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“ The secreT To A briGhT FuTure.
The earlier we see The brighT
fuTure, The fasTer we can
achieve iT. ”
Disclaimer
While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the information contained
in this publication is correct, the information covered is subject to change. The Northern
Territory Government does not assume and hereby disclaims any express or implied
liability whatsoever to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions,
whether these errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
Published AuGusT 2011
contents.
2 inTroDucing The norThern TerriTory
4 unpreceDenTeD jobs growTh
6 an exTraorDinary lifesTyle
8 out and about
9 Parks and reserves
10 FesTivAls ANd sPeciAl eveNTs
11 FishiNG
12 A TAsTe For culTure
13 sPorT ANd recreATioN
14 living in The TerriTory
15 housiNG cosT oF liviNG
16 educATioN ANd childcAre
17 heAlTh services
18 MulTiculTurAl
19 TrANsPorT
20 GoverNMeNT ANd services
21 bANkiNG ANd iNsurANce
22 The norThern TerriTory: a brief hisTory
24 ciTies anD our Towns
city and rural:
26 dArWiN
28 PAlMersToN ANd ouTer dArWiN
30 Alice sPriNGs
32 kATheriNe
34 TeNANT creek
36 Nhulubuy
38 TerriTory GroWTh ToWNs

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory iNTroduciNG The NorTherN TerriTory
02 03
GREAT
lifestyle
The Territory is sophisticated, dynamic and progressive yet
it retains that friendly, fun-loving character that has made it
such a popular drawcard. These traits are accentuated by the
fact that our population is the nation’s youngest, at a median
age of just 31.2 years - 5.7 years younger than the rest of the
country. Territorians are typically a vibrant, happy, outdoorloving
lot who also know how to enjoy the finer things in life.
The Territory’s 220 000-strong population includes people
from more than 100 nationalities who have shared their
cultures over more than a century to turn this region into one
of Australia’s most cosmopolitan. Indigenous people, many
still living traditional lifestyles in remote homelands, make up
a quarter of the population and have a strong influence on the
region’s culture.
The Northern Territory covers one-sixth of Australia and
straddles climatic zones ranging from the monsoon-influenced
tropics across the ‘Top End’ nudging the Timor and Arafura
seas, to the arid red-ochre deserts of Central Australia.
The Territory’s location at the top half of Australia puts it
closer to Asia than to Australia’s main population centres and
live it.
AustrAliA’s NortherN territory - or ‘the
TerriTory’ as The locals call iT presenTs
all The hallmarks of a booming economy
anD ThaT TrenD is seT To conTinue
in specTacular fashion.
it has long led the rest of the country in developing strong
diplomatic, cultural and economic ties with South East Asia.
Successive governments have been quick to capitalise on
this enormous trading benefit by promoting the Territory as
Australia’s ‘Gateway to Asia’.
Territory leaders have seize on opportunities to bolster the
region’s economy through trade and business relationships
tied in with burgeoning consumer demands in the growth
zones of South East Asia, the western Pacific and beyond.
The Territory’s vibrant economic growth and a raft of multimillion
and billion dollar developments are positioning
Australia’s fastest-growing region for an even more
exhilarating future. It’s going to mean exceptional work and
investment opportunities, particularly in the next five years.
Many thousands of jobs will come on line for professionals
and skilled tradespeople from all walks of life, and for
business entrepreneurs looking for a bright new start for their
families. We’re going to need a lot of people-power to get
the jobs done!
www.australiasnorthernterritory.com.au
“ surrouNd yourselF WiTh
PeoPle who take their work
seriously, buT NoT TheMselves,
those who work harD anD
play harD.”

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory uNPrecedeNTed Jobs GroWTh
04
work it.
skilleD workers in high DemanD.
Several significant economic drivers will underpin intensive
local development.Those economic drivers will include the
AustralAsia Trade Route, investment in gas and related
industries, mining and minerals processing, agribusiness,
tourism, Defence support and Darwin’s growth as a regional
supply, service and distribution hub. Emerging industries
based on tropical and desert knowledge and innovation,
information technology and communications are also f
orecast to bolster the Territory’s economy in the future.
The Territory is on track to become a major oil and gas
operations and maintenance hub. Specifically, a new Darwin
marine supply base will provide state-of-the-art facilities to
service offshore oil and gas operations.
An impressive list of existing and impending oil and gas
ventures, supported by global giants of the sector, will assure
the region’s growth and prosperity for decades into the future.
Significant mining developments and infrastructure projects,
including a new hospital and prison, are also due to
commence and will further boost job opportunities and bring
significant economic benefits for Territory-wide regional towns
and communities.
jobs,jobs,jobs
The spin-offs will include an unparalleled demand for skilled
tradesmen of every kind, and professionals across broadranging
sectors including engineering, nursing, medicine
and teaching.
looking To migraTe To, or have a
working holiDay in The norThern
TerriTory?
