Territorians and interstaters flock to huge 2024 Territory Day celebrations
Cracker night has gone off with a bang across the Territory, with hundreds turning up to firework events in the Top End, in the Red Centre and beyond. Did we snap you? See the gallery.
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The sky turned into a beautiful chaos on Monday evening, when thousands of Territorians took to the streets, beach and bush to celebrate Cracker Night.
In the Top End, thousands took to Mindil Beach where they were able to enjoy elite entertainment headlined by ARIA award winner Budjerah as the night sky was filled with sparkling lights.
It wasn’t just Territorians in the action with plenty of travelers making the trip up from interstate including Emily Windsor and her young family.
“We’re from NSW and have been travelling around Australia for the past two years,” she said.
“We came to Darwin for Territory Day and we love it, it’s something you don’t get to do anywhere else.”
They were far from the only visitors, as Eli Greenblat made the trip up from Melbourne specifically for the event, after falling in love with the festivities two years ago.
“We organised our holiday just to see this, and to see people having fun firing fireworks,” he said.
“You couldn’t do it any other state, only here is there the freedom and happiness to trust people to do it sensibly and have a great time.”
Across the city and suburbs, families parked their camping chairs and eskies along the roadside to enjoy the local blast, with some neighbours seen exchanging and combining their arsenals with one another.
Meanwhile, down in the Red Centre, dozens braved the cold and rain to enjoy Territory Day at Anzac Oval in Alice Springs.
For some, like Will and Lena, it was their first Territory Day, while for others, such 8CCC’s Mark Bensted and Andy Harrison, it’s become a yearly tradition.
The mercury dropping to around 10 degrees didn’t stop punters turning out in droves, with live music and entertainment provided to those who attended.
Plenty of food trucks were also dishing up hot grub to keep folks warm, and a couple of gas heaters provided a convergence point for those waiting for the fireworks.
Moongaze kicked off the night with a Welcome to Country, and followed it up with a live acoustic performance.
The James Range Band played second, before Tanzanian-born Katanga Junior played a blend of hip-hop, reggae, and indie folk before the fireworks began.
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