Future NT: Cruise ships drive Territory tourism during cost-of-living crisis

Satellite technology has opened up the Territory to incredible tourism opportunities. Read what’s planned.

The opening of the Territory’s cruise and expedition ship industry has complemented already strong contributions to the tourism sector from The Ghan and the caravan market.

A total of 103 cruise and expedition ships are expected to visit Darwin in the 2023-24 season, generating $65m to the Territory economy.

In partnership with Darwin Port, the cruise industry has grown from just 30 arrivals in 2010-11 to this year’s anticipated record total, with further growth expected in coming years as the sector continues to grow post-Covid.

Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett said feedback received during a cruise ship conference in Miami this year showed global operators highly rate Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf cruise ship facilities.

Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett. Picture: Fia Walsh

“We’re a very attractive cruise ship destination,” he said. “Fort Hill Wharf is a dedicated facility that’s walking distance to the CBD whereas interstate, some passengers have to go to commercial wharves 15km out of town.

“The cruise operators appreciate the good job we do with pilotage and security management and they like the destinations outside of port.”

As the market grows further he said the Port Darwin would look to increase the Fort Hill wharf keyline by 60 metres to cater for the next generation of cruise ships or multi-berth medium-sized vessels.

The Northern Territory Cruise Tourism Strategy identified the Top End as being perfectly placed to benefit from the cruise and explorer ship market, with our relatively small coastline compared to WA and Queensland presenting exotic alternatives for cruise ship passengers.

The NT government’s vision extends way beyond Darwin with stoppages eventually planned for the Tiwi Islands, Cobourg Peninsula, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Galiwinku, Nhulunbuy and Alyangula.

The Ghan is big in the Territory.

Darwin is a perfect wayside stop for overseas cruisers coming into Australia and the future looks bright with 132 new cruise ships on order worldwide in 2020, representing a 42 per cent increase in total stock.

While the cruising season is generally from October to April - perfectly timed to deliver a Wet Season dividend to business - the smaller cruiser and expedition vessels are a year-round proposition, with a steady stream of boats expected to berth in coming months.

The first of the bigger boats, the Coral Princess, will land in Darwin on August 28.

In conjunction with Northern Land Council and traditional owners, the Territory government will develop the community side of the explorer market to provide cultural and environmental tours for mainly international adventurers.

Unlike in the 1990s, when eco-tourism often meant hooning a four-wheel-drive along a vacant beach, operators are taking their environmental obligations extremely seriously.

GPS technology and engine thrusters mean the smaller cruisers are able to maintain location at a point off-shore and Zodiac inflatable vessels will then ferry passengers to a beach or landing spot at the community.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Joel Bowden and Tourism Top End general manager Samantha Bennett. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In Darwin, City Retailers Association general manager Molly Upstill said CBD shop-owners have had a “huge boost” with the now regular arrival of cruise vessels and that a city’s retail capacity was a significant part of the cruise passenger’s experience.

And Tourism Top End general manager Samantha Bennett said the sector’s focus on the emerging cruise and expedition markets reflected its current and potential contribution to the NT economy.

“I’m really excited about cruise,” she said.

“It’s in the shoulder season and they can see what a great please Darwin is to invest in and we have a port that’s worth the companies having on their itineraries,” she said.

“Cruise provides unprecedented opportunity for cultural experiences and to show the depth of our culture and to grow and have employment on Country. There’s nothing like the cruise market. It’s an unprecedented opportunity for cultural experiences.”

With cost-of-living driving a wedge through many families, Ms Bennett said it’s little wonder cruise and Ghan passengers and caravaners are driving tourism this year.

“They don’t have mortgages, they’ve got money to spend and they’ve already been to Europe,” she said. “They’re not impacted by cost of living and they still want adventure and want to explore their own backyard. They’re patriots. They’ve done Europe and they want to explore their own backyard.

“Things will be better next year,” she said.

“Airfares will change. There’ll be funding around to support working with airlines and airports that will lower the cost of airfares so we’re an affordable destination.”

The NT News’ Future Northern Territory campaign returns for its third year, as the push to create a $40bn economy by 2030 continues. To purchase a ticket to the event on July 18, click here.