About the Festival
Our Mission, Vision, and Region
The Saltwater Freshwater Festival is the premier Aboriginal cultural festival on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Led entirely by Indigenous voices, our festival celebrates the living cultures of the four nations of the Mid North Coast. In 2026, the Saltwater Freshwater Festival is proudly held at the stunning North Coast Regional Botanical Garden in Coffs Harbour, on the lands of the Gumbaynggirr people. We embrace the theme, Reflect. Respect. Celebrate – The Next Generation Rising, as it invites us to reflect on the past, respect culture, Country and Elders, and celebrate the next generation. Together, we honour tradition while embracing the future, sharing stories, culture, and creativity with community.
Our Region: Saltwater to Freshwater
Our cultural footprint spans the Mid North Coast of NSW, bringing together communities from the coast (Saltwater) inland to the plains and rivers (Freshwater). The festival proudly celebrates the richness, resilience, and diversity of the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, Biripi, and Worimi cultures. Our unique role is to amplify these four distinct nations, fostering pride, understanding, and reconciliation through vibrant, inclusive programming.
Vision
A nation where Aboriginal culture is celebrated, respected, and central to our shared identity.
Mission
To deliver a premier regional festival that honours Aboriginal living culture, empowers communities, and fosters reconciliation through inclusive and vibrant cultural experiences.
Origin and History
Fifteen years ago, ten Aboriginal communities across the Mid North Coast of NSW came together to create a bold and visionary celebration of culture.
The very first Saltwater Freshwater Festival was held on Australia Day 2010 at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour. Hosted by the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, this was more than an event; it was a powerful statement about Aboriginal culture being central to Australia’s identity and future. It offered a powerful platform for truth-telling, cultural celebration, and shared reflection, presenting a positive and progressive vision for reconciliation in Australia.
That inaugural event attracted over 15,000 people, far exceeding expectations and demonstrating the community’s deep appetite for connection, healing, and celebration. Since then, the festival has continually evolved. While we rotated between the four nations of the region to deepen local engagement, our return to January 26th in 2026 proudly reinforces our original mission: to reclaim the day as an opportunity for truth, unity, and cultural pride.
Across the years, the festival has drawn crowds and acclaim with headliners like Archie Roach, Emily Wurramara, and Troy Cassar-Daley. At its heart, the Saltwater Freshwater Festival remains focused on local talent, intergenerational learning, and community strength, showcasing incredible First Nations Artists and embracing the future, sharing stories, culture, and creativity with community.