What’s on: It’s festival fever for our Dry season

It wouldn’t be the Dry Season if there weren’t at least three festivals on this weekend … Luckily for us all – there’s four, writes Kate Dinning. Find out what’s going on in the NT this weekend.

The Palmerston Street Art Festival kicks off at 5pm.

It wouldn’t be the Dry Season if there weren’t at least three festivals on this weekend … Luckily for us all – there’s four.

Kicking off today at 3pm, there’s an NT Indie Beer Festival at Beaver Brewery – a showcase of some of the Northern Territory’s finest brews, as well as some from down south – all the way from Tasmania.

Limited tickets were available at the time of writing, so get in quick if you’re keen.

Beaver Brewery have also just announced their Non-Alcoholic ‘Hop Water’ – so all bases are covered if you want zero calories and zero per cent alcohol.

Then from, 4pm head down to the Darwin Waterfront for the Kindness Festival.

It’s described as a vibrant and welcoming event for international students and migrant communities – while highlighting the boundless ways Territorians can show kindness.

We all need a bit of that in our lives.

At 6pm, make your way down the Stuart Highway – Or Tiger Brennan (I know everyone has their preference) out to Palmerston for some food trucks, drinks and music to celebrate the end of first ever Palmerston Street Art Festival – and check out the incredible work by incredible artists like Jesse Bell and Sofles.

As if that’s not enough: Festival number four is the NT Writers Festival, which is back in Darwin this year (it alternates between Darwin and Alice Springs) and there’s a number of events taking place across the weekend in a variety of locations; including writers talks, book launches and even an art and history-based tour of the Fannie Bay Gaol.

Check out tickets online.

What’s on: Kate Dinning took this picture of a waterfall at Litchfield in the Northern Territory.

In other new things, Bar Kokomo are trying their hand at Boozy Brunch this weekend – you can choose from two options of unlimited drinks and delicious brunch inspired food on Sunday at 12.30 and 2pm – the cocktail list looks incredible.

And if you want to get out and explore? Parks and Wildlife have just confirmed that the epic Reynolds River track has just reopened for the Dry.

There were still some campsites left when I checked for a Sunday (school holidays?) mission, so get in quick if you’re keen.

You do need a 4WD though, and I’d definitely recommend a snorkel because the stress of driving through water without one is absolutely not worth it.

The track is rough, but not too rocky – it’s mostly the water crossings that you’ve got to be ready for, which parks say are currently sitting at 600mm.

The Reynolds River track is a 44km road that actually takes you all the way out to the back of the Litchfield National Park, but the key attractions are of course Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek) and Surprise Creek.

If you’ve done the regular Litchy trips but haven’t ventured out this way yet – I’d suggest booking it in this dry.

You can enter the Reynolds River track between Tolmer and Wangi Falls.

Once you reach Tjaynera, lock your crocs into sports mode for a 3.4km return walk along the creek and through the cycads, before reaching the deep and rocky plunge pool of the Tjaynera falls.

Surprise Creek falls is certainly one of the more isolated campgrounds in Litchfield National Park, but there’s still quite a few spots to book.

The falls are a short walk in, and have two main deep pools connected by a small waterfall – and there’s great spots to lay on the rocks and read a book – but take a hat / shade.

And of course – spend your Sunday night gearing up for Monday: there’s over 20 official fireworks displays across the NT on Monday so either prepare yourself and your dogs, or get involved – whichever side you’re on!