KATHERINE’s popular Edith Falls (pictured) are not only featuring in a new Tourism NT campaign, but are also the venue of a sporting event of a different kind – the NT Outback Games.
The Games are the latest in a series of initiatives by Tourism NT to encourage people thinking of taking a short break to book a trip to the Northern Territory between August and October 2012.
“Our Games will be like no other,” Acting Chief Minister Delia Lawrie said.
“Where else in the world can you take part in such challenging events as sandbar soccer, the camel equestrian, waterhole swimming – in real waterfalls – and the thong marathon?
“Sporting purists might take exception to our particular brand of event, but I believe Territorians will have a ball.
The Games campaign consists of two phases, the first of which will run for six weeks and comprise four events that have a Northern Territory twist: sandbar soccer in Darwin, camel equestrian in Alice Springs, waterhole swimming at Katherine’s Edith Falls and a thong marathon in Tennant Creek.
Short, humorous videos of the events will be disseminated through digital channels to create interest, and people from all over Australia will have an opportunity to enter a competition, run via a Facebook application, to represent their state or Territory at the NT Outback Games.
On 1 September 2012, the NT Outback Games will be held in Darwin.
Competition winners will represent their home state and will compete in an event alongside Northern Territory representatives.
“In the Territory we do things a little differently; the Outback Games are a great way to show shivering southerners just what they are missing out on and boost our tourism sector,” Ms Lawrie said.