Beach water quality at Darwin Harbour beaches is monitored on a weekly basis by the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS) as part of the integrated Darwin Harbour Monitoring Program.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advocate the use of enterococci bacteria as the indicator organism for assessing the risks of microbiological contamination in recreational water. Epidemiological studies have shown a clear relationship between concentrations of this indicator organism and the level of illness in swimmers in marine waters. Swimming in contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis or other conditions which affect the eyes, ears, skin and respiratory tract.
The Chief Health Officer of the Northern Territory has adopted these NHMRC Guidelines under the Public and Environmental Health Act. See the Water Quality page for further details.
The results of the testing by NRETAS are provided to the Department of Health for assessment. Actions may include the issuing of precautionary advice against entering the water at certain beaches, e.g. "Beach closed to swimming", and these notifications will be published on the table below.
Stinger Season begins in the Top End:
The Department of Health strongly advise people not to enter the water because of the high danger risk from jellyfish (stingers) in the water.
The presence of stingers is influenced by humidity and temperatures, especially the water temperature. The official start of the stinger season is 1 October when there is a higher risk of stingers being present in the shallows of Darwin beaches. Please see the media release They're back! Stinger season begins in the Top End. The stinger season officially ends on 30 April.
The Department of Health advises the following status of Darwin Harbour beaches:
| Beaches | Status |
|---|---|
| Casuarina Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Cullen Bay Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| East Point Reserve | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Lameroo Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Lee Point Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Mandorah Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Mindil Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Mindil Beach (Little Mindil) | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Rapid Creek Beach (Chapman Rd) | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Nightcliff Beach (Walker St) | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Vesteys Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
| Wagait Beach | Swimming not recommended - High risk of stingers! |
The Department of Health test results data:
| Description | Report | Date Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Test result data 2012 | Beach Water Quality 2012 | as at 18 May 12 |
| Test result data 2011 | Beach Water Quality 2011 | as at 10 Jan 12 |
| Test result data 2010 | Beach Water Quality 2010 | as at 11 May 11 |
| Deep Water test result data | Beach Water Quality (Surf Life Saving) | as at 1 Oct 10 |
| Sample sites map | as at 27 Aug 10 |
Other Useful Information:
Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport Sampling Results
NT Recreational Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines
(This was repealed on 7 July 2011 - please see the current Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 2008)
