2026 Program

Opening Event

Passageways [Caminos]

Included with Festival/Day Pass, Individually Ticketed Event

Bridging poetry, science and culture.

Where

Ilwempe Ilwempe/White Gums

274 Bullen Rd, Whitegums, NT 0870

When

Thursday 20 August, 6:00 pm

– 9:30 pm

Red Dirt Poetry Festival (Central Australia) has joined forces with Chile’s International Poetry Festival (ACRUX – Festival Internacional de Poesia) to create a unique South-to-South cultural exchange, connecting communities from coast to desert through shared southern skies.

With nine poets – six Australian and three Chilean working with Australian Scientists to explore three core concepts, Waterways, Signways & Skyways merging poetry with science, culminating in the opening night event of Red Dirt Poetry Festival in Mparntwe, Central Australia.

Gates open at 6pm for a 7pm showtime.

Seating will be available but feel free to bring a camp chair or picnic blanket for comfort.

This is a BYO event – food vans will be onsite.

Parking is limited; bus transfers available from Crowne Plaza (Lasseters) at 6pm.

Venue address is 274 Bullen Rd, Whitegums, Mparntwe, NT 0870

Featured artists

Diego Colonnello

Dr Adam Yates

Dr Tim Patston

Faumelisa Manquepillan

Jazz Money

Jihad Yassine

Juan Garrido Salgado

Julio Carrasco

Melanie Mununggurr

Rob Waters

Tisha Carter

Victoria Alondra