And the winners are…..(drum roll)…

Win an ULTIMATE CAMPING PACKAGE – NT News promotion
Courtesy of TJM Darwin and Evakool

Rod Sarkanen of Karama

WIN A DUNDEE BEACH GETAWAY – Hot 100 promotion
courtesy of The Lodge of Dundee

Anna Berno

WHICH MUD CRAB COMPETITION – DAILY PRIZE OF PAULS ICE CHEST

Sam Carr

Jess Moffatt of Rosebery

DAILY DOOR PRIZE OF PAULS ICE CHEST

Nick Anderson

Kunlada Chalee

GME G-COM Marine VHF hand held radio – courtesy of GME

Jose of Woodroofe

Joe Kosic

GME I-COM TX6100 hand held radio – courtesy of GME

John Davidson

Martin Bottolfsen of Rapid Creek

FAMILY ADVENTURE TRAIL – $500 BP fuel voucher courtesy of Opal Fuel.

Darcy Sach & Family

KUBOTA / TGB Father’s Day Gift Pack courtesy of Airpower

Dennis Smart of Gunn

KORR PORTABLE CAMP-LIGHT KIT – courtesy of Korr Lighting

Lucky punter chosen by Ziko

COOPERS FATHERS DAY PACK – courtesy of Coopers Brewery

Trevor Wilson of Durak

THERMOS SHUTTLE CHEF – courtesy of Thermal Cookware

Lee Payne

LJ CUSTOM SPINNING RODS – courtesy of LJ Custom Rods

Ben of Berrimah

Name not available

BARZ POLARISED SUNGLASSES – courtesy of Quality Marine

Mark Stanley of Gunn

Lucky punter – name not available

$2000 FISHING KIT – courtesy of Nautilus Marine Insurance

Malcolm Tole

Jo Reiter from Fishingscool conducting a clinic on simple knot tying for family fishing fun.

Tying the knot with Fishingscool

Some photos of the fun at the 2011 Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show last weekend.

Look who’s watching:

Look Who's Watching

Having a go on the climbing wall in the family activity area at the show:

Climbing the wall

Going up the wall

Nearing the top

Trying out the new children’s soft climbing wall launched at the Show as part of Disability Week.

Child on soft wall

The wall is a gift to the children of Darwin to assist in the development of gross motor coordination particularly in disabled children.

Some photos from the cooking show at this year’s Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show.

‘Walkabout Chef’ treating a visitor to indigenous flavours married with locally caught fish:

‘Walkabout Chef’ gives tips on indigenous cooking

Jo Reiter from Fishingscool learning tips on expert fish preparation from Ziko before cooking up locally cooked fish with exotic Asian flavours:

Jo Reiter and Ziko preparing locally cooked fish with exotic Asian flavours.

Ziko from the Darwin Fish Market demonstrating filleting locally caught fish:

Ziko demonstrates how to fillet a fish

Guest cooks Jo Reiter from Fishingscool, and the Territory’s own ‘Walkabout Chef’ will bring their own special flavours to locally cooked fish, showing you how you can turn your not so favourite varieties into a scrumptious meal fit for the best outdoor dinner party.

Ziko from the Darwin Fish Market demonstrates filleting locally caught fish

Ziko Ball from the Darwin Fish Factory will again bring his expertise to show you not only how to fillet fish like and expert, but also how to use all the parts of the fish in various ways to eliminate wasting any of your hard fought catch.

‘After all, you don’t just take the rump steak and throw away the rest of the cow’ says Ziko ‘there is so much you can do with a fish and there shouldn’t be any waste. If we are talking about sustainable fishing and preserving numbers, then we should be more conscious about taking less and using more of the fish’.

Jo will be bringing a taste of Asian exotic to her dishes and The ‘Walkabout Chef’ will treat us to secrets of indigenous foods that add unique flavours to camp-out cooking.

The filleting and cooking sessions are on mid morning and mid afternoon daily at the Show. Check the timetable on the ‘What’s On’ page which outlines all of the exciting activities and seminars on at the Show.

The ever popular Darwin Boat Show has been changing and broadening, and each year crowds are increasing and exhibits growing in numbers and diversity. In line with this, in 2011 the Show has expanded its scope and its title to incorporate a broader focus on outdoor leisure and adventure. This has attracted a new raft of exhibitors and products meaning that the show is just getting better all the time.

“This approach is complimentary to the boating lifestyle and we want the show to encourage more Territorians to explore the many options for simply getting the family outdoors. It’s really all about keeping happy and healthy having good clean fun, and building life experiences that kids can?t get sitting inside in front of a screen” said Byron Hazell, chairman of the NT Boating Industry Association which runs the event. “We see that as an investment in the future in keeping young people and families involved in and excited by outdoor adventure and getting out in boats”

“The great thing about this show is that beside boats; there are camper trailers, camping, 4WD, fishing, touring, and many more activities as integral to the top end outdoor lifestyle as is sitting around the BBQ at the end of the day, and the Show is set to give visitors the chance to see and experience a raft of options and to explore a huge range of accessories and some great new innovations.” said Gill van Hagen, manager of the event.

