NIDR Gathering 2026
Description
The NIDR Gathering is back!
Join us for a multi day on-Country event that celebrates Indigenous leadership and excellence in emergency management, community recovery, disaster resilience and Caring for Country.
If you are from the disaster resilience and emergency management sectors, government, research, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Indigenous ranger groups, Native Title groups, and other land and water management organisations, then this event is for you!
From 5-7 May 2026, we will come together to build awareness, share knowledge, connect, and support an Indigenous-led conversation on disaster resilience.
Across the three days, you will be invited to join keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops, and have the option of participating in on-Country activities. This will deepen your understanding of Indigenous-led disaster mitigation, response and recovery work being done within communities in Gippsland, Australia and around the world.
NIDR is delivering this unique event in partnership with Jagun Alliance and local organisations Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust and East Gippsland Shire Council.
Welcome Reception - SOLD OUT
On Tuesday 5 May GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Corporation will host a Welcome Reception in the Art Gallery to celebrate the opening of the NIDR Gathering. Drinks and Canapés provided. This is an optional add-on to the standard program and can be purchased in the tickets section.
Program
We have worked hard to curate a program that celebrates the successes of Indigenous disaster mitigation, management and recovery work being done within communities in Gippsland and around the world, including keynote addresses, plenary presentations, workshops, a Welcome Reception (Tues 5 May), On-Country Activities (Wed 6 May), and food, music and art.
This program is subject to change. Delegates will receive a printed version on arrival.
On-Country Activities
On Wednesday 6 May, attendees will have the option of choosing an On-Country Activity. This is an optional add on to the standard program and tickets can be purchased in the tickets section.
Tour 1 - A day trip to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Led by Brandon Hood $165 per person Limited to 60 people | Join Brandon Hood and the crew for an immersive day at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust (LTAT). Learn about the history and significance of LTAT as well as be a part of a cultural burn with guidance from Brando and Greg who will demonstrate cool burning practices to clean up Country. Enjoy lunch down by the lake and in the afternoon choose between spearing (mens business), bush medicine workshop or kick back, relax and throw a line in. | 8am: Depart from Lakes Entrance Post Office for Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust 9am: Intro to LTAT and Cultural Burning 10am: Cultural Burn 12:30pm: Lunch 2pm: Attendees choice of Men's Spearing, Bush Medicine or Fishing 4:15pm: Return to Lakes Entrance |
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Tour 2 - Gippsland Lakes Boat Tour Led by Matty Holland $137.50 per person Limited to 40 people | The trip on the Sea Bird will leave Lakes Entrance and head out onto the Gippsland Lakes. The trip will take approx. 4hrs and people will pass popular areas like Barrier Landing, Metung, Fraser Island and will get the opportunity to see the resident seal population that reside in the entrance, if you are lucky, you may see a dolphin. During the trip you will learn about a variety of projects GLaWAC is delivering on the Gippsland Lakes, these include Joint Management, Oyster Trial, Sea Country Indigenous Protect Area and how GLaWAC is working with researchers to understand the impacts of climate change on the significant cultural values along coastal areas of GunaiKurnai country. | 9:45am: Meet at Peels Boat Cruises (across from Lakes Entrance Post Office) 10am: Depart Lunch included 3pm: Arrive back at Peels Boat Cruises |
Tour 3 - Buchan Munji Caves Cultural Tour Led by GLaWAC Rangers $110 per peron Limited to 35 people | Take part in a guided walk led by Gunaikurnai rangers through the cultural gardens to learn about Buchan Munji, the Buchan Caves region, and the significance of this meeting place for the Gunaikurnai people. The experience also includes a guided exploration of the Royal Caves, with their stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and calcite-rimmed pools. Buchan Munji, the Buchan caves region, was traditionally an important meeting place for Gunaikurnai people. The area connects to the high country and was a place of refuge during the seasonal migrations to and from the mountains, where Gunaikurnai would go to chase the Bogong Moth and other food sources. It is part of landscape that provides evidence of human occupation during the Ice Age, with significant archaeology at Clogg’s Cave on the Buchan River. Although Aboriginal people traditionally did not venture inside the caves (thought to be a place occupied by spirits and creatures like Nargun and Nyols) there is evidence going back more than 500 generations of the important role they played in the lives of Gunaikurnai Old People. | 9:15am: Bus departs Lakes Entrance (opposite Lakes Entrance Post Office) for Buchan Munji 10:15am: Arrive at Buchan Munji 10:30am: Tour of caves and aboveground areas 12pm: Lunch provided in the Reserve 1pm: Free time 1:30pm: Leave for Lakes Entrance 2:20pm: Arrival back at Lakes Entrance |
Tour 4 - Gragin (Raymond Island) Cultural Tour Led by GLaWAC Rangers $132 per person Limited to 35 people | Take a guided tour led by Gunaikurnai rangers of Gragin (Raymond Island’s) Koala Trail, learning about the local wildlife and the cultural stories of the Gunaikurnai people, before finishing with a picnic lunch. Evidence of lives well-lived on Gunaikurnai Country in the distant past can be traced from a rich range of archaeological artefacts like scar trees, grinding grooves and middens, and wooden artefacts including spears and paddles. These sites are tangible reminders of how ancestors used and managed resources. Over time, Gunaikurnai people learned to thrive on the resources of their Country. Its landscape is rich and varied, stretching from mountains in the north, to lakes and coast in the south and rainforests in the west. This diverse landscape shaped the patterns of land use, and the history of each of the five clans of the Gunaikurnai – Brataualung, Brayakaulung, Brabralung, Tatungalung and Krauatungalung. Gunaikurnai people were skilled in procuring food across Country, maintaining a sustainable balance, and understanding the seasons. | 9:15am: Bus departs Lakes Entrance (opposite Lakes Entrance Post Office) for Gragin ferry 10:30am: Ferry from Paynesville to Gragin 10:45am: Arrive on Gragin; Gunaikurnai guide introductions 11am: Koala Trail tour including cultural experiences, storytelling, history and wildlife 1:30pm: Return to ferry terminal 2pm: Ferry departs for Paynesville 2:15pm: Bus departs Paynesville for Lakes Entrance 3:00pm return back at Lakes Entrance |
