Buying takeaway alcohol

Introduction

Updates

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

You must show photo ID when you buy takeaway alcohol anywhere in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are more strict rules in certain places about buying takeaway alcohol.

These include:

  • times and days you can buy takeaway alcohol
  • how much you can buy of certain types of alcohol each day
  • temporary restrictions when there are concerns for community safety.

This section has information about the restrictions in place throughout these regions:


Takeaway alcohol in the Katherine region

Updates

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

There are restrictions in the Katherine area for:

  • times and days you can buy takeaway alcohol
  • how much you can buy of certain types of alcohol each day.

You also must provide photo identification to buy alcohol in Katherine, Pine Creek, Mataranka or the Victoria River Roadhouse. If you live at Victoria River voluntary restrictions can be imposed by the licensee.

You must not drink alcohol in public within 2km of a licensed premises.

If you buy takeaway alcohol you must take it away from the licensed premises straight away.

Pubs, clubs and shops can't store your takeaway alcohol for you to pick up later.

You can only buy light beer at licensed premises before midday.

When you can buy takeaway alcohol

Katherine and Mataranka

You can only buy takeaway alcohol during the following hours:

  • from Monday to Friday, 2pm to 8pm
  • on Saturday and public holidays, except Christmas Day and Good Friday, 12 noon to 8pm
  • on Sunday from hotels from 2pm to 8pm - all other stores are closed.

Read about where you can't drink in Katherine and Mataranka.

Buying cask wine and fortified wine

You can't buy alcohol in containers larger than two litres.

One person can only buy on of the following each day:

  • one, two litre cask of wine
  • or one bottle of fortified wine.

You can only buy cask wine and fortified wine, including green ginger wine from 2pm to 6pm.

Travelling in a taxi

You can't ask an on-duty taxi driver to deliver takeaway alcohol to your premises.

If you want to you use a taxi to collect takeaway alcohol you must be a passenger in the vehicle at the point of collection.

Pine Creek

You can buy takeaway alcohol from licensed premises with photo ID. You must not drink alcohol in public within 2km of a licensed premises.

Larrimah

You must not drink alcohol in public within 2km of a licensed premises.

Daly Waters

You must not drink alcohol in public within 2km of a licensed premises.

Timber Creek

Voluntary restrictions may be imposed by the licensee.

Victoria River

You can buy takeaway alcohol from licensed premises with photo ID.


Takeaway alcohol in Tennant Creek and Barkly

Updates

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

The Liquor Commission has put restrictions in place in Tennant Creek and the Barkly region for:

  • times and days you can buy takeaway alcohol and
  • how much you can buy of certain types of alcohol each day.

To read the Liquor Commission's full report, go to the Department of Attorney-General and Justice website.

Some licensed venues may have stricter conditions or more restrictions than those set by the Liquor Commission.

To find out what conditions apply to a specific venue, you should call the venue in the first instance.

To view alcohol restrictions by localities, go to the Department of Health website.

For more information about alcohol in Tennant Creek and Barkly, contact Licensing NT.

You can only buy takeaway alcohol from Monday through to Saturday between 4pm and 7pm.

You can't buy more than one of the following 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 two litre cask of wine
  • one bottle of fortified wine
  • one bottle of green ginger wine
  • two 750 ml bottles of wine
  • one 750 ml bottle of spirits.

It is prohibited to sell:

  • port
  • wine in a glass container larger than one litre
  • beer in bottles of 750ml or more.

Read more about where you can't drink in Tennant Creek.

Bush orders

If you live in a bush community, on a cattle station or a work camp outside of Tennant Creek, you can place a bush order to buy alcohol.

A bush order lets you contact a licensed venue to place an order ready for pick-up.

You can buy up to seven days worth of alcohol on a bush order. This means you can buy up to seven times the amount you can usually buy per person per day.

Only 'bona fide' bush orders can be accepted. This means you must be able to prove you live remote from Tennant Creek.

Orders must be placed over the phone or by email at least one day ahead of when you want to pick it up.

You can only buy takeaway alcohol from Monday to Saturday, between 12 noon and 7pm.

If you are buying wine, you can only buy up to the following per day between 2pm and 6pm:

  • two litres of cask wine
  • two 750ml bottles of (non-fortified wine) or
  • one bottle of fortified wine.

If you live in Elliott or Marlinja, you are only allowed to buy one of the following each day:

  • 12 cans of light beer
  • eight cans of mid strength beer
  • six cans of heavy beer
  • six cans of pre mixed drinks
  • 750ml bottles of wine
  • one two-litre cask of wine.

If you live in other areas in the Barkly region, you can buy takeaway alcohol from Monday to Friday from licensed venues between 2pm and 8pm.

On Saturday you can buy alcohol between 12 noon and 8pm.

Takeaway alcohol is not allowed on Sundays.

If you are staying at some licensed venues or caravan or camping sites, you can buy alcohol for consumption in your room between 12 noon and 11pm for yourself or your guests during your stay.

You must show ID and proof that you are a paying guest.

Please check with your accommodation provider to find out if their licence allows for such alcohol sales.


Takeaway alcohol in East Arnhem

Updates

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

You must hold a liquor permit to buy and drink takeaway alcohol in the East Arnhem region, whether you are a resident or a tourist.

Find out more information about how to apply for a liquor permit in East Arnhem.

If you are a permit holder you cannot drink in many public places in Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem area.

Find out more information about where you can't drink in Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem.


Takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs and Central Australia

There are restrictions in Alice Springs and Central Australia for times and days you can buy takeaway alcohol.

You will be asked to provide photo identification to buy takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs.

When you can buy takeaway alcohol

Alice Springs

You can only buy takeaway alcohol during the following hours:

  • from Wednesday to Friday, 3pm to 7pm
  • on Saturday and public holidays, except Christmas Day and Good Friday, 11am to 8pm
  • on Sunday from pubs with drive-through bottleshops and clubs for members only from 12 noon to 9pm.

You can't buy takeaway alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You can only buy alcohol once a day.

Find out more about where you can't drink in Alice Springs and Central Australia.


Yulara

You can only buy takeaway alcohol if you are a guest at the resort.

Ti Tree

You cannot buy takeaway alcohol.

Barrow Creek

You cannot buy takeaway alcohol.