NT The best Aboriginal cultural festivals

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Immerse yourself in the rich history, culture and beauty of Indigenous Australia at the best Aboriginal festivals in the Northern Territory. Whether you’re into traditional art, are mesmerised by Indigenous song and dance, or are keen to delve into the everyday life of remote communities, these are the festivals you’ll want on your travel calendar.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

Alice Springs

9–18 April 2021

For 10 nights, the majestic MacDonnell Ranges are lit up with large-scale light installations as part of the highly anticipated Parrtjima – A festival in Light. Casey Donovan is among the numerous musicians set to wow visitors to the Alice Springs festival , and you won’t want to miss the live talks by guests such as award-winning writer Bruce Pascoe (Dark Emu, 2018).

Parrtjima Fetsival 2018, NT
The majestic MacDonnell Ranges are lit up with large-scale light installations, (Image: Parrtjima/NTMEC)

Rounding out one of the Northern Territory’s best festivals is a program of workshops (textiles, wood carvings, metal sculpture and painting), films and art. The festival spreads across three venues: Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park and Todd Mall.

Couple at Parrtjima, NT
A couple taking in the incredible installations at Parrtjima. (Image: Tourism NT/KWP!)

Taste of Kakadu

Kakadu National Park

28-30 May 2021

A celebration of Kakadu’s cuisine and culture, Taste of Kakadu is the pinnacle festival for anyone wanting to delve into the surprises and delights of bush food. Across three days, you’ll get to: learn traditional cooking techniques and recipes from locals; enjoy contemporary Aboriginal dishes while watching the sun set across this World Heritage-listed park; take in an al fresco art exhibit; and sample interesting foods such as buffalo tongue and cured emu egg yolk. An Aussie culinary holiday doesn’t get much more enriching than this.

Kakadu plum fruit salad, Taste of Kakadu, NT
Kakadu plum fruit salad. (Image: Tourism NT)

Barunga Festival

Barunga, 80 kilometres south-east of Katherine

11–13 June 2021

Storytelling circles, AFL games and a didgeridoo competition bring to life the essence of Aboriginal communities at the annual Barunga Festival , known to attract 4000-strong crowds. Located in the remote community of Barunga, near Katherine, the tropical winter festival features a fantastic line-up of live music, displays of Indigenous art, softball and basketball games, bush tucker and bush medicine workshops, and traditional dancing.

Aboriginal Dance - Barunga Festival, NT
Aboriginal Dance being performed at Barunga Festival. (Image: Tourism NT/Stephen Parry)

There are also plenty of fun things for kids to do, including damper making, and a range of good food options, and you can pitch a tent and stay for the three days. Barunga is all about sharing Aboriginal culture with a broader community, and is a fabulous introduction to Indigenous Australia.

Performance at Barunga Festival, NT
Barunga is all about sharing Aboriginal culture with a broader community. (Image: Tourism NT/Peter Eve)

GARMA Festival

Gulkula, Arnhem Land

30 July – 2 August 2021

One of the most well-known Aboriginal events in Australia and heralded as the biggest celebration of Indigenous heritage in the country, GARMA Festival is four days of dance, ceremony, song and art at Gulkula, a sacred site on the Gove Peninsula, north-east Arnhem Land. Into its 22nd year, the festival is about local Yolngu clans coming together to share their knowledge and culture through daily workshops, discussions and debates.

The Groote Eylandt
The Groote Eylandt mob takes to the Bunggul. (Credit: Elise Hassey)

Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, GARMA is more than your typical celebration, with education a large focus, however travellers to this remote corner of the country can still expect to be mesmerised by sunset dances, performances by emerging and established artists, and traditional art. (Tickets are limited due to Covid-19.)

A young girl at Garma
A young Garma-goer gets into the spirit. (Credit: Elise Hassey)

Darwin Festival

Darwin

5–22 August 2021

One of the best places to see local NT artists and performers is at Darwin Festival . Showcasing international acts (during pre-Covid years), while supporting homegrown talents, the festival is a great mix of entertainment during the region’s dry season. The main festivities of the award-winning event take place in Festival Park in the CBD, with art exhibits and performances held at venues across the city.

Darwin Festival, NT
Darwin Festival is one of the best places to see local NT artists and performers. (Image: Tourism NT/Elise Derwin)

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Darwin

6–8 August 2021

Having the opportunity to buy Aboriginal art direct from about 70 Indigenous-owned art centres in the Northern Territory is one of the highlights of Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair . Art masterclasses and talks, fashion displays, traditional dance and film are also on the schedule. The event is currently planned to be held in Darwin, however, stay tuned for updates in case Covid restrictions force the festival online.

Darwin-Aboriginal art fair
Tangentyere artists and Yarrenyty Arltere artists booth at the 2019 Darwin-Aboriginal art fair. (Image: Dylan Buckee_

Freedom Day Festival

Kalkaringi and Daguragu, 480 kilometres south-west of Katherine

27–29 August 2021

If you’re searching for a festival that’s different to the norm – perhaps you’ve been to a few already – then Freedom Day Festival is a wonderful event that celebrates Aboriginal Land Rights and unity, and focuses on harnessing a positive future. In 2021, organisers are marking the festival’s 55th anniversary with a party centred around music, art, sport and culture.

Freedom Festival, NT
Freedom Day Festival is a wonderful event that celebrates Aboriginal Land Rights and unity. (Image: Susanna Tosh)

The festival takes place on Gurindji country, in the communities of Kalkaringi and Daguragu (formerly Wave Hill), on the Buntine Highway around five hours south-west of Katherine. Aim to arrive on the festival’s eve so you can enjoy the Welcome to Country and community march the following morning. There are basic campgrounds to stay in; check with organisers if visitor permits are required.

Freedom Day Festival, NT
Enjoy the Welcome to Country and community march. (Image: Susanna Tosh)

Desert Festival

Alice Springs

23 September – 3 October 2021

One of the easiest Aboriginal festivals to reach is Desert Festival , held at various locations throughout Alice Springs. You won’t need a 4WD to get here (you can fly) and you can return to a modern hotel, instead of a campground, at the end of each day. Let’s say it’s a good go-to for those who like a little comfort with their festival experience. Visitors can see films and theatre, enjoy art and music, and attend workshops and talks over the course of the 10-day event.

Desert Festival, NT
The Alice Springs World Chamber Orchestra live amongst nature at the Alice Springs Desert Park for Desert Festival.
Jennifer Ennion
Jennifer Ennion is a freelance travel and ski journalist who loves encouraging people to spend more time outdoors. From snorkelling with belugas in sub-Arctic Canada to hiking the Himalayas, Jennifer is constantly searching for stories that inspire readers to push their boundaries.
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8 Red Centre locations to explore after seeing the new movie, Kangaroo

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film
See Kangaroo, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre
Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move
Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs
Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs
Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs
Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs
Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs
Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs
Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.