Garma is held at Gulkula, a significant Gumatj ceremonial site in northeast Arnhem Land, once described by the late Mungurrawuy Yunupingu as “an all-encompassing philosophical, physical, cosmological, theoretical place” where Yolngu “have danced from the beginning”.

The Gapan Gallery, which uses natural white clay (gapan) to create a gallery space within a grove of stringybark trees at Gulkula, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Curated by the team at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, it was first launched in 2003 as a way of sharing the limited edition screenprints, etchings and linos produced by the Yirrkala Print Space. The transformation from bush setting to art gallery is truly special, and something which begins anew each year. The gapan is used to paint the trees which make up the walls of the gallery, pristine white sand underfoot acts as the floor, and a canopy of stars above provides the ceiling on this spectacular space.

The Arnhem Land region is renowned for its beautiful fibre art, with skilled artisans using pandanus leaves to create stunning baskets, mats, dilly bags, and decorative pieces – locally sourced, naturally dyed, hand woven and made with love.

Cultural guide Guruguru Hick took Garma guests on an escarpment walk, where they learned about healing plants, bush tucker, spear making, and ancestral stories from Gumatj country.

Next stop Gulkula – Yolngu youngsters on a Garma road trip.

The Garma Festival is an important meeting place for the families of Arnhem Land, drawing in clans from across the region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is painted in the yellow colours of the Gumatj clan – the traditional owners of the Gulkula site where Garma is held.

The ancient ceremonial grounds at Gulkula are where stories enshrined in the land, the sea and sky are brought to life through dance and song. These songlines have been passed down for millennia; they are Yolngu legal rites and a celebration of connection to country.

Garma guests were treated to an impromptu jam with legendary musicians Paul Kelly and Witiyana Marika.

Throughout the four-day festival, a series of creative and cultural forums take place under a canopy of Gadayka (stringybark) trees and around an open Gurtha (fire) – a place for the discussion of ideas and a deeper understanding of Yolngu knowledge.

The Garma Youth Forum brings together students from schools across Australia, both near and far, metropolitan and regional, for four days of fun and activities, with a focus on developing leadership skills and encouraging the next generation to reach for the stars.

The theme for this year’s Garma was ‘Djambatj’, a Yolngu word for excellence, brilliance and precision, seen here in the exquisite painting of a Yidaki (didgeridoo).

A young Gumatj boy prepares for bunggul – the distinctive diamond design represents Gurtha (sacred fire), a powerful mythology in Gumatj law.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on as Gumatj clan members perform bunggul (traditional dance) at Garma’s opening ceremony.

Red Flag dancers from Numbulwar performing bunggul – undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Garma experience.

For many Yolngu children, their first steps are taken on the bunggul grounds. As Gumatj bunggul leader Balupalu Yunupingu explains: “The dance is very, very important to kids when they are learning. It is your background that you are starting to learn. Every child has to learn from the beginning.”

The next generation being watched over by the Elders who paved the way.

Binmila Yunupingu, a daughter of the late Gumatj leader Yunupingu, leads other family members in a memorial for the former chairman of the Yothu Yindi Foundation. Acknowledging his extraordinary legacy was a significant part of this year’s Garma.

Garma time is family time, and celebrated composer, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist William Barton performed a spellbinding set with his mother, Aunty Delmae Barton.