6 June 2026
The Territory’s history and culture is attracting national and international attention, as events and experiences set the Territory apart.Barunga Festival has broken previous booking records, as major events and park openings continue to drive visitors into the Territory’s regions.The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing local, sport and major events as we rebuild the economy and restore our unique Territory lifestyle.
Territory events continue to defy the odds as Barunga Festival welcomes a record-breaking number of visitors – supported by the Finocchiaro CLP Government.
Held in the Big Rivers region over the King’s Birthday long weekend, Barunga Festival is the latest in a jam-packed pipeline of events, as the Territory’s visitor economy and lifestyle take centre stage.
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality and Minister for Major Events, Marie-Clare Boothby, said that cultural events and experiences like Barunga play an important role in promoting the Territory and growing visitor numbers, especially in the regions.
“We know that the Territory’s unique, ancient history and authentic cultural experiences are a big part of our tourism offering,” Minister Boothby said.
“It attracts visitors to our regions during and beyond our peak tourist season, filling our hotels and hospitality venues, and supporting local businesses and local jobs.
“We’re backing events like this because we want to see tourism and hospitality thrive, with new opportunities and bookable products for visitors, and more for Territorians to enjoy.”
Member for Katherine, Jo Hersey, said it was great to see visitors coming back to the region after the floods earlier in the year.
“Our cultural experiences are an important part of rebuilding the economy and bring people from all over the world to the Territory.
“It’s good timing too, as Territory parks across the region continue to open, including in parts of Nitmiluk, and both of the Hot Springs in Mataranka.”
Barunga Festival comes after Paartjima saw its biggest opening weekend on record with nearly 23,000 attendances across the 10-day festival.
The Territory’s one-of-a-kind experiences continue to receive national and international attention. The New York Times has celebrated the Territory’s “rich Aboriginal culture”. National Geographic praised Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa as “a beautiful landscape full of art centres and traditional storytelling”. Australian Traveller recently named Nhulunbuy and Wurrumiyanga among the “top 10 towns shaping Australia’s arts and culture scene”.
The Larrakia Cultural Centre has already been named by BBC Travel as one of the six most anticipated museum openings of 2026. And this year, the Darwin Street Art Festival features a vibrant Indigenous Art Trail, as the City of Darwin becomes a sky-high canvas.
“The world is discovering what Territorians have always known: that there’s nowhere like the Northern Territory,” Minister Boothby said.
“From Aboriginal culture and our unrivalled military history, to our sport, events and natural beauty, we truly are one-of-a-kind.
“In our year of growth, certainty and security, we’ll continue to back the events, operators and communities that are helping rebuild the economy and restore our unique Territory lifestyle.”
The Territory’s events pipeline continues with Aboriginal cultural events including:
• Garrmalang Festival, 12 to 13 June, Darwin
• Desert Harmony Festival, 31 July to 3 August, Barkly
• Garma Festival, 31 July to 3 August, northeast Arnhem Land
• National Indigenous Fashion Awards, 5 August, Darwin
• Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, 6 to 9 August, Darwin
• Mahbili Festival, 28 to 29 August, Jabiru
• Desert Mob, 10 September to 10 October, Alice Springs
Barunga Festival runs through the long weekend, from today to 8 June 2026. More details about upcoming events can be found at www.northernterritory.com.
