Kate Dinning: Everything that’s happening now the Dry Season is back
The Dry Season is here and there’s no shortage of stuff to do, Kate Dinning is here to give you the low down on everything happening this weekend.
Where do I be-gin this weekend?
Today is the popular Top End Gin Festival at the Darwin Ski Club - so if you’re still at a loss for what to do with your afternoon - grab your final release tickets to do some gin tastings, enjoy live music, and see Matt Corby live.
There’s a First Nations Fashion exhibition open to the public as part of Garrmalang this weekend at the Darwin Entertainment Centre - and you can also drop in for a free weaving workshop led by Cyan Sue-Lee from 10am.
While you’re there - check out one of the first Darwin Street Art Festival murals to be completed on the wall.
If you’re looking for an NT experience, the Noonamah Tavern is kicking off its first rodeo of the year this Saturday, but if you’re keen to stick closer to home - The Waterfront Beach Club is back.
The day beds are back on the lawns around the lagoon, so take this as your sign to lounge by the water for free.
You can make it feel like you’re on vacation and order from any surrounding restaurants to enjoy at your daybed.
And if you’re in your bathers already, it’s a good excuse to pop into the Lions Van currently parked near the Waterfront Carpark, and get a free skin cancer check.
If this has been on your list for a while - take this as your sign!
On Sunday, the Botanic Gardens open day is on from 9am, which includes the friends of Darwin Botanic Gardens Plant sale, and free guided walks.
Then enjoy some free live music to round out your weekend; with a Jazz Assembly Jam Session at Dom’s Bar and Lounge from 6pm.
You can actually bring your own instrument if you want to join in - or just sit back and enjoy. Or if you can’t decide what you want for dinner - the Stokes Hill Wharf is always a great place to indecisively walk around for a little while - and they have live acoustic tunes from 6pm too.
Looking for an adventure this week?
In the week ahead - if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, Litchfield National Park is reopening two epic campgrounds post-wet season closures.
The much-loved Central Valley and Walker Creek campgrounds are welcoming back visitors from today.
Central Valley are the newest Litchfield campsites, and they’ve all got their own fire pit and creek access, which is fantastic.
It’s like being able to camp along the edges of Buley.
I do recommend a 4WD with a bit of clearance for the roads in, especially to campground one.
It is behind a locked gate - so definitely don’t do what I did once and forget to collect your keys from the Parks office before they close.
Another favourite that has just reopened is Walker Creek, a much smaller campground but with similar private creek access and fire pits.
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The thing about Walker Creek is that it is named for a reason… you literally have to walk into the sites.
So leave the fridges and kitchen sinks at home and be prepared to carry a swag in - no rooftops here.
Make sure you book your sites online too, there’s no chalkboard system anymore.
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What’s on: It’s beginning to feel a lot like the Dry season
It’s our first real ‘Dry season’ glimpse this weekend – and it’s starting to feel just like it with the addition of the Mindil Markets, and Waterfront Beach Club, writes Kate Dinning.