Drones are to be trialled in the Northern Territory, delivering medical supplies and collecting pathology samples from remote communities that can be cut off in the wet season.

The NT Health Department says it is looking at using the technology to service 80 remote healthcare clinics in areas that can be hard to reach or inaccessible during bad weather, such as the towns Maningrida and Gunbalanya in West Arnhem Land. 

It has partnered with Charles Darwin University and transport research centre iMove Australia to deliver the $1.4 million three-year trial. 

While details are still being worked out, the drones, which can cost up to $500,000 each, are likely to carry loads of up to 25kg and travel as far as 250km.