Parking - 2 hours FREE parking in the Kitchener Drive multistorey car park, $1 for 3 hours, $3 for 4 hours.

Events July 2010

All You Can Eat Buffet  and fun filled trivia.  Everyone needs a little bit of Christmas all year long, so why not fuel up on a little "ho,ho,ho" in July with a festive feast served with all the traditional trimmings. And in keeping in the spirit of giving, we have $350 cash to be won at Trivia. All you can eat buffet for $15 and Trivia is FREE.

For bookings phone 8985 3121 Information for members & bona fide guests.

200 kilometres north east of Alice Springs, is the home of the annual Harts Range Bush Sports Weekend. This action-packed event starts off Saturday morning with a gymkhana. At 11.00am sees the first running of the Harts Range Races - unregistered horse races for local station riders. Two more races follow with breaks in between for Truck Tyre Races and the auctioning off of the horses for the third race - their Selling Race. By about 1pm the rodeo commences with Lizard Race, steer ride, station buckjump, novelty events and the first round of the bull ride and saddle bronc. The evening concludes with a themed dance.

Location: Harts Range Racing Track, Harts Range, Plenty Highway via Alice Springs, NT.

Free Entry

Get back to nature on Picnic Day long weekend and bring the family to 'Bug Day Out' at the Lingalonga Festival. Kids will love the bug themed free activities!

The annual family friendly Lingalonga Festival is held under a canopy of beautiful trees at the picturesque Batchelor Oval. Enjoy market stalls, entertainment, join in the activities or simply sit back and smooth away the worries of the week.

There is so much happening - so stay the night and spend the rest of the long weekend swimming at Litchfield National park. Plenty of accommodation choices ranging from camping, family accommodation to luxury retreats.....

Food stalls provide a range of delicious fare all day and throughout the evening.

Stay on after twilight and enjoy music from talented performers such as SIETTA, Barry Brown and the Getdown, local hip hop act 'Daly', June Mills, Mel Devine and Mo Blues. A saucy variety of musical genres which organisers hope will appeal to a wide variety of tastes.

Batchelor is approx 90kms south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway. 

Where: Batchelor Town Oval

When: 8am - 10pm

Entry Permits are waived during this event only.

A truly unique Australian Experience - Music. Fire. Dance.

Take your family on a journey into the past in a sacred setting beyond theatre, a true sense of place.

Malkgulumbu (Beswick Falls), a hidden treasure on Jawoyn land in the South West corner of Arnhem Land. An ancient playground, this incredible site is open to the public just once a year when the Wugularr Community invite you to share songs, stories, dance and music.

The Djilpin Arts, the creative company led by Tom E. Lewis, and supported by the Australian Shakespeare Company, blends music, dance, puppetry, animation, short films and burning 3D images blazing against the night sky. The corroborree ground is a theatre, with a fireplace as it's centre. 'We warm our spirits at the fireplace and around it, and we pass on the stories and sing the songs and thus keep our history and our culture going. Therefore the listening ear and the watchful eye of you in the audience are as important as the people singing and dancing.'

A limited range of local art will be available at the falls. The full range can be browsed at the Ghunmarn Culture Centre in the community, which will be open all weekend.

How to get there

Wugularr (Beswick) Community is located 107 kms south-east of Katherine. From Katherine, drive 51kms South on the Stuart Highway. Turn left at the Central Arnhem Road and drive 56kms into Beswick/Wugularr community.

When you arrive in the Beswick Community, you MUST collect your Festival entry pass at the Ghunmarn Culture Centre, before going back to the turn-off.

The turn off to Beswick Falls is signposted. It is approx 20kms and is a dirt road: 4wd is highly recommended.

The road is not normally a public access road and is prone to sand and bull dust bogs, please seal cameras and other equipment in plastic to protect from heavy dust.

If you do not have a 4wd, you can leave your vehicle at the Ghunmarn Culture Centre and get a shuttle into the site.

The shuttle leaves at 11am, midday, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. 

Return tickets available - Please book the Shuttle bus when booking your entry Ticket.

Hot food and cold drinks will be available between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday only. Cash sales only.

No Alcohol allowed in the community or on the event site.

Camping Permitted inclusive with your ticket - Campers must be self sufficient, this is a wilderness location. Bush (pit) toilets are provided, campers must bring all equipment, food, water, etc. Evenings can be cold and windy. You may swim in the bottom lake and creeks, fish and walk in the area. However, please take your rubbish with you.

Events August 2010

Entry Fees Apply

The Darwin Cup Carnival ends with the running of the Darwin Cup on the picturesque Fannie Bay Racecourse track, which is one of only a few dirt tracks in operation on the circuit.

For ticket information contact the Darwin Turf Club.

