Crackers to burst to life despite rain and cold

The Top End is to blame for Central Australia’s crummy weather, but locals won’t let that rain on their Territory Day parade. Check the latest plans for the big celebrations.

Territory Day fireworks will explode to life in southern NT centres in defiance of near-freezing conditions and unseasonal rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology said rain and cold conditions across the southern two-thirds of the Territory would continue at least until Monday, but alternative arrangements in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek mean crackers will still burst to life.

Bureau senior forecaster Rebecca Patrick said most of Saturday’s rain would be centred around the Central, Barkly and Simpson districts.

Tennant Creek civic hall is ready for Territory Day celebrations.

Forecasts of snow flurries in some of the Territory’s highest points have not yet played out, with conditions on Saturday morning above freezing point.

Saturday’s top temperature is expected to hit 8 degrees, with similar low readings for Sunday’s AFL fixture at Traeger Park.

A flood warning remains in place for parts of Central Australia, with the rain band actually intensifying on Saturday.

The bureau advises the rain band will move eastwards towards Queensland on Sunday and is expected to have cleared the Territory by Monday.

Inclement weather in Alice Springs

Up to 15mm of rain is forecast in Alice Springs Saturday, with moderate to heavy falls also forecast for Tennant Creek.

But crackers will still blast off in Central locations, with a few tweaks.

Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will now have two venues, one for the entertainment and the other for the fireworks.

In Alice, music and entertainment will take place at Marion Hall at Our Lady Sacred Heart School between 4.30pm and 7pm and residents will be able to drive to Blatherskite Park at 7.45pm to watch crackers from the safety of their car.

In Tennant, music from the Newboys Band and Jallajirrpa Band will kick off at Civic Hall at 5pm and crackers firing up at 8pm.

Ms Patrick said the rain was coming from a low pressure system in the Territory’s north west which is forcing the moist air down south.

“It’s fairly unusual for this time of year. We don’t normally see this much tropical air moving southward at this time of year,” she said.

Over the last seven days Lajamuanu has had 83mm, most in just 24 hours, Ulara 80mm, Kintore 63mm and Alice Springs 18.2mm.

‘Beautiful concept’: Rock star to headline Territory Day

The headline act for this year’s Territory Day celebrations is gearing up for a big crowd, good energy and an iconic Top End sunset.

While getting ready to take the Mindil Beach stage by storm on Saturday night, Black Sorrows lead singer Joe Camilleri said the Territory Day concept was “beautiful” and he enjoyed immersing himself in the NT’s culture.

“People are always putting the weather first — I wouldn’t put the weather first, I just think that it’s a bit like a country town in a way,” Camilleri said.

“I’m talking about the way the people relax a little bit more, they walk a little slower in time.”

The Melbourne based singer said he would try to make the most of his time during the flying visit to the Top End.

“We’re getting there late at night which is tragic in its own way and we have to leave the next night at midnight,” he said.

“I don’t know exactly where I’m staying but I hope it’s near the water and I can absorb that.

“Darwin’s started to turn into quite a big town, into a big city and it’s getting bigger and there’s some nice little pockets there.”

Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows will perform at Mindil Beach on Saturday. Picture: Claudio Raschella

The Black Sorrows are set to headline the Territory Day celebrations at Mindil Beach after the iconic sunset markets open from 4pm.

Arnhem Land band Wildfire Manwurrk will follow with their own performance, as well as Battle of the School Bands winners QWYA and Reverie.

Celebrations at the markets will close with an F-35A flyover and a colourful fireworks display.

Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said Territory Day was one of the “proudest days” on the NT calendar and encouraged residents to get out and celebrate this year’s theme, “the people make the place”.

“There will be plenty of chances to celebrate all over the Territory, with fireworks events scheduled from top to bottom of this incredible place we live, work and play in,” he said.

“What a fantastic opportunity to see local artists performing on stage for one of the biggest days in the Territory, alongside such beloved national talent.”