Top End Local Weekly · Issue #1
What's on Fri 30 Oct to Sun 8 Nov 2026 · Darwin and Palmerston
Here's what's on locally.
Your Top End Local Weekly paper
Welcome to the very first Top End Local Weekly.
Every Friday I'll send a short email with a few local stories, what's on around Darwin and Palmerston, and some good businesses near you.
Free, no fuss, and you can read it in the time it takes the kettle to boil.
I'm Sy Tien. I'm a local dad, I work full time, and I've been building Top End Local in the evenings because I reckon our community deserves a simple place to find out what's going on.
This is Issue #1, so be gentle with me!
In this issue
- Meet Stumpy: a 4m plus croc on the Adelaide River
- What's on: Laksa Fest Grand Finale, frog races, makers market
- Community Boards: Top End Local is online, and boards are coming to local venues
- Good businesses near you: a big thank you, plus a free Google checklist
Meet Stumpy
This one made my week. A visitor got in touch with @topendlocal on X to tell us about Stumpy, a 4m plus croc they saw on the Original jumping croc cruise out on the Adelaide River.
Four metres. Named Stumpy. Only in the Top End.
Got a local story, a good spot or a great photo? Message us at sy@topendlocal.com.au. I read every one.
What's on, Fri 30 Oct to Sun 8 Nov
This list was for Fri 30 Oct to Sun 8 Nov 2026. Events have finished. For what's on now, see the latest issue.
Times can change, so please check with the organiser before you head out.
Last Palmerston Markets of the season
Fri 30 Oct, 5pm to 9pm
Goyder Square, Palmerston
The final Friday night market of the dry season, so grab dinner and say see you next May.
Rob Mills Performs the Songs of Bon Jovi
Fri 30 Oct, 7:30pm
AANT Centre (The Playhouse), 93 Mitchell St, Darwin
Rob Mills belts out the Bon Jovi hits for a big Friday night.
Darwin International Laksa Festival Grand Finale
Sat 31 Oct, 3pm to 9pm
Darwin Waterfront, Kitchener Dr, Darwin City
Free entry, hawker-style food market, live cooking demos and the Golden Bowl crowned on stage.
Noonamah Frog Races and Melbourne Cup Day
Tue 3 Nov, 10am to 10pm
Noonamah Tavern, 1801 Stuart Hwy, Noonamah
Free entry. Green tree frog auctions and races for Variety NT and CareFlight, plus the Cup on the big screen. Book a table on (08) 8988 1054.
Tactile Arts Christmas Makers Market
Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov, 9am to 4pm
Marrara Territory Netball Stadium
Handmade gifts from local artists and makers, perfect for getting Christmas sorted early.
Community Boards
The Top End Local website is now live at topendlocal.com.au.
The big thing I'm working on is Community Boards. These are boards for local cafes, pubs and venues, with a handful of spots for local businesses.
- 6 business spots on each board
- Plus a top spot for the venue itself. That one isn't for sale.
- Hosting is free for venues. If you run a cafe, pub or venue and like the idea, I'd love to hear from you.
If you're a local business, spots are available on the website.
Good businesses near you
A big thank you to Alicia from Business Wise. Alicia from our first card has already jumped on board! Business Wise now holds the Bookkeeping & Taxation spot on the Community Board.
Free Google checklist. If you run a local business, I've put together a free checklist to help people find you online. No catch, just a simple list you can work through: Get the free Google checklist
Want a spot, or got a venue? If you'd like a spot on a Community Board, or you run a venue that might host one for free, have a look at the Community Board or message us at sy@topendlocal.com.au. No pressure at all.
See you next Friday
Thanks for reading Issue #1. If you know someone who'd enjoy this, send them to topendlocal.com.au/weekly/ to sign up.
Cheers,
Sy Tien
Top End Local