Where: Fannie Bay Racecourse, Dickward Drive.

The Yothu Yindi foundation presents Australia's leading indigenous cultural exchange.

A traditional ceremony is performed every afternoon at 4pm until sunset; a highlight of the Garma. Music, film, art, craft, exhibitions and workshops are held over the 4 days. The location is at Gulkula via Nhulunbuy, North East Arnhem Land.

Check the website for further details and travel information.

The National Careers and Employment Expo, Australia's largest and most popular career event is back in Darwin in 2010.

With Australia facing reported skills shortages around the country, the expo is an idea environment for visitors to understand more fully what skills are required and the employment opportunities available, now and in the future.

Saturday, 7 August 2010

·         4 person, 18 hole Ambrose

·         Night golf, 6 hole Ambrose

Sunday 8^th August 2010

·         9 hole Ambrose

 Details:

·         Location is at Jabiru Golf Club

·         All monies raised will be donated to Guide Dogs NT to provide services in the Territory

·         Non-players and non-handicapped players welcome

Guide Dogs NT provides a range of resources and orientation and mobility services to Territorians experiencing vision-impairment. The Jabiru Golf Fundraising Weekend held annually in the memory of Darrin Andrew Dunstan and organised by volunteer Gary Dunstan, raises funds and awareness for Guide Dogs NT. Please join us for the twelfth Jabiru Golf Fundraising Weekend, with prizes and trophies to be won!

Check website for Event Entry Fees

In 2009 the Katherine Flying Fox Art & Cultural Festival celebrated it's new title, Katherine Festival.

This community festival includes a variety of arts and entertainment over a period of ten days. The event has included the Mayoral Debutante Ball, Katherine Prize Art and Craft Acquisition Awards, exhibitions, workshop activities, Aboriginal culture and Family Fun Day. The event also holds a unique cross cultural experience with the Chinese Dragon Boat Races on the Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, Flying Fox Walk and Talk, the 'Main Event' including markets, car show, The bicycle challenge, Fine Food and plenty of entertainment.

Community performance with award winning playwright Alana Valentine presenting Watermark: 4pm - late, Civic Centre.

The Main Event is the grand finale, with free entry it features a live band, school and community performances, Children's art/craft activity area, car show & much more.

Where:  Check the website for program details and locations for events held around Katherine. 

Begins 10am.

Entry is with a gold donation and all proceeds go to projects of the combined Lions Clubs of Darwin. 

The Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta is a great family day out with events of all ages and the water events including the Henley on Mindil, will be spectacular! A huge day of fun and competitions including the tug of war, thong throwing, kids running races and sandcastle building, junior and adult Kayak events, Iron person,hole in one and family slalom.

So, come on down to Mindil Beach and watch a regatta like no other, where the rule for all competitors is: 'all craft should appear to be made substantially from drink cans'of cans', and 'The most important rule of all - Be in it and have fun, fun, fun......'

Bar facilities, soft drink and water will also be available. NO BYO. Mindil Market food and craft stalls will be trading all day.

When : 10am - 5pm

*Boat building judging at 9.30am

Check website for events and entry fees.

The Darwin Festival program provides a feast of local, national and international performances to excite, inspire and entertain.

The Darwin Festival bursts open with our free festival favourite - the Santos Opening Concert - bringing some of the country's finest Indigenous talent and a very special collaboration to the Garden's Amphitheatre.

• Bring a picnic rug. Food and soft drinks on sale. This is an alcohol and smoke free event. 

There are few festivals around the world that can boast the weather that Darwin has and this is what makes it a perfect festival town. Held in August, the festival includes everything from free outdoor events, to theatre, dance, music, cabaret, films, workshops and comedy, not to mention the sensational cuisine. Running for 18 days and nights, 15 venues, 66 events, 148 performances and 916 artists from all over the Territory, Australia and the world. National and Territory artists and cultural groups join together to reflect the Indigenous, Asian and Pacific cultures of the region.

Event types

• Art
• Exhibition/Show
• Comedy
• Multi-culture
• Festival
• Comedy
• Ballet
• Dance
• Music
• Performance
• Theatre
• Street Theatre
• Film
• Workshop

Program:  Check the website or local retail outlets for the program guide to events.

Transport:   www.nt.gov.au/publictransport  for public transport information.

This popular Championship Rodeo is always popular especially with the beautiful Top End Dry Season weather & hospilitity, it  is run by the Rotary North Club each year over the two days, highlights are that this is a full Rodeo with all events with Local, Interstate & International competitor's.

Negiotions are under way to welcome Miss Rodeo USA Dakota Missildine to the Top End for this event.

