At a glance
- When
- Saturday 31 October 2026, 10am to 3pm (Darwin time, no daylight saving)
- Where
- Casuarina Square, 247 Trower Road, Casuarina NT 0810; check in at the Information Desk near The Body Shop
- Cost
- Free, but bookings are essential (Eventbrite)
- Best for
- Children aged 3 to 10, with a parent or guardian staying with them
- Bring
- A bucket or loot bag for the treats, and a costume if you want to enter the photo prize
- Parking
- Free, with a 4-hour limit; 90-minute limits in selected areas
- Who it’s for
- Families with young children in Darwin’s northern suburbs looking for a free Halloween activity
- What to do now
- Book a session on Eventbrite before Saturday, then check the centre’s access changes before you drive
- Last checked
- Tuesday 27 October 2026, against the Casuarina Square and Eventbrite event pages
- Not yet confirmed
- The session start times (not shown on the pages we read)
Casuarina Square’s Scare in the Square trick or treat trail runs on Saturday 31 October 2026 from 10am to 3pm. It is free, but the centre says bookings are essential, and it recommends the event for children aged 3 to 10. This guide covers how the trail works, what to bring, where to park and how to get there, from the centre’s event page and its Eventbrite listing, checked on 27 October 2026.
How does the Scare in the Square trail work?
The centre’s event page sets out the steps. You start at the Information Desk near The Body Shop, check in and collect a trail map. You then follow the clues to find hidden letters, collecting treats along the way. Once all the letters have been collected, the final stop reveals a code word, which earns an extra treat.
The centre’s Eventbrite page describes the same trail slightly differently, as a hunt for hidden Halloween icons, and says solving the codeword unlocks a bonus gift. Its FAQ confirms that each participant gets a map to find the hidden letters, so ask at the Information Desk if the wording confuses you.
| Step | What the centre says |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check in at the Information Desk near The Body Shop |
| 2 | Collect a paper trail map (the centre says it is not a digital experience) |
| 3 | Follow the clues, find the hidden letters and collect lollies from participating stores |
| 4 | At the final stop, reveal the hidden code word for an extra treat |
How do I book, and what are the session times?
The centre sends you to its Scare in the Square Eventbrite listing. Booking is free, and the listing is marked “Multiple dates”. The event’s overall hours are 10am to 3pm, but the session start times were not shown on the pages we read, so you will see the available times when you book.
The centre says bookings are essential so that it has enough treats for everyone. If you miss your session, its FAQ says you may attend a later time but should be prepared to wait, and that sessions have been staggered through the day to reduce queuing. Terms and conditions apply, and the page does not say whether a booking can be moved, so contact the centre on (08) 8920 2345 if your plans change.
What should we bring?
- A bucket or loot bag. The FAQ says to bring your own to carry the treats.
- A costume. The centre asks you to dress up in your Halloween gear.
- Something to eat or drink if you need it. The FAQ says no food or drink is provided beyond the lollies given out by each participating retailer, though the centre has dining options.
The FAQ says the event is best suited to children aged 3 to 10, and that parents and guardians must remain with their children at all times.
What else is on during the event?
| What | Details from the centre |
|---|---|
| Trick or treat trail | Between 12 and 16 participating stores give out lollies |
| Costume photo prize | Take a photo in your Halloween gear for a chance to win a $200 Casuarina Square gift card (terms apply) |
| Face painting | Free, behind The Coffee Club |
| Music | DJ D’Moss plays in Cas Lane |
| Roving entertainment | Across the centre |
Where do I park at Casuarina Square?
The centre’s location and parking page says Casuarina Square has over 2,400 parking spaces and offers free parking with a 4-hour time limit, plus 90-minute timed parking in selected areas. Each area is marked with its time. The best access to the car parks is from Trower Road, Dripstone Road and Bradshaw Terrace, and Darwin City Council road rules apply within the centre.
The page also says vehicles that do not comply with the car park terms may be issued a parking breach notice of $65.00. It lists “Parents with Prams” spaces, which are extra-wide and close to most entrances, and accessible spaces close to the entrances.
One thing to check before you drive: the centre says upgrades to Woolworths and The Quarter mean temporary changes to some access routes. Certain entry points, walkways and parking areas may be redirected or closed, and the page has maps of the access changes to the Woolworths outdoor car park, to Woolworths and to The Quarter.
Can I get to Casuarina Square by bus or taxi?
The same page says Casuarina Square is a 15-minute drive from the Darwin CBD. For buses, it lists these routes, and warns that weekend services may be limited and to check timetables with the Department of Transport:
| Route | Runs | Days the centre lists |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Darwin to Casuarina, via Charles Darwin University, Alawa, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff and Fannie Bay | Monday to Sunday, including public holidays |
| 5 | Casuarina to Darwin, via Moil, Marrara, Berrimah and Winnellie | Monday to Friday only |
| 9 | Casuarina to Palmerston, via Karama, Berrimah and Pinelands | Monday to Sunday, including public holidays |
| 10 | Darwin to Casuarina, via Alawa, Rapid Creek, Ludmilla, Parap and Stuart Park | Monday to Sunday, including public holidays |
The event is on a Saturday, and route 5 is not listed as running on Saturdays. The taxi rank is on Bradshaw Terrace, just outside the Food Court. The centre says you can book a taxi 24 hours a day with the Blue Taxi Company on 138 294.
What are the centre’s hours, and what facilities are there?
The centre’s opening hours page lists Saturday trading as 9am to 5pm, so the centre is open for the whole of the 10am to 3pm event. The Quarter restaurants are open daily from 11am, with individual retailers’ hours possibly different. The families and children page lists Parents’ Rooms near Athlete’s Foot, in the Food Court and in The Quarter, and says the Parents’ Rooms near Athlete’s Foot, near Woolworths and in the Food Court have microwave ovens. It also lists one playground, in the Food Court.
Who do I contact with questions?
The centre’s phone number is (08) 8920 2345, and its address is 247 Trower Road, Casuarina NT 0810. The event is organised by Casuarina Square, and the Eventbrite listing has a Contact link for the organiser. The centre is the right place to ask about a booking, since the Eventbrite page is the only booking route the centre points to. Both the centre’s page and the Eventbrite listing say the event is free, and Eventbrite lists no ticket charge.
Sources
- Casuarina Square — Join the Centre-wide trick or treat event (checked 27 October 2026)
- Eventbrite — Scare in the Square (event description and FAQ)
- Casuarina Square — Location and Parking
- Casuarina Square — Opening Hours
- Casuarina Square — Families and Children
Featured image: Casuarina Square entrance, Darwin, September 2025 (photo: DaHuzyBru / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Casuarina Square, Sentinel Property Group or Eventbrite. Event details can change; check the centre’s event page before you go.