Mornington Island Dancers

The Mornington Island Dancers are an important part of Mornington’s cultural identity, celebrating Indigenous culture through traditional dance and song.

Mornington Island is approximately 125km north of Burketown and 444km north of Mount Isa. It is the largest island within the Wellesley Island group. It is the traditional country of the Lardil people, who have occupied the land for over 10,000 years.

Since their performance at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973, the Mornington Island Dancers have conducted more than 20 overseas tours including performances in Italy, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the United States, United Kingdom, India & Sweden to name a few.

From the very first public performance in Cairns in August 1964 the Mornington Island Dancers have been bringing Traditional Lardil Culture to audiences. Everywhere the troupe perform they recreate a Lardil dance ground and apply their paint up and unique hair hats.
The Mornington Island Dancers are now embarking on the next phase of their very long and distinguished history.