Barunga Festival
Barunga Festival brings remote communities together for three days of music, sport and traditional arts over the June long weekend, hosted by the Bagala clan at Barunga community southeast of Katherine. Running since 1985, it is one of the Territory's most important community festivals, famous as the birthplace of the Barunga Statement and the seed of Yothu Yindi's Treaty.
What to expect
Around 4,000 visitors camp on country as guests of the community, with football and basketball carnivals, spear throwing, weaving and bush-tucker workshops running beside the music program. It is a genuine cultural exchange rather than a spectator event, and it asks the respect that implies.
- Indigenous Culture
- Music
- Sport
Getting there by bus
Tell us where you're starting from and we'll find coach options to Katherine, the nearest coach-served town.
Barunga is about an hour by road south-east of Katherine, the nearest coach-served town.
Fares and timetables are confirmed on the operator's site before you book.
Travelling as a group? Hire a bus with a driver
Tell us about the trip and we'll connect you with an accredited charter operator — minibus to full-size coach, anywhere in Australia. The operator quotes you directly; AusBus adds no fees.