Several migration programs are available for persons and
families wishing to migrate to the Northern Territory to live and
work or do business.
What kind of people is the Northern Territory looking for?
The Northern Territory is on the lookout for persons with
skills and experience in business, and most trades and
professions, inclining hospitality, tourism, education and
health management. The wide diversity of the types of jobs
available is reflected in the Northern Territory Occupation
Shortage List. This list provides a list of occupations that are
either in shortage or experiencing recruitment difficulties in
the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory Government is
actively seeking and encouraging migrants with these skills to
join its community.
Detailed information on migration and Northern territory
Government sponsorship for business and skill migrants is
available at www.migration.nt.gov.au
looking for jobs
A wealth of business and employment opportunities will be on
offer, especially if you have the skills the Territory needs. The
Territory Workers Database is a candidate pool established to
bring together skilled people looking for jobs and businesses
needing their services. The database allows job seekers to
register their skills for prospective employers or recruitment
agencies to search the available profiles for suitable
candidates to fill job vacancies.
05
register your interest.
The Territory Worker Database is
a candidate pool allowing job
seekers to register their skills for
prospective Territory employers or
recruitment agencies to search for
jobe ready people.
Register your skills at
www.theterritory.com.au
Northern Territory
State Migration Plan
The State Migration Plan provides
the guidelines for migration of skilled
workers to the Territory to address
specific skill shortages and local
labour market needs. This Plan
helps to ensure businesses have the
skilled workers they need to grow
the Territory and be ready for major
projects in the future.
The plan highlights occupations in
demand across the Northern Territory
for overseas citizens. It includes
criteria relating to qualifications, work
experience and applicable English
language requirements for a number
of occupations.
For more information on the State
Migration Plan, visit
australiasnorthernterritory.nt.gov.au

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory AN eXTrAordiNATry liFesTyle
06
“ Good ForTuNe is A WAy oF liviNG.
your acTions anD aTTiTuDes
abouT your experiences
DeTermine your ouTcome.”
11 official long weekenDs a year. The
climaTe is amazing anD wiTh enough
public holiDays To give you 11 official long
weekenDs a year, There’s plenTy of Time To
geT away anD enjoy iT.
If you make a move to the Northern Territory you won’t regret it. On top of
the abundant jobs, business opportunities and excellent support services for
families, the Territory lifestyle is exceptional. There’s so much to see and do
and so much space to do it in.
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
www.tourismtopend.com.au
living the
dream
07

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory AN eXTrAordiNATry liFesTyle
08 09
Out and About
Dining ouT is high on The agenDa for
territoriANs – ANd the tANtAlisiNg choice
of cuisine anD eaTeries To suiT all buDgeTs
means iT’s noT unusual for families To eaT
ouT aT leasT once a week.
Sublime dining experiences are on
offer everywhere - among the 60
international food stalls at Darwin’s
famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
and other popular markets, at
waterfront seafood outlets and at the
scores of award-winning restaurants,
alfresco cafes, pubs and club bistros
scattered throughout the Territory.
Our parks and reserves
worlD famous naTional parks.
visiTors come from all over The worlD
To explore The norThern TerriTory’s
breaThTaking naTural wilDerness
Fom the teeming northern wetlands
to the incredible living deserts of
the Red Centre, the Territory has
hundreds of declared conservation
sanctuaries including land-based
and marine parks, conservation
reserves and heritage sites ranging
from less than one hectare to
thousands
of hectares.
The most famous are the World
Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta
(Ayers Rock and The Olgas)
and Australia’s biggest and most
culturally and ecologically significant
national park, Kakadu, covering
20,000 km of the Top End.
Also high on visitor to-do-lists are
the majestic Litchfield, Nitmiluk
(Katherine Gorge), Judbarra
(Gregory), Keep River, Garig
Gunak Barlu (Cobourg Peninsula)
national parks and the wildliferich
Mary River wetlands in the
Top End. Central Australia’s
Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and West
MacDonnell national parks and
the Barkly region’s Karlu Karlu
(Devils Marbles) all showcase
stunning landscapes and geological
formations.
In our cities and towns there are
glorious sun-drenched coastal
reserves, leafy parks, water parks,
playgrounds and sporting ovals
dotted everywhere, along with
many kilometres of bike and
walking tracks.
www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory AN eXTrAordiNATry liFesTyle
10
Festivals and special events
harDly a monTh goes by wiThouT someThing
exTra special happening. The TerriTory
pulsaTes wiTh a myriaD of fesTivals,
sporTing evenTs, inDigenous anD culTural
celebrAtioNs, world-clAss rAciNg cArNivAls
ANd mAd-cAp regAttAs.ouT each year.
