Barunga Festival

Barunga Festival returns this year for a special 30th Anniversary celebration.

Held annually on the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend, the remote Indigenous community of Barunga opens its doors to the general public, providing unique insight and celebrating traditional community life. Barunga is located 85kms southeast of Katherine on Central Arnhem Rd – a sealed road not requiring a four-wheel drive. There are approximately 285 people living in Barunga, and more than ten times the population descend on the small community during the Festival, with over 3000 people expected to attend.

This year's line-up is legendary to say the least, featuring a man who needs no introduction, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Paul Kelly, and Australian music royalty Gurrumul, who has performed for the Queen and Barack Obama, and can include Elton John, Quincy Jones and Sting among his fans – not to mention he has just returned from a successful tour in the US. But the goodness doesn’t stop there, with Tiwi Islands six-piece band B2M, Aussie rapper Briggs, and Aussie music legends Neil Murray and Sammy Butcher, both former members of Warumpi Band, making an already amazing program even better.

Barunga Festival incorporates sporting events such as footy, softball and basketball, with cultural activities like traditional music, dance and food. Tickets include camping fees, and it’s a good idea to bring your swimmers, as there’s a croc-free river handy for a nice cool dip – bliss! You don’t want to miss out on this wonderful Festival to witness some of our country’s biggest music icons, whilst getting a glimpse into remote community living, and celebrating the traditions of our country’s first people. Very rarely are we given an opportunity such as this. Happy 30th birthday Barunga, we’ll help you celebrate.

Link to event listing:

http://www.offtheleash.net.au/events/view/barunga-festival