Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation, owners of Cardabia Station on the World Heritage-Listed Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) coastline, invites people of all cultures, communities, and nationalities to join them in April 2025 for a soulful celebration of connection, culture, and community.

The Jamba Nyinayi Festival (JNF) 2025 will be held from 18 to 20 April, during the Easter holiday weekend. Event organiser David Chitty encourages attendees to plan ahead to secure a spot by the campfire at Cardabia Station.

“Based on the success of the 2023 and 2024 festivals, the cultural program is extending to three days to allow travellers from farther away to stay longer at the station to enjoy the Festival, Coral Bay and Nyinggulu.

“As limited accommodation is available in Coral Bay and surrounding areas over Easter, we’ll also offer camping stays of four or five nights (17 to 21 April) for those wishing to enjoy a station-stay holiday with a genuine cultural tourism experience.

“Save the date and sign up on our website to take advantage of earlybird offers,” Chitty said.

Camping packages for three, four, and five nights will include festival entry plus a range of inclusions and options. All campers and festival attendees will enjoy the hugely popular ‘campfire sessions’, leading-stage dance and music performances, cultural workshops, food and art markets, and station amenities.

Cardabia Station is just a five-minute drive from the township of Coral Bay and only a kilometre as the crow flies to stunning Batemans Bay.

Around 1500 to 2000 attendees are anticipated throughout the festival.

Jamba Nyinayi means ‘sit for a while’ in the Baiyungu language. Festival-goers have the opportunity to participate in meaningful cultural and spiritual experiences through music, dance, storytelling, and workshops.

‘Connection’ is the 2025 theme, and Traditional Owner Host and Cultural Director Hazel Walgar and Artistic Director David Hyams are finalising the program.

“The artistic program will honour the deep, timeless interconnectedness of the Baiyungu people, reflected in their relationship to Country, the Ningaloo reef area and their ongoing ancestral stories,” Hyams said.

“Their connection to the land, sea and its creatures, regarded as the spirits of Baiyungu ancestors, underscores their profound bond with this relatively untouched and incredibly biodiverse part of the natural world,” he said.

As Traditional Owners, the Baiyungu People have long welcomed and guided visitors safely through Nyinggulu Country.  Hazel said her people had long understood what newcomers were beginning to discover.

“Nyinggulu is a special and unique place which connects to our hearts and souls, continually drawing visitors back,” she said.

“Knowledge-sharing through cultural practice and language is extremely important for us, and this festival allows our younger generation to learn customs and language and preserve our unique heritage.

“Many younger Baiyungu people are involving themselves in the cultural learning experiences of the festival which is a key motivator for us.”

Festival tickets and the highly coveted camping spots will go on sale in late January 2025. To register for early bird offers, sign up for the mailing list HERE.

Jamba Nyinayi Festival is made possible by the Presenting Partner Shire of Carnarvon, Major Supporters Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Rio Tinto, and Supporters Tourism Western Australia, Regional Arts WA, and Horizon Power. 

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