Interstate arrivals since borders reopened on July 17 outstrips Darwin’s entire population

SINCE our borders began reopening in mid-July, the Territory has seen more than 133,000 arrivals by air, sea, road and rail. That’s more than the entire population of Darwin. And good news for our tourism industry

THE number of interstate arrivals into the Northern Territory since borders reopened has surpassed the population of Darwin, according to government data.

It comes as tourism operators look forward to increased travel to the Territory, with regional Victorians to be allowed in from November 2.

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Only residents from Metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria’ Mitchell Shire will remain in designated hot spots.

The NT Government’s coronavirus numbers tracker on Saturday showed there had been 133,544 arrivals since July 17 by air, road, sea and rail.

QF110 arrives direct from London with approximately 175 Australians who have been stuck overseas during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Che Chorley

Darwin has a population of roughly 132,000 people.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Territory’s tourism and hospitality sectors had made it through the COVID-19 pandemic after a tough several months.

“We all know how great the Territory is, and now the rest of Australia is starting to see it too,” Mr Gunner said.

“It’s been a hard slog for our tourism and hospitality sectors, but they’ve done an incredible job surviving and adapting,” he said.

“Now they’re leading the Territory’s comeback.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Territory was leading the nation. Picture: Dan Himbrechts – Pool/Getty Images)

The last confirmed case of COVID-19 in the NT was diagnosed back in early August, with only 34 people having contracted the deadly virus since the pandemic began.

There have been no deaths as result of COVID-19 infection within the NT.

“We are the safest place in Australia, and the rest of Australia knows it,” Mr Gunner said. “It’s publicity you can’t buy,” he said.

For Adelaideans Gaby Taylor and Kane Rodgers, both 25 years old, the NT has been their holiday-home for the past 10 weeks.

Couple Kane Rodgers, 25 and Gaby Taylor, 25, from Adelaide, have been in the Territory for 10 weeks. Picture: Che Chorley

“The fishing, the weather, the different climate – we were keen for all that,” Mr Rodgers said.

“Litchfield was really beautiful, and the Waterfront too actually,” Ms Taylor said.

“We don’t have anything like this in Adelaide really.”

The pair, who’ve been living in their Toyota Coaster bus, will be leaving the Territory for Queensland in two weeks’ time.

But the couple said they would recommend the NT to friends and family in the future.