What’s on: Need for speed in the Top End

Last weekend we had the Finke Desert Race, this weekend is the Darwin V8 Supercars – while the NT is often celebrated for its slower pace, there’s certainly a need for speed in the air at the moment, writes Kate Dinning.

Kate Dinning on the Airboat on Corroboree

Last weekend we had the Finke Desert Race, this weekend is the Darwin V8 Supercars – while the NT is often celebrated for its slower pace, there’s certainly a need for speed in the air at the moment!

If you saw the V8 Supercars or the Transporter Trucks heading through town this week and you’re intrigued, this year the ‘Valley Rodeo’ area at the Supercars looks like a nice entry level into the motorsport world.

It’s got the thrill of engines, combined with an exclusive ‘rodeo’ themed area with live music. It helps that cowboy boots are currently trending, too!

You can still get GA tickets for today and tomorrow online or at the gate, and it’s not just the Supercars racing around a track – there’s also Nitro Up North Drag Racing on Saturday night, and the chance to see the V8 SuperUtes, the Porsche Carrera Cup, and the Touring Car Masters across the weekend!

If you want to really kick off the day with an adrenaline rush, I recommend jumping onto a 00Seven Jetski in Darwin Harbour.

Kate Dinning on 007 Jetskis.

With tour names like Honey Ryder, Thunderball and Casino Royale – there’s almost no excuse not to go full throttle along Darwin’s brilliant coastline. Check out 00Seven Adventures online to book your spot, and if you can, go at sunrise or sunset for extra magnificence!

Not sure about all the revving engines or a day out in the sun – but still want to race? Then head to the Victoria Arcade in the CBD for the new virtual racing simulators!

Try your hands (or feet, I guess?) at these cutting-edge simulators with VR goggles – they’re the same ones used by race teams from around Australia and the world for driving practice. You can race a V8 Supercar, a Porsche Carrera Cup car, a GT3 Race Car, a Formula One car, or one of the legendary race cars from the past. Jump onto the VTrackRace website to book!

And for the rest of the week?

Have you ever been in an airboat? A safari in a boat with a high-powered fan is definitely a next-level way to explore the NT – gliding across floodplains of the Corroboree Billabong and the Mary River wetlands system, spotting birds, wildlife – and hopefully crocodiles!

You can book in with Wildlands Wetland safari cruises, and tack on a Jumping Crocodile cruise or a visit to Purple Mango brewery while you’re out there!

They’re closed on the weekend for the Supercars but, next week, definitely hit up Darwin Go Karts at Hidden Valley for an adrenaline rush and a bit of “friendly” competition.

If you achieve a ‘Very Fast’ Lap Time you can jump in the challenge kart and have a go, which means having a crack at getting your name on the honour board – and even better – if you achieve a lap time in the fastest 1 per cent you win a FASTEST DRIVER T-Shirt … challenge accepted!