Northern Territory Picnic Day
Observed annually in the Northern Territory of Australia on the first Monday of August, Picnic Day is a holiday that encourages people to head out and enjoy a nice picnic. This is a holiday that’s been observed since the 19th century, but the exact date that it was first observed has been obscured by time.
Australia’s Northern Territory is a huge federal territory that’s well known for its Outback desert landscapes. It’s home to approximately 250,000 people and covers a total area of 548,100 square miles. So that leaves a lot of space for people to throw their own picnic, although many people choose the banks of the Adelaide River to enjoy their picnic spread.
The History Of Picnic Day In The Northern Territory Of Australia
Although it’s known that Picnic Day is a holiday that’s been observed since the 19th century, no one really knows who started it or why it was started. Of course, there are various rumors as to its origins, but as yet, none of those rumors have been verified.
One of the rumors associated with this holiday is that Chinese railroad workers building the North Australia Railway were granted the right to stay in Australia and they headed down to the Adelaide River for a picnic. This rumor has never been substantiated and there are no sources that we know of that would verify its veracity.
Observing Picnic Day In The Northern Territory Of Australia
Since this holiday is a public holiday and falls on a Monday, many people have a 3-day weekend on which to observe this holiday. While some people may choose to enjoy the holiday from home, many people will head out to a local park or river to enjoy this holiday.
People not only enjoy picnics on this day, but people also enjoy sporting events, lizard races, and bull ride competitions. There is also a utility truck competition, plenty of children’s games, and the Harts Range annual races. It’s a day to get out into nature and enjoy some fun with friends and family members.