Issue 37

THE TERRITORY’S SUMMER SECRETS

Interstate holidaymakers are being let into a secret: summer starts early in the NT. Tourism NT is letting the secret slip as part of a campaign to attract more visitors during September-March. The NT Summer campaign is aimed at would-be travellers 18+, who are being offered special deals through travel agents, car hire companies, hotels,...

JOURNEY BEYOND RAIL Issue 36

CLICKETY-CLACK ACROSS A SUNBURNT COUNTRY

An American novelist with the interesting name of Sam Starbuck spoke for countless people from the past 200 years when he wrote: “Trains are beautiful – they have personalities, they have their own mysteries.” Travel by train, especially over a vast distance, is one of the most indulgent pleasures, one of the greatest soft adventures –...

Destination Dili Issue 36

DESTINATION DILI: WAITING FOR THE INTREPID TRAVELLER

With an authentic vibe, a cruisy island feel and a sense of undiscovered wonder, Timor Leste is a country just over an hour flight from Darwin waiting to be explored.  The country has few tourists at the moment, which makes it the perfect discovery destination. Its capital, Dili, is on the coast, surrounded by mountains, palm trees and...

iTravel Issue 36

DARWIN’S PERSONAL TRAVEL CREATORS

After two years of little or no travel, with borders and the majority of the world now open again, people are making the most of their frequent flyer points, travel credits and savings to book a savoured get-away or reunite with cherished family and friends.  However, today’s travel landscape isn’t the same. It’s not as...

AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT GROUP Major Projects

WORLD-CLASS RESORT TAKES SHAPE

The Northern Territory’s tourism industry is being given a massive boost by the creation of a world-class resort next to Darwin International Airport.  A second substantial investment into the project has been confirmed by Airport Development Group (ADG), the go-ahead company that ultimately owns Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek...

Gabbert Design Infrastructure

GABBERT THRIVES ON VISIONARY PROJECTS

Darwin-based Gabbert Design is creating the master plan for the Little Paradise Development for Groote Holdings Aboriginal Corporation’s wealth-creation projects on Groote Eylandt. The most stunning is a six-star clifftop eco-resort, an idea undergoing financial feasibility studies. Designer Wayne Gabbert has also designed the...

Banubanu Beach Retreat Issue 35

A TERRITORY DESTINATION THAT STIRS FEELINGS

Off the East Arnhem Land coast, there’s a private, secluded eco-beach paradise, a diamond hidden amongst one of Australia’s most unexplored regions. What began as a private fishing camp in 2005, it’s now the superb Banubanu Beach Retreat on the northern tip of Bremer Island (Dhambaliya in Yolgnu).  “Banubanu is a dream...

BANUBANU BEACH RETREAT Issue 34

A DREAM COME TRUE

A secluded island surrounded by turquoise Arafura waters, teeming with aquatic life. A sanctuary for a myriad of sea birds, false killer whales, green, olive Ridley, flatback and hawksbill turtles. An unspoilt haven with pristine white powdery sand that squeaks beneath your bare feet. A slice of East Arnhem Land paradise that the small group of...

Tourism Vouchers Issue 33

VOUCHERS HELP YOU HOLIDAY AT HOME

Tourism has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent hot spot lockdowns. But the Territory Government’s Tourism Vouchers have helped ease the pain – and in many cases, been the difference between staying open or closed. Peter Hook of Kakadu Tourism says the vouchers are a “lifeline” for tourism. He said Crocodile Hotel...

Mindil Beach Casino Resort Business

CASINO RESORT: PART OF THE COMMUNITY

The business sponsors a string of good causes. Gary Brown, managing director of Delaware North, which owns the casino resort, says: “Delaware North is active in the communities we serve, making our operations more than places we work; they are places we invest in because we believe in them.” And casino resort general manager Avril...

Ramada Suites Zen Quarter Business

MELANIE’S TAKING ON NEW HEIGHTS

Life changed for then 23-year-old Melanie Lewis in 2003. She had followed a navy boy to Darwin.  “But instead, I fell in love with the town, the weather – I hate the cold – the fabulously friendly people and the opportunities afforded me here.” Melanie is used to being the brand of her properties and is now moving up in the...

DARWIN LAKSA FESTIVAL Business

FOR THE LOVE OF LAKSA

About 3000 people attended the Laksa Festival in Darwin in late November. And 3600 downloaded a special Food Tour app and voted for what they considered the best of 69 featured dishes to determine the People’s Choice winner on festival day. Festival organisers secretly sent out a team of “ninjas” to taste the dishes to determine the top...