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Events

Kurrung Sports Carnival

West Arnhem Regional Council is proud to host one of the biggest indigenous sporting events in the Top End.

The Kurrung Sports Carnival has grown to be one of the premiere carnivals which takes place in Jabiru each dry season (August/September), and has a long and proud history of uniting hundreds of sportspeople from remote Arnhem Land communities.

It showcases the incredible talents of regional men’s AFL and basketball teams and women’s basketball teams, while giving them the opportunity to participate in a popular, grassroots sporting competition in a healthy, safe atmosphere.

With a proud tradition of sporting excellence across the region, the Kurrung tournament is an integral part of West Arnhem Land’s identity, which resonates fair play, comradery and team spirit.

Kurrung is a local Aboriginal word for the season when the afternoon breeze, mahbilil, rises, and magpie geese fly in huge numbers across the wetlands to lay their eggs.

Kakadu Triathlon

Take the plunge, ride it out, and do the hard yards!

The popular Kakadu Triathlon is held in May each year and is widely known as a colourful, non-competitive event which attracts people from Jabiru, Darwin, Katherine and beyond.

This event is a drawcard for many who want to participate in a short-distance course and enjoy the surrounds of the World Heritage listed, Kakadu National Park. And, as the event takes place in Jabiru in the early morning, there is plenty of time for participants to explore the great outdoors of Kakadu afterwards to make a whole weekend out of it.

The event aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to ‘have a go’ and all funds raised from the Triathlon are donated to CareFlight – a vital lifesaving organisation in the Top End.

In 2018, West Arnhem Regional Council proudly took over the coordination of this event to secure its future for a long time to come.

Join the Kakadu Triathlon Facebook page or visit the Kakadu Triathlon website

Mahbilil Festival

The Mahbilil Festival is the key cultural event on Jabiru’s calendar which runs in conjunction with the Council’s Kurrung Sports Carnival in the dry season (Kurrung).

This festival is a celebration of the local Kakadu culture which emanates traditional bushfoods, dance and art through bustling market stalls, food vendors, displays, workshops and entertainment.

Organised by the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, the family-friendly event program draws people from all around the Northern Territory to Jabiru, situated in the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

Visit the Mahbilil Festival website