The Darwin and Alice Springs cup
carnivals and the V8 Supercars
Championship are huge drawcards that
inject millions into the local economy
every two years, Darwin hosts the
Arafura Games and Alice Springs hosts
the Masters Games. The Arafura Games
attract thousands of atheletes from
Australia and the Asia Pacific region
who converge on Darwin to compete in
more than 30 sports, including track,
swimming and team events and the
highly-entertaining Malaysian kick
volleyball game called Sepak Takraw.
Similar numbers pour into Alice Springs
for the Masters Games, known as the
‘Friendly Games’, where the only entry
stipulations are a minimum age of 25
years and a willingness to have fun!
www.tourismtopend.com.au
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
Fishing
wiThouT quesTion, is excepTional in The
norThern TerriTory.
it’s the favourite pastime for many
thousands of locals and the reason why
hordes of southern and overseas visitors
trawl our waterways every dry season.
11
The Territory hosts several top-class
annual fishing tournaments like the NT
barra classic, kakadu klash, daly river
barra Nationals and the Gove Game
classic, which entice many of
the world’s keenest anglers.

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory AN eXTrAordiNATry liFesTyle
12
A taste for culture
TerriTorians are culTurally sophisTicaTeD
ANd embrAce wAll-to-wAll opportuNities
To enjoy arT exhibiTions, concerTs, TheaTre
anD oTher live performances ThaT showcase
boTh local anD visiTing TalenT.
Major art and cultural events like the
annual Darwin Festival, and Alice
Springs’ Heritage and Beanie Festivals
are among many big drawcards.
Indigenous art, from Arnhem Land to
Central Australia, supports a flourishing
industry and is a vital tool in cultural
understanding between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous people.
The Territory boasts many excellent
museums and galleries. The Museum
and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
in Darwin holds priceless collections
of Indigenous, South East Asian and
Oceanic art and material culture,
maritime archaeology, Territory history
and natural sciences.
The Alice Springs Cultural Precinct,
incorporating the Araluen Centre and
Galleries, Albert Namatjira Gallery,
Aviation Museum and more, is home
to some of Central Australia’s most
intriguing cultural and historical
attractions.
Tennant Creek’s Nyinkka Nyunya Art
and Culture Centre, located on a site
held sacred by the local Warumungu
people, allows visitors to learn about
Aboriginal life and history in the region.
Several remote Territory communities
have their own galleries and also stage
annual cultural and sporting festivals
to showcase their traditional customs
and talent to the world. The Garma,
Barunga, Merrepin and Walking with
Spirits Festivals are all prominent on the
Territory’s Indigenous cultural calendar.
www.nt.gov.au/nreta/arts/index.html
Sport and recreation
TerriTorians are inTo anyThing ThaT’s acTive
- the NortherN territory iNstitute of sport
(Ntis) is At the forefroNt of elite trAiNiNg
anD compeTiTion, anD a recogniseD leaDer in
aThleTe acclimaTisaTion anD relaTeD research.
The Territory offers indoor stadiums,
world-class hockey grounds, Olympic
sized swimming complexes, football
ovals, golf courses, dedicated sporting
clubs and extensive bicycle and
walking tracks.
Sailing, power-boating, kayaking,
windsurfing and dragonboating are all
popular and a weekend on the water
is a favourite for many families. Darwin
and Nhulunbuy have long-established
clubs with first-class facilities and
training and racing programs for
yachties and powerboat owners.
13

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory liviNG iN The TerriTory
14
A Great Lifestyle
shAre the pleAsures of moNsooN-iNflueNced
‘wet’ ANd ‘dry’ seAsoNs. wheN it comes to
agreeable climaTic conDiTions, The norThern
TerriTory is up There wiTh The besT.
The Territory is hot, humid dry or chilly,
depending on the season and whether
you live in the north or the centre. Top
Enders savour the advantages of a
predictable climate – like balmy breezes
and an average 10 hours of sunshine
a day in the dry, and spectacular
tropical thunderstorms and replenishing
monsoonal downpours in the wet.
Cyclones are a fact of life in the north
during the Wet but stringent building
codes, intensive awareness campaigns
and excellent weather warning systems
keep potential dangers to an absolute
minimum.
The Central Australian desert climate
can be extreme. In the summer months,
temperatures rarely drop below
20 o C/68F overnight, and top a searing
40 o C/104F by day. In contrast, winter
will see temperatures plummet to below
freezing at night while days remain very
comfortable and cool.
www.theterritory.com.au
Housing
the territory’s tropicAl ANd Aridzone
housing concepTs are recogniseD
inTernaTionally.
