‘DJ Carl Cox effect’ sees Darwin hostels, pubs, clubs packed to capacity

Hostels, bars and clubs have been pumping this long weekend as thousands of interstate travellers touched down in the Top End to see international DJ Carl Cox and others.

Backpackers, from left, Meghan Bronson, Polly Rayson, Danielle Lynch and Cherriden O'Sullivan travelled from NSW to attend the Carl Cox concert. Picture: Glenn Campbell

HOSTELS, bars and clubs have been pumping this long weekend as thousands of interstate travellers touched down in the Top End to see international DJ Carl Cox.

The droves of backpackers has not been seen in years with Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce likening the numbers experienced more than three years ago.

Both of the Mitchell St hostels MOM – Darwin YHA and the Youth Shack are at capacity this weekend – having to up their capacity to meet demand.

Concert goer Polly Rayson and her mates travelled from New South Wales for the Carl Cox & Eric Powell’s Mobile Disco at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and said they loved Darwin.

“I love it (Darwin), it’s kind of like, Spain and stuff is really nice, it’s got a holiday vibe,” Ms Rayson said.

Backpacker Steven Hagans, of Ireland has lived in Darwin for the past year and said it was great to see the hostel MOM, pack out.

“It’s completely different to last year,” he said.

Irish Backpacker Steven Hagans at MOM backpackers (the old Melaleuca) which has reopened, and Mitchell St is pumping. Picture: Glenn Campbell

MOM opened almost two weeks ago and within 10 days was at capacity.

Owner and manager Stratton Gilroy said they opened with just 40 – 60 bookings and were now accommodating 385 people.

“It’s a great start and exciting to see the town so busy and backpackers enjoying everything the town has to offer,” Mr Gilroy said.

He said a lot of his guests were looking to stay in Darwin for a period of time with the hope of securing work.

Youth Shack assistant manager Nikki Moss said they were also at capacity, tripling their number of guests in a week.

“I haven’t seen it like this since 2012 and even then it wasn’t like it is now,” she said.

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She said they were booked out in less than 24 hours after the Carl Cox tickets went on sale. “This has been a great boost and what we needed, the whole hospitality industry on Mitchell St has suffered,” she said.

“If we can continue pulling festivals, because the rest of Australia can’t do it, we will entice people to come up.”

Mr Bruce said while COVID had produced a lot of negatives the fact that Darwin could host big events was a drawcard that would entice people north.

“We want to keep as many of them as possible for as long as possible to help with our workforce shortages,” he said.

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