An insider’s guide to experiencing ANZAC Day in Darwin

If you can be anywhere on ANZAC Day, be in Darwin.

On April 25, the country will pause to remember and honour those who have served in the Australian and New Zealand defence forces. It’s an especially important day in Darwin, where over 5,000 ADF members are based.

On Saturday, we will pay our respects at the dawn service on the Esplanade, the march on Knuckey Street and – of course – at the two-up circle at the pub. The game is an ANZAC tradition, and placing a bet is a Darwin rite of passage.

We’ve asked around the Larrakeyah Barracks and discovered the very best spots to play two-up this year.

THE DARWIN SERVICES CLUB

Word on the street is that the Darwin Services Club is the place to be on April 25. The newly opened venue will celebrate its first ANZAC Day in true Territory style, with a gunfire breakfast at 5 am and traditional two-up from 11 am on the grounds of the historic Admiralty House. You don’t have to be in the military to visit the club, but you do need to get in early because it is sure to reach capacity.

HOTEL DARWIN

The cheers are loud, the beer is cold and the camaraderie is strong on ANZAC Day at Hotel Darwin, where the beer garden is transformed into a two-up stadium. There’s a reason so many locals choose to spend April 25 at HD; it is an institution and a truly good time.

NOONAMAH TAVERN

Hit the road and head south on the Stuart Highway for an afternoon of two-up and rock’n blues at the Noonie. Best of all, the money raised from two-up will be donated to the local charity, Veterans Australia NT, who support military families here in the north.

PALMERSTON GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

For everyone south of the Berrimah line, the Palmerston Golf and Country Club is hosting two hours of two-up from 1pm to 3pm, followed by footy on the big screen. Gather your mates and celebrate mateship with an arvo at the Palmo.

BERRY SPRINGS TAVERN

There’s something for everyone at Berry Springs Tavern this ANZAC Day. Head to the front lawn for a game of two-up, and venture to the back pond to say g’day to the Tav’s resident salty, Soft Croc. What more could you want? A healthy dose of competition and a five-metre crocodile.

THE BEACHFRONT

For two-up with a view, head to The Beachy overlooking Rapid Creek and the Nightcliff Foreshore. The classic northside pub will have two-up from midday, live music from 2 pm and an epic sunset at approximately 6:36 pm.

DUNDEE BEACH TAVERN

Just down the road and around the corner (a short 140km drive away), Dundee Beach Tavern is serving a big beachside brekkie from 8:30am and running two-up from 10 am, with ANZAC biscuits being served all day.

LOCAL TIP: After winning big at two-up (here’s hoping!), make your merry way to Sweethearts in the city for the Duelling Pianos at 9pm. Hearing a crowd of Navy sailors sing ‘Horses’ by Daryl Braithwaite is an experience you will never forget. That’s the way it’s gonna be, little darlin’…

WORDS BY ALLEY PASCOE