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Rules on buying takeaway alcohol

Takeaway alcohol is any alcohol sold to you in a sealed container for drinking somewhere else.

You can buy it from places like:

  • corner stores
  • liquor stores
  • bottle shops or drive-throughs.

There are rules you must follow when buying takeaway alcohol, rules can be different by region.

Show an approved form of ID

You will always need to show an approved form of ID.

This is to check you are not banned from buying alcohol, learn more about the Banned Drinker Register (BDR).

Approved forms include:

  • evidence of Age card (also known as an 18+ card)
  • Australian or most international driver licences
  • Australian or most international passports
  • NT firearms licence
  • NT Ochre Card (Working with Children Clearance)
  • Australia Post Keypass card.

Your ID will be returned before you pay.

If you try to use fake or false ID, it will not be returned to you. Read more about liquor businesses rights to seize fake or false ID.

Using an interstate digital driver licence

If you're a visitor to the NT, and your state has officially issued you with a digital driver licence, you can use this.

A photo of your ID will not be accepted.

Takeaway liquor hours, limits and rules by major towns

Restrictions are either required by law, part of a liquor licence condition or local liquor accord.

  • You can't ask a taxi driver to buy alcohol for you.
  • On Sundays only liquor stores attached to a licensed venue can open.
  • On Good Friday and Christmas Day, all liquor stores are closed.
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Purchasing hours

  • Monday to Friday: 10am to 10pm
  • Saturday: 9am to 10pm
  • Sunday: 10am to 10pm
  • Public holidays: 9am to 10pm

Staff asking where you will drink

If you buys alcohol in the greater Darwin region or surrounding areas, you will be asked where you will be drinking your purchase. This includes:

  • Darwin city
  • Darwin northern suburbs
  • Palmerston region
  • Virginia
  • Howard Springs
  • Coolalinga.

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.

Purchasing hours

  • Monday to Friday: 2pm to 8pm
  • Saturday: 12 noon to 8pm
  • Sunday: 2pm to 8pm
  • Public holidays: 12 noon to 8pm

Purchase limit

If you choose to buy from the following list, you are limited to one item per day:

  • 2L cask of wine
  • 1 bottle of fortified wine
  • 1 bottle of green ginger wine.

There are takeaway alcohol stores in:

  • Alyangula on Groote Eylandt
  • Nhulunbuy in Gove.

You must have a permit to purchase from these stores.

Find out how to apply for a liquor permit in the Gove Peninsula region.

Takeaway alcohol can be purchased in Tennant Creek and Elliot, there are purchase limits in place.

Tennant creek

  • Monday to Saturday: 4pm to 7pm.
  • Sunday and public holidays: Closed

You can buy one of the following products per day:

  • 30 cans or stubbies of mid-strength or light beer
  • 24 cans or stubbies of full-strength beer
  • 12 cans or bottles of ready to drink mixes
  • one 2L cask of wine
  • one bottle of fortified wine
  • one bottle of green ginger wine
  • 2 x 750mL bottles of wine
  • one bottle of 750mL spirits.

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.

Elliot

  • Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 7pm
  • Sunday and public holidays: Closed

Town residents

Residents can buy one of the following products per day:

  • 12 cans of light beer
  • 8 cans of mid-strength beer
  • 6 cans of heavy beer
  • 6 cans of pre-mixed drinks.

Tourists

Tourists can buy one of the following products per day:

  • 30 cans or stubbies of mid-strength or light beer
  • 24 cans or stubbies of full-strength beer
  • 12 cans or bottles of ready-to-drink mixes
  • one 2L cask of wine
  • one bottle of fortified wine
  • one bottle of green ginger wine
  • 2 x 750mL bottles of wine
  • one bottle of 750mL spirits.

You can only purchase alcohol once a day.

Alice Springs town

  • Monday and Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday to Friday: 3pm to 7pm
  • Saturday: 11am to 8pm
  • Sunday: 12 noon to 9pm
  • Public holidays: 11am to 8pm

Other regions in Central Australia

  • Monday to Friday: 2pm to 9pm
  • Saturday: 10am to 9pm
  • Sunday: 12 noon to 9pm
  • Public holidays: 10am to 9pm