Culture. Community. Connection.

When the Story Began

The Saltwater Freshwater Festival will return in January 2026, marking fifteen years since ten Aboriginal communities across the Mid North Coast first united to create a bold, visionary celebration of culture. What began as a pioneering idea has grown into one of the region’s most significant cultural gatherings — a space where music, dance, art and identity come together on Country to strengthen community and inspire future generations.

The story began on Australia Day in 2010, when the very first Saltwater Freshwater Festival was held at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour. Hosted by the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, the event was more than a festival; it was a powerful declaration that Aboriginal culture is central to Australia’s story and its future. It provided a platform for truth-telling, cultural celebration and community reflection — offering a positive, forward-looking vision for reconciliation.

More than 15,000 people attended that inaugural festival, far surpassing expectations and demonstrating a deep community hunger for connection, healing and celebration. Over the years that followed, the festival travelled across the region, rotating between the four nations to strengthen local engagement and honour Country in meaningful ways.

In 2026, the festival proudly returns to January 26, reaffirming its founding purpose: to reclaim the date as an opportunity for truth, unity and cultural pride. The event continues to elevate world-class talent — with past headliners including Archie Roach, Emily Wurramara and Troy Cassar-Daley — while keeping its heart firmly with local artists, cultural practitioners and community storytellers.

As we prepare for the next chapter, the Saltwater Freshwater Festival remains committed to cultural strength, intergenerational learning and the celebration of First Nations creativity. Everyone is invited to come together, share in culture, and be part of this historic moment in 2026.