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Quirky and fun in and around Darwin and Alice Springs

Aussies and visitors flock to the NT in the colder months for good reason – sunshine and plenty of warm fun! So what’s bringing the masses to the Top End in the coming months?

Darwin

The Royal Darwin Show is currently on and bringing additional energy and fun to Darwin. Join the fun before it wraps up this weekend.

Take a drive to Noonamah Tavern for the rodeo! This fun event will keep you entertained up till 22nd September, with bull riding, saddle bronc’s, barrel racing, freestyle motocross, burn out competitions, a mechanical bull and live music.

Uluru and the Field of Light

Uluru is already an incredible natural attraction and there really is something special about walking around it and admiring it from afar, during the day.

At night you can enjoy the stunning and popular Field of Light installation (or Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku in the local dialect of Pitjantjatjara), by international celebrated Bruce Munro.

The installation is here for a while longer – actually until December 2020, but it doesn’t mean you need to delay a visit. The installation spans across 50,000 spindles of light, which move with the breeze and mimic the colours of the surrounding landscape.

The Ghan

The Ghan is celebrating 90 years of outback crossings, this year. Why not consider The Ghan? A few years ago I took The Ghan from Darwin to Alice Springs and it was comfortable and relaxed. You don’t have to worry about watching the road, or watching for rogue, road-curious wildlife. You simply enjoy the ride. It’s also surprisingly scenic, given it journeys through a lot of desert landscape.

Need further inspiration? @jarradseng is doing a jolly good job at capturing the Northern Territory (and The Ghan) at the moment or follow @journeybeyondrail for more on The Ghan.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival brings together beanie-ologists and over 7,000 beanies, from around Australia to the Red Centre. For over twenty years this event has been bringing material and community warmth to the locals in remote communities around Alice Springs.

Apex Camel Cup

You’ve just missed it, but keep the Apex Camel Cup in mind for next year! Apparently camels can be quite dramatic when it comes to racing and as such, it’s a real joy for spectators. Not only will the racing keep you entertained, but so will the side acts, including belly dancers, rickshaw races, ‘Kids Kamel Kapers’ hobby camel races and Mr and Miss Camel Cup challenges.

Henley on Todd

Who said you can’t have a river race without water? Each year, the Todd River plays host to The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta. Embrace the quirky, join in and enjoy the hubbub of watching competitors dash along the only dry river boating regatta in the world!

The events are getting bigger and better…

Planning ahead for 2020? Check out the Parrtjima Festival and Wide Open Space. For keeping up to date with what’s happening and what’s upcoming in the NT in general, follow @AusOutbackNT

Gas safety at home and on the road

Planning on a BBQ or venturing onto the road to enjoy a few nights under the stars, in these balmy conditions? Don’t forget to make sure your gas is ready to go!

Follow these links if you’ve run out of gas at home or on the road.

Keep your safety and the environment in mind, when heating, cooking or camping with gas, with our helpful suggestions on gas safety.