Award winning exhibit at the Darwin Show

The Darwin Living Lab was back at the Royal Darwin Show for 2025. The Show provides an important opportunity for the Lab to connect with the local community and share the latest research on heat mitigation and cooling, as well as hearing community knowledge on how they keep cool.

The exhibit showcased how the Darwin Living Lab is working with partners to monitor and evaluate approaches for a more liveable, sustainable and resilient Darwin. Attendees experienced innovative approaches to keeping cool, such as the use of a high-pressure misting fan, with a thermal camera used to visualise the cooling of surfaces. 

A large map of recent land surface temperatures across Darwin provided the opportunity for people to identify patterns of heat across their local neighbourhood and what contributes to cool and hot spots. This map prompted interesting discussions around opportunities for people to take action on cooling their home and neighbourhood, such as the use of reflective roof coatings and planting more shade trees.   

Show attendees were invited to participate in a short survey on their favourite outdoor space in Darwin and how they use it and ideas to make it cooler. Survey outcomes highlighted the outdoor spaces that are highly valued by the community and visitors, such as the George Brown Botanic Gardens and Nightcliff/Rapid Creek foreshore, while also highlighting the value of local parks in suburbs that are frequently used. The survey outcomes are summarised here.

The Darwin Living Lab exhibit was an important opportunity to connect our research with community knowledge and expertise, while raising visibility and awareness of heat mitigation projects completed or underway across Darwin as part of the Darwin City Deal. The team were delighted to be judged as the best government stall as well as the most outstanding stall at the Show for 2025. We plan to at the Show again in 2026!