Desert Song Festival

12/08/2026

Something special is coming to Mparntwe…
EAST OF WEST
ARIA-nominated. Border-crossing. Genre-defying.
And bringing their album launch tour to Alice Springs.
🌿 SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 4–7PM Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Opening the afternoon:
King Marong & Pin Rada — Mparntwe’s own world-music legends.
Three extraordinary musicians.
One exquisite garden.
A Central Australian sunset.
Music that crosses borders and connects people to place.
Bring your people. Bring a picnic. Stay for the sunset.
See you at Olive Pink.

Tickets are $30/$20 concession (kids under 16 free)
https://events.humanitix.com/east-of-west-in-the-centre

Festival Song Festival Australian Singing

12/06/2026

📢 Important Message to Our Community

It is with great regret that we announce that the Kwarta Tuma Festival will not be presented in 2026.

Due to significant personal and organisational circumstances, Festival Director Morris Stuart has stepped back from all project activity throughout 2026 to support his wife and partner, Barb, as she navigates serious health challenges.

As a result, the planning and development required to deliver the festival next year has not been possible. Following consultation with the CAS Inc Management Committee, the Kwarta Tuma Festival team and our key partners, the difficult decision has been made to pause the festival for one year.

This pause will provide an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, build organisational capacity, support the work of our collaborators, and ensure the festival returns stronger and more sustainable in 2027.

While we are disappointed that we will not gather together this year, we believe this is the most responsible path forward and one that will secure a vibrant future for Kwarta Tuma.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our artists, volunteers, partners, supporters and community for your understanding, encouragement and ongoing support during this time.

We look forward to sharing future developments and welcoming everyone back for an exciting return in 2027.

❤️ Thank you for standing with us.

Morris Stuart AM | FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

12/11/2025

On the road again!

Following the artistic triumph of their national tour in March 2025, The NIMA award-winning Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir offers you another rare opportunity to experience this unique vocal ensemble - LIVE in concert in December 2025 in three stunning performances.

6 December 8.00pm, Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
7 December 11.00am Meredith Festival
12 December 7.30pm Hamilton Performing Arts Centre

The incomparable Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir has been impressing audiences across Australia and internationally for over a decade. Be transported by this extraordinary meeting of cultures and an unforgettable experience of song and history.

29/09/2025

Before the dust settles too much, we have a favour to ask of all of you who attended our first Kwarta Tuma Festival. Please click on this link and complete our brief Event Satisfaction Survey. Many thanks!

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

22/09/2025

A new festival is born!

The weather was superb
The Gorge put on its best Centralian clothing
The waterhole had just been refreshed and replenished by an unexpected storm
Camping under the open sky
The sunrise walk up to Ghost Gum
The meditations, the choral workshop
Listening to some amazing music
The magnificent Gala Dinner
And Taarna Valley…Oh Taarna Valley!
And 600 souls shared in and unforgettable A ca****la in the Gorge
The inaugural Kwarta Tuma came, conquered our souls, and left its imprint
…For the next chapter

13/09/2025

Today's wonderful program! 🧡❤💜 Even if you missed out on the new camping experiences of Kwarta Tuma Festival, you can still enjoy the iconic, free, A Ca****la in the Gorge today from 3.45pm. See you there 🎶

12/09/2025

Today's wonderful program! 🧡❤💜

11/09/2025

🧡❤💜 Something Old and Something New this weekend for Kwarta Tuma Festival! ✨

Book your tickets NOW ~ https://desertsong.com.au/

08/09/2025

✨ Thursday Middays at Yaye's Cafe 🎶

Live music with Kirryn, 12pm Thursday the 11th of Sep, in the lead up to Kwarta Tuma Festival this weekend! Kirryn is a local singer and musician, performing a soulful mix of old and new acoustic tunes.

📍Yaye's Cafe in the Araluen Arts Centre precinct. See you there!