The Territory can be a confusing place to the uninitiated. To help those that may be struggling to negotiate the often confusing social landscape, we have compiled a comprehensive and highly accurate guide to the range of people you are most likely to encounter in God’s country.

1. TERRITORIANS

A friendly bunch who can be easily identified by a total lack of fashion sense and their proud ownership of a pair of “going out” thongs.

Likes: Boasting that they are more Territorian than you, the Wet, Toyotas, Litchfield, hosing things down to clean them, facial hair (both genders), thongs (the foot kind), mankinis, speculating about when it is going to rain, reminicising about the Territory before Southerners, open-speed limits.

Dislikes: “Blow in” southerners, mould, being told what to do, southerners complaining about the Wet.

2. SOUTHERNERS

Can be hard to differentiate from Territorians, but there are a few sure-fire clues that the person you are talking to is in fact a southerner - even if they have lived here for years.

Likes: Claiming to be Territorian, wearing spotless Akubras, crossover SUVs and soft roaders, Kakadu, air-conditioning, the Dry, lattes, Mindil Markets.

Dislikes: The build up and the Wet, their identity as a Territorian being questioned.

3. VEGANS

Despite the red-blooded image that Territorians and the Territory have, there are a surprising number of people who don’t like bacon. They are generally quite nice, but don’t invite them round for a barbie or ask them for their opinion.

Likes: Preaching to and lecturing non-vegans, being annoying, white-person dreadlocks, bicycles, not shaving their underarms, having a superiority complex.

Dislikes: Pig hunting, people who disagree with them, non-vegans, deodorant.

4. FISHOS

The Territory is home to the best fishing in Australia. Fishing is more than just a hobby, it’s a way of life.

Likes: Fishing, boasting on social media about fish they have caught, lying, buying heaps of stuff they don’t need, dressing like an idiot.

Dislikes: Windy conditions preventing comfortable fishing, marine parks, bag limits.

5. HUNTERS

A variety of tasty wildlife roam the Territory, and if you want to get some on your plate the easiest way is to befriend a member of this amiable but heavily armed group.

Likes: Posting photos of their latest kill to social media or Tinder, shooting things, shotties, making goose curry.

Dislikes: Vegans, greenies, PETA, hunting being questioned.

6. PROFESSIONAL ALCOHOLICS

When it’s hot, a cool drink can be quite refreshing. And it’s always hot.

Likes: Alcohol.

Dislikes: Sobriety.

7. BACKPACKERS

Whether they are plucking their pubic hair or nude sunbaking at the Waterfront, hanging out their washing at East Point Reserve or looking for an out-of-date bargain at Coles, the Territory’s backpacking tourism sector is something to marvel at.

media_camera Why pay for an expensive hotel when you can sleep in a carpark?

Likes: A bargain, free stuff, waterfront carparks with a toilet block nearby, over tanning, being “mad cool” riding pedicabs, camping illegally.

Dislikes: Hygeine, paying for things.

8. RINGERS

Can often be found congregating near rodeos, their love of ridiculous utes is only topped by their love of a good time and a bundy at the local roadhouse.

Likes: Dressing like a cowboy, country music, ridiculous utes, rum, RM Williams, check shirts, jukeboxes, horses.

Dislikes: City folk, things that aren’t utes.

9. AJs

Darwin is a big army town. If you meet someone with a V8 ute and/or an overpowered Japanese sportbike, it is quite likely they are in the Defence forces. If in doubt, just talk to them - they’ll tell you.

media_camera It’s hard to miss an AJ in a city like Darwin

Likes: Camo, themselves, Australia.

Dislikes: Civilians, independent thought.

10. AJ WIVES

Where army men are posted, their wives are never far away.

Likes: AJs, Facebook, having a massive sense of entitlement.

Dislikes: Wherever their husbands are currently posted, paying for their own housing, other AJ wives.

11. MUSCLE DUDES

Can often be found near gyms, or ostentatiously exercising in public areas. Don’t ask them about their diets unless you have the time for a long conversation that may not be very interesting.

media_camera How most muscle dudes walk around Darwin...

Likes: Working out, full-length mirrors, weird supplements, gyms, fake tan, singlets, picking up straight girls at Throb, protein, posting selfies taken in the mirror on social media, mentioning sore pectorals, flexing their guns, sunbaking at Casuarina Beach.

Dislikes: Thigh chafing, garments with sleeves, normal human interaction, having a neck.

12. BLEEDING HEARTS

Bleeding hearts like a good protest, but can be distinguished from professional activists because they prefer to do it on social media where they can really make a difference. The only exception is when a developer proposes building something - anything - in their own local area, and they will instantly transform into hardcore activists who will stop at nothing to prevent other people from moving into their home suburb.

