If you're a fan of high-speed action and all things motoring, the NT's events calendar is hard to beat.

With wide open spaces, a stunning desert backdrop, and a dry season made for outdoor spectating, Darwin and Alice Springs host some of the most thrilling motorsport events in the country. Here's what's on in 2026.

betr Darwin Triple Crown

19 – 21 June | Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin

The Darwin Triple Crown returns in 2026 with heart-pounding, adrenalin-pumping motorsport action at Hidden Valley Raceway. And this year it's bigger than ever.

For the first time, fans will experience a Friday Supercars race at the Darwin Triple Crown — delivering more racing action with a bold new format: a 100km sprint on Friday, a 200km race on Saturday, and a 200km race on Sunday. Three full days of racing under Territory skies.

The 2026 event also marks Darwin's debut round of the Dunlop Super2 Series Supercars, giving fans even more to watch. It's also the official Indigenous Round of the Supercars Championship, showcasing Indigenous culture and celebrating Larrakia Country.

The Hidden Valley Raceway's natural amphitheatre setting is one of the best in Australian motorsport — warm winter days, great sightlines, and a crowd that knows how to enjoy itself. Tickets and travel packages are available now through darwinsupercars.com.au.

Photos: Tourism NT/NT Major Events Company

Red CentreNATS

3 – 6 September | Alice Springs

The 12th annual Red CentreNATS, presented by LMCT+, brings thousands together in Alice Springs for four days of cars, bikes, and culture.

The program is stacked — drag racing, burnouts, motorkhana, and roll racing alongside show and shines. The legendary street parade fills the town centre with hundreds of machines, greeted by cheering crowds.

New for 2026: Dirt Drag Racing comes to the National Transport Hall of Fame, open to all cars and bikes.

Red CentreNATS is also the place to win serious prize money, with over $55K on the line across burnouts, drag racing, and other events. Whether you're entering or just watching, Alice Springs on Father's Day weekend is genuinely worth the trip.

Photos: Tourism NT

Tatts Finke Desert Race

5 – 8 June | Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke)

The 2026 event marks 50 years since the first 'There and Back' race in 1976, when 56 competitors took on the challenge. Half a century on, it's grown into one of the most extreme off-road races on earth.

The two-day race covers 446km, following the historic Old Ghan Railway route from Alice Springs to the Aboriginal community of Aputula and back, crossing the Finke River and challenging competitors with washouts, creek crossings, corrugations and whoops.

Up to 750 bikes and 200 buggies and trophy trucks compete annually through remote terrain of red dirt, sand, and spinifex. For spectators, the atmosphere around Alice Springs race weekend is electric — and the surrounding Red Centre landscape makes it unlike any other motorsport event in the world.

Photos: Finke Desert Race

Something different - Beer Can Regatta & Henley on Todd

Beer Can Regatta - 16 July
This truly unique Top End event takes place annually in Darwin. As the name suggests, the boats in this regatta are made entirely out of empty beer cans. Participants are encouraged to get creative with their designs and decorations, resulting in an impressive display of colourful and quirky vessels. The event also includes a variety of other activities, such as sandcastle building and thong throwing contests. While the main focus is on having fun, the regatta also promotes sustainability by encouraging the reuse of materials that would otherwise go to waste. 

Henley on Todd - 19 August

Unlike traditional regattas, this quirky event takes place on the dry sandy creek bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs. The Todd transforms into a makeshift boat arena for the day for contestants to race bottomless boats - you can either make your boat, or make use of the supplies to craft your own on the day and join in on the fun.