View the Printable Program of Events

Poets’ Breakfast 7.30am – 10am
Early risers can join us in the cool of the morning and listen to local poets reciting their own work and the works of other local poets. For any visiting bards, there will be an open mic to present their verse to the assembled crowd. Tuck into a bacon and egg burger (small fee) and enjoy listening to performances under the trees. Follow the signs at the Batchelor Oval. More Info

Twitchathon 8am – 10am
Ever wondered about ‘Twitching’ – the art of bird watching? Explore the wonders of this sport with local enthusiasts. Prizes on offer to the individual who spots the most birds. Open to all ages. Follow signs at Batchelor Oval. More Info

Market stalls - 9am till late
Carefully selected market stalls surround the oval under a canopy of shady trees. Browse through local art and craft, jewellery, hats, wood crafts, clothing, homemade produce, second hand books and goods, hammocks, plants and seeds. The students from Woolaning Homelands Christian College will showcase their Indigenous arts, with other local traditional woven baskets and mats for purchase.

Traditional Weaving Workshop
Get in early to secure your spot with Jeannie in her highly sought after traditional weaving workshop. Jeannie will share with you the secrets to great weaving.

Shake, Rattle & Roll
This workshop works well with people of all ages and includes elements of experimentation, discovery, traditional practices using natural art and recycled materials. Learn basic basket making techniques or make noisy shakers. Two hour workshop in the morning and afternoon. Get in early. More Info

Traditional Blacksmith
Don’t miss the blacksmith and his noisy haven of fire and creation. Watch him use a forge and create items the old fashioned way.

Coomalie Cultural Centre 10am-3pm
A very special open day on Saturday 31 July. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase original artworks from the Art and Craft students of the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Education. Cash only purchases. Coomalie Cultural Centre, cnr Awilla Road and Nurndina Streets, Batchelor. More Info

Gillian Hunter “The Great Green Ideas” 11am-6pm ,
This exhibition is the result of living in a remote Northern Territory town for the past 10 years and watching with despair the wanton, unthinking destruction of its natural environment. View and purchase some eclectic works of art by this talented artist. Bicentennial Park (opposite Festival). More Info

Rum Jungle Dash - all day
Throughout the day the Rural Athletics Club will be recording 100m sprint times in the lead up to the ‘Rum Jungle Dash' at 1pm. Sponsored by D&M Enterprises, this new event has great prize money for 1st place in each category. More Info Entry Form

Jimmy’s Gift - 10am
Ready set go for the under 16’s sprint with wonderful prizes. More Info

Bug Drive In
For those that would rather get there on wheels, dress up your vehicle and join the ‘Bug Drive In’ from Noonamah Tavern with VW Beetles, ‘BUACA’ Motorcycle Club and Variety Club vehicles.

Entertainment - various times
Local Coomalie Kids will be entertaining the crowd with poetry, street theatre, dancing and a taste of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Choirs from Batchelor Area School and Taminmin College will be on the main stage in the late morning. More Info

As the afternoon rolls in swing to the live music and shake your hips to Shimmy all Over Belly Dancers

Stay on into the evening with special guests Barry Brown and the Get Down and funky group SIETTA.

Discover the delights of ‘Mo Blues’ who specialise in a tantalisting mix of country/rock/great blues covers. Side Show Aly and Gai carve up original tunes, which weave tales OF TRAVEL, LOVE, TRIALS AND INTRIGUE from the tropical north.

Soak up the unique sounds of an acoustic steel string with the harmonies of award winning June Mills.

Local hip hop Daly and Mel Devine will also share the evening with us., along with 'A Family Ting'.

Kids stuff - all day
Bring the kids and join us for the ‘Bug Day Out’. A day full of buzzing excitement for all. Enjoy stories and a sing-along, explore the wonders of science, learn about traditional knowledge, and explore your creative side with arts and crafts.

Kids can enter their handmade bug in the Best Bug Competition or build a fantastic castle in the giant sandpit. Let your inner child out and have your face painted while our ‘Hyper’ clown creates you a balloon animal! More Info

The Smile A Mile ‘Fun Bus’ will be set up to help children create a costume to join in the colourful Bug Parade in the afternoon. Adults are most welcome in the parade or just cruise around for the day in their favourite “bug attire”... For the bigger kids cool down with a free waterslide, or challenge yourself on the vertical rock wall (10am - 6pm).

Food stalls provide a range of delicious fare all day and throughout the evening.