5 quirky Northern Territory events you didn’t know existed

Territorians love a good festival! Here’s our pick of some of the Northern Territory’s quirkier events.

1. Alice Springs Beanie Festival

June | Alice Springs

Beanies, berets, and toques – they’re all here at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Yep, it’s a whole festival dedicated to knitted headwear in the middle of the Australian desert. From the flamboyant to the fashion forward, you’re bound to find a one-of-a-kind piece to keep you warm this winter.

2. Red Centre NATS

August | Alice Springs

Red Centre NATS brings together motoring enthusiasts from across the country for the ultimate festival of wheels. Unleash your inner rev head as street machines, elite show cars, hot rods, classics cars and exotic motor bikes roll into town.

Held over three days at Alice Springs, expect an action-packed family-friendly program including drag racing, burnouts, an exotic vehicle exhibition called show ‘n’ shine, live music and Australia’s largest street parade of hot vehicles and bikes.

3. Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

August | Darwin

The Beer Can Regatta is the event that combines recycling and building boats in a spectacular way. Build a ‘tinny’ from tin-cans and set sail on an epic maiden voyage from Darwin’s Mindil Beach. When you’re ready to dock, grab a feed next door at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

4. Henley-On-Todd Regatta

August | Alice Springs

No water? No problem! Hosted in a dry riverbed, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta is as close as you’ll get to a seaside escapade in the desert. Join a team and man a bottomless ship with your legs, in Flintstones style.

5. Darwin International Laksa Festival

October | Darwin

Darwin locals love to sit down to a bowl of laksa for breakfast and now there’s an entire festival dedicated to the mouth watering dish. The whole month of October is reserved for laksa with the Darwin International Laksa Festival. Follow the Laksa Trail around tropical Darwin to experience the cultural variety of Laksas found in the Top End.

Looking for more Northern Territory events? Explore the full list of what’s on covering the Top End and Red Centre.