Northern Territory
“ Staging a business event in the NT provides scope to leave a legacy, showcase genuine sustainability and engage with the world’ s oldest living culture that dates back more than 65,000 years.”
Aboriginal Cultural Experience offers immersive journeys into Aboriginal culture by providing day or overnight group experiences.‘ Bush tucker’ events called Pamkal Family Cookups feature classic Aboriginal cuisine such as fish or kangaroo tail, along with handson activities such as pandanus leaf weaving. Situated on the Katherine River, the region is renowned for its natural beauty, including gorges, waterfalls, and thermal springs. https:// www. dalabon. com. au /
Unique yachting regatta gives back to Alice Springs Renowned as the only dry river land-based boating event in the world, the 63rd running of the Henley on Todd Regatta in Alice Springs in August 2025 drew thousands of spectators and participants for the series of bottomless‘ boat’ races on the Todd‘ River’. Competitors raced along the riverbed, using foot-power while carrying their home-made boats and canoes. The annual regatta has only been cancelled once( ironically due to rainwater in the riverbed). The Regatta is a major fundraiser for Rotary Clubs of Alice Springs, having contributed more than AUD $ 1.7m to local charities since the event began. It was also recently featured in the box office hit movie Kangaroo. https:// www. henleyontodd. com. au /
Uluru shines a light on culture and country At Uluru in Central Australia, the illuminating experiences of Sunrise Journeys and the iconic Field of Light continue to captivate business events groups. Both experiences feature the awe-inspiring backdrop of Uluru, with the sound and light show of Sunrise Journeys offering the uniquely female perspective of the Anangu, Traditional Custodians of the region. The Field of Light installation will now continue until
Aboriginal Rock Art, Ubirr, Kakadu National Park, Image credit Tourism NT, Tourism Australia
The illuminating Field of Light, Uluru, Image credit Tourism NT, Tourism Australia
Darwin Aquaculture Centre Image credit Tourism Australia
at least April 2027, its 50,000 solar-powered spindles of light covering an area of over 49,000sqm having recently been revitalised.
Pending conferences highlight invaluable NT connections In 2026 and 2027, the Northern Territory will host conferences that showcase local expertise across a range of industry strength sectors including:
The International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding will be staged in Darwin In May 2026 and is expected to attract 400 delegates. This event comes just three years after Darwin successfully hosted the World Aquaculture Conference, attracting over 1,400 delegates from 75 countries. The NT is highly regarded as a centre of excellence in aquaculture research and development.
In August 2026, the Council of International Neonatal Nurses Conference will take place in Darwin, with 500 attendees set to discover NT specialist expertise in the medical field, as was experienced recently by the 14th World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Congress. With the NT home to globally-respected organisations such as the Menzies School of Health Research, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, inspiring options abound for inclusion in health sector conference programmes.
In 2026 and 2027 respectively, the Congress of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Nurses & Midwives Conference will be staged in Alice Springs and the International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference heads to Darwin.
Government support funding for business events Northern Territory Business Events( NTBE) continues to administer the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund which offers financial assistance to organisers of qualified business events. The Fund is scaled depending on the time of year, commencing from a minimum AUD $ 100 per delegate. Priority consideration is given to business events which align with the NT’ s economic and social strengths. Further details can be viewed at: https:// www. ntbusinessevents. com. au / event-support
Rebecca McCaig, director of Northern Territory Business Events says Australia’ s Northern Territory continues to go from strength to strength in attracting business events of national and global significance:
“ Northern Territory destinations and experiences are genuinely‘ different in every sense for business events’.
“ Our industry strengths, local networks and expertise, iconic Australian landscapes, unique experiences, the ease with which delegates can engage with the world’ s oldest living culture and make a meaningful connection, all contribute to our difference. The NT Government’ s support for business events also conveys that this is a destination where business events are warmly welcomed with return visitation by many organisations reinforcing that this is an highly effective strategy.” n
n For further information on the Northern Territory, visit www. ntbusinessevents. com. au
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