Culture, Music and Connection Shine at the 2026 Gnulli Festival
Locals and visitors on Yinggarda Country celebrated The 2026 Gnulli Festival. From theatre and cultural experiences to live music, markets and conversations about identity, the festival highlighted the strength, creativity and spirit of the Gascoyne region
By Samara Diaz
The 2026 Gnulli Festival brought together community, culture and storytelling on Yinggarda Country, as locals and visitors gathered in Carnarvon from May 22 to 24 for three days of music, art, performance and cultural celebration.
The festival opened with yarning circles, cultural experiences, theatre and community gatherings that welcomed people onto Country through shared stories and connection.
One of the festival’s standout performances was Which Way Home by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, a heartfelt production exploring family, identity and belonging. Set on a road trip back to Country, the story follows Tash and her father through moments of humour, reflection and emotion, brought to life by real-life father and daughter Derek and Shaquita Nannup.
For Derek and Shaquita, the performance was more than theatre, it was an opportunity to share their own lived connection as father and daughter while opening conversations about identity, family and belonging.
Saturday morning transformed the heart of Carnarvon into a vibrant celebration of culture and community, with the Gnulli Street Festival filling the town centre with markets, storytelling, live music and native food experiences.
Families, artists, performers and local businesses gathered along the main street, creating a welcoming space where culture and connection could be shared across generations.
Just metres from the busy street market, visitors explored exhibitions of paintings and portraits honouring Elders from Carnarvon. Local artists showcased their work while sharing the stories, memories and cultural meaning behind each piece.
Traditional music echoed through the festival as young performers from the Kuwinywardu Boys captivated audiences with powerful didgeridoo performances. Young performer Jovi-Shaye Phillips said performing at Gnulli Festival was about proudly sharing culture with the community and keeping traditional music strong for future generations.
Among those helping bring the festival together was Rennee Turner, a Traditional Custodian of Yinggarda Country and founder of Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys. Through her business Bibbi Murra, Rennee shared natural bush remedies and wellness products inspired by the healing plants and knowledge of Yinggarda Country.
For Rennee, the festival created an important opportunity to share cultural knowledge, healing practices and connection to Country with both visitors and community members.
The festival also created spaces for powerful conversations and storytelling, including a special appearance by Brooke Blurton, who returned home to Carnarvon for an intimate community yarn.
In a heartfelt conversation, Brooke reflected on identity, belonging and her personal journey while sharing stories from her new book Big Love. Audience members listened closely as she read passages from the book before meeting readers and signing copies afterwards.
Another festival highlight was chef Matt Moncrieff, who delivered a live cooking demonstration celebrating native ingredients and Indigenous cuisine. Matt also spoke about the importance of greater visibility and opportunities for Indigenous chefs across Australia, encouraging the next generation to see themselves represented in the culinary industry.
As the festival came to a close, crowds gathered along the Fascine waterfront for a spectacular evening of music and celebration.
Live performances from Shane Howard and Goanna, the Great Western Band, Proud Mary, Caravãna Sun and Kankawa Nagarra filled the waterfront with energy as audiences celebrated late into the evening.
Festivalgoers said the weekend created a strong sense of connection, bringing together people from across the region to celebrate culture, community and Country. James Smithers, drummer for Caravãna Sun, also highlighted the importance of festivals like Gnulli in uniting communities through music, storytelling and shared experiences.
As night fell over Carnarvon, the sky above the Fascine came alive with a breathtaking drone light display, before a colourful fireworks finale closed the celebrations in spectacular style.
The Gnulli Festival created spaces to celebrate stories, culture and the incredible spirit of the Gascoyne region, bringing people together through creativity, identity, connection and Country.
Photos: Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald
