Australian Native Food Festival 2026: what to see at Carriageworks, Sydney

The Australian Native Food Festival returns to Carriageworks in Sydney on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026. General admission is free, but registration is required. Chef demonstrations, weaving workshops and Ngangkari healing sessions are separately ticketed.

For international residents, this is one of the strongest food-and-culture events in Sydney this weekend: it combines First Nations-owned businesses, native Australian ingredients, live cooking, cultural knowledge and practical ways to learn more about Aboriginal food traditions.

Australian Native Food Festival 2026: key details

• Dates: Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
• Saturday hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
• Sunday hours: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
• Venue: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, Sydney
• General admission: Free, with registration required
• Chef demonstrations: A$59 plus booking fee
• Weaving workshops: A$55 plus booking fee
• Ngangkari healing sessions: A$190 plus booking fee

The official Carriageworks programme should be checked before travelling in case session availability changes.

What is the Australian Native Food Festival?

The festival is presented by Indigiearth and curated by founder Sharon Winsor, a Weilwan woman from New South Wales. Carriageworks says the event is designed to celebrate Indigenous culture, knowledge and culinary excellence while giving visitors direct access to native ingredients, producers and stories.

The 2026 programme includes around 30 First Nations-owned and run businesses. Stalls range from native spices and teas to chocolate, bush foods, botanicals, weaving and other products.

Which chef demonstrations are worth booking?

All chef demonstrations are listed at A$59 plus booking fee. Highlights include several cross-cultural sessions that may be particularly interesting for international residents.

• Nat Thaipun, Saturday at 9:30 am, explores food, family and cultural connections through Thai cuisine and global techniques.
• Kylie Kwong and Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo OAM, Saturday at 11:00 am, bring together Gamilaroi knowledge, Australian-Cantonese cooking and native ingredients.
• Karima Hazim and Rayleen Brown, Saturday at 12:30 pm, explore connections between Aboriginal and Lebanese food traditions.
• Mindy Woods, Saturday at 3:30 pm, focuses on native grains, ancient food systems and Aboriginal bread-making traditions.
• Colin Fassnidge and Sharon Winsor, Sunday at 12:00 pm, show how everyday ingredients can be replaced with Australian native alternatives.
• Amber Doig and Kerrie Saunders, Sunday at 1:30 pm, connect native Australian foods with Mexican cuisine.
• Adam Liaw and Jennifer Wong, Sunday at 3:00 pm, close the programme with a discussion of food, culture and identity.

Are there workshops as well as food events?

Yes. Ngumpie Weaving runs hands-on Aboriginal basket-weaving workshops at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on both days. Tickets are A$55 plus booking fee and materials are included.

The festival also offers one-to-one Ngangkari healing sessions with Pitjantjatjara healer Debbie Watson. These are listed at A$190 plus booking fee and require advance booking.

Is the event accessible?

Carriageworks asks visitors with accessibility requirements to contact the venue in advance and provides separate accessibility information on its website. The festival takes place at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh.

Why this event is worth attending

For newcomers to Australia, the festival offers more than a food market. It is a chance to hear First Nations voices directly, learn how native ingredients are used, support Indigenous-owned businesses and see how Aboriginal food knowledge connects with other culinary traditions.

If you are looking for more Sydney cultural events, Babylon also has a guide to the Sydney Moon Festival 2026.

Official sources

• Carriageworks: Australian Native Food Festival
• City of Sydney: What’s On
• Destination NSW media release

Last verified: 22 September 2026. Prices and session availability can change, so check the official booking page before travelling.