DOLPHINS NRL TEAM

Exciting news! The Northern Territory Government has partnered with the Dolphins NRL team to play a home game in Darwin for the next three years.
The new partnership ensures the NRL legacy in the Top End continues. The Dolphins, who are the newest team in the premiership, will build fresh connections with the Territory’s passionate sports fans.
The annual NRL match in Darwin - provides a significant tourism boost, drawing fans from across the country to attend the match, as well as explore a range of other vibrant tourism experiences.
Independent research found the 2024 NRL Eels v Dolphins clash on 19 April generated a total expenditure stimulus of $5.29 million, bringing $3.58 million of new money into the NT economy. The game held in the tourism shoulder season was responsible for generating 12,688 visitor nights in the NT, including 11,904 nights in Darwin.
Be sure to get behind the Dolphins, Phins Up!

NEWS

THE 2025-26 BUDGET

Earlier this month, the NT Government handed down the 2025-26 Budget, which includes a $233.4 million investment for the Department of Tourism and Hospitality reaffirming our agency’s central role in rebuilding the Territory’s economy. Some highlights include over $88 million for tourism, events and screen; $25.2 million for Darwin Waterfront Corporation for precinct management; $43.3 million for Liquor, Gaming and Racing to strengthen regulatory compliance and $54.3 million for Parks and Wildlife to maintain community safety and encourage visitation.

BERRY SPRINGS NATURE PARK REOPENS

Berry Springs Nature Park reopened last week. NT Parks and Wildlife rangers worked hard to complete the necessary preparations to ensure the site is safe and ready to welcome visitors, including installing new safety signage to remind visitors about safe swimming practices.

TOURISM POWERS NT'S ECONOMIC SURGE

The latest Tourism Satellite Accounts 2023–24 confirm what many in the industry are already seeing – the tourism sector in the Northern Territory is growing, and fast. Tourism consumption reached $3.7 billion, up 4.6% from 2022–23. The sector contributed $3 billion to the Territory economy, a 7.1% increase on the previous year, with direct value added rising to $2.5 billion (up 6.9%). Tourism now supports 17,000 jobs across both urban and regional areas. This growth means a stronger NT visitor economy including tours, accommodation, transport and retail helping Territory businesses expand, create local jobs, and invest in new experiences. It’s a strong signal for continued industry confidence and future investment.

2025 NORTHERN TERRITORY CRUISE FORUM

The 2025 NT Cruise Forum theme was Connecting Land and Sea. Guest speakers included Ben Mead from Holidays of Australia who spoke on sectoring. Sectoring is where cruise and rail charters link major cruise routes with overland experiences like The Ghan. Pre and post cruise experiences throughout the NT are also popular as outlined in the panel session. Following the forum, representatives responsible for contracting experiences travelled to Central Australia and explored tourism opportunities to encourage cruise passengers from other Australian ports to travel and explore more of NT.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY ATTENDS ATE 2025

In April, Tourism NT attended the Australia Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2025, which is the largest tourism trade event in Australia. 29 NT tourism businesses attended ATE as part of the NT contingent, with many more sitting under the national banner. The event gave businesses the opportunity to meet with global distribution partners from over 600 organisations located in 37 countries.

ATE was held in Brisbane from Sunday 27 April to Thursday 1 May 2025 and will be held in Adelaide in 2026.

TOURISM NT HOSTS A MEGA FAMIL FOR TRAILFINDERS, AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST UK BASED TOURISM BUYER

In early May, Tourism NT hosted Trailfinders’ annual training academy in the Red Centre. The conference was attended by all states and territories and comprised 2 days of destination training and workshops followed by a series of famils throughout Australia. NT was fortunate to host all 30 Trailfinders staff in Kings Canyon for a mega famil following the 2-day event in Uluru. A group of 5 delegates also visited the Top End, travelling to Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine. The event was a huge win for the NT’s tourism industry and a great way to showcase the destination to the largest Australian trade partner based in the UK.

SCREEN TERRITORY ATTENDS SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

Screen Territory recently attended the Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Conference, Australia’s leading media and entertainment event, alongside a strong group of Territory filmmakers. NT creatives held a full slate of meetings, attracting strong interest in their upcoming projects. Director Jennie Hughes joined the “Meet the Funders” panel, promoting the NT as a production destination alongside representatives from Screen Queensland and Screen Canberra. Other key engagements included meetings with Amazon Prime, ABC, SBS, Foxtel BINGE, and international delegations. A highlight of the event was the SPA Awards, where STAN series Thou Shalt Not Steal, filmed in the NT, won Best Drama Series.

INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

AUSTRALIA MARKETPLACE NORTH AMERICA 2025

Applications to attend the Tourism Australia North America Market Place are now open. The event will provide tourism businesses the opportunity to establish business relationships with key qualified travel agencies, wholesalers and tour operators from North America. It will take place in Los Angeles from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 September 2025. Seller applications close on Friday 20 June 2025.

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DARWIN TO HOST KEY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES THIS JUNE

This June, Darwin will host two significant business events that will bring increased visitation to the region. The AIATSIS Summit 2025, taking place from 2 to 6 June, is expected to attract around 1,000 delegates from across Australia. The 10th World Archaeological Congress, taking place from 22 to 28 June, will welcome approximately 1,200 delegates from around the world.

With so many delegates visiting, local experiences, dining and attractions are likely to generate increased interest.

Image credit: Tourism NT

2025 BROLGA AWARDS NEW NT CATEGORY - BEST TERRITORY TOURISM MARKETING ACTIVITY

Nominations for the 2025 Brolga Awards are now open featuring a new NT category – Best Territory Tourism Marketing Activity. This category recognises creativity in marketing activity by any tourism or hospitality business in the NT. Submissions for this category can be in either written or video format.

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EVENTS

BETR DARWIN TRIPLE CROWN SUPERCARS

Track to Town returns on Thursday 19 June, bringing the excitement of the betr Darwin Triple Crown Supercars Indigenous Round directly into Darwin’s CBD. The inaugural Palmerston Driver Parade on Wednesday 18 June, will extend race week festivities and drive further foot traffic across key retail and hospitality precincts. Visitors can experience all the on and off track action at Hidden Valley Raceway from 20 - 22 June, coinciding with Darwin’s peak dry season, an ideal time to promote extended stays and regional travel.

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DARWIN STREET ART FESTIVAL
24 MAY - 15 JUNE

This year’s program features over 20 artists, pop-up events, artist talks, paint jams, and a brand new outdoor projection gallery. Now in its ninth year, the festival continues to support local talent, drive visitation, and strengthen Darwin’s reputation as a vibrant, creative, and culturally rich destination.

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