Instagram icon ‘Worthless twink’ talks making memes, Top End queer culture, and why he’s not drinking

Gay icon, footy ambassador and hilarious meme-maker Tim Abbott on how a two-week holiday to the Top End turned into the journey of a lifetime. WATCH THE VIDEO.

It was early 2020, and after a magical two-week holiday in the Top End Tim Abbott was set to fly back to Sydney where Covid restrictions were ramping up and the weather was beginning to turn.

His decision not to book a flight home was the beginning of a whirlwind journey – becoming a successful podcaster, gay icon, AFL ambassador, and gaining 120,000 fans on his Instagram with memes that tap into a deep sense of Australiana nostalgia.

“I just started making memes for the group chat, but I guess if it makes my friends laugh it can make anyone laugh,” he said.

Mr Abbott, now 29, started his ‘Worthless twink’ account before arriving in Darwin but it was during his almost year stint working remotely in the Top End that his popularity skyrocketed.

“During the pandemic a lot of people had a lot more time on their hands, including me, so that’s when it really took off,” he said.

“I didn’t realise how universal that Australiana kind of humour is … and it’s something that you feel particularly strongly in the NT because everyone’s so connected to nature and being outdoors.”

Tim Abbott at Maguk Waterfall. Picture: Supplied/@worthlesstwink

Mr Abbott said the incredible beauty of the Territory was something he wished more Australians appreciated.

“I see so many people booking overseas holidays, but it’s like – don’t go to Europe, go to the Top End!”

“Being an NT ambassador would be my absolute dream,” he said – strong praise from someone selected to be official club ambassador for the Sydney Swans, kicking off at World Pride this year.

Coming from Australia’s gay capital, Darwin’s queer scene was certainly a change of pace.

Mr Abbott said he was pleasantly surprised to see people from all sexualities and backgrounds at Darwin’s only gay nightclub, Throb.

“In Sydney, at most gay clubs you know everyone there is gay, but at Throb a lot of the people there might not have seen drag performances before,” he said.

“It’s putting queer culture in front of a lot of heteros, which is cool.”

Tim Abbott at Buley Rockhole. Picture: Supplied/@worthlesstwink

Mr Abbott calls himself a non-drinker, after a month-long resolution on New Year’s Day in 2019 has continued for four years and counting.

The decision to give up drinking did not come from problems with alcohol, but Mr Abbott said the change still made a profound impact on his life.

“The big thing has been time, it freed up a lot more time for me getting to bed at a reasonable hour, waking up and feeling good,” he said.

That said, he could do without constantly having to defend his lifestyle choice.

Tim Abbott said being a non-drinker changed his perspective on life and alcohol. Picture: Supplied/@worthlesstwink

“It’s the only substance where people give you a hard time for not using, if it was any other drug it would be a different story,” he laughed.

“There’s the argument you’re ‘not getting around it’ properly if you’re not drinking, but actually I’m fully present and engaged, and I’m going to remember everything tomorrow.”

Tim Abbott returned to visit the NT in May 2023, meeting with this publication to talk about his favourite place to visit in the Territory, three must-haves in the Top End, and how to make a meme out of the NT News.

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