An insider’s guide to visiting Darwin’s Aboriginal Art Fair

Leah McLennan Leah McLennan
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It’s the liveliest time of year to visit Darwin, when the days are not too hot, not too wet, and the city comes alive with one of the biggest events on the Indigenous art calendar.

Every August the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair attracts thousands of people to see the canvases, bark paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles and jewellery presented by First Nations artists from across the country.

Under the umbrella of the Darwin Festival, the art fair takes place over three days in August alongside several other major Indigenous events. Grab the calendar and squeeze in: an exquisite runway parade as part of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards; a night under the stars at the National Indigenous Music Awards; and a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair  – or DAAF for short – before visiting Darwin.

What is the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair?

The first DAAF was held in 2015 and it has grown to secure a reputation as one of the country’s most significant Indigenous art events.

an Indigenous artist at the annual DAAF, Injalak Arts tour with Venture North
Meet Indigenous curators and artists at the Injalak Arts tour. (Image: Tourism NT/James Fisher)

Taking place annually in the huge 4000 square-metre air-conditioned exhibition hall of the Darwin Waterfront’s convention centre, the fair has become a true celebration of First Nations art and culture; a vivid, joyous coming together of artists, art admirers, performers, designers and art centres.

With a buzzing marketplace where buyers have access to artists connected to more than 70 remote Indigenous art centres (and where 100 per cent of the money from the sale of artworks goes directly to the artists and their communities) it’s all about creativity, interaction, knowledge sharing and of course, shopping.

visitors at the Darwin Convention Centre during the annual DAAF
The annual DAAF is held at the Darwin Convention Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

When is the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair?

For 2024, DAAF is running from 9th to 11th August.

The Darwin Festival will take place from 8th to 25th August 2024. Running alongside DAAF is Country to Couture, a high-energy runway event on 6th August 2024, presenting collections from some of Australia’s most talented First Nations fashion designers and artists working in remote Indigenous communities.

a woman flaunting an Indigenous fabric with beautiful patterns at the annual DAAF
Indigenous art takes centre stage at the annual DAAF. (Image: Tourism NT)

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Highlights of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Besides the diverse artworks on display and for sale from over 1,500 artists, highlights of the fair include the (ticketed) opening ceremony, artist talks and masterclasses, as well as traditional dance and (for the young at heart) the children’s activity station.

Aboriginal artwork on display at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre
You’ll find various Aboriginal artwork on display from Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/Felix Baker)

Workshops can include soft sculpture making with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, or sitting with master weavers from Injalak Arts in Gunbalanya or the renowned Numbulwar Numburindi Arts to learn the process of weaving a basket.

an artist weaving a basket at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre
Sit with master weavers to learn the process of creating intricately woven baskets. (Image: Tourism NT/Felix Baker)

Each year the fair grows in physical events so it feels different from year to year as it welcomes more visitors who come to immerse themselves in the oldest living cultures on earth.

a colourful display of Gunbalaya artwork at the DAAF
See a remarkable display of artwork from Injalak Arts in Gunbalanya at the DAAF. (Image: Tourism NT/Felix Baker)

How to buy Aboriginal Art ethically

One of the motivating principles of DAAF is to educate and encourage buyers to think and act ethically when it comes to purchasing Indigenous art. Buying art in person and online during the fair comes with the reassurance that no commission is charged, with all money going to the artists or Aboriginal-owned and operated community art centres.

Aboriginal artwork on display at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre
Check out an array of Indigenous artworks at DAAF 2024. (Image: Tourism NT/Felix Baker)

While this exacting standard ensures the relationships formed at DAAF between artists and art lovers are mutually beneficial and morally responsible, it also confirms the foundation’s focus on fostering an environment in which Indigenous artists’ depth of talent and craftsmanship is celebrated and appreciated.

In fact, this is something the foundation champions 365 days a year, including by encouraging prospective buyers to be informed and guided by the Indigenous Art Code . The code is designed to ensure that artists are treated fairly, honestly and respectfully. It encourages buyers to ask the art centre, dealer or gallery three key questions: who is the artist? Where are they from? How does the artist get paid?

an Indigenous painter at the Injalak Arts Tour
Immerse yourself in the outstanding artistry of the works on display. (Image: Tourism NT/James Fisher)

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Details for visiting

Entry costs: Free. The opening ceremony takes place on a Thursday evening and tickets can be purchased through the Darwin Festival.

Opening times: Friday 10am to 4pm; Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 10am to 4pm. 

Accessibility: Darwin Convention Centre is easily accessible for parents with prams, the disabled and the elderly. 

Getting there: Darwin Convention Centre is located at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, a popular tourist area that is a five-minute walk from the Darwin CBD.

Parking: Darwin Convention Centre has easily accessible public car parks.

Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem . It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy , also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au .