Close-up of a Douglas DC-3, otherwise known as a Dakota or Gooney Bird. Photo courtesy of ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
From a ride on a Gooney Bird to a walk through tunnels, the Northern Territory is turning to its military history books to create a new national tourism drawcard.
The (CLP) NT Government is now financing new military tourism projects separately as part of its economic vision for 2025.
Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby says the grant funding falls under their $3 million Military Heritage Tourism Action Plan and is the first time that military tourism has had specific funding support.
“We’re putting it on the map because this is our history and it’s our chance to tell it,” she says.
“From Darwin to the Tiwi Islands, Katherine to the Outback, no other place in Australia has a military story like the Northern Territory.
“We’re backing local businesses to bring that story to life and turn it into a national tourism drawcard.”
Gooney Bird Adventures’s DC-3, seen here in its NZ markings. Photo: supplied
The Territory’s $2.6 billion tourism industry is one of five earmarked as a priority by the government to grow jobs and attract investment.
Across all categories, 40 businesses received $2.6m in grants, the government says, with eight local military tourism operators receiving funding (see full list at bottom of story.
Among the eight recipients are Marchant Enterprises, which will use its grant to upgrade lighting and ventilation in WWII oil storage tunnels.
Another is Tiwi Enterprises, which will develop immersive marine AV experiences about the bombing of Darwin Harbour during WWII.
THE GOONEY BIRD
A third recipient is Gooney Bird Adventures, which will use a WWII era Douglas DC-3 (Gooney Bird) to operate scenic flights tracing Top End wartime flight paths.
Stefan Wood of Gooney Adventures has a deep passion for the Top End’s WWII history and bought the iconic aircraft from New Zealand.
“My dream of bringing a WWII flight experience to the Territory is becoming a reality. Look to the skies and see our ‘sweetheart’ adorned with the Territory flag, flying across the Top End,” he says.
- Gooney Bird Adventures: $27,456.25 to repaint their new DC-3, new upholstery and ramp.
- Katherine Town Council: $38,962.50 to upgrade Katherine Museum including better access and preservation of outdoor displays.
- Museum and Art Gallery of the NT: $5002 to install the Military Mascots exhibition about human-animal relationships.
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin facility: $74,916.50 for four new exhibits about Darwin’s wartime history.
- Tiwi Enterprises: $44,000 to install marine audio-visual system telling the story of the bombing of Darwin Harbour.
- True Blue Production: $9572.73 for a guided, QR code-activated journey through WWII oil storage tunnels with projection mapping and holographic storytelling.
- Walk Darwin: $16,250 for a self-guided, multilingual military history tour of Darwin City and East Point with GPS triggered content.
- WWII Oil Storage Tunnels: $19,044.96 to upgrade access into the WWII oil storage tunnels for wheelchairs and mobility aids, install new fans for ventilation and lighting.