Northern Territory residents tend to live
in houses built to take advantage of the
climate and the environment. Traditional
Top End houses are elevated to capture
gentle breezes and have large louvred
windows, ceiling fans, verandahs, decks
and paved poolside areas that reinforce
Cost of living
Some Territory household costs are higher than in other parts
of Australia. The comparatively small population and vast
distances mean higher prices for some grocery lines – but
the upside is that your house will probably have cost-saving
solar hot water, you can spend less on travelling around your
community or on parking and entry fees – and if moving to the
Top End, you won’t need many winter clothes.
Renting or buyting places to live can be expensive compared
with some southern cities and towns, but the Northern
Territory Government is working on initiatives to increase the
availability of affordable housing.
www.darwin.nt.gov.au
the tropical theme. In Central Australia,
many houses are single storey
Mediterranean style - just right for the
warm dry days and cool crisp nights.
www.reint.com.au
15

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory liviNG iN The TerriTory
16
The school year is divided into four
10-week terms with one-week,
four-week, one-week and six-week
breaks at the end of Terms 1, 2, 3
and 4 respectively.
Education and childcare
The TerriTory boasTs more Than 150
governmenT anD 35 privaTe schools,
anD many Top class chilDcare faciliTies.
Education facilities range from large
senior secondary colleges in Darwin and
Alice Springs, to smaller metropolitan,
regional and remote community schools.
Territory schooling stages align with
those interstate. Preschool to Year 3 are
the Early Years, the Primary Years are 4
to 6, the Middle Years are 7 to 9 and the
Senior Years 10 to 12.
School is compulsory for children
aged between 6 and 15 years. Noncompulsory
preschool programs are
available for children turning four by
30 June of a given school year, and
Transition is available for children
turning five by the mid-year.
Senior secondary students study for
the Northern Territory Certificate of
Education and Training (NTCET), an
end-of-school qualification recognised
by all Australian colleges and
universities. Students seeking university
entrance must also comply with Territory
and South Australian tertiary entrance
requirements as prescribed by the
universities. One Territory school offers
the International Baccalaureate as an
alternative to the NTCET.
Vocational education and training
(VET) is encouraged as a valid career
pathway, often as part of NTCET
studies. High schools and registered
training organisations offer a wide
variety of courses and deliver high
quality, nationally consistent training
outcomes for industry, communities and
individuals.
Remote area students have access
to distance education coordinated
through the NT Open Education Centre,
Katherine School of the Air and Alice
Springs School
of the Air.
www.det.nt.gov.au
www.directory.deet.nt.gov.au/
www.cdu.edu.au
Health services
excellenT healTh services are available
ThroughouT The norThern TerriTory.
royal Darwin hospiTal houses The naTional
criTical care anD Trauma response cenTre,
anD The moDern new alan walker cancer
care cenTre.
Royal Darwin Hospital is the Territory’s
main medical facility and all major
regional towns have their own hospitals
offering general inpatient, outpatient
and emergency services. Royal Darwin
and Alice Springs hospitals offer a wide
range of specialist services and both
are teaching hospitals aligned with
Flinders University in Adelaide through
the NT Clinical School. Darwin Private
Hospital is also available for patients
with appropriate health cover.
Many remote health centres have
e-carts which allows direct contacts
with specialists in Darwin and around
the world.
Private doctors, dentists, specialists
and allied health professionals such
as physiotherapists, optometrists and
pharmacists practice in the major towns
and also visit remote communities
regularly.
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
www.health.nt.gov.au
17

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory liviNG iN The TerriTory
18
Multicultural services
The norThern TerriTory is one of ausTralia’s
mosT culTurally Diverse regions. iTs
populaTion incluDes people of 100
naTionaliTies anD supporTs some 50 social,
culTural anD religious organisaTions
represenTing DifferenT culTural groups.
The Territory has long been like a
home-away-from-home for overseas
immigrants who have contributed
enormously to our economy and culture
and embrace our unique lifestyle.
There are several Islamic mosques,
Buddhist and Chinese temples and
a host of Christian churches offering
religious instruction and worship. The
Territory community celebrates with
great gusto during annual cultural
festivals including the huge Greek
Glenti, an Indian festival and the
Chinese New Year.
SBS Radio broadcasts throughout the
Territory in 68 languages and SBS TV
telecasts programs covering news,
sport, movies and entertainment from all
over the world.
A multilingual interpreter service is
available for newcomers needing to do
business or attend to other matters as
they settle in.
www.multicultural.nt.gov.au
Transport
most Nt workers cAN be home withiN 15-20
minuTes. geTTing arounD TerriTory ciTies
anD Towns is generally quick anD easy.
even During peak hour. The commuTe is
even quicker in regional Towns.
An efficient public bus service runs
in the major towns and taxis and hire
cars are widely available. Seniors,
pensioners, carers and students travel
free on public buses.
The Territory roads network consists of
sealed highways, unsealed secondary
roads and bush tracks that can be
affected by flooding in the wet season.
