Running from May 22-24, the event will feature a diverse range of food, art and cultural experiences.
“This is culture you can taste, hear, see and feel, shared on Country where these stories, skills and traditions have been alive for more than 65,000 years,” said Adrian Buman, Kakadu National Park’s Tourism and Visitor Services Manager.
“From harvesting bush foods to learning ancient art and making tools by hand, Taste of Kakadu offers people the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures.”
The weekend kicks off on May 22 with Yarns by the Fire at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. Visitors can enjoy bush canapés, meet Bininj artists and indulge in refreshments, including a special Taste of Kakadu cocktail.
At the main festival site, Bowali Visitor Centre, renowned chefs Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov of Fervor and Ben Tyler of Kakadu Kitchen will present Kinhkinh – Dinner under the stars.
The evening begins with canapés and a welcome drink designed by Ben Tyler. Guests are then invited to settle in for a four-course dégustation menu with expertly matched wines or non-alcoholic beverages, woven with entertainment and stories of connection.
The main festival day on May 23 will feature market stalls, free traditional painting workshops, a women’s weaving workshop and traditional dance performances throughout the day at Bowali Visitor Centre.
Food lovers can explore Kakadu’s flavours through a bush spice workshop led by chef Paul Iskov, where participants learn about Indigenous bush spices and create their own custom blend to take home.
The Kakadu plum workshop offers a chance to discover why this bush food is such a highly prized source of Vitamin C, with participants learning how to harvest, preserve and celebrate the fruit before heading home with a jar of Kakadu plum preserve.
Festival-goers can take part in a traditional painting workshop, working alongside a Bininj artist to explore ancient painting practices and create their own artwork to take home.
They can also join a reptile encounter to safely get up close with Kakadu’s native reptiles, including snakes, lizards and turtles.
Men and boys can join a bamboo didgeridoo (morle) playing workshop with Aboriginal artist and carver Dale Austin, learning the creation story of the instrument, how it is made and the cultural protocols associated with it.
Warradjan Cultural Centre in Cooinda will offer weaving and painting activities, and damper and fire-cooked fish prepared in traditional ways.
A highlight of the day will be the chance to view Kakadu’s incredible wildlife while enjoying a bush tucker afternoon tea on a Yellow Water Bush Tucker Cruise.
A local Bininj guide will share deep cultural insights and knowledge of bush foods as passengers travel through waterways that have sustained people and nature for millennia.
“It’s powerful, immersive and unforgettable, and there’s simply no better place to experience it than here in Kakadu,” added Mr Burman.
Festival details: https://kakadutourism.com/specials/taste-of-kakadu-festival
