There is no benching at the Darwin Royal. Exhibitors set up on the grassed two and a half acres that is the dog area of the Darwin Show and Exhibition Grounds. Access is off the Stuart Highway via the Shean Road entrance.
The Royal is generally the only show in the NT
that requires you to fill out an
additional form
to accompany the official ANKC entry forms. This should be available late
in February for download from this site. Also, this is the only show that
sends out exhibit numbers in advance. Most other events will have you pick
up your numbers on the day from the check-in table.
The Darwin Royal is run over three evenings with Group Specials being completed on the same night as breed judging for that group. All Best, Runner Up and Class in Group winners are required to return for General Specials on the third night. Should gate passes be required for return of exhibits, these can be obtained from the Show or Trial Managers. The first night starts at 7.00pm, after the sun has set. Friday and Saturday nights commence at 4.00pm, sunset usually occurs while the supper break is on.
Security and parking attendants will generally
allow dog exhibitors to drop off their dogs and equipment adjacent to the show
area, however all vehicles will then be required to move back to the designated
parking areas. For members this is immediately outside the dog area. For non
members they will need to move their vehicle to the general public car park
outside the gates. Dog trailers are allowed to remain in the dog area car park.
For car parking purposes alone it is highly recommended that people join
the RASNT as members.
Exhibits are required to attend until the completion of judging each evening as per the RASNT regulations. Only exhibits entered in the show may attend unless prior approval from the Show or Trial Managers is obtained.
Fireworks are conducted on the main arena at 9.00pm on the same night as General Specials. While the organisers aim to have Specials completed by that time we encourage all exhibitors to ensure their dogs are securely contained.
There are showers available in the Toilet Blocks
on the Dog Grounds, however they are cold water only. Not really a problem
with our weather, but they are very basic and I think there is one shower in
each of the Gents and Ladies facilities - marked appropriately "Dogs" and
"Bitches".
One thing that has been neglected
in previous years has been mention of the RAAF exercises. Major
operational exercises are conducted every couple of years and the next huge one
is planned for 2006. However most years while the Royal is being conducted
there is some fighter jet aircraft activity. The Darwin airport/RAAF Base
is across the highway from the showgrounds and some noise will be experienced
during evening flights, mainly from the fighters while they are preparing for
take-off on the runway.
Weather and Local Stuff
The weather in Darwin in July is generally dry, with warm afternoons and cooler
evenings. Even visitors from southern states sometimes require a lightweight
cardigan or jacket once the sun goes down. A personal insect repellant would
also be useful to ward off mosquitoes and sandflies. Once the sun goes
down it can quite dewy underfoot.
The water in Darwin is lovely and not many
visitors, canine or human, experience problems with tummy upsets. However
visitors should be warned that Ticks are common in the North. These are not the
paralysis-type tick, rather Cattle Ticks. Some form of flea and tick
treatment prior to arriving in the Northern Territory should avoid major
problems. Also Cane Toads are encroaching slowly northwards and dogs
should avoid them, especially those visitors that are travelling up by road.
Visitors to Darwin are reminded that if you are
planning a day or two in national parks such as Kakadu, then you may NOT take your dogs with you and
alternative arrangements will have to be made.
Shopping
Most camping and caravan parks in Darwin have a
small kiosk or shop available, however 24 hours a day/7 days a week supermarkets
are generally within a 20 minute drive from anywhere in Darwin. If not
24/7, then they certainly offer extended trading hours to those offered Down
South. Most supermarkets and "corner stores" in Darwin are also licensed
Monday to Saturday - an important note for some :-))
At Royal time we have been lucky in previous
years that stalls selling doggie paraphenalia, such as leads, grooming equipment
and products, etc have been available at the Royal Darwin Show. There are
now also local vendors that may be in attendance, however if you require
something out of the ordinary then it is strongly
recommend that you bring spares with you.
Exercising Dogs
Darwin City Council has designated that all
Council parks, reserves, gardens and beaches under Council care and control may
be used as dog exercise areas with a couple of exceptions. More details
available from the Darwin City Council website.
In addition, Palmerston City Council have an area where dogs may be exercised
off-lead. This is PEDIGREE Pet Park and is located at Marlow Lagoon,
approximately 2 minutes from Palmerston and 10 minutes from the showgrounds.
A brochure about PEDIGREE Pet Park is available for
download from the
Palmerston City Council website.
Click on the above picture to be able to read sign.
