Northern exposure

For four days in August, Gulkula, a traditional meeting ground in north-east Arnhem Land, welcomes thousands of visitors from around Australia to experience the country’s most significant Indigenous cultural exchange, the annual Garma Festival. At Gulkula, which is 30 minutes’ drive from the nearest township of Nhulunbuy, the days are spent discussing key Indigenous issues, while at sunset the sounds of manikay (ancestral songs) and clap sticks resonate through the stringybarks during the evening bunggul (ceremonial dance). Tickets for the festival (3 to 6 August) are now on sale. Registration closes on 27 April but tickets often sell out much sooner so book now (yyf.com.au). KATE BARRACOSA