Enjoy an Outdoor Meal with the Family on Picnic Day 2024
What Is Picnic Day? Origins and Significance
Picnic Day is a popular public holiday in the Northern Territory, celebrated on the first day of August. It began during the late 1800s as a day for workers to enjoy a day out with the family.Today, Picnic Day is a full-on celebration featuring games, races and other events. Of course, the main attraction is the appetising food, and Picnic Day NT offers everyone a chance to show off their culinary skills and family recipes.
Take the stress out of preparing meals for Picnic Day with one of our tasty and simple recipes. Try HelloFresh meal kits for easy and affordable meals made from the freshest ingredients.
The History Behind Picnic Day Celebrations in the Northern Territory
Picnic Day was observed in NT until 1926, but then it disappeared until officially revived in 1935. The long weekend celebration of Picnic Day continued to grow in popularity over the following years.
In 1946, the Harts Range Races began as a contest to see who could race horses faster between three brothers and a local policeman. Since then, the Harts Range Races have become an integral part of Picnic Day NT celebrations.
Best Spots to Celebrate Picnic Day in NT
If you are in or around Darwin, try one of the nearby national parks. Kakadu National Park is just a 90-minute drive southeast of Darwin and offers some incredibly scenic picnic areas.
Other options around Darwin include the national parks at Berry Springs or Litchfield and the marina at Cullen Bay. If you are near the Red Centre, you can also find many serene picnic spots around the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park area.
Pack the Perfect Picnic: Home-Cooked Favourites
While Picnic Day can be fun, trying to prepare a tasty [family meal](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/meal-kits/kid-friendly-family-meal-plan) can be stressful, especially when it comes to seeking out the right ingredients at the supermarket. That’s where HelloFresh comes to the rescue.
HelloFresh delivers fresh and affordable groceries to your door every week. In addition, we provide a selection of quick and easy-to-make recipes for you to try.
Try one of our delicious [sandwich recipes](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/sandwich) for a simple but tasty dish, or give our [lemony shrimp risotto recipe](https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/lemony-shrimp-risotto-5841ad64d4d92c1240103de2) and [firecracker meatball recipe](https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/firecracker-meatballs-5d892f029421962e5476df7b) a try. With HelloFresh, you’ll be whipping up impressive meals for Picnic Day in no time.
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Upcoming Picnic Day Dates: Mark Your Calendar
Picnic Day NT falls on the first Monday of August each year. Keep these dates in mind for future Picnic Days. **Picnic Day 2024**: 5 August **Picnic Day 2025**: 4 August **Picnic Day 2026**: 3 August **Picnic Day 2027**: 2 August **Picnic Day 2028**: 7 August **Picnic Day 2029**: 6 August **Picnic Day 2030**: 5 August **Picnic Day 2031**: 4 August **Picnic Day 2032**: 2 August **Picnic Day 2033**: 1 August **Picnic Day 2034**: 7 August
Green Picnicking: Eco-Friendly Tips for Sustainable Celebrations
**Reduce food waste**: Try to avoid letting ingredients go to waste while making meals. HelloFresh meal kits are carefully measured to ensure you only use what you need. **Go vegetarian**: Adding more veggie options to your meals is a great environmental choice. HelloFresh offers a variety of delicious [vegetarian recipes](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/vegetarian-recipes) that will wow even hardened meat-eaters. **Buy local**: Choosing fresh ingredients supplied by local producers helps cut down on carbon emissions. All ingredients in HelloFresh meal kits come from trusted local suppliers, ensuring you only get the freshest ingredients. **Mix up your meals**: Rather than sticking to one type of meal, mix things up with a range of vegetarian and low-calorie meals. With HelloFresh deliveries, you can enjoy a wide variety of appetising recipes.
Where To Celebrate Picnic Day?
Now, a delicious meal without good company is like spaghetti without the bolognese. Call up your friends and family and pick your location for Picnic Day in NT. If you’re not quite sure where to dine, or you feel like mixing it up this year, we’ll give you a few pointers. Check out the almighty Kakadu National Park just 90 minutes south-east of Darwin. The Gimbat picnic area is perfect for shaking out the rug, digging into a bit of tucker, and perhaps a glass of bubbly or two.Embracing Flexibility: The Top Benefits of a Flexitarian Lifestyle
**Diverse recipes**: Flexitarian meals allow you to mix up veggie and meat recipes to create a more diverse meal plan. **More choices**: By going flexitarian, you can adjust the amount of vegetables and fruit you add to your diet without completely eliminating meat. **Easy preparation**: Our recipes are designed to fit any lifestyle, so you can enjoy all kinds of meals without the fuss.