Now in its 37th year, our Water in the Bush Conference is the Territory’s premier annual water conference connecting water professionals, the community and industry from across Australia to share information and knowledge about the current and future state of the Territory’s water and inspire positive change. This year's Conference will focus on Leadership, Security and Resilience for a Better Water Future.
The Australian Water Association’s Northern Territory Branch is delighted to present the 37th annual Water in the Bush Conference. This year’s conference will be held on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November 2026 and we encourage you to submit an abstract for presentation.
The Territory’s premier annual water conference connects water professionals, the community and industry from across Australia, to share information & knowledge about water and inspire positive change. Held over one and a half days we will explore expertise and perspectives across a range of disciplines such as water supply, water resource management, water environments, water policy & programs and fostering leadership & collaboration.
Thursday 5th November will be a curated half-day workshop on Climate Change & Leadership followed by the NT Water Awards Dinner. The conference and exhibition will take place on Friday 6th November 2026.
Abstracts submissions are invited across the following sub-themes:
- Leadership
- Climate Resilience and Water Security
- Healthy Rivers, Groundwater and Ecosystems
- Infrastructure - Water Services and Operations
- Rethinking Regulation, Planning & Governance
- Sustainability, Innovation and the Future of Water
- Water Security for Culture and Communities
- Water for Economic Development
- Water Literacy and Community Engagement
- Wild Card
Abstract submission closes Friday 31 July 2026.
Exhibition:
The one day exhibition will take place on Friday 6 November 2026. Expressions of Interest are now open with member pricing $1250 and Non-member pricing $1750 (inc GST) with NT Awards Dinner addons available for all exhibitors. See the prospectus here for inclusions.
Climate Change Workshop
| Date | Thursday 5 November 2026 (half day) |
| Time | 1:30pm - 5.00pm ACST |
| Venue |
Darwin Convention Centre, Damibila 1 & Madla 2 Meeting Rooms |
| Address | 10 Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin City NT 0800 |
Conference
| Date | Friday 6 November 2026 (full day) |
| Time | 8.30am - 6.00pm ACST |
| Venue |
Darwin Convention Centre, Waterfront Rooms 1 & 2 |
| Address | 10 Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin City NT 0800 |
NT Water Awards Dinner
| Date | Thursday, 5 November 2026 |
| Time | 6:30pm - 9:30pm ACST |
| Venue |
TBC |
| Address | TBC |
Exhibition
| Date | Friday 6 November 2026 - 1 day only |
| Time | 8.00am - 4.00pm ACST |
| Venue |
Waterfront Rooms 1 & 2 Foyer, Darwin Convention Centre |
Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you looking for some branding opportunities to reach people working in Northern Territory water. We have opportunities available for this event as below. Refer to the Sponsorship Prospectus link below for inclusions (pages 3-6).
| Sponsorship Level | Price (exc GST) |
| Platinum Conference (exclusive) | $6,000 |
| Gold Conference (2 available) | $4,250 |
| Silver Conference | $2,750 |
| Coffee Cart Conference (exclusive) | $3,000 |
| Gold Dinner (exclusive) | $5,750 |
| Silver Dinner | $3,000 |
| NT Water Awards available: - Infrastructure (Metro & Regional) - Organisational Excellence - Student Water Prize - Water Professional of the Year |
$4,000 (per award) |
To find out about sponsorship opportunities, contact Troy: twaite@awa.asn.au
Accommodation
Neighbouring hotels are pleased to offer delegates discounted accommodation from 4-6 November, 2026. Links can be accessed below
Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Not a member?
Join a community of over 5,000 individual and 500 corporate members driving a sustainable water future through education, engagement, and connection. If you wish to learn more about AWA's membership benefits or join online, visit our website or contact membership@awa.asn.au.
For more information about Water in the Bush Conference, Exhibition, Dinner and NT Water Awards contact:
EVENT:
Kyllie Whitehead, Member Engagement Manager WA & NT | Ph: 02 9467 8420 | E: kwhitehead@awa.asn.au
Laura Six, Events Manager | Ph: 0480 388 322 E: lsix@awa.asn.au
EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES:
Michael Silber, Exhibition Manager | P: 02 9467 8428 | E: msilber@awa.asn.au
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Troy Waite, Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager | P: 02 9467 8426 | E: twaite@awa.asn.au