As part of the Australian Professional Rough-riders Association official circuit, the Alice Springs Rodeo kicks off early Saturday evening. Other events include calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping and the ladies barrel race. There are junior barrel races and the ever-reliable comedy clown.

Starting at 5pm Blatherskite Park, Len Kittle Drive, Alice Springs, NT.

Rummage through bric-a-brac at Alice Springs' largest fete. The largest annual fete in Alice Springs, the Old Timers Fete, is a fun filled day with 'on tap' entertainment, second hand book stall, craft stalls, preserves and cakes (as only a mum can make them), food stalls and oodles of bric-a-brac. The day is the major fundraising event of the Old Timers Village.

Location:  Old Timers Village, 446 South Stuart Highway, Alice Springs, NT.

   10am - 2pm

Free Entry

The Red Cross will hold a BBQ, along with community stalls, entertainment, raffles, craft, plants, jams and preserves, books, cakes, Wild Life Rescue exhibit and a White Elephant stall to raise money for those in need.

Bring the kids to discover and enjoy the 'red brick road'! It's a fun, annual fundraiser for whole the family.

When:  11 - 3pm

Free Entry

The Borroloola Gulf Show, known locally as the WayOutBack Agricultural Show, combines agriculture, gardening, lifestyle, arts, crafts and competitions in an entertaining day out. An exciting local rodeo, a camp draft and a gymkhana are highlights of this event, which is held to coincide with the public holiday at Borroloola.

Borroloola is situated 80kms inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory.

The community of Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) in Western Arnhem Land, through it's traditional Aboriginal owners, welcomes visitors to spend the day in their community and share in the many activities taking place. Gunbalanya is located 320 klm east of Darwin and can be accessed via Kakadu National Park.

The Stone Country Festival features a sports carnival, scenic flights, cultural dancing, painting and weaving demonstrations, bush foods, didjeridu-playing demonstrations, children's activities and novelty events. Other highlights are a tour of Injalak Hill to view ancient rock art, some of which have been dated at 20,000 years old, and a concert of contemporary Aboriginal music in the evening.

The normal permit that is required to enter Arnhem Land is waived for the Festival and visitors are invited to camp the night, as long as you depart on Sunday morning. Note that no alcohol can be brought into the community and an entry fee of AUD10.00 is charged for each vehicle.

Our Annual reunion at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs is now one of the highlights of the road transport calender in Australia, bringing together a broad cross section of the transport industry like never before.

There will be a variety of events and lots of other fun things to do from Thursday 26th to Monday 30th August.

Free Entry

See a part of Darwin's culture heritage that is held in special regard by Territorians.

Government House Darwin, home to the Administrator of the Northern Territory, was built for the first Government resident, Captain William Douglas, in 1871. The house embraces a history as panoramic as the view it commands of Darwin Harbour. It is listed on both the Register of the National Estate and the Northern Territory Heritage Register and is regarded as one of the most significant elements of the culture heritage of the Territory. The central room of the house, now the Drawing Room, is the oldest known surviving European structure in Darwin. It has endured cyclones, earthquakes, enemy bombing raids, infestations of white ants and rowdy demonstrations.

The gardens, covering 1.4 hectares, are particularly beautiful with many points of botanical and historic interest.

When: Friday 4.30 - 7pm (times tbc)

             Saturday 3 - 6pm (times tbc)

The Desert Harmony Art and Cultural Festival in Tennant Creek is an annual event that is growing with interest from both the local community and visitors. Many visitors time their stay in Tennant Creek to coincide with this festival. The town celebrates its cultural diversity through dance, performance, a street parade and markets, and music and art, with a rich tapestry of events breathing new life into the community and reflecting the harmonius environment that residents enjoy.

Events September 2010

Entry fees apply

A host of exciting new releases, many of which have not yet been seen at other boat shows, awaits you at the Darwin Boat and Leisure Show.

With a big variety of the latest boats, motors, accessories, water-sports, fishing gear, racy jet skis, three to eight wheeler ATV’s and camper-trailers on display, there’s something for everyone. There are even spas on display, a perfect place to relax after a big day out fishing.

Local clubs and associations, together with local charter operators and guest celebrities, will assist with clinics and competitions and will be on hand to offer advice on boating and fishing in the Top End, how to best enjoy river, inshore or offshore fishing and camping adventures.

There’s plenty of opportunity to win prizes for those who participate in various activities. Food and drinks will be on sale, with something for all family members.

Event types

• Exhibition/Show
• Camping
• Boat
• Recreation
• Expo

Desert Mob, held in Alice Springs, celebrates and defines a living art movement that is expressed through the heritage values of the oldest living culture in the world. the art is diverse and complicated, vibrant and intense, and reflects the expansive cultural landscape that is the inspiration of the stories.

