Territory Day 2023 celebrates ‘joyous spirit’ of the NT
From spending $5700 on a single haul of fireworks to sedating pets, locals and visitors alike showed how to get fired-up for Territory Day.
Northern Territory
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From all corners of the country the NT is famous for a bit of craziness, a lot of crocs, and – for one night only – crackers.
At Mindil Beach, where Darwin’s community Territory Day event was being held, Tasmanian couple Kim and Lincoln Donaldson arrived early to secure a prime position as the market and food stalls came to life around them.
“We happened to come up five years ago and didn’t realise what all these fireworks signs were for,” Mr Donaldson said.
“We live for this day, we’ve been holding out to come back and I reckon we’ll come back again and again.
“The beach, the breeze, the music – they go big in the Territory.”
A group of four mates visiting from Perth were also fired-up for the festivities.
“It’s the only place in Australia you can do it, so here we are,” Steve Spalding said, having just stocked up at a busy pop-up fireworks store on Saturday morning.
“We knew this day was happening when we booked our trip.”
By lunch time the early morning rush to buy fireworks had died down, with some sellers near the Darwin CBD sold out of their most popular packs.
A steady stream of cracker-heads were nevertheless arriving at stores along the Stuart Hwy, children walking out with boxes bigger than themselves.
Danu Siba was feeling excited for her first cracker night, having only recently landed in the Top End.
“It’s what the Territory’s known for,” she said.
She planned to head to the beach with a group of friends, despite an usually windy day threatening to blow smaller crackers off course.
“Not too worried about the wind, I’m sure we’ll find somewhere sheltered,” Ms Siba said.
“I don’t really know what to expect but I’m excited to see it all.”
One man was spotted spending $5700 on an explosive haul for his family.
Others prepared in a more restrained style: “Going to go sedate my dog,” Laura Drescher said.
Celebrating the day the Northern Territory gained self-governance from the commonwealth in 1978, Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said July 1 was a marker of the NT’s “joyous spirit”.
“Territory Day is one of the more unique days on the calendar, where the nation looks towards our great land as we come together, embrace our culture and celebrate this incredible place we call home, and the amazing people who live here,” he said.
Bustling public events showed off the Territory spirit in style, with spectacular pyrotechnic displays lighting up the skies.
Australian blues rock royalty Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows performed at Darwin’s Mindil Beach, while Alice Springs heard from local rock band Wolfpack Amadeus.
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Originally published as Territory Day 2023 celebrates ‘joyous spirit’ of the NT
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