Alcohol-fuelled New Year's Day antics ended badly for a number of people in the Northern Territory.

A 25-year-old man was arrested after returning from a boozy fishing trip at Nhulunbuy in Arnhem Land.

He lost control of his vehicle and the $40,000 boat he was towing crashed into a power pole.

Police say the boat was damaged beyond repair and the man has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Watch Commander Gary Smith says a 30-year-old man was arrested for drink driving after attempting to buy alcohol at a drive-in bottle shop at Rapid Creek in Darwin while already more than four times over the legal limit.

He says another man was caught doing burn-outs in front of a police station at Numbulwar, 400 kilometres east of Katherine.

"Numerous people were in the area ... and had to get out of the way," he said.