The Stuart Highway connects with
South Australia, the Barkly Highway with
Queensland, and the Victoria Highway
with Western Australia.
The AustralAsia Railway provides
regular efficient freight and passenger
services between Darwin and Adelaide,
with connections to all major capital
cities. Thousands of visitors a year
board The Ghan for an exhilarating
outback travel experience that’s
regarded as one of the world’s great
train journeys.
Darwin has regular international and
national shipping connections and
is a port of call for dozens of luxury
cruise ships en route to exotic offshore
destinations.
Darwin is the Territory’s main
international air gateway, servicing
domestic and overseas carriers with
connections to the rest of the world.
Flights to many major South East
Asian cities are shorter and cheaper
than those to most Australian capital
cities. (Many Darwin residents visit Bali,
Vietnam and Singapore for weekend
getaways.)
Alice Springs and Yulara airports are
busy hubs, with direct flights to most
Australian capital cities. All regional
towns have airports and remote
communities rely heavily on air services.
www.nt.gov.au/transport
www.darwinairport.com.au
www.theghan.com.au
19

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory liviNG iN The TerriTory
20
balanced lifestyles
The TerriTory conTinues To work on
becoming a sTaTe in The fuTure. The
parliamenT of The norThern TerriTory is The
legislaTive assembly wiTh 25 members anD a
minisTerial cabineT leaD by a chief minisTer.
The Northern Territory has a
Westminster style of government with no
upper house. The Head of State is the
Administrator, rather than the Governor
as in other Australian jurisdictions.
Local Government is the second tier,
with city councils and shire councils
administering by-laws and spending on
services and infrastructure according to
the needs of their jurisdictions.
Northern Territory laws are similar to
those in other parts of Australia, but with
some notable exceptions to account for
unique situations.
Examples are the Australian
Government’s Aboriginal Land Rights
(Northern Territory) Act and the Northern
Territory Liquor Act. The first governs
ownership of, and access to, some
50 per cent of Territory land under
Aboriginal ownership. The second
restricts or prohibits possession, supply
or use of alcohol in certain areas,
including ‘dry’ communities.
www.aec.gov.au
www.nt.gov.au/lant
Banking and business
The TerriTory supporTs an efficienT
environmenT for businesses, by offering
ausTralia’s lowesT Tax environmenT for
small To meDium businesses.
• no land taxes
• one of the highest payroll tax
thresholds in the country
• fast-tracked business operation
approvals
• Australia’s lowest developer
contributions fees
• defined planning and
environmental processes
• no fire service levy.
Visit the Northern Territory Treasury website
for more information on the taxes and duties
you can expect to pay here.
www.ato.gov.au
www.nt.gov.au/ntt
All the major Australian banks, including
the Commonwealth, ANZ, National
Australia (NAB) and Westpac, have
branches in Darwin and Alice Springs.
In the larger regional towns there is at
least one major bank and several other
banking options are also available.
Most major Australian insurance
companies also operate in the Territory,
along with the home-grown Territory
Insurance Office (TIO), and provide
cover for all usual needs, and special
cover for unique local needs such as
cyclone damage.
21
Australian taxation laws apply in the
Northern Territory so residents are
subject to requirements relating to
income tax, Goods and Services Tax
(GST) and other general taxes.
All workers in Australia require a Tax
File Number. The Australian Taxation
Office oversees all tax matters. The NT
Government applies some other specific
taxes to cover local situations.
“ There Are MANy PArTs oF
AusTrAliA ThAT Are so reMoTe,
so disTANT FroM The lArGe
Well-serviced MeTroPolises
oF our cAPiTAl ciTies, ThAT
they are allowed Particular
TAX breAks.”

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory The NorTherN TerriTory: A brieF hisTory
22
discover
Waves of other migrants followed
later, enticed by jobs in pearling,
pastoralism and other emerging
industries, and the chance to make
a new start in a new frontier.
honour it.
Darwin was founDeD as ausTralia’s mosT
norTherly porT in 1869, anD iTs populaTion
surgeD afTer golD was DiscovereD aT nearby
pine creek in 1871.
World War II put the town on the map
as a major allied military base. Darwin
was devastated again on 24 December
1974 when Cyclone Tracy swept across
the coast. The city was rebuilt with much
improved construction codes and is a
modern, landscaped metropolis today.
The Macassans who sailed down from
the Spice Islands on the trade winds
to gather prized trepang are thought
to have been the first non-Indigenous
people to set foot on Northern Territory
soil. Dutch explorer William Jootszoon
van Colster recorded the first official
sighting from his tallship Arnhem in
1623 – but the Macassans and other
seafarers are thought to have visited
long before then.
The 1880s gold discoveries lured an
influx of Chinese fortune-seekers and
Malay, Filipino and Japanese divers
were brought in to collect mother-ofpearl
shell. Greek people also came in
large numbers and, together with their
fellow European and Asian immigrants,
helped create the multicultural city that
Darwin is today.