Likes: Living in Eastside, Ilparpa, Nightcliff, The Gardens or at a pinch Rapid Creek, having an Aboriginal friend, talking about that time they spent 10 minutes in a remote community, organic quinoa, working at the ABC, Rapid Creek Markets (because they’re more authentic), Darwin Festival.

Dislikes: Private industry, development, the Government, showering.

13. DRAG QUEENS

The Territory has a tolerant and thriving alternative scene. If you are a bloke who likes to bung on a dress occasionally and mime to popular music, you have come to the right place.

Likes: Suggestive drag names, Lady Gaga, lace front wigs, Throb, strong women.

Dislikes: Anything that takes attention away from them.

14. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVISTS

Wherever there is something to be protested, expect to find a gaggle of these. They will travel large distances to protest anything even if they have no idea what the issue is.

Likes: Shitty handmade banners, 1970s style chants, dreadlocks, partially-shaved heads, unshaven underarms, knowing more than you and even Aboriginal people about their own land.

Dislikes: Uranium, mining, uranium mining, development in Nightcliff, the USA, everything.

media_camera Bogans enjoy nothing more than wearing their finest flanno to play a game of bingo

15. BOGANS

Can be hard to distinguish from average Territorians, and are in fact a more specialised subset of this larger group. Bogans are the backbone of the Territory, with a cheerful attitude and a love of 4wds and barbecues.

Likes: Hiluxes, calling their kids Hunter, living in Palmerston, hi-vis clothing, beer, barbecues, southern-cross tattoos, Centrelink, lynx deodorant, bucket bongs, Casuarina Square, Palmerston, keno, mullets, flanno, blue singlets, bingo.

Dislikes: High school education, working, government conspiracies, queue-jumpers.

16. CASHED UP BOGANS

Just like a regular bogan, but flush with cash due to a lucrative job on the mines.

media_camera Some cashed up bogans in their natural habitat

Likes: V8 utes, calling their kids Holden, living in the northern suburbs, Tapout shirts, bourbon, barbecues, poorly-thought out tattoos (sleeves for blokes, “meaningful” symbol at top of back for chicks), Kuta, big homes on small blocks, pokies, ugg boots, flannos, wearing leggings as pants.

Dislikes: Tertiary education, regular bogans, having their national identity questioned, being called bogans, proper English.

17. GREY NOMADS

Strictly a seasonal phenomenon, as soon as the Dry arrives Territory roads and (free) campgrounds become clogged with these gentle, slow-moving folk.

Likes: Complaining, comfortable clothing, soft wide-brimmed hats, bum bags, sandals, huge campervans, slow driving, going to the chemist, cruise ships, bargains and/or discounts, sudoku, crosswords, zip-off pants.

Dislikes: Young folk, paying for camping, driving over 60kmh.

18. GOVERNMENT WORKERS

The government is the largest employer in the Territory, so you are sure to encounter some of these. Can be easily spotted in the CBD as they knock off in their droves at precisely 4.21pm, much to the annoyance of jealous non-government workers.

Likes: Flexing off, arriving at work early to eat a leisurely breakfast and accumulate flex time, procedures, fuel cards.

Dislikes: Working, buying their own cars, 4.21pm traffic jams, short term contracts.

19. BUSHIES

Like an Aussie version of Deliverance, bushies can be found in their natural habitat anywhere south of Darwin, with particularly large infestations around the Adelaide River area.

Likes: Rusted car bodies, bush blocks, massive beards, their sisters, growing drugs.

Dislikes: Going into town, wearing pants.

20. CROSSFITTERS/PALEO ENTHUSIASTS

The best way to know if someone is a crossfitter or a paleo enthusiast is to talk to one. The only subject they talk about is their exercise regime or eating habits. Often compared to a cult because of their one-track minds and attempts to convert nonbelievers. Also very flatulent.

Likes: Meat, protein, their “box gym”, converting people. talking about Crossfit and paleo.

Dislikes: Carbs, people who disagree with them, normal gyms.

21. FIFO WORKERS

Because Territorians and Southerners apparently can’t do an honest day worth of work, some businesses and organisations are flying in workers. From strippers to mechanics, the Territory is full of FIFO workers who are... well, full of themselves.

Likes: Paying a lot of rent, escaping Darwin on a regular basis.

Dislikes: Darwin, Territorians, working near home.

22. THE BEST PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA

All jokes aside, the Territory has - without a doubt - the best people in Australia. Easygoing, ready for a laugh with a disregard for political correctness, it would be hard to find somewhere in Australia, let alone the world, where you could feel so easily at home.

SEE MORE NT NEWS LISTS >>

● 18 REASONS LIVING IN THE TERRITORY IS GREAT

● 19 REASONS THAILAND IS THE NEW DARWIN

● 55 THINGS TERRITORIANS NEVER SAY

● 18 REASONS TO DATE A TERRITORY BLOKE

●24 BEST FACES OF CHIEF MINISTER ADAM GILES