To immerse in the full spectrum of programmed activities we recommend arriving on Thursday afternoon/evening and leaving on Tuesday morning.
Gates will open to the public at 5.30 pm on Thursday 1 August. We encourage guests to eat a meal in their transit location before getting on your flight to Gove.
Festival programming and activities commence Friday 2 August and end Monday evening at approximately 9 pm.
The official opening of the Festival commences at 4 pm Friday
The official closing of the Festival commences at 4 pm Monday
Gates will close to the public at 10 am on Tuesday, 6 August.
There are regular flights ex Cairns and ex Darwin to Gove Airport.
We would recommend purchasing your airfares in advance as it’s a busy time of the year in the NT and prices reflect this.
Airnorth operates daily flights to Gove from Darwin Airport (1 hour 10 mins) and Cairns Airport (1 hour 40 mins), both of which connect with flights from other capital cities. For the latest Airnorth flight schedule, please visit the Airnorth website.
There is also a range of smaller charter companies that offer flights to northeast Arnhem Land from Darwin, learn more about the companies offering charter flight services here.
Please note that all travel arrangements are the responsibility of each guest; if you require assistance with booking flights we recommend:
Entertainment Travel Partners
Brad Thomas Phone: 02 9280 3767 or email: Travel Partners
We provide complimentary bus transfers from Gove Airport to the site and return at the end of your Festival experience.
Arrivals:
When you have collected your luggage, please wait outside at the signed “Garma Bus Stop” for collection by Bus Coach. Don’t worry, we know when the commercial planes are landing and will be there to meet you.
If you are chartering a private plane, it’s really important that you let us know those arrival and departure details so we can pick you up. Please email: admin@garmafestival.com.au
Departures:
We ask that you be ready for pick up at the Garma Festival Main Ticketing desk 2 hours before your flight departure time. 2 hours is plenty of time for us to get you to Gove Airport for your flight. Please note, the buses will not wait for you so be organised and allow plenty of time.
Around town:
We do not provide any other transport to and from the event. If you choose to stay off-site or wish to venture into town during the festival you will need to make these arrangements privately and at your own cost.
We do not provide pick-ups from Nhulunbuy Town Centre.
Kansas Transport: 08 8987 2872
Gove Rentals: 08 8987 1700
Manny’s Car Hire: 08 8972 2300
If you are considering driving to the Garma Festival you can via the Central Arnhem Road, the turnoff is 50 kilometres south of Katherine and then it is 675 kilometres from this turn-off to Nhulunbuy.
A four-wheel drive is essential for travelling the Central Arnhem Road as the majority of the road is unsealed. The road conditions can vary from sealed roads to gravel and dirt road. You will come across some difficult river crossings, large corrugations and roads are often prone to washout.
Do not swim at the river crossings as saltwater crocodiles inhabit these areas. Be particularly careful driving at night as buffaloes and other animals tend to stray across the roads.
Be sure to drive to the conditions at all times. Carry plenty of food, fuel and water, spare tyre(s), puncture repair kit and mobile service that can be used in remote areas.
Before travelling, we recommend that you check the road conditions here.
When travelling along the Central Arnhem Road a permit is required from the Northern Land Council.
The Northern Land Council have allowed all ticket holders to use their Garma Ticket as their permit to travel directly to the Garma Festival site via the Central Arnhem Road. This permit does not cover guests wanting to visit other sites or communities in the Arnhem Land area. You will have to apply for additional permit/s from Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation or the Northern Land Council.
For information regarding permit applications please check the Northern Land Council and the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation websites.
PLEASE NOTE: The Northern Land Council advise that permission will NOT be granted for any travel via the Ramingining Road.
We cannot cater for any type of campervans, camping trailers or camping vehicles onsite due to limited space. If you choose to attend Garma Festival, you will be required to source a location in Nhulunbuy to leave your van/trailer. We are unable to assist in those arrangements.
The Garma Festival is intended to be a bush camping experience and the festival site is well set up for this. Camping with us onsite enables guests a greater opportunity to experience the event, its special character, purpose and essence. However, if you choose to stay offsite discounts are not available to guests who forego their camping entitlements. If you do opt to not camp at the festival, accommodation facilities in Nhulunbuy are very limited and can book out very quickly. We do not take responsibility for travel or accommodation arrangements for participants who elect to stay offsite.
Gove Peninsula T: 08 8987 0700 Website enquiries
Walkabout Lodge T: 08 8939 2000 Website enquiries