Explorer John McDouall Stuart became
the first explorer to cross Australia
from south to north, paving the way for
construction of the Overland Telegraph
line. When completed in 1872, it
provided Australia’s first communications
link with the outside world.
It also opened the way for pastoralists to
take up leases in Central Australia – but
it was the discovery of alluvial gold at
Arltunga to the east of Alice Springs in
1887 that provided the impetus for the
region’s population boom.
Tennant Creek took its name from the
nearby watercourse named in 1860 by
John McDouall Stuart to acknowledge
the financial help he received from South
Australian pastoralist John Tennant.
Katherine developed with the arrival
of the Overland Telegraph Line and a
new telegraph station in 1872. In 1879,
after good reports from Stuart and other
explorers, Alfred Giles and Alfred Woods
brought stock to the district and built
‘Spring Vale’ homestead with a view to
establishing a pastoral empire.
World War II put the town on the map
as a major allied military base for troops
fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
More than 200 Defence personnel and
civilians perished when the Japanese
bombed Darwin on 19 February 1942.
Today travellers can see evidence of
Darwin’s World War II history at a variety
of preserved sites including ammunition
bunkers, airstrips and oil tunnels in and
around the city.
www.ntl.nt.gov.au
www.darwintours.com.au
www.darwinsairwar.com.au
23
1863
briTain vesTeD conTrol of The TerriTory in
souTh ausTralia
1911
souTh ausTralia relinquisheD conTrol To The
commonwealTh governmenT
1 july 1978
the territory wAs grANted self-goverNmeNt

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
24
our citieis and towns
darwin 26
palmerston and outer darwin 28
alice springs 30
katherine 32
tenant creek 34
nhulubuy 36
territory growth towns 38
our
cities
towns
1 july - territory dAy
on The firsT of july each year TerriTorians celebraTe
TerriTory Day, marking The commencemenT of self
governmenT in The TerriTory on 1 july 1978. The Day is
celebraTeD across The norThern TerriTory in a number
of ways, incluDing The famous TerriTory Day fireworks
(both public ANd privAte).
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
26
darwin
dArwiN is built oN A low-lyiNg peNiNsulA juttiNg
inTo a sTunning naTural working harbour
ThaT’s Twice The size of syDney harbour.
The ciTy’s norThern suburbs are lineD wiTh breezy
Tropical elevaTeD houses, wiTh lush garDens of palms,
bougainvillea, frangipani, orchiDs anD oTher
Tropical species.
Wide streets, shady parks, a pedestrian mall, superb ethnic
restaurants and trendy pubs and clubs have all contributed
to an upsurge in the popularity of Darwin city living. Added
bonuses are the Mitchell St entertainment strip, Darwin
Waterfront’s eateries and wave pool, and upmarket housing
options within the stylish Cullen Bay, Tipperary Waters and
Bayview Haven marina developments.
Darwin’s city streets and suburban shopping malls are
lined with excellent restaurants. There’s boardwalk dining
overlooking the harbour or the yachts in Cullen Bay Marina.
On offer to tantalise the tastebuds are Australian, Chinese,
Thai, Japanese, Italian, French, Greek, Vietnamese,
Malaysian, Mexican and Indian cuisine.
Darwin has three cinema multiplexes screening the latest
releases, and the popular open-air Deckchair Cinema on
the waterfront, where you can enjoy a glass of wine while
watching an arthouse movie.
SkyCity Casino provides popular gaming and restaurant
facilities and hosts regular open air live music concerts.
East Point Reserve, just a few minutes’ drive from the
Darwin CBD, is a favourite sunset picnic or barbecue spot
and home to a colony of agile wallabies.
Darwin has excellent walking and bicycle paths along the
beachfront, through parks and throughout the suburbs.
www.tourismtopend.com.au
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
28
palmerston and
outer darwin
The ciTy’s populaTion of more Than 25 000 makes
palmersTon The TerriTory’s seconD largesT ciTy.
The populaTion is preDominaTely young working
families anD Defence personnel aTTacheD To Top enD
miliTary faciliTies.
The satellite city of Palmerston, 20 minutes by road from the
Darwin CBD, is the Northern Territory’s fastest growing city –
and it’s still expanding. At one time, it was the fastest growing
metropolis in Australia.
Beyond Palmerston, close to 20 000 Territorians live on
acreagein the sprawling Litchfield Shire, also known as
Outer Darwin.
Residents here have swapped inner city living for a rural
lifestyle, well away from neighbours and main roads traffic,
but still close enough to commute to a city job.
The newest Palmerston suburbs nudge tranquil bushland
and feature modern, breezy tropical houses and units,
interspersed with attractive retail, business, medical and
general community facilities.