“The show is for all the family from youngest to oldest and there is a brand new program for women only with tips on how to get the best out of family outdoor activities and holidays including practical sessions on 4WD and emergency procedures to use if should ever be necessary” she said. “and kids are not forgotten with some special activities to keep them entertained so it will make a great Father’s Day outing for everyone” are not forgotten with some special activities to keep them entertained so it will make a great Father’s Day outing for everyone”

New exhibits at this year’s event include the latest technology for remote communication, a must for travellers, and some really interesting new innovations such as a rechargeable fan that can be used in your boat, van or tent, and there will be more on show for 4WD enthusiasts.

The free entry clinics this year not only give visitors the absolute latest tips on fishing, there is sessions on using GPS and navigation equipment and new to the show, are sessions on 4WD in the top end supported by practical demonstrations and some fun competitions. There are even demonstrations on making custom fishing rods and lures.

For those seeking high adventure the show offers the opportunity to have a go on the climbing wall, try canoeing, and to find out more about jet skis, wakeboarding, ATVs, and even amphibious craft.

“All in all the show is shaping up to be a great day out for everyone with so much to see, learn, experience and be a part of, so we encourage watching the website for more details on the activities, competitions, as well as information on what?s at the show this year.” said Gill.

For more information please contact:

Gill van Hagen,
Event Manager,
Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show,

Telephone: 0427 508075.
Email: gill@darwinboatshow.com.au
Website: www.darwinboatshow.com.au

Proceeds from the Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show support the work of the Boating Industry Association of NT, a not-for-profit organization that campaigns for, and actively represents the interests of all Territorians for better boating.

Dates: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2011
Venue: Darwin Convention Centre, Stokes Hill Wharf Road, Darwin Waterfront
Public hours: open at 9.00am daily and close at 5,00pm Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday.
Getting there, parking and access: visit the Getting There page for details
Entry fees: visit the website

Information on exhibitors, products and activities will be posted on the website by August 2011.

Managing director of NAFA, Alex Julius has sent in a clipping of his fishing column in NT News yesterday with commentary and further analysis re: Channel Nine evening news “leading” with story of a fishing-led tourism boon for the NT following the great wet season.

HOW many times have you heard someone say “only in the Territory”?

That certainly happened on Tuesday night.

I mean, which capital city other than Darwin would lead its evening national news bulletin with a story about how this great wet season and predicted bumper run-off should result in a fishing-led tourism boon for the Northern Territory?

Channel Nine News and everyone’s favourite news reader, Jonathon Uptin, reckoned the story was headline news and, in my opinion, they were definitely right.

It’s really so ironic that, while the rest of the Australian angling community is constantly battling ill-informed, fanging greenies and rabid, one-eyed animal liberationists, here in the Top End the promise of a great recreational barra fishing season is celebrated as headline news.

There’s no doubt that the next few weeks in particular will yield some amazing barra-fishing sessions for a multitude of anglers across the Top End’s big rivers.

Read the full story at the NT News website.
Download a PDF of the clipping from the NT News paper.

The Boating Industry Association of NT has appointed the exciting Isuzu D-MAX Ute as the official tow vehicle for the 2010 Darwin Boat Show.

Living up to its spirit of a truck the Isuzu D-MAX Ute has plenty of towing power and torque and not only looks sensational, it’s full of great features and can handle the pace, making it the ideal vehicle for the NT boating lifestyle.

A full range of the latest D-MAX Utes will be on display at the Darwin Boat Show over the weekend of 4-5 September at the Darwin Convention Centre, opening 9.30am daily.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see just how good the new D-MAX Ute looks coupled up with a range of boats to suit all boating lifestyles.

Keep an eye out for the Darwin Boat Show D-MAX Ute tow vehicle getting around town leading up to the Boat Show, and you may get the chance to win free passes to the Boat Show.

This year’s boat show is chock full of new releases and features and early September offers ideal weather to spend a day harborside, so it’s a great opportunity to visit the show, stay for a casual lunch over-looking the best view in town, and make Father’s Day a very special day for the whole family.

Darwin Boat Show
4-5 September 2010
Darwin Convention Centre
Darwin Waterfront
Darwin
Opens 9.30am daily
Admission fee applies – children under 15 free (when accompanied by a paying adult)
Carparking available under the Darwin Convention Centre or at the Darwin Waterfront Carpark. (See the ‘Getting There‘ page for more information on access and alternative parking)

For further information please contact:
Gill van Hagen
Manager – Darwin Boat Show
dbsmgr@bigpond.com
0427 508075

The Darwin Boat Show is being held again this year at the Darwin Convention Centre on the scenic Darwin Waterfront. If you are new in town we’ve made it really easy for you to find your way from the airport to the show. You can even print off turn-by-turn directions. Simply visit the Getting There page and use the interactive Google Map.

Take a stroll along the Esplanade and the Bicentennial park on the 'Getting There' page

Click on the buttons on the top right of the Google Map to switch between Map, Satellite, Terrain and Earth to get different views. You may have to install a plugin to get the Earth view to work but the other three views are available without the need to install anything extra.

The full screen map adds another button, ‘More’ which shows locality-based photos that can be enlarged and viewed. This ‘More’ button also provides the opportunity to give locality-based information from Wikipedia.

Try it out, and after you’ve had a virtual look around we’ll see you a the Darwin Convention Centre for real on the 4th of September!