NIGHTHAWK TRANSPORT … HAS A FLEET OF PRIME MOVERS AND TRAILERS SERVICING REMOTE PARTS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY 

Nighthawk Transport, which was established 40 years ago, now has a fleet of prime movers and trailers. 

The company was acquired by Marlu Transport in 2024, a move that has taken the business to a new level. 

Managing director Alex McPhee, who is of Noongar, Nyamal and Nyiaparli heritage, says Marlu’s extensive network in the Western Australia mining industry is a perfect fit with Nighthawk’s good reputation for efficiency in the NT. 

He says there are natural links between servicing WA and the Territory, particularly in using company assets and resources during the wet season. 

“We believe that our knowledge and experience in business within WA can be valuable to share with other Blak businesses in the NT,” Mr McPhee says. 

“Given that we provide essential food delivery services to communities in the NT and support local employment, we thought it would be great to become a certified member of the NT Indigenous Business Network.” 

Nighthawk specialises in providing weekly food and general freight services to remote parts of the Territory. 

Services run Darwin to Katherine and Nhulunbuy, plus many Indigenous communities, as well as interstate. 

There are plans to extend services to Queensland. 

Customers include communities and stores, local councils, civil construction, major projects, Defence sites, mining companies, regional councils and cattle stations. 

Contracts cover a range of specialist freight services, including hay cartage, pathology transport, TNT, Star Track and CASH4CANS. 

“We strive to be a trusted partner for our clients, delivering their goods safely and on time, and contributing to the development and wellbeing of the communities we serve,” says Mr McPhee. 

Nighthawk is striving to be the premier transport company in the Territory, known for exceptional service and commitment to meeting the unique challenges of servicing remote areas. 

The business plans to expand its reach and capabilities while maintaining family-owned values and a personalised approach to customer relations. 

“We envision a future where Nighthawk Transport is recognised as the go-to provider for reliable, efficient, and sustainable transport solutions.” 

Marlu, whose motto is “Dreaming Big, Travelling Far”, is a growing concern – it employs 105 staff throughout WA and the NT, and has a fleet of more than 150 vehicles, ranging from vans to prime movers and with an extensive range of supporting plant and equipment. 

Interestingly, the company has diversified beyond freight transport. 

The core businesses are Marlu Resources Group, which provides security and emergency services, and Marlu Transport Solutions. 

But it also has Marlu Health, an occupational health and injury management company, and Marlu Workwear, which provides personal protection equipment and safety work wear. 

And on top of that Marlu owns Jila Water Solutions, which supplies top-class coffee beans and pure bottled water. 

The company’s core values are: 

Reliability – having high-quality resources that are compliant in all aspects of safety and health. 

Culture – strong, diverse family and team culture with open communication who work together under times of pressure. 

Integrity – maintaining honest, transparent relationships and high-quality standards to ensure optimal customer satisfaction and repeat business. 

Innovation – continuing to question accepted processes, systems and workplace wisdom to create fresh ideas and new approaches 

CONTACT 

Nighthawk Transport 

Darwin 

17 Nebo Road East Arm Darwin, 0822 

08 8947 3321 

General Manager 

Jason Turnbull 

046 761 2369 

Operations Manager 

Michael Champion 

040 088 6144 

office@nighthawktransport.com 

nighthawktransport.com 

ALEX AND SATURN MCPHEE … ‘WE BELIEVE THAT OUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS WITHIN WA CAN BE VALUABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHER BLAK BUSINESSES IN THE NT’