Kakadu > Destinations > Katherine > Festivals and events
Katherine Country Music Muster
Enjoy country music, Katherine style. The Katherine Country Music Muster features three days of non-stop music and events such as a cavalcade street parade, busking competition, songwriters competition and on stage entertainment at the Outback Heritage Museum grounds. There are full bar and catering facilities and basic camping facilities are available.
Pine Creek Gold Rush
The quiet town of Pine Creek was brought to life when gold was discovered in Pine Creek in 1871 by construction workers on the Overland Telegraph Line. Visitors can soak up some of that old pioneering spirit from the treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites that surround the area.
Merrepen Arts Festival
The annual Merrepen Arts Festival is held in June on the beautiful banks of the Daly River at the friendly community of Nauiyu. The festival has something for everyone with art sales and auctions, traditional music and dance, bush tucker displays and tasting as well as a football and sporting carnival.
The Katherine area hosts a variety of events every year.
Some are whacky, all are unique and they're hugely popular with both locals and visitors.
Many events make the most of Katherine's abundance of watercourses. A number of major annual fishing competitions are held on the bigger rivers like the Daly, and the Katherine Canoe Marathon is staged on the winding Katherine River where, for nearly 50 kilometres, entrants paddle to raise funds for charity.
The Katherine Country Music Muster includes a pub crawl, 'big brekky' and busking competitions. Other festivals celebrate the regions gold mining history, like the Pine Creek Goldrush Festival, and the strong Aboriginal culture of the area is highlighted at the Merrepen Arts Festival and the Barunga Festival.
An outback destination like Katherine wouldn't be the same without rodeos and camp drafting events and these are held regularly along with horseracing meets and the annual Katherine Show.
