Wilderness and Cultural Spirit
Lockhart River is a place where remote wilderness and vibrant culture come together. Visitors can walk quiet bush tracks or wander along untouched beaches alive with some of the most unique wildlife in the country, then experience the Paytham Malkari Dance Festival that brings community and culture to life. This is a place to learn from community, feel the strength of country and understand why these lands are cared for and shared with such respect and pride.
Storytelling
Where Dance Holds the Story
By the Lockhart River community
The Paytham Malkari Dance Festival is one of the most significant cultural gatherings in Lockhart River, where stories are shared through movement, song and the strength of community. Held on Kuuku Ya’u and Umpila Country, the festival brings generations together to celebrate identity, connection and the teachings that guide daily life.
In this video, the storytelling is carried through dance and ceremony, keeping culture strong and continuing traditions that have shaped the community for thousands of years. This storytelling speaks to resilience, pride and the responsibility of passing knowledge to the next generation. It offers visitors a rare insight into a living cultural practice that continues to grow in both strength and meaning.
Photo Gallery
Rainforest and Ceremony
Set within rich rainforest country and rugged coastal landscapes, this part of the track offers a window into powerful cultural traditions and the energy of the Paytham Malkari Dance Festival where community and country come together.
Experiences
Key Experiences
Discover experiences that immerse you in rainforest country and living culture. Stay within the remote beauty of Iron Range Cabins, wander the rich habitats of Kutini-Payamu Iron Range National Park, and feel the power of the Paytham Malkari Dance Festival as community and country come together in ceremony.
Iron Range Cabins
Stay just outside the rainforest near the Lockhart River aerodrome, where comfortable cabins offer a quiet base surrounded by nature, wildlife and the rich landscapes of the region.
Paytham Malkari Dance Festival
Experience a powerful gathering where community shares stories through dance, ceremony and movement, celebrating identity, continuity and deep connection to rainforest country.
Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park
Explore a remarkable National Park known for its rare birds, mammals and reptiles, where rainforest, heath and coastal landscapes meet to create one of Australia’s most unique wildlife habitats.