Abbie’s ‘sick obsession’ with the Northern Territory

Abbie Chatfield has had a tough year but the Aussie star has been focusing more on herself and has taken on an exciting new role.

Abbie Chatfield has developed a “sick obsession” with an Aussie location after having visited the hotspot for the first time a few years ago.

The former Bachelor contestant-turned media success story wished she had explored the Northern Territory sooner after a trip back in 2021 got her hooked.

“I went a couple of years ago to Darwin for the Bass In the Grass festival and we also did a helicopter pub crawl,” she told news.com.au. “It was the best thing — and now anytime anyone is like ‘I want to go on holiday’ I am like ‘you have to go to the NT.”

Abbie Chatfield recently explored the Top End and Red Centre as part of her new role for NT Tourism. Picture: NT Tourism

In August, the 28-year-old TV host and podcaster announced she is stepping down from her Hit Network show Hot Nights With Abbie Chatfield to take more time for herself.

She made the call “a little last minute” following a holiday, with her final show having aired in mid-August.

At the time, she said was looking forward to spending more time with friends and family, as well as focusing on her host of opportunities elsewhere.

The Aussie star described her love for the NT as a ‘sick obsession’. Picture: NT Tourism

“I simply need to put my energy into projects that bring me joy and that energise me, rather than draining me,” she said.

One thing Abbie has been doing more of to help her unwind and reset is travel — having spent a lot of this year exploring the outback, pivoting from her usual roles to take on something a little different — Chief Sensory Officer for summer in the NT.

“I actually love the NT — it’s quite sick my obsession with it,” she joked. “When I got this new role and I got to go back again, it was so just amazing.

“I got to go to Alice Springs, which I have never been before and also did a bit of the Red Centre.”

As part of her new role, Abbie is fronting ChatNT – an Aussie travel industry-first AI innovation that interacts in Abbie’s signature tone of voice and phrasing.

A tongue-in-cheek play on Abbie’s last name, ChatNT is basically AI travel expert with a twist that offers hyper-personalised inspiration and advice for planning the ultimate summer holiday done differently in the hotspot.

Abbie is the ‘Chief Sensory Officer for Summer in the NT’ to showcase how Aussies can ‘do summer differently’ in the NT. Picture: NT Tourism

“We thought the best way to show everyone how amazing the NT is during summer is show them what they can see, taste, touch, hear and feel — it’s about immersing yourself in the location.”

She visited the Top End and Red Centre and explored the burgeoning street art scene of Darwin.

But one of her most-loved experiences was bathing in crystal-clear waterfalls at Litchfield National Park and waterhole-hopping across the picturesque West MacDonnell Ranges.

And what’s the NT without the thrill of croc-spotting and ancient Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu.

Abbie taking a helicopter ride to a waterfall in Litchfield National Park. Picture: NT Tourism

“I am like a lizard. I love being in the heat then going for a leisurely dip and laying in the heat again, so the waterholes were just amazing for me.”

“We also landed a helicopter on the edge of a waterfall in Litchfield National Park and I got to swim in there — it was just beyond.”

The helicopter landed on the edge of the waterfall. Picture: NT Tourism

She then got to have a dip. Picture: NT Tourism

She said in Alice Springs the water temperature can get quite cold – but given how hot it is, it’s also refreshing.

Given it’s been a busy and challenging year for Abbie, the 28-year-old said travelling is one way to help her fully disconnect — and she always makes sure she has something booked to look forward to.

The Masked Singer judge explained how important it is to take time for yourself and really focus on the things that make you happy. Picture: NT Tourism

“I love having something to look forward to, that’s what everyone in my life knows about me,” she told news.com.au.

“So I need something booked at all times and this campaign kept me going all year.”

The Masked Singer judge explained how important it is to take time for yourself and really focus on the things that make you happy.

“It’s super important to disconnect and remove yourself [from certain things]. I live in Tamarama so I am really, really lucky to be in one of the most beautiful places, I think, in the world.

“And I know people will be like, ‘why do you need to get away from Bondi Beach’, but even just mentally to get away and go up to [places like the NT] and still be in Australia and able to experience something very different, but familiar, is just amazing.”

The one place still on her bucket list is Uluru.

“I now appreciate travelling in Australia so much more and I want to see more of it and this campaign reminded me of that.”