Location: Araluen Art Centre, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Cnr Larapinta Drive and Memorial Avenue, Alice Springs, NT

Free entry

The Festival in Jabiru has come a long way since the mid eighties, when it was started by a group of friends, who liked flying kites and having a bit of a musical jam.

In the Kakadu region, the year is divided into six seasons and the Wind Festival, as it was fromerly known, has always been staged in late August to early September or Gurrung, when the afternoon breezes rise and the magpie geese fly in huge numbers across the wetlands and lay their eggs. After the previous season when the country was burned and cleansed, Gurrung is all about regeneration and re-birthing.

Five years ago, the Mirarr people, traditional owners of the land in and around Jabiru, decided that it was time to change the name of the Wind Festival to reflect an Indigenous identity. The festival was renamed Mahbilil, after the name of this afternoon breeze in the Gundjeihmi language.

The Mahbilil Festival continues to be an annual event convened at an outdoor venue at the Jabiru lake, a central location for the Jabiru community. It is endorsed and largely sponsored by the Mirarr people through their organisation, the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal corporation, along with the combined input and participation of many people and groups from within the Jabiru and Kakadu communities, as well as support from organisations such as Energy Resources Australia, West Arnhem Shire, Parks Australia North, Arts NT and several jabiru business operators. The festival provides a great opportunity to hold an all inclusive event where diverse peoples can come together in a harmonious way and celebrate the wonders of this country at the gateway to Kakadu National Park, which celebrates it's 31st birthday this year.

Event types include: Indigenous music, dance, arts and crafts, food cooking & sampling, fire sculptures & puppets, didgeridoo, spear throwing and magpie goose cooking competitions, children's parade, jumping castle, stalls and photography exhibitions. There will be a designated bar area where light beers and wine will be served. Food and soft drinks available. 

Jabiru is 300km from Darwin along the Arnhem Highway with a good sealed road all the way. It is the gateway to Kakadu and an excellent base from which to explore the Park, the rock art at Ubirr, Yellow Waters cruise and the various other natural wonders of the region.

Accommodation in Jabiru is available at the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Aurora Kakadu Lodge and Lakeview Park, the latter two also have caravan sites. There are also other hotels in the nearby region, such as the Aurora South Alligator and Gagudju Cooinda Lodge at Yellow Waters.

When:  Saturday 11th

Where: Jabiru Lake, Jabiru.

Events October 2010

Entry Fees Apply

The annual Barra Bash fishing competition is held on the Roper River. Trophies, prizes and cash valuing over AUD4,000.00 are up for grabs for the largest barramundi, the largest 'other' fish and junior angler's fish caught.

The presentation will be held at the Mataranka Homestead on the Sunday evening and includes live entertainment.

The Barkly Campdraft and Rodeo is an annual family event held in October each year. Activities during the day and night include bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, the stockman's challenge and an assortment of campdraft event. Full, catering and camping facilities are available. Dance the night away with live entertainment on Friday night.

Battery Hill Mining Centre, Peko Road, Tennant Creek, NT

The Alice springs Masters Games are known as the Friendly Games. There is a tremendous effort made by thousands of participants who give generously to charities represented at the Games.

The Masters Games ambassadors are the men and women with the bright smiles under Akubra hats, who greet you at the airport or train station, let you know how to get to your next event, help you find your way around town, and generally make sure that the Games flow smoothly.

Should you interested in participating in one of the many events you can download the entry forms fro competitors forthe games on the website. You can enter specific sportws events, and for the really energetic there is the option to enter more than  one event.

The Alice Desert Festival is Central Australia's premier arts and cultural festival, celebrating the desert and its peoples. The Alice Desert Festival shares the stories, songs and the unique lifestyle of Central Australia's arid region. Featuring a vibrant program borne out of the desert landscape, we celebrate the dynamic exchange between cultures in the heart of Australia.

Events November 2010

Australians who lost their lives in war will be honoured at a Remembrance Day Service at the Darwin Cenotaph.

Events December 2010

Hundreds of stalls selling beautiful hand made arts and crafts - Perfect for Christmas!!!

Food and drinks available.

When:  Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 4pm

Where:  Marrara Indoor Stadium

Cost:   Adults $2,  kids are free.

 Free Entry

Join in the fun and welcome in the New Year at Darwins Wharf Precinct.

Bring the whole family along and enjoy New Year's Eve on the Wharf. There will be live entertainment, and al fresco dining under the stars.

Fireworks spectacular show at 9pm and 12 midnight!!!

Come down early and toast the setting of the last sunset for 2010 as it slowly sets over the escarpment.

No BYO alcohol permitted

Where: Stokes Hill Wharf

Events February 2011

Annual introduction to sports for the whole family.

Events May 2011