Poetry in the Heart of Australia
Latest
Marie Elena Ellis – debut collection presales on 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!
Get a Free Flight to Mparntwe/Alice Springs
10 July 2026
We’ve made it easier to come to Alice Springs for Red Dirt Poetry Festival!
NT Poetry Slam On the Road 2026
24 June 2026
Are you the next NT Poetry Slam Champion? We’re on a mission to find the Top End and Central Champions that will go on to represent the NT at the Australia Poetry Slam this year!
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.