Where you can't drink in the NT

Introduction

There are many places in the Northern Territory's towns and centres where drinking alcohol is banned under the law.

This guide has information about where you can and can't drink alcohol in the NT.


Where you can't drink in Darwin and the Top End

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

You can't drink alcohol in public in some areas of Darwin and the Top End without a permit.

There are signs to tell you where no drinking is allowed, and you can be given a penalty if you are caught drinking in these areas.

Darwin

The Esplanade

Map of The Esplanade area in Darwin which describes where you can't drink alcohol.

Includes all areas within the boundaries of Bicentennial Park, stretching from Doctors Gully at one end, along the shoreline to the stairs to the Deckchair Cinema at the other. Then back along The Esplanade, past the roundabout to Daly Street and back to Doctors Gully.

Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and Coconut Grove

You cannot drink alcohol in some areas of Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and Coconut Grove, see map below.

Nightcliff foreshore – hours you can drink

Drinking is permitted during certain hours on the Nightcliff foreshore between Aralia Street and Chapman Road, see map below.

You can drink in this area from:

  • Monday to Friday from 5pm to 9:30pm
  • and weekends and public holidays from 12 noon to 10:30pm.

Map of where you can't drink in Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and Coconut Grove

Map showing outline of restricted ‘dry’ areas and areas where drinking is permitted during certain hours in Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and Coconut Grove.

Coconut Grove to Nightcliff, public restricted area - from Dick Ward Drive along Orchard Road to the beach then along the shoreline past Kulaluk Community continuing along the shoreline up to Aralia Street, then returning  along Banksia Street, Casuarina Drive and Progress Drive, including Nightcliff shops, until the roundabout at Dick Ward Drive then along Dick Ward Drive back to the junction with Orchard Road.

Nightcliff, permitted drinking during certain hours area - from Aralia Street along the shoreline past the boat ramp and jetty, and Nightcliff pool round to Chapman Road, back along Casuarina Drive and onto Aralia Street, returning to the start of Aralia Street.

Rapid Creek, public restricted area - from Chapman Road along the shoreline until Rapid Creek, following the edge of the creek down to Trower Road, along Trower Road and returning along Rapid Creek Road and onto Casuarina Drive, past Beachfront Hotel returning to Chapman Road.

Where you can drink in Darwin

You can drink alcohol in all of the following places:

  • in private homes and properties
  • licensed pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Jabiru

You cannot drink alcohol in public in Jabiru.

You can drink alcohol in licensed premises and in private homes.

Kakadu

You cannot drink alcohol in Kakadu except when you are camping at any of the following places:

  • Merl
  • Garnamarr
  • Gunlom
  • Mardugal
  • Muirella.

Tiwi Islands

You cannot drink alcohol in public in the Tiwi Islands.

You can drink alcohol in four licensed clubs on the island.

They are at:

  • Nguiu
  • Milikapiti
  • Wurankuwu
  • Pirlangimpi.

Where you can't drink in Katherine

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

You can't drink alcohol in public anywhere within Katherine town.

This means you can't drink in all of the following places:

  • in parks
  • on the banks of the Katherine River
  • in carparks
  • at Knotts Crossing - see map below.

There are signs at the town boundary that tell you where drinking is banned, and you can be given a penalty if you are caught drinking in the area.

Read about the rules for buying takeaway alcohol in Katherine.

Map showing the area of Katherine town where drinking is banned.

Map showing outline of Katherine town boundaries, includes all areas within the boundaries starting at the end of Emungalan Road towards the Two Mile Creek, around the top of Two Mile Creek back to Emungalan Road, along Emungalan Road over the Stuart Highway to Zimin Drive, including the Stuart Highway to Morey Road, along Zimin Drive to the Katherine River, along the edge of the Katherine River, past Springvale Homstead to the next corner in the river, across the Katherine River towards the Victoria Highway, along the Victoria Highway to the junction to the Katherine Rail Passenger Terminal, continuing on until meeting up with Uralla Road, along Uralla Road to the Stuart Highway, across the Stuart Highway then following the town boundary to Gorge Road, along Gorge Road and the edge of the Victoria river, crossing over the Victoria River returning to the end of Emungalan Road.

Map showing the area of Katherine town where drinking is banned.

Map showing outline of Katherine town boundaries, includes all areas within the boundaries starting at the end of Emungalan Road towards the Two Mile Creek, around the top of Two Mile Creek back to Emungalan Road, along Emungalan Road over the Stuart Highway to Zimin Drive, including the Stuart Highway to Morey Road, along Zimin Drive to the Katherine River, along the edge of the Katherine River, past Springvale Homstead to the next corner in the river, across the Katherine River towards the Victoria Highway, along the Victoria Highway to the junction to the Katherine Rail Passenger Terminal, continuing on until meeting up with Uralla Road, along Uralla Road to the Stuart Highway, across the Stuart Highway then following the town boundary to Gorge Road, along Gorge Road and the edge of the Victoria river, crossing over the Victoria River returning to the end of Emungalan Road.

