Barunga Festival 2025

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Fri 06 Jun 2025 - Mon 09 Jun 2025

Barunga Festival is for anyone seeking an authentic Aboriginal cultural experience. Immerse yourself in the long and proud tradition of celebrating Indigenous music, culture and sport. A much-loved Territory Festival, it attracts more than 4000 fans, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, who celebrate together in a small community with a population of about 360. Eighty kilometres southeast of Katherine, The Traditional Owners welcome you to camp and take part in a program of activities over the three-day long weekend in June each year. Grown in leaps and bounds over the years, this event has grown in popularity and is now recognised as one of the most significant Indigenous cultural events in Australia. There's a range of activities to be enjoyed, including traditional dance and music performances, art exhibitions, workshops, sports competitions and cultural talks. It's all happening from 6-9 June 2025 and you'll need to start planning ahead. Get your tickets here and head over to Central Arnhem Rd, Barunga NT. See here for the Festival Map .


A festival highlight, the sports and cultural program includes traditional sports such as spear throwing, and tug-of-war, as well as modern sports such as footy and basketball. There's also cultural activities such as storytelling and bush medicine workshops. Find the program online here , and check out your lineup of performers here . Featured in images here are Thelma Plum and Kootsie Don. An incredible Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator, Thelma Plum will be headlining the coveted Saturday night slot. The multi-awarded singer recently released her highly awaited sophomore album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back which instantly became triple J’s Feature Album of the Week. It’s an exclusive NT show and the first time Barunga has been headlined by a woman. A Jawoyn/Larrakia/TSI woman, Kootsie Don is the country’s freshest emerging female rapper. Kootsie’s currently in the studio finalising her next drop titled Go Stupid scheduled for release in Q1 2025 and will dead set get festivals jumping.


Other performers back by popular demand include the Milla Brothers with another round of amped up/syked up rap and dance vibes. N.E. Arnhem Land legendary rock-royalty East Journey will make an appearance as well, and play an exclusive ‘special reunion’ show. East Journey frontman Yolngu Songman Rrawun Maymuru will bring a cosmic element to the line-up with a rare solo performance. Purchase Merch here and look like you belong at this amazing event, while supporting the Barrunga Festival . If you'd like to add a donation to that support, please see here . Most importantly, for all the FAQs, see here . Get details on how to get there, about camping, as there are no hotels at Barunga. Only in Katherine, 80km NW and Mataranka (83 km SW) of Barunga. It's important to read the FAQs to instil in you that it's not safe to swim there, with saltwater crocs about in all Top End waterways. Your personal safety is your responsibility, as is your health, so bring all medications you need with you. You'll find all details via the given links. Stay in touch via Facebook for updates.



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