Activity 1 - Emu Egg Carving $159.50 per person Limited to 15 people | Discover the art of emu egg carving. Using special tools, you’ll carve through the vibrant layers of an emu egg to create an intricate design and take home your own unique keepsake. | Hosted at GLaWAC Marquee Activity: 10am -12pm Lunch catered by Bush Cafe: 12pm-1pm |
Activity 2 - Possum Skin Burning Led by Teresa Martin $154 per session Limited to 15 people | Explore the cultural tradition of possum skin burning through a guided workshop that includes a smoking ceremony to cleanse the possum skin pelts. Learn the significance of the practice, create your own design, and take home your finished pelt. | Hosted at GLaWAC Amphitheatre Workshop: 10am–12:00pm Lunch catered by Bush Cafe: 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Activity 3 - Basket Weaving Led by Corringle Creators $88 per session Limited to 20 people | Explore the cultural practice of basket weaving through a guided, hands-on experience. Learn about its meaning and techniques, create your own woven piece, and take it home with you. | Hosted at GlaWAC Culture Hub Workshop: 10am–12:00pm Lunch catered by Bush Cafe: 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Mindful Movement and Breath on Country Led by Nartarsha Bamblett $27.50 per session Sunrise and sunset sessions available | Join Nartarsha Bamblett, Yorta Yorta, Kurnai, Wiradjuri & Walpiri woman, entrepreneur, speaker, creation coach and cultural wellbeing facilitator for an embodied wellbeing experience that invites participants onto Country at the shoreline, moving with the natural rhythm of the day through mindful movement, breath and ceremony. The sunrise session centres intention-setting, awakening the body and welcoming the energy of a new day with clarity and presence. The sunset session offers a slower, reflective space to release, integrate and return to stillness as the day closes. Guided by the elements and the wisdom of Country, these sessions support nervous system regulation, deeper connection and a grounded sense of wellbeing. | Sunrise session: 6:30am Sunset session: 5:15pm Location: Meet at Lakes Entrance Main Beach (access via Cunningham Arm Footbridge) |
Accommodation
On-site camping accommodation is available from Monday 4 May (1:30pm) to Friday 8 May (11:00am) at Dungadah Camp Site at Bung Yarnda, Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. This is an optional add-on to the standard program and can be purchased in the tickets section.
Your stay includes a Welcome to Country by Elders of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust and an introduction to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust history by Brandon Hood. Each night, gather around the campfire under the stars.
If you enjoy fishing, bring your rod — the lake is right on your doorstep. For more information about the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, click here.
Each camping ticket includes:
Accommodation from Monday 4 May - Friday 8 May
Dinner each night, Monday - Thursday
Breakfast each morning, Tuesday - Friday
Tent
Sleeping stretcher
All bedding and linen (sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, blankets and pillow)
Toilets and hot shower facilities
Power on site
Shuttle bus to and from the Gathering, Tuesday to Thursday (30-minute drive)
Alternatively, here are a few local accommodation options we would suggest:
Getting to Lakes Entrance
Flying
The closest major airport to Lakes Entrance is Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine).
If you are coming from NSW, your closest regional airport is Merimbula Airport.
Car hire
From Melbourne Airport, you can hire a car and it is a 4 hour and 10 minute drive to Lakes Entrance.
From Merimbula Airport, you can hire a car and it is a 3 hour and 10 minute drive to Lakes Entrance.
Train
If you are travelling from Melbourne Airport, you can get the Sky Bus into Southern Cross Station and catch the Vline train to Bairnsdale.
Train times on Monday 4 May from Melbourne Southern Cross Train Station to Bairnsdale Train Station:
Option 1: 7:40am (depart Southern Cross) - 11:54am (arrive in Bairnsdale)
Option 2: 1:01pm (depart Southern Cross) - 5:10pm (arrive in Bairnsdale)
Option 3: 6:21pm (depart Southern Cross) - 10:32 (arrive in Bairnsdale)
Train times on Friday 8 May from Bairnsdale Train Station to Melbourne Southern Cross Train Station:
Option 1: 6:14am (depart Bairnsdale) - 10:16am (arrive in Southern cross)
Option 2: 12:54pm (depart Bairnsdale ) - 4:56pm (arrive in Southern cross)
Option 3: 6:10pm (depart Bairnsdale ) - 10:13pm (arrive in Southern cross)
Bus
There are connecting VLine buses from Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance that leave 5 times per day and takes 34 minutes.
Local shuttles to/from Gathering
In consideration of the rise in travel and fuel costs, our team is putting together a local shuttle service that will enable free, accessible transport for Gathering delegates.
This will include shuttles in the mornings and evenings on Tuesday 5 May and Thursday 6 May to transport you to/from Lakes Entrance Township and Lake Tyers campground to the Gathering. We are also organising shuttles from Lake Tyers campground into Lakes Entrance on Wednesday 6 May, for those who need connecting services with On-Country Activities leaving from town.
We hope this will help alleviate some pressure for everyone, but also encourage those who can travel to Lakes Entrance on public transport to do so.
Artwork: Lionel Rose | Graphic Design: Oumoula McKenzie
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