Where you can drink in Katherine

You can drink alcohol in Katherine in all of the following places:

  • if you are a camper at the Leliyn campground in Nitmiluk National Park - alcohol is banned in the rest of the park
  • in private homes and properties
  • in licensed pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Where you can't drink in Mataranka

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

You can't drink alcohol in public anywhere within 2km of any licensed premises in the town of Mataranka.

This means you can't drink alcohol in all of the following places:

  • the Stan Martin Park
  • on the streets
  • in front of the supermarket
  • at the showgrounds
  • sports oval
  • airstrip - see map below.

There are signs at the town boundary that tell you where drinking is banned, and you can be given a penalty if you are caught drinking in the area.

Read about the rules for buying takeaway alcohol in Mataranka.

Map describing the area of Mataranka where you can't drink.

Map showing outline of Mataranka official town boundaries with an insert of the township, includes all areas within the boundaries as well as Mataranka Primary School, Mataranka Police Station, Mataranka Health Centre, Ginty Airstrip, Mataranka supermarket, Stan Martin Park, the race grounds and sports grounds.

Where you can drink

You can drink alcohol in all of the following places:

  • licensed pubs, clubs and restaurants
  • in private homes, except in prescribed town camps and/or communities.

Where you can't drink in Tennant Creek

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

You can't drink alcohol in public anywhere within Tennant Creek town.

This means you can't drink alcohol in any of the following places:

  • parks
  • reserves
  • car parks
  • ovals
  • streets - see map below.

Alcohol is also totally banned in town camps.

There are signs at the town boundary that tell you where drinking is banned, and you can be given a penalty if you are caught drinking in the area.

Read about buying takeaway alcohol in Tennant Creek.

Map of area in Tennant Creek where drinking is totally banned.

Map showing outline of Tennant Creek town boundaries, includes all areas within the boundaries starting at the junction with Warrego Road and the Stuart Highway, along the Stuart Highway and following the boundary of the airport, past Chariot Mine to the railway line, along the edge of the railway line, including the Railway Station, until the railway line meets the Stuart Highway, across the Stuart Highway and heading towards the Golf Club, along the front of the Golf Club and back towards the Battery Hill Mining Centre, along the back of the mining centre and along Kaczinsky Road, including the Speedway, returning to the Warrego Road and the Stuart Highway junction.

Where you can drink

You can drink alcohol in all of the following places:

  • licensed bars, clubs and restaurants
  • private homes - except where voluntary restrictions in place.
  • community events that have a special event permit.

Where you can't drink in Alice Springs and Central Australia

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

Alice Springs

You can't drink alcohol in public anywhere in Alice Springs town.

The ban applies to all of the following areas:

  • north to near the Motor Vehicle Registry
  • east to include the Ross Highway and the former Chateau Hornsby
  • south to the Adelaide turnoff
  • west to include White Gums and Ilparpa.

This means you can't drink alcohol in any of the following places in Alice Springs:

  • parks
  • streets
  • the Todd River bank
  • the mall.

You can be given a penalty if you are caught drinking in these areas.

Read about buying takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs and Central Australia.

Where you can drink in Alice Springs

You can drink alcohol in:

  • the picnic area at the Telegraph Station
  • licensed pubs, restaurants, clubs
  • private homes
  • private accommodation where you are a guest (such as hotels, motels and caravan parks)
  • at community events that have a special event permit.

Uluru

You can drink alcohol at designated sunset viewing areas.

Yulara

You can only buy alcohol to takeaway, or drink on the premises, if you are a guest at the resort or dining at the resort.

Ti Tree

You cannot drink in public within 2km of any licensed premises, and you cannot buy takeaway alcohol.

Barrow Creek

You cannot drink in public within 2km of any licensed premises, and you cannot buy takeaway alcohol.


Where you can't drink in Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem

Updates

From 11 December 2023, there are changes to when police can issue banned drinker orders (BDOs).

Nhulunbuy (Gove)

You can't buy takeaway alcohol without a liquor permit.

This means you can't drink alcohol in public and community places.

You can be given a penalty if you're caught drinking in this area without a liquor permit.

Where you can drink alcohol in Nhulunbuy

You can still drink alcohol in licensed bars, clubs and restaurants.

Read about buying takeaway alcohol in the East Arnhem region.

Grooyte Eylandt

You can only drink alcohol in:

  • licensed premises
  • the home of a liquor permit holder.

If you're a resident of Alyangula, you can apply for a permit to buy takeaway alcohol to drink in your home.

Read about applying for a liquor permit.

Rest of East Arnhem

You need a liquor permit to buy and drink takeaway alcohol within the East Arnhem area.

Read about applying for a liquor permit.