Darwin is the only Australian capital city named after a scientist and the Northern Territory is a hot spot for research into biosecurity, fisheries, tropical diseases, earth science, Indigenous knowledge, space science, and more. Naturally, the science of beer is of local interest, too!
Below is a selection of highlight events to give you a taste of the science on offer. Alternatively, use the search engine to find more events in the Northern Territory.
How the birds got their colours: Dreamtime through circus and dance: Wednesday 13 August – Sunday 17 August in Darwin
Yugambeh Elder Luther Cora and Arc Circus tell the Dreamtime story of ‘How the Birds Got Their Colours’.
This Indigenous-led outdoor performance forms part of the Darwin Festival in partnership with the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Questacon Science Circus – Darwin Waterfront: Wednesday 13 August – Sunday 17 August in Darwin
During National Science Week the Questacon Science Circus will be busking at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. Join the travelling Questacon Troupe to see a selection of exhibits and favourite experiments.
Sunday will be a larger event with more exhibits and bigger science demonstrations.
Survivor – Zom-BEE apocalypse: Friday 15 August in Berrimah
The Northern Territory is a biosecurity buffer for the rest of Australia, and home to booming primary production industries from cattle to cotton, mangoes and honeybees.
School students will meet scientists on the frontline protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases arriving from all directions, threatening agricultural and livestock industries.
They will confront mysterious pathogens and race to find the antidote in ‘Survivor: Northern Territory Biosecurity Quest – Zom-Bee Apocalypse’ at the Berrimah Farm Science Precinct.
VR Explorer – Explore Space with Mission: International Space Station: Saturday 16 August in Darwin
Young space enthusiasts can go on a spacewalk and witness how astronauts eat, sleep and work on the International Space Station thanks to a free VR experience at Charles Darwin University’s Radicle Centre.
Opened in March 2025, CDU Radicle Centre is the first and only science centre north of Brisbane. Its reach extends to mobile workshops and exhibits with a fully-equipped science vehicle to provide resources and activities to remote schools.
Hue of the Brew: Science of colour and beer: Sunday 17 August in Darwin
Explore how beer gets those distinctive colours and how they shape flavour in a lively one-hour Science Week talk plus interactive tasting with the Darwin and NT Homebrewers.
Great opportunity to support the local brewing community and meet some brewers.
Biodiversity Buzz: Top End Eco Science Fair: Saturday 23 August in Darwin
Tuck into bush tucker and learn about Indigenous plant and animal knowledge, purchase native plants from an array of 120+ species, and explore soil chemistry, pest management and the importance of habitat preservation.
‘Biodiversity Buzz: Top End Eco Science Fair’ brings together experts in environmental science, botany, zoology, microbiology, ecology and social sciences at Darwin’s Jingili Water Gardens.
The free, family-friendly event includes interpretative walks, tips on boosting biodiversity in your home garden, the science of plant classification, a guided children’s scavenger hunt, and native wildlife encounters from birds to bees, butterflies and bugs.
Bio Buzz aims to enhance community knowledge about Top End ecosystems and encourage locals to safeguard terrestrial, freshwater, marine and estuarine biodiversity.
PECAN+ Capture The Flag – Cyber Security Competition: Saturday 23 August – Sunday 24 August in Darwin
Are you a problem-solver and team player? Curious about computing, cyber security and digital skills?
PECAN+ is an exciting, national Capture The Flag (CTF)-style cyber security competition for high school-aged competitors in years 10-12.
Participants will compete against teams across the country to solve cyber challenges and uncover digital “flags” across topics including: cryptography; digital forensics, OSINT, steganography, web exploitation and more. PECAN+ CTF is designed for every skill level.
Central Australia Through Time: Saturday 9 August in Alice Springs
Discover how Central Australia provides insights into the history of life on Earth.
Explore our abundance of fossil sites, from the precursors of multi-cellular life (which lived billions of years before dinosaurs) to the world’s largest bird.
See how Australia’s Red Centre has changed through deep time and learn about our more recent geological past by exploring the 12 craters created just 4,700 years ago by the Henbury Meteor!
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory hosts a series of events with experts including astrophysicist Dr Sara Webb; ecologist Dr Steve Morton; and the museum’s Dr Kirsti Abbott (Head of Science) and Dr Adam Yates (Senior Curator, Earth Sciences).
