Family friendly activities
The Northern Territory is a perfect place to live with children of all ages, with fun and unique activities and events all year round.
Whether you are after kid friendly dining, social events, or perks for families moving up, the NT is bound to have something for you and your children.
Family friendly dining
Darwin and surrounds
With an indoor playground and kids eat free deal on Thursday’s, Breeze’s Bar and Bistro in Muirhead is the perfect venue for young families. Similarly, the Darwin Trailer Boat Club and Darwin Sailing Club, located right next door to each other, have pools, playgrounds and beautiful sunset views for everyone to enjoy. For a more outback experience, you could take the family to the Berry Springs Tavern, which has a kid’s room, playground and quirky displays of the Territory bound to keep the kids entertained! Back in the city, you’ll find endless dining options at the Waterfront Precinct. With lots of water activities and space to play, it is a great location for a fun family day out.
Alice Springs and surrounds
In Alice Springs, Juicy Rump has a beautiful view of the MacDonnell Ranges and lots of options for kids on the menu. Children can also enjoy a free ice cream and soft drink with any purchase of a kid’s meal! If you are after a family lunch, Yaye’s Café is a great spot to enjoy a coffee and toasties while the kids are busy with the toy boxes. Coolamon Café also will keep the family entertained. Located at the Alice Springs Desert Park, the café has a relaxing outdoor area and Outback Australian animal themed playground.
Katherine and surrounds
Pop Rocket Café is in a perfect location at the Katherine Hot Springs, with great coffee and food to enjoy in the garden with the kids. The Katherine Country Club is also great for families, with an undercover children’s play area and an award-winning restaurant.
Activities and attractions
The Northern Territory offers a wide range of activities and attractions that make it an ideal destination for families looking to explore, learn, and have fun together.
If you’re looking for somewhere educational yet interactive and interesting, the Megafauna Central in Alice Springs or MAGNTin Darwin are the perfect places for families to explore. If crocodiles and snakes are more your thing, Crocosaurus Cove or Crocodylus Park have great activities for all ages.
From feeding tours to reptile handling, there is bound to be something to suit everyone in the family. Territory Wildlifeand Aquascene in the Top End also have great family friendly activities where you can watch a flight deck presentation of multiple bird breeds or feed fish at Doctors Gully.
If wildlife isn’t your thing, the Deckchair Cinema is a great way to make the most of the laidback lifestyle in the Territory, with a range of family friendly films shown over the dry season. The Darwin Waterfront Precinct is another great space to enjoy the outdoors as a family, with a wave lagoon, playground and aqua park for the children to enjoy. It also has The Beach, a man-made lagoon with free entry, so the family won’t miss out on a fun and safe beach day!
Playgrounds
Darwin and surrounds
Darwin and its surrounds have a multitude of playgrounds that make the most of the beautiful outdoors. The Howard Springs Nature Park is a good example of this, with a man-made rock pool perfect for children, as well as places to spot animals in the water or birds in the trees. If you are looking for something closer to the northern suburbs, Jingili Water Gardens is a popular park to take your kids to. With a skate park, all abilities play space, large playground and even a community orchard, Jingili has something for the whole family. Find more playgrounds in Darwin and surrounds.
Alice Springs and surrounds
Down in Central Australia, the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre has mini golf, basketball, playgrounds and swimming areas, making it a perfect place to spend time with your kids. Check out other parks and playgrounds in Alice Springs.
Katherine and surrounds
If you are in Katherine, you should check out the Rotary Family Fun Park. Play some giant snakes and ladders, cook up a feed on the cooking facilities (even an electric pizza oven!) or play a round of mini golf. Katherine also has the YMCA Adventure Playground, a sheltered playground with equipment separated for different ages. See more about the parks and gardens in Katherine.
East Arnhem
Located in the East Arnhem region, the Nhulunbuy Aquatic Centre has a shaded playground and a pool space that is a perfect place to spend a day as a family. Check out more playgrounds and parks in the area.
Family events
Parrtjima – A Festival of Light – A free festival in Alice Springs spanning over 10 nights, Parrtjima celebrates new technology with Aboriginal art and culture by featuring light installations and artworks over the beautiful landscapes of Central Australia.
Kite Festival – Held over two days, the Kite Festival has plenty of action. From decorating workshops, to simply just watching the colourful kites fly over Cullen Bay, the Kite Festival is a great weekend to spend with your family.
NT Show – Held on different weekends in the dry season in multiple regions, the NT Show has lots of locally produced arts and crafts to view, as well as rides and games for kids to enjoy.
Beer Can Regatta - Watch or join in on the annual event where people try their luck in creating a floating vessel from cans, bottles or even milk cartons. Lots of other activities are held along the beach to make a fun event for all ages.
Christmas Pageant – Celebrate the festive season in your region at the local Christmas Pageant! Watch on or participate in a float created by local businesses, schools and community groups.
Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival – The Seabreeze Festival is a volunteer run event celebrating the community art, music, food and culture along the beautiful backdrop of the ocean in Nightcliff.
Super Cars - The Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex hosts the three-day Supercars event full of action and entertainment on and off the track. See incredible stunts, live music and racing events for all!
Barunga Festival - 80 kilometers from Katherine, the small community of Barunga hosts a family friendly event full of Indigenous music, culture and sport.
Perks for families
Did you know that there are additional supports and benefits for families in the NT? Whether its for school, sport, swimming or waterparks, there are options for everyone.
Learn more about available vouchers on the Territorian perks page.
Playgroups
Playgroups can be a great way to connect with other families in a fun and safe environment.
Find out more about playgroups on the Community groups page.