Palmerston’s drawcards include tastefully landscaped
suburbs, good sporting facilities including a swimming pool,
pubs, clubs, restaurants, a major shopping centre and a
cinema complex.
www.palmerston.nt.gov.au
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
30
alice springs is The worlD’s mosT famous
ouTback Town: an alluring DeserT icon in The reD
hearT of ausTralia.
‘the Alice’, As it is kNowN, combiNes lAid-bAck chArm with
all The moDern conveniences, comforTs anD Diversions
you’d fiNd iN A good-sized city. it’s full of frieNdly people
anD has shopping, bars, cafés, resTauranTs, markeTs, live
enTerTainmenT, a casino anD a convenTion cenTre.
alice
springs
The locals live in either in tree-lined streets in the older parts
of the town or in modern suburbs similar to those in any
Australian city. Housing choice ranges from modest units to
architecturally-stunning apartments and houses.
The climate promotes an outdoor lifestyle, backed up by
excellent sporting and recreational venues and facilities
- including one of the world’s top 10 desert golf courses,
nestled in the shadow of the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges
Alice Springs is one of seven Australian cities participating in
the Australian Government’s Solar City program, and with an
average of 300 sunny days each year, why not? The town is
well on its way to becoming a solar energy model for the rest
of Australia and the world.
Arts and culture are strong in The Alice. Many locals belong
to wide-ranging organisations, clubs and groups which
encourage active participation in visual art of many genres,
theatre, dance, music and craft.
Alice Springs has a diverse community made up of people from
all over the world. Around 20% of the population is Indigenous.
Alice Springs is surrounded by breathtaking gorges and
waterholes, all easily accessible by road, walking trails and
bicycle tracks. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the
MacDonnell Ranges, visit Uluru (Ayers Rock) or Kata Tjuta
(the Olgas), fossick for gemstones and generally enjoy the
richly-coloured wide open spaces of the Red Centre.
www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
32
kaTherine is an easygoing Town abouT 300 km
souTh of Darwin. iTs young populaTion anD
frienDly environmenT make iT a greaT place for
families.
iT’s The kiNd oF PlAce Where everyoNe TAkes
The TiMe To sAy hello.
katherine
Many people move to Katherine for work—and enjoy the
place so much they decide to make it home. There’s plenty
to do in and around Katherine. Nitmiluk National Park is
the area’s main tourist attraction. The stunning Nitmiluk
(Katherine) Gorge has ancient rock art and is a great place
to spend a day with the family, relaxing or getting active with
bush walks and canoeing.
The Katherine Hot Springs and Mataranka Thermal Springs
are both popular locations for taking a relaxing soak. Edith
Falls, part of Nitmiluk National Park, is a great place for
picnics, barbecues, swimming and hiking.
Katherine people love a party, so they plan several each
year: the Katherine Festival (formerly the Flying Fox
Festival) is held annually in August, the Katherine Country
Music Muster is held in May every year and the Katherine
Show draws people from throughout the region every July.
There is also an annual debutante ball and many more minor
events that keep townspeople entertained. In June 2011 the
town held its first Fringe Festival.
www.ktc.nt.gov.au
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
34
tennant
creek
TennanT creek, The major service cenTre for
The barkly region, sTraDDles The sTuarT highway
500 km norTh of alice springs anD 1,000 km souTh
of Darwin.
TeNNANT creek is Also The reGioNAl service hub For The
huGe PAsTorAl sTATioNs ProduciNG PreMiuM beeF cATTle
oN sWeePiNG GrAsslANds.
The quest for gold was the key element of Tennant Creek’s
history. Mining companies still produce gold, copper and
manganese throughout the region. The mineral-rich region
is a hive of exploration activity.
Tennant Creek residents are fiercely proud of their town,
once named the friendliest in Australia. They revel in a
relaxed lifestyle supported by modern facilities including
sporting grounds and venues, recreation reserves, art and
craft galleries, a civic hall and library.
Aboriginal people are an important part of Tennant Creek’s
community, and continue to maintain their identity and
traditions. Renowned local artists produce traditional
paintings, carvings and other crafts and sell them through
galleries in the town.
Mary Ann Dam is a popular spot for swimming, barbecues,
picnics or bush walks and is easily accessible from town by
road or bicycle track. Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) south of
Tennant Creek, is among the Territory’s most photographed
features - and the perfect place to catch a real outback
sunset. Iytwelepenty (Davenport Ranges) National Park is
another popular camping destination.
www.barkly.nt.gov.au
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fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
36
Nhulunbuy
iT’s an ouTDoor lovers paraDise where locals
eNjoy fishiNg, sAiliNg, bird-wAtchiNg ANd fourwheel-drive
excursioNs to exquisite beAches ANd
wilDerness areas.
