How coronavirus — and celebs in quarantine — made Howard Springs famous
HIP HOP legend Illy spent his birthday there and AFLW star Tayla Harris and her teammates Instagrammed their fun times there. Howard Springs’ once unloved workers’ village has suddenly become Australia’s most fashionable quarantine facility ... and put the Darwin rural area township on the national — and international — map
Northern Territory
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AUSTRALIAN hip hop legend Illy spent his birthday there and AFLW star Tayla Harris and her teammates dropped in for two weeks before attending last weekend’s AFL Grand Final in Brisbane.
The Howard Springs quarantine facility has put the Darwin rural area township of Howard Springs on the map and brought it to the attention of national media.
Howard Springs Bakery sales assistant Lyn Mulqueeney said she had new customers who had moved specifically to Howard Springs in the middle of the pandemic.
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“There was a young family that couldn’t stand to be in lockdown in Melbourne any longer that chose to bring their young family up here,” Ms Mulqueeney said.
“They have family here and it’s going to be better for them in the long run.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a wake- up call for those living in the southern cities to come north.
“It’s got it all up here, you can travel around, bring your family up here, it’s reasonably priced.”
IGA store manager Davin Lay said people who would normally bypass Howard Springs were dropping in to one of the most talked about Australian places of 2020 for a sticky beak.
“It probably makes Howard Springs known as the quarantine facility location,” Mr Lay said.
However, he said he thought the Northern Territory as a whole, as well as Howard Springs, would benefit from the attention while international borders remained closed.
“Obviously international travel won’t be allowed for a year or two but I think exciting things are coming for the Territory,” Mr Lay said.
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“I think we’ll see better times in Howard Springs as well with the flow-on effect.
“Darwin CBD will get better and that money will spread out here.”
There have already been incidents of people relocating north, escaping the lockdowns which have plagued southern states.
Nearly 5000 people have quarantined at Howard Springs since July 17.
Originally published as How coronavirus — and celebs in quarantine — made Howard Springs famous