Held every September, the Desert Song Festival celebrates Aboriginal languages and cultures through performances that foster pride, resilience and social cohesion. Central Australia’s cultural and artistic history goes back 60,000 years. The depth of knowledge and wisdom contained within this 60,000-year-old culture and its country has been shared through song over ten annual festivals, so far.
2024 marks the 11th anniversary of DSF and will be the last to be curated by Founding Director Morris Stuart AM. This year's festival is your last chance to experience Morris' brand of artistic direction! Maybe this is the year for you to take that 'essential Australian journey' to the desert heart of Australia to connect with the landscape, with the long-standing custodians, their culture, lore, and languages, and perhaps discover something new about your country, about what it means to be Australian and even about yourself!
2024 edition of the Desert Song Festival was the last one to run in the same format that it was known for over past 11 years. We are waiting for an update on a Legacy Event which will most likely be held over a weekend at Ormiston Gorge. Please keep watching this space.
Desert Song Festival at Olive Pink Botanic Gardens
Ormiston Gorge
Aperture, Todd Mall
Use your daylight hours wisely and take some day trips through the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. You’ll be able to take a dip in a desert gorge waterhole and marvel at the extreme rock formations and dry riverbeds. Glide gently over Alice Springs with views of the sunrise from a hot air balloon, or visit the Alice Springs Desert Park, where you’ll learn about the native plants and animals of the Red Centre.
There is also a range of museums and historical sites within walking and cycling distance in and around Alice Springs. The Old Gaol and the Central Australian Aviation Museum have fantastic collections that will take you on a trip back in time.
There is a range of accommodation within Alice Springs. There are options to suit every budget and range, from family-friendly to solo travellers.
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