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Mostly, the questions that are asked are about
Accommodation and
things to see and
do around Darwin. So, they have got separate pages - other stuff
should be answered here - if not, please let me know and I will see what I can
find out.
Calendar
Interested in partying? or maybe when show training is being
held and where? In the last couple of years we trialled a Calendar of Events and
in 2007 there was a separate site set up for the
Northern Territory Show
Circuit.
Maybe you want to know how many dogs have been
entered in
your group or breed previously, check here for details.
About the Show and the
Showgrounds
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.
This page gives an idea of what the
grounds look like at Royal time.
In 2008 we are trialling having pre-paid, booked Shade Sites. This is mainly to
accommodate exhibitors wanting to set up in a particular area or those that require several
sites located together. This is not mandatory and there will still be
plenty of space available for exhibitors that does not incur a cost. There
will also be a Hospitality tent available for those 'out of towners' that
require shade, chairs and/or a grooming table. This area will have tea and
coffee plus an esky for use by visitors.
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 early
in April for download from this site. This form has provision for an
e.mail address. Once entries are received an acknowledgement will be sent
to you.
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. For those exhibitors
traveling to Darwin that do NOT want their passes and numbers mailed out please
clearly mark this on your entries. We will hold them and arrange to get
them to you on your arrival in Darwin. It would also be helpful if your
self-addressed envelope was clearly marked HOLD and don't put a stamp on it.
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 people join
the RASNT as members.
This GoogleEarth picture was taken, we believe, on Saturday 29 July 2006.
It was certainly taken during the day while the Darwin Show was busy.
NB. An e.mail has been sent to the copyright owners of the photo. They may
ask for it to be removed.
The Dog Area is where the pin is. The
area to the east is the Members Car Park. The area to the north is the
General Public Car Park. Because the Dog Section is an evening or late
afternoon event the General Public Car Park is normally quite full when Dog
Section people arrive.
The Dog Area is locked during the day
to safeguard exhibitors' property left on the grounds. The Dog Area gate
is opened at least 2 hours before judging each day, ie. by 5.00pm on Thursday
and 2.00pm on Friday and Saturday.
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".
Major RAAF exercises are generally
conducted at this time of year and there is some fighter jet aircraft activity.
The Darwin airport/RAAF Base is across the highway from the showgrounds.
In the above photo the area immediately north of the Stuart Highway is the
airport precinct. 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 7 days a week supermarkets
are generally within a 20 minute drive from anywhere in Darwin. Trading hours
are usually 6am to 10pm. 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 paraphernalia, 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.
Suggestions for this site are always welcome
Please
email details or questions
These pages are privately set up and maintained. The views
expressed on these pages are not those necessarily of the RASNT and its staff.
While every endeavour will be made to ensure that these pages are updated on a
regular basis, please contact the appropriate people to ensure the details you
require are accurate and uptodate.
Clicking on the RASNT logo anywhere in the site will take you to
the official site of the
Royal Agricultural Society of the Northern Territory
Inc.
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