Mataranka Events

Friday, May 24, 2013

Never Never Festival (Outback Festivals)

Welcome to the Never Never Festival Mataranka NT

A magical weekend filled with fun for all the family.

A bumper, magical weekend filled with lots of activities for all ages.

The weekend starts on Friday with the Biggest Morning Tea in the picturesque grounds of the Mataranka Store supporting the Cancer, Council Fundraising, Coodardie Brahmans Stud Cattle Auction with Ray White Rural - sale open to the public - on Friday afternoon followed by a family evening of “Walk-Up Bush Yarns and Poetry” and a camp oven stew and damper meal at the Territory Manor. Come and share your poem or yarn or just enjoy those of others as well as being entertained by special guest artist Tim Rickards from Alice Springs.

Saturday a Family Fun Day in the park with fun activities with the KICS (Katherine Isolated Children’s Service), Life Be In It activities, a jumping castle and water slide and be entertained by The Amazing Drumming Monkeys from Adelaide -2 free performances.

The Stockyard Gallery and Garden Café has book signing by local authors and Indigenous artist and author Reggie Sultan will be in residence.

A cricket match at the Sport and Recreation will precede a Gymkhana and Jackpot Bull Ride and be followed by live entertainment with the Baker Bros band from Darwin.

On Sunday a Bush Chapel service will be held in the park and a market at the Territory Manor.

Opportunities for stalls on Saturday and Sunday-and performers on Saturday.

Other activities include a photo competition –entries close April 29 –Theme Boots and/or Hats, Museum and Library open at various times, lots of catering at the venues and two Thermal pools to swim and relax in at any time.

Community Event of the Year  - 2011 Never Never Festival
This award recipient was co-ordinated by the Mataranka Better Half Club committee and brings visitors to our town each year as well as a lot of publicity. A lot of hard work goes into it each year by the locals and each year it is getting bigger and better.