Nhulunbuy, nestled on the Arafura Sea at Gove Peninsula
in southeast Arnhem Land, was built as the service town
for the Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Alumina Refinery and
mining operation.
Nhulunbuy is remote by any standards but its people love
the lifestyle. The Central Arnhem Road provides the only
land link with Darwin and the Stuart Highway, but it is cut by
flooding during the wet season.
The town is serviced by daily domestic flights and provides
well-developed educational, health, social, sporting, cultural
and shopping facilities for both its townspeople and the very
remote homeland communities of East Arnhem Land.
Local attractions include the Yirrkala Arts and Crafts
Museum, Nambara Arts and Crafts Centre, and annual
Garma Festival, which all give a fascinating insight into the
powerful traditional culture of the region’s Yolngu people.
www.ncl.net.au
37

fresh lifestyles Australia’s Northern Territory our towns and cities
38
The norThern
TerriTory’s biggesT
communiTies To
become proper
Towns;
Maningrida
Gunbalanya
Gapuwiyak
Ramingining
Wadeye
Milingimbi
Yuendumu
Hermannsburg
Borroloola
Ngukurr
Yirrkala
Papunya
Galiwin’ku
Numbulwar
Lajamanu
Elliott
Nguiu
Angurugu/Umbakuma
Daguragu/Kalkarindgi
Ali Curung
The norThern TerriTory governmenT is in The
process of Developing The TerriTory’s biggesT
remoTe communiTies inTo properly planneD anD
DesigneD Towns which will become The economic
anD service Delivery cenTres for Their regions.
For More iNForMATioN
about Territory Growth Towns, visit www.workingfuture.nt.gov.au/growth_towns
territory
growth
towns
The visionary concept involves Indigenous communities
through all regions of the Territory.
Once completed, these Territory Growth Towns, located
from the Arnhem coast to Central Australia’s Western
Desert, will offer services, facilities and infrastructure that
will put them on a par with what other Australian country
towns offer.
39
People from the surrounding regions will be able to work
and shop in the towns and access schools, police stations,
courts, health services, recreational facilities, aged care and
disability facilities, the Internet and good transport services.
The towns will have the necessary infrastructure to provide
water, sewerage and electricity services and good roads to
allow people to get to and from their communities.

Darwin
Palmerston
climaTe
dry seAsoN* (mAy-oct)
ToP eNd 21 o c – 32 o c
The ceNTre 12 o c – 20 o c
wet seAsoN* (Nov-Apr)
ToP eNd 24 o c – 32 o c
The ceNTre 12 o c – 35 o c
*Average Temperatures
Katherine
Tennant Creek
Alice Springs
Nhulunbuy
For More iNForMATioN
about living and working in the Northern
Territory, visit www.theterritory.com.au
Perth
Darwin
Adelaide
TASMANIA
Hobart
Cairns
Melbourne
Sydney
Canberra
Brisbane
DomesTic
flighT Travel
2,650 kM 3 hrs 30 MiNs Perth
2,621 kM 3 hrs 30 MiNs adelaid
3,742 kM 5 hrs 30 MiNs hobart
3,132 kM 4 hrs 30 MiNs melbourne
3,141 kM 4 hrs 30 MiNs canberra
3,154 kM 4 hrs 30 MiNs sydney
2,850 kM 4 hrs 30 MiNs brisbane
1,686 kM 2 hrs 30 MiNs carins
snap shot
inTernaTional
flighT Travel
bali 2 hrs 55 MiNs 1,763 kM
siNGAPore 4 hrs 20 MiNs 3,343 kM
ho chi minh 4 hrs 45 MiNs 3,669 kM
manila 5 hrs 10 MiNs 3,264 kM
bANGkok 6 hrs 45 MiNs 4,391 kM
new Zealand 8 hrs 30 MiNs 5,134 kM
JaPan 7 hrs 5,385 kM
los ANGeles 11 hrs 30 MiNs 14,054 kM
milan 17 hrs 15 MiNs 13,440 kM
london 17 hrs 50 MiNs 13,820 kM
toronto 20 hrs 15,532 kM
major evenTs
ArAFurA GAMes
v8 suPercars
dArWiN FesTivAl
international cricket
darwin cuP
bArrA FishiNG clAssic
AFl (AusTrAliAN rules FooTbAll)
solAr chAlleNGe
key inDusTries
GAs-bAsed MANuFAcTuriNG
deFeNce suPPorT
MiNiNG ANd eNerGy
tousirm
retail
TrANsPorT loGisTics
GoverNMeNT

DeparTmenT of business anD employmenT
Business and Skilled Migration Services
Local: 8999 5264
National: 08 8999 5264
International: +61 8 8999 5264
GPO Box 9988
Darwin NT 0801 Australia
E: migration.dbe@nt.gov.au
W: www.migration.nt.gov.au