What’s on: Supercars, MAGNT, Darwin Symphony Orchestra and more from June 21-22

Buckle up, it’s Supercars weekend. But if cars aren’t your thing, we’ve got you covered with plenty to do in Darwin and surrounds this weekend.

Windsurfers corner benches in Darwin, Northern Territory. Picture: Kate Dinning

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

Buckle up, it’s Supercars weekend! Tickets to the Darwin Triple Crown are still on sale, if you feel like a last-minute rev up.

It’s also a big weekend of Aboriginal arts, kicking off with the opening of the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards NATSIAA’s this weekend at MAGNT! Always a favourite exhibition, 71 finalist works have been announced for this year’s awards. But if your weekend is packed, do not despair – all of them will be exhibited at MAGNT until 26 January 2026!

Between 10am and midday there are plenty of exhibitions to choose from while you grab your Mad About Coffee and Parap Markets laksa: check out the opening of Cassaria Hogan Young and Carol Young at Laundry Gallery in Parap at 10am, then head over to Warlukurlangu Artists – Rising Stars at Outstation Gallery, before checking out the artists talk with Gary Lee and friends for the Queer Territory exhibition at NCCA at 11am.

If you’re looking for some live music, Dan Sultan is performing with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra at the Darwin Entertainment Centre as part of Garrmalang Festival at 7.30pm tonight – tickets still on sale!

Located on a tidal island, Crab Claw Island is the perfect spot to kick back and relax on a sunny Northern Territory day. Picture: Kate Dinning

On Sunday, head to the Green Ant Craft Fair at the Ski Club from 9am for handmade crafts, local food stalls and kids’ entertainment.

Then wind down with the Bloody Mary Book Club from 2.45pm at The Last Supper – bring along whatever you’re reading or a favourite to share.

SOMEWHERE YOU NEED TO EAT

One of my favourite things about the Territory is that it usually is what it says it is on the box – unless, of course, you’re going to Crab Claw Island – which you can drive to!

To be fair, it is a tidal island, so do always check the tides ­– but there are worse places to be stuck for a few hours.

I’d forgive you for thinking Crab Claw is one for the fishos, as it is in a prime spot for a flick.

But it is only an hour and a half from Darwin city, so if you’re looking for somewhere for a day trip, drive out there for lunch on their deck overlooking the ocean.

You must try the tiger prawn salad … It’s got mango, avocado, macadamia nuts and prawns, in a bowl made of toasted flatbread. If that doesn’t scream tropical island lunch, I don’t know what does.

LOCAL’S TIP

An early local’s tip today: getting up with the sun is worth it. These cool mornings make you feel a little more alive, and so does paddling out onto the ocean at sunrise on a stand-up paddleboard.

Did you know the Fun Supply team hire out paddle boards from Windsurfers Corner on Tuesday and Saturday mornings?

The perfect weekend morning: Paddle over to De La Plage for a coffee, or just hang out on the ocean for a couple of hours between 6.30 and about 8.30am, and then get a Gracie’s Toastie and eat it at the newly painted Windsurfers Corner benches. Bliss.

Originally published as What’s on: Supercars, MAGNT, Darwin Symphony Orchestra and more from June 21-22