As the tide encroached on hundreds of revellers on a sandbar near Darwin's CBD on Saturday afternoon, the party ended in boat collisions, an alleged serious assault and the mass confiscation of alcohol by police.
One small boat also capsized, according to Northern Territory Police, who in a statement on Sunday morning said they were "disappointed" with some of the behaviour on exhibit out at sea.
Police estimated 600 people attended the sandbar party and said "a large number of people chose to drink excessively, placing them at risk as the tide [began] to rise".
The revellers, some of which Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Caruana described as "extremely intoxicated" after drinking all day on a shadeless island at temperatures in the mid-thirties, were then forced to urgently evacuate the sandbar.
"Water Police … monitored the crowd during the afternoon ensuring all persons were able to evacuate from the sandbar as the spring tide quickly encroached," he said.
A number of altercations broke out between boatloads of revellers as crowds dashed for the mainland, according to police, culminating in the hospitalisation of a 48-year-old man.
Police watch commander Xavier McMahon said investigations into the incident, as well as "a number of identified marine offences", were continuing.
Police seized and destroyed 300 litres of alcohol from the sandbar and party goers were fortunate not to be trapped by tides, according to a statement.
"NT Police are happy for people to enjoy everything the NT has to offer, including our waterways, but are reminded that alcohol and water does not mix."
On Saturday evening, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner posted a video of the sandbar party to his Facebook page.
In the post Mr Gunner spruiked the party as a privilege of strict COVID-19 policies.
"You can't do this in Bondi, but you can do this in Darwin. This is the reward for COVID zero and hard borders — freedom and fun," the post read.
Despite the litany of issues it presented to law enforcement, many who attended the sandbar party took to social media to declare it a great success — with one reveller describing the scene as "like Ibiza".
