2026 MarchMingle Finds New Home
Join us at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
by Chris Edwards
We are thrilled to announce that the 2026 MarchMingle, incorporating the IVV-OceaniaPiad and annual AussiePeaceWalk, will be based at the magnificent National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
A New Chapter for the Aussie Peace Walk
Following notification that Albert Hall—the home of AussiePeaceWalk for the past five years—will be closed for renovations throughout 2026, our dedicated organising team has spent an intensive July searching for the perfect alternative venue.
The challenge was significant
We needed a location that could accommodate our event for an entire week, provide adequate space for both participants and bus parking, offer convenient city access while maintaining proximity to a range of walking trails, and serve as more than just a functional meeting point.
Why the National Film and Sound Archive?
After investigating many venues, each presenting its own unique challenges, we discovered that the NFSA offers everything we were seeking and much more.
This remarkable institution occupies one of Canberra’s most architecturally and culturally significant buildings, providing our participants with a truly special setting for the 2026 event.
IVV-OceaniaPiad and the Annual Aussie Peace Walk International Walking Festival to be based in an Historic Art Déco Building within easy walking distance of the Canberra CBD.
A Masterpiece of Art Déco Architecture
The National Film and Sound Archive building is itself a destination worthy of exploration.
This stunning example of 1920s Art Déco design, blended with classical architecture, incorporates elements inspired by ancient Greek and Roman styles while maintaining a distinctly Australian character.
Perfect Event Headquarters
This beautiful and historically significant space provides an ideal headquarters for the 2026 event.
The NFSA offers the practical requirements we needed—adequate space, excellent facilities, and convenient bus parking—while providing participants with a genuinely inspiring and uniquely Australian venue that enhances the entire MarchMingle experience.
New Walking Adventures Await
The 2026 event will feature an exciting array of completely new walking trails, carefully selected to showcase the best of Canberra’s diverse landscapes.
Participants will be transported by bus to various trail starting points throughout the week, with all routes (except those on Wednesday) designed to finish back at the National Film and Sound Archive, allowing walkers to return to this architectural gem after each day’s adventure.
Some of the building’s unique features include:
- Indigenous and Native Wildlife Motifs: Throughout the façade and interior, visitors will discover stylised platypus designs, frilled-neck lizards, and Indigenous-inspired artistic elements that celebrate Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.
- Exceptional Decorative Details: The building showcases an extraordinary collection of native animal carvings, with koalas, wombats, and kookaburras adorning the gallery spaces, creating an immersive Australian experience.
- The Iconic Foyer Skylight: Perhaps the building’s most striking feature is its rare period glazing—a magnificent stained glass skylight depicting a platypus, representing one of the finest examples of 1920s decorative artistry in Australia.
- The Heritage Courtyard: The building’s courtyard garden, thoughtfully redesigned in 1988 to reflect authentic 1920s Art Déco landscaping traditions, features a charming bronze platypus fountain that serves as a perfect gathering spot for participants.
A Cultural Institution Worth Discovering
Beyond serving as our event base, the National Film and Sound Archive houses Australia’s most comprehensive collection of audiovisual heritage, preserving and celebrating the nation’s cultural memory through film, television, radio, music, and digital media.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to explore this treasure trove of Australian culture during their stay.
Looking Forward to 2026
We are genuinely excited about this new chapter for the event. The National Film and Sound Archive represents more than just a venue change—it offers our participants a richer, more culturally immersive experience that perfectly complements the spirit of discovery and appreciation for Australia that lies at the heart of the event.
We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world and across Australia and to this remarkable venue in 2026, where history, culture, and the joy of walking will come together in an unforgettable celebration of friendship and understanding.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is within easy walking distance from the centre of the city.
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