A lack of fuel has forced organisers to can an annual traditional owner-led festival in Karijini National Park.
A lack of fuel has forced organisers to can an annual traditional owner-led festival in Karijini National Park.
The Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation’s Karijini Experience was on Tuesday morning called off only weeks after its program was events was announced.
The festival was to be headlined by former Eurovision contestant Jessica Mauboy, roaming bush tucker degustation restaurant Fervor, and an operatic performance in one of Karijini’s gorges.
But BNTAC email ticketholders on Tuesday to inform them of the event’s cancellation.
“Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation has made the difficult decision to cancel the Karijini Experience 2026 as a result of the ongoing uncertainty and risk of insufficient fuel supply across regional Western Australia,” the group said.
“The increasing pressure on supply and transport networks has created significant logistical and operational risks for an event of this scale in a remote location.
“We acknowledge this decision is disappointing and it was not made lightly.
“The safety of the Banjima and broader community, partners and visitors, along with the ability to deliver a high-quality event on country, have been central to this decision.”
BNTAC said it hoped to bring the event back in 2027.
Ticketholders will be refunded automatically.
The Karijini Experience has been running since 2013, initially hosted by local community groups prior to BNTAC taking over.
It was cancelled for two years due to COVID, returning in 2022.
Fuel shortages in regional WA have become an issue in recent weeks due to the conflict in the Middle East’s impact on oil shipments out of the Strait of Hormuz.
The cost of fuel, in particular diesel which is the fuel of choice in the Pilbara, is also causing headaches.
Many service stations are now charging in excess of $3-per-litre in the Pilbara.
