2007/8: Film stars arrive in Darwin for filming of historic drama Australia

THE NT News and NT Government are celebrating 42 years of self governance by revisiting some of our most memorable milestones. In 2007-2008, film stars, including Nicole Kidman, descended on Darwin to film romantic historical drama Australia.

Actor Nicole Kidman on set during filming of Australia in Darwin in 2007. Picture: Dani Gawlik

• 2005/6: Cane toads make it to Darwin after first crossing the NT-QLD border in 1982
• 2004: Darwin locals bare bums as Ghan becomes first passenger train from Adelaide to Darwin
• 2003: Darwin hosted its first international test cricket match at Marrara Oval
• 2002: Bali bombing victims flown to Darwin for treatment

THE NT News and NT Government are celebrating 42 years of self governance by revisiting some of our most memorable milestones. In 2007-2008 …

FILM stars, including Nicole Kidman, descended on Darwin in 2007 to film romantic historical drama Australia.

Filming a scene at Stokes Hill Wharf, where Kidman’s character arrives by seaplane, involved hundreds of crew and extras, but despite the team spending a week in town, Darwin only featured in around five minutes of the actual movie.

This year the Chooky Dancers – Djuki Mala – achieved overnight success when their Zorba the Greek dance was uploaded to YouTube.

The video was a big hit with audiences all over the world, and has clocked up more than three million views.

This was also the year 130km/h speed limits were introduced to some NT highways.

Prior to this, open speed limits were in place.

The Territory’s 130km/h speed limit is the fastest in the country.

After months of negotiations, the NT Government secured Darwin as the location for the multimillion-dollar Ichthys LNG Inpex gas plant in 2008, while Darwin’s 33-storey Evolution became the tallest building in the Territory.

Standing at 99m, more than 17,719 cu m of concrete went into the build.

People power was strong, with an NT News petition of 5000 signatures enough to bring Crocodile Rock star Elton John to the Territory, where he performed at TIO Stadium.

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The Darwin Convention Centre officially opened amid a week-long celebration of laser light shows and fireworks, and locals could switch on Darwin Digital Television, the city’s third commercial TV channel, which provided a dedicated Network Ten signal for the first time.