Jabiru Events

Every Dry Season since 2010, West Arnhem Regional Council has held its Kurrung Sports Carnival in conjunction with Mahbilil Festival, which is run by Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation.
Kurrung is a local Aboriginal word for the season when the afternoon breeze, mahbilil, rises, and magpie geese fly in huge numbers across the wetlands to lay their eggs.
The premiere sporting event in the region, Kurrung brings together men’s AFL and women’s basketball teams from all four Aboriginal communities across West Arnhem, as well as teams from Darwin and beyond. The carnival showcases the incredible sporting talents of locals, and gives them the opportunity to participate in a popular, grass-roots sporting competition in a healthy, safe atmosphere.

The two complementary events create a whirlwind of sports, arts, music and culture right in the heart of a World Heritage-listed national park.

Mahbilil is the key cultural event on Jabiru’s calendar, attracting a range of local Aboriginal and balanda (non-Aboriginal Australian) arts and crafts, food stalls, entertainment, parades, market stalls and installations.

Take the plunge, ride it out, and do the hard yards!

One of Jabiru’s most popular community events, the Kakadu Triathlon is held in May each year, celebrating the start of Kakadu’s tourist season. In 2018, West Arnhem Regional Council proudly took over the coordination of this event to secure its future for a long time to come. Participants, spectators and volunteers converge for the early morning event which kicks off at the Alberto Luglietti Memorial Swimming Pool in Jabiru with a 250m swim, followed by a 7.5km bike ride and a 2.5km run.

Since its inception in 2013, the Kakadu Triathlon has raised funds for the aeromedical charity CareFlight while promoting healthy lifestyles.

To receive notifications, and to be in the running for the next Kakadu Triathlon, join the Kakadu Triathlon facebook page.