Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 08-8985 6322;
www.tourtub.com.au
; adult/child $45/20; 9am-4pm Apr-Sep)
This open-
sided hop-on, hop-off minibus tours all around Darwin's big-ticket sights throughout the
day. Call for bookings, pick-up times and locations. Pay the driver onboard − cash only.
Sea Darwin
ECOTOUR
hour eco tours around the city and Darwin Harbour, checking out mangroves, a crocodile
trap, a shipwreck and (if you're lucky) dugongs and dolphins.
ABORIGINAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Most of the festivals in the Northern Territory's cities and towns have strong Abori-
ginal components, plus there's a bunch of annual Aboriginal celebrations to attend.
Although these festivals are usually held on restricted Aboriginal land, permit re-
quirements are generally waived for them; this applies to most of the festivals lis-
ted here. Bear in mind that alcohol is banned in many communities.
Tiwi Grand Final
Held at the end of March on Bathurst Island, this sporting spec-
tacular displays the Tiwis' sparkling skills and passion for Aussie Rules football.
Thousands come from Darwin for the day, which coincides with the
Tiwi Art Sale
(
www.tiwiart.com
).
Barunga Festival
(
www.jawoyn.org/tourism/barunga-festival
)
For three days over a
long weekend in mid-June, Barunga, 80km east of Katherine, displays traditional
arts and crafts, dancing, music and sporting competitions. Bring your own camp-
ing equipment; alternatively, visit for the day from Katherine.
Merrepen Arts & Sports Festival
(
www.merrepenfestival.com.au
)
The Nauiyu com-
munity, on the banks of the Daly River, is the venue for this sporty arts festival on
the first weekend in June. The Merrepen Arts Centre showcases its string bags,
paintings and prints, while locals sweat it out in foot races and basketball and soft-
ball matches.
Walking With Spirits
(
www.djilpinarts.org.au/visit-us/walking-with-spirits
)
A two-day
Indigenous cultural festival in July at Beswick Falls, 130km from Katherine. In a ma-
gical setting, traditional dance and music is combined with theatre, films and a
light show. Camping is allowed at the site (only during the festival). A 4WD is re-
commended for the last 20km to the falls, or a shuttle bus runs from Beswick.
Stone Country Festival
(
www.injalak.com
)
This open day and cultural festival is held
in August in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) just outside Kakadu National Park. It has tradi-
tional music, dancing, and arts and crafts demonstrations, and is the only day you
can visit Gunbalanya without a permit. Camping allowed; no alcohol.
