Intrepid's Ultimate Guide to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

From a simple ‘beanie party’ to a full-blown festival, this one-of-a-kind celebration can’t be missed.

Whether you’re looking for a way to fill up time before your epic trek along the Larapinta Trail or you’ve just come back from a magical adventure through Australia’s Red Centre, soak up some local culture and buy yourself a silly, colourful, and downright wondrous piece of headwear at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Mingle with the best beanie-ologists in the Northern Territory, enjoy live music, dig into some local bush tucker, participate in traditional workshops, and appreciate the dedication, creativity, and craftsmanship of every handmade hat along the way.

What is the Alice Springs Beanie Festival?

Originally created as a way to showcase and sell beanies made by Aboriginal women in remote communities way back in 1997, the Alice Springs Beanie Festival has grown to become a celebration of Aboriginal women’s textile arts and culture, as well as their creativity and skill. With the main focus on encouraging community participation and further reconciliation between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, this unique festival aims to bring everyone together over artistically crafted, handmade beanies.

Where and when is the Alice Springs Beanie Festival in 2022?

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is an annual celebration occurring every June (24^th – 27^th June 2022) in the Aruluen Centre at the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct. Artists come from all over the country to submit their own handcrafted beanies in the hopes of winning one of the coveted trophies and admiring and appreciating the work of others.

Who were the winners of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival in 2021?

In 2021, there were 13 categories including ‘Celebrating a Favourite Myth’ and ‘Embellishment Prize’ for participants to submit their beanies. Please see below a condensed list of winners:

Celebrating a Mythical Creature: Winner – Bunyip by Kristian Malinksi
Celebrating a Favourite Myth: Winner – The Kraken by Louise Leckie
Celebrating a Legend or Folk Take: Winner – ‘Goorialla’ the Rainbow Serpent by Letisha Kirkland
Colour Magic: Winner – Scary Dragon by Louise Thackray
Heart Felt Prize: Winner – Yarning Myths and Legends by Dina Van Der Gaag
Embellishment Prize: Winner – Emu Eye by Nita Ferguson

For a full list of past winners, please visit the Alice Springs Beanie Festival’s website.

Things to do at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

A handmade beanie from the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Peruse the stands of brightly coloured, handcrafted beanies

With a measly couple hundred beanies on show at the first festival to a whopping 6,400 last year, you can expect this special and eccentric event to bring on the beanies in a big way. Wander buildings full of these delicately made creations, try on your favourite designs, and perhaps buy one or two, as you chat to artists that have come from both near and afar to showcase their beanies.

An aboriginal woman demonstrating how to weave

Learn from the best and participate in a textile workshop

If wandering through the thousands of beanies for sale has you feeling inspired to go home and try out your own beanie-making skills then the best thing you can do is participate in a workshop with one of the experts first. From making your own festival beanie to learning how to create a wearable neckpiece or weave a grass vase, there are over 30 incredible workshops to choose from.

An aboriginal colourful dot painting on display at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

Watch a demonstration of Aboriginal arts and crafts

If you’ve always been fascinated with Aboriginal art practices and the way it’s so embedded into their culture then you’re not alone, but you are in luck. Every year, members of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council demonstrate traditional native spinning and basketry methods in the name of sharing both culture and skills. Watch on as these women show off their craft and transform materials into beautiful masterpieces.

Woman walking towards a green food truck

Enjoy live entertainment and snack on delicious food

We’d forgive you for thinking that marveling at the daring designs and captivating colours of the many beanies on display is all there is to do at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival but it’s actually not. With live performances from local musical acts and food trucks catering to the hungry crowd of beanie-lovers, this festival has really thought of everything. Sit down to listen to your favourite musical genres or munch on some homemade tucker for a truly memorable day.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival FAQs

How to get to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Getting to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival is extremely easy if you're travelling from the Alice Springs City Centre. From 10am - 4pm for the duration of the festival, there is a free bus available to transport you from your accommodation in Alice Springs to the Aruluen Centre where the festival is held. To get to Alice Springs itself, you can either catch a plane, train, or bus, or you can also self-drive to explore more of the natural wonders of the Northern Territory.

How much are tickets to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival?

There is no official ticket price for the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, however, you will have to give a gold coin donation if you wish to enter. You don't have to register your arrival or organise tickets. If you want to participate in a workshop the prices do vary but you can expect to pay anywhere between AUD$50 to AUD$150. Children's workshops are free.

What to pack for the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

The weather in Alice Springs can get extremely hot (even in winter) so it's always best to pack a reusable drink bottle with you so you can stay properly hydrated during your time at the festival. It's also a good idea to pack a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect yourself against the heat of the sun. Be sure to also pack your camera (to take photos of all the amazing beanies), as well as some snacks to keep you energised throughout the day.

What are some other things I can do in Alice Springs?

Once you've bought a beanie or two at the festival, there are still plenty of other things to do in Alice Springs. From exploring the city centre to journeying out into the desert, Alice Springs is the perfect starting point for plenty of epic adventures. See below a list of our favourite things to do in Alice Springs:

Explore the West MacDonnell National Park
Have a go at stargazing
Make your way to Uluru
Adventure through Kata Tjuta National Park
Wander around the Alice Springs Desert Park
Visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip in the Northern Territory?

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Is the Northern Territory accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.