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What’s on in Darwin this long weekend: Rides, music, scones and a new mango matcha option

This long weekend in Darwin calls for a trip to the show, live music, a surprising scone date in Litchfield … and a new matcha flavour at a local cafe, writes Kate Dinning.

There are plenty of crocodiles to see on the Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises, an hour and a half from Darwin, NT. Picture: Kate Dinning
There are plenty of crocodiles to see on the Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises, an hour and a half from Darwin, NT. Picture: Kate Dinning

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

Happy long weekend, my friends.

It is, of course, show weekend at the Darwin Showgrounds, so if you haven’t checked that out, the last day is today, and it is open until 10pm.

If you’re looking for music and musical theatre, there are plenty of options across town this weekend.

Kicking it off, it’s the Triple J Hottest 100 Australian Songs of All Time today.

You can tune in wherever you are – and they’re playing it at One Mile Brewery all day.

Who said you can't have a touch of British charm in Litchfield, Northern Territory? Scones with jam and cream are available to purchase at Litchfield Tourist Park. Picture: Kate Dinning
Who said you can't have a touch of British charm in Litchfield, Northern Territory? Scones with jam and cream are available to purchase at Litchfield Tourist Park. Picture: Kate Dinning

You can catch two musical performances at Darwin Entertainment Centre tonight: The Wedding Singer Musical, and Kate Ceberano is also in town with her Australian Made tour.

If discovering some new music is on the agenda, the Railway Club have Emily Lubitz releasing her debut album, ‘Two Black Horses’ tonight, too.

The Waterfront is home to another cultural festival this weekend.

And get ready to experience the colours, flavours, music, and magic of Bangladesh on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, catch Za Za Zoo, a blend of Soul, RnB, Blues, Funk, and HipHop at Flora’s Temper in Nightcliff – I’m told Happy hour starts at 11.30am.

And there may still be tickets to OCEAN with David Attenborough at the Deckchair Cinema for Sunday night, these will sell out, so get in quick.

SOMEWHERE YOU NEED TO EAT

I have two hot tips for you today: one food, one drink. Lucky you.

I’ve talked about the Matcha trend before, but there’s a new kid on the block, and it’s very Territory.

Have you tried a MANGO Matcha?

Botanicool in Stuart Park have gone full Tropical (they’re also a plant shop, so it makes sense) and their signature Matcha flavour is mango.

Mango matcha is the new flavour on offer at Botanicool in Stuart Park. Picture: Kate Dinning
Mango matcha is the new flavour on offer at Botanicool in Stuart Park. Picture: Kate Dinning

It’s sweet and delicious, highly recommend stopping in for a try.

My other tip is for the long weekenders heading out to Litchfield: did you know you could get fresh scones from the Litchfield Tourist Park?

It’s the first caravan park on your right if you’re heading back towards Batchelor from the waterfalls, and if you ask me, sitting out on their little cafe deck with some scones is the perfect way to enjoy the drive back to reality after a lovely night of nature and no phone service. I highly recommend.

LOCALS TIP

It’s well and truly visitor season, and I am sure one of the most asked questions from visitors is ‘where can we see a croc?’.

There are, of course, the usual culprits, Crocosaurus Cove, Crocodylus Park, Jumping Crocs – but just because it doesn’t have Crocodile in the name, don’t discount the Corroboree Wetland Cruises for a great place to see a crocodile.

I’ve seen my fair share of them, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one as big as the one I saw on this cruise.

It’s a very relaxing, very easy way to see them in their natural habitats, so if you’ve got time to drive the 1.5 hours each way, it’s definitely worth making a trip of it and stopping into the Bark Hut, Corroboree Tavern or Humpty Doo Hotel for lunch.

Originally published as What’s on in Darwin this long weekend: Rides, music, scones and a new mango matcha option

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/whats-on-in-darwin-this-long-weekend-rides-music-scones-and-a-new-mango-matcha-option/news-story/9b57f89c012507bbca413473e2446b88