Being Australia’s first battlefield is the cornerstone of a Northern Territory push to establish itself as a military tourism destination.
Territory Tourism and Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said a new strategy would drive awareness and visitation to the NT’s military history attractions.
“More bombs were dropped in the Territory than Pearl Harbor including hundreds of kilometres from Darwin with historical sites right along the Stuart Highway,” Minister Boothby said.
She said as part of a $3 million boost to military tourism, an updated Military Heritage Tourism Action Plan had been released, outlining key activities to develop and promote the Territory’s military tourism sites and experiences and reinforcing its status as “Australia’s first battlefield”.
Minister Boothby said the first stage of the Plan would see the roll out of new Military History Tourism Grant program, with a $1 million funding pool to help tourism operators develop new military heritage tourism products, expand existing offerings, and enhance visitor experiences.
“Additionally, an audit of 30 key military heritage sites will be undertaken to assess signage, infrastructure, and digital presence requirements, ensuring these sites are accessible and engaging for visitors.”
She said a cutting-edge AI trip planner was also in development, harnessing digital information about military heritage sites, experiences, and products to generate personalised itineraries tailored to user preferences.
“We are establishing the Territory as a ‘must-do’ military tourism destination and making it a major drawcard.
“With our rich history and ongoing role in defence, we have a clear competitive edge. There is no better place in Australia to learn about military heritage than right here in the Territory.”
Minister Boothy said events such as the Bombing of Darwin commemoration and the Pitch Black biennial exercises had consistently attracted record crowds, demonstrating the strong interest in the NT’s military history.
