Manchester attack: The 'Darwin way' that saved an Australian man and his daughter at the Ariana Grande concert

A Northern Territory man and his daughter have credited the "Darwin way" for their lucky escape from injury in the Manchester terror bombing.

David Black, from Palmerston 50km southeast of Darwin, and Peta, 12, were at the Ariana Grande concert where the attack took place.

He said a decision to delay their departure from the concert hall likely saved them, given they were going to exit the arena where the bomber targeted. 

"We were very lucky," he told Top End radio station Mix 104.9.

"It's the old Darwin way, when we weren't really in a rush to leave."

Mr Black said he decided to wait with his daughter to see if the singer would come back on stage.

"If we had’ve left 10 minutes earlier, we would have been right where it was," he said.

A suicide bomber blew himself up as concertgoers left Manchester Arena, killing 22 people including children.

Another 59 people were injured as the bomb sent nuts and bolts cascading through the crowds.

Mr Black's family was on holiday in the UK visiting relatives when he decided to take his daughter to the US pop star's concert.