The campaign will promote the Territory’s art centres, festivals, events, Indigenous rock art sites, commercial and public art galleries as well as cultural tours, as part of the government’s $106 million Arts Trail. 

While Katherine misses out in the clip, the town is expected to benefit from the increased tourism.

According to a Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture spokeswoman, “the Territory Arts Trail promotional video is one minute and 30 seconds long and it captures many strong, dramatic visual images of the Northern Territory’s vast landscape.

“With 1.3 million square kilometres of imagery to select from, as many elements as possible have been included.”

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss said the campaign will position the Territory as the ‘The world’s biggest art gallery’ and a premier destination to visit for Indigenous art and culture.

The campaign will be featured across Australia, particularly in high foot traffic locations in major Australian cities and is targeted to 35-49 year old travellers who have a keen interest in Indigenous art and culture. 

Other advertising on social media platforms will drive holiday makers to a new webpage, www.territoryartstrail.com.au which includes itineraries and maps highlighting attractions, experiences and events. 

To encourage more holiday bookings to the Top End the government is still committed to building the $106 million Arts Trail. 

Weaving throughout the Territory, the Art Trail is expected to support and grow the arts and cultural industry and provide new attractions for national and international visitors.

“Our art and culture, in particular first nations art and culture, is unique, and all around us. Visitors know they can have an experience in the Territory unlike any other,” Minister Moss said. 

“It is where you can discover Aboriginal carvings on the Tiwi Islands or learn the ancient practice of basket weaving in Katherine and Kakadu.

“It’s a place where you can watch as generations of history are brought to life in colourful fabric prints in Arnhem Land one day and see traditional Aboriginal dot paintings inspired by the spectacular landscapes of the Red Centre the next day.”

Earlier this week, Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson supported the promotional clip on her Facebook page despite Katherine not making the cut. 

“The promotional video is a 90-second tempter that shows a snapshot of the variety on offer, without specifically naming places,” she said yesterday. 

“The idea is to intrigue people so they visit the Territory Arts Trail website, where Katherine has a dedicated section, as do all the other regions.

“The inclusion of Katherine in the Territory Arts Trail will create jobs in Katherine’s local tourism industry.

“The Territory Arts Trail showcases festivals, galleries, community art centres and artists from across the Territory, including five experiences from the Katherine region.”

There are six Katherine region arts and cultural experiences featured in the first phase of the Territory Arts Trail: the Barunga Festival, the Djakanaimba Pavilions Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, Top Didj Cultural Experience, Nitmiluk Tours, Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre, and Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park.

Stage two of the Arts Trail campaign will see more arts business and organisations added once they complete the Arts Trail checklist.

To request a Territory Arts Trail checklist, email arts.trail@nt.gov.au. 

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