Poetry in the Heart of Australia
Latest
That’s a wrap on Red Dirt Poetry Festival 2026!
30 August 2026
This was the biggest festival yet, with a massive program packed full of artists from Mparntwe, interstate and overseas.
Festival week has arrived!
19 August 2026
Festival week has arrived, poets have begun flying in, and the festival officially begins TOMORROW! We’re gearing up in Mparntwe for a long weekend of performance, panels, workshops, and all things poetry.
Marie Elena Ellis – debut collection out now!
16 July 2026
Arrernte Poet Marie Elena Ellis Launches Debut Poetry Collection with Red Dirt Poetry.
2026 Festival Program is Live!
15 July 2026
You can now peruse the full festival program!
Keeping poetry fresh, wild and fun in Central Australia
Bringing poetry and spoken word to life across regional and remote Australia.
Through open mic opportunities, workshops, comissioned works and more, we make poetry accessible to everyone. We offer a full, vibrant ecosystem that amplifies voices, builds skills, and keeps poetry at the heart of community.
What We Do
Red Dirt Poetry Festival
Our biennial tentpole festival, celebrating everything poetry from Australia and beyond.
Eat Read Zine
A celebration of language, place, food and the joy of sharing.
The Dirty Word
Open mic poetry and spoken word, held monthly since 2013.
NT Poetry Slam
Two minutes to glory, with a chance at the Australian Poetry Slam finals!
Poetry Workshops
Learning and sharing with poetry veterans.