Takeaway alcohol rules and restrictions in the NT
Rules for buying takeaway alcohol can vary in each Northern Territory (NT) region.
This can include different:
- opening hours
- purchasing limits
- permits
- rules on refusal of service.
If you don't know the conditions in your location, contact the liquor store.
In all regions of the NT
- You must show an approved form of ID.
- You must not drink in a prohibited public place or dry community.
- You can't ask a taxi driver to buy alcohol for you.
- On Sundays only liquor stores attached to a licenced venue can open.
- On Good Friday and Christmas Day, all liquor stores are closed.
Takeaway liquor store hours, limits and rules by region
Restrictions are either required by law or part of a licence condition for a business to sell alcohol in that region.
In some regions, there are no takeaway liquor stores, but with a permit you may be able to order it through a barge or bush service.
Learn more about individual liquor permits.
Greater Darwin region
Purchasing hours
- Monday to Friday: 10am to 10pm
- Saturday: 9am to 10pm
- Sunday: 10am to 10pm (liquor stores attached to licence premises only)
- Public holidays: 9am to 10pm
- Good Friday and Christmas Day: Closed
Refusal of service
This applies to buying takeaway alcohol in Darwin, Palmerston and parts of the rural area including Howard Springs and Virginia.
You can be refused service if:
- you can't give details on where you will drink your takeaway alcohol, or
- you give a location that is a prohibited place or restricted area where drinking is not allowed.
This can happen when you buy alcohol in Darwin, Palmerston and parts of the rural area including Howard Springs and Virginia.
To see where these rules apply, check the takeaway alcohol in the Darwin region map PDF (221.0 KB).
Katherine region
Purchasing hours
- Monday to Friday: 2pm to 8pm
- Saturday: 12 noon to 8pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 8pm (liquor stores attached to licence premises only)
- Public holidays: 12 noon to 8pm
- Good Friday and Christmas Day: Closed
Purchase limit
If you choose to buy from the following list, you are limited to one items per day:
- 2L cask of wine
- 1 bottle of fortified wine
- 1 bottle of green ginger wine.
East Arnhem region - including Groote Eylandt
Liquor permit
You must have a liquor permit to buy and drink alcohol in the East Arnhem region, whether you are a resident or a tourist.
Find out how to apply for a liquor permit in East Arnhem.
Purchasing hours
Region and opening times | Greater East Arnhem region | Groote Eylandt |
---|---|---|
Monday to Friday | 2pm to 8pm | 12 noon to 10pm |
Saturday | 10am to 9pm | 10am to 10pm |
Sunday (liquor stores attached to licence premises only) | 2pm to 8pm | 12 noon to 10pm |
Public holidays | 10am to 9pm | 10am to 10pm |
Good Friday and Christmas Day | Closed | Closed |
Barkly region - including Tennant Creek, Elliott and Marlinja
Purchasing hours
Region and opening times | Tennant Creek | Elliott and Marlinja | Greater Barkly region |
---|---|---|---|
Monday to Friday | 4pm to 7pm | 12 noon to 7pm | 12 noon to 7pm |
Saturday | 4pm to 7pm | 12 noon to 7pm | 12 noon to 7pm |
Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Public holidays | 4pm to 7pm | Closed | Closed |
Good Friday and Christmas Day | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Purchase limits
Tennant Creek | Elliott and Marlinja |
---|---|
You can buy one of the following products per day:
| Town residents of Elliott or Marlinja can buy one of the following items per day:
Tourists can buy one of the following items per day:
|
Bush orders
If you live outside of Tennant Creek and have a liquor permit, you can make a bush order to buy up to 7 days worth of alcohol.
You will need to provide proof that you reside outside of the Tennant Creek township.
Orders must be placed with a liquor store over the phone or by email at least one day in advance.
Alice Springs and Central Australia region
Purchasing hours
Regions and opening times | Alice Springs within local government area | Alice Springs greater region |
---|---|---|
Monday and Tuesday | Closed | 2pm to 9pm |
Wednesday to Friday | 3pm to 7pm | 2pm to 9pm |
Saturday | 11am to 8pm | 10am to 9pm |
Sunday (liquor stores attached to licence premises only) | 12 noon to 9pm | 12 noon to 9pm |
Public holidays | 11am to 8pm | 10am to 9pm |
Good Friday and Christmas Day | Closed | Closed |
In Yulara, you can only buy takeaway alcohol if you are a guest at the resort.
Purchase limit
You can only purchase alcohol once a day.
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