There are five precious hours in Australia when it is legal to set off fireworks without a permit, and last night thousands of people across the Northern Territory did just that.
Part of annual Territory Day celebrations which commemorate the day the NT gained independence, fireworks can be purchased by the public and are allowed to be set off between 6pm and 11pm.
Crackers were allowed to be set off by members of the public from 6pm. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
As the sun set last night, thousands of people gathered at Darwin’s Mindil Beach for the official display. But it is the the DIY explosives people get most excited about.
Territorian Aiden Helset said he spent “easily over a grand” on fireworks for the big night.
“It’s something that happens once a year at one place in Australia. You can’t come here half-arsed,”
he said.
Aiden Helset and Oscar Mirat spent around $1,000 on fireworks this year. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
His mate Oscar Mirata travelled to Darwin for the special night.
“It’s an experience. You don’t get this in Peth that’s 100 per cent for sure,” he said.
Mindil Beach was packed with official and personal fireworks displays. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
Ninety minutes into the festivities and Mr Mirata estimated “about twenty or thirty” fireworks had already gone off course and shot at him.
“It’s not for the faint-hearted,” he said.
However it wasn’t all danger, as nine-year-old Ali also celebrated the night.
Ali (centre) says she loves celebrating Territory Day. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
“It’s cool and colourful, but the loud noises must be scary for the kids,” she said.
“It’s kind of cool that everybody is celebrating Territory Day and being together.“
Busy week for firies
For some people in the community Territory Day brings about more stress than celebration.
For the NT’s firefighters, some of the busiest weeks of their year come after the night of explosives.
“The next two weeks after cracker night will keep us very busy,” said Elizabeth Valley’s volunteer fire brigade captain Jake Porkony.
“Hopefully kids won’t play with the fireworks while mum and dad are at work and we should be OK.”
One day each year Territorians can let off their own fireworks. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
Bushfires NT director of capability Jeff Ryan said this year’s celebrations resulted in fewer large fires than usual due to favourable weather conditions.
“We’ve been quite lucky. We’ve obviously had some rain … in the last several days, the humidity’s been higher,” he said.
Crowds gathered at Mindil Beach for the official Territory Day fireworks display. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
But he said flare ups and leftover fireworks being illegally detonated in the coming days could mean the worst of the fires are still to come.
“The weather is going to change as we move into the weekend where we’ll see a cooler, dryer front coming in,” Mr Ryan said.
“That will increase the risk profile of bushfire.”
Tonnes of fireworks sold
Yesterday morning, hundreds queued to buy their fireworks, explosives lining shelves with names like Trumped 2026, Kakadu Kaos, El Chapo, and Chernobyl.
Fireworks on sale at one of the pop-up Territory Day fireworks stores in Darwin. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
Territory Day Fireworks director Mark Killip said there was a lot of effort behind the scenes.
“Thousands and thousands of hours, trips to China, testing, design and a lot of packing of pre-orders,” he said.
“It’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s really hard work.
Many of the fireworks have interesting names. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
“[Across] all the shops in the territory there’s several hundreds of tonnes of fireworks.”
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she too was out celebrating the Territory’s independence.
“I just want to wish every Territorian a safe and happy Territory Day,” she said.
There are plenty of crackers to choose from each year. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
“Today is about celebrating our freedoms, and personal fireworks is one way to show how proud we are to have delivered 48 years of self-governance.”
