‘Curls get the girls’: Eleven-year-old Max makes Darwin Mulletfest tilt

A group of gorgeous mullets will be competing in Darwin for the first time this weekend for a major rodeo festival. See what’s in store and find out how you can take part.

For the owner of Australia’s most famous mullet, “it’s not just a hairstyle, it’s a way of life”.

Thirty-year-old Kieryn Johnston started growing his mullet four years ago and other than the occasional trim, he is “never going to lose it”.

“It should be an Australian totem piece – I think it’s Australia’s national symbol,” Mr Johnston said.

The Australian sensation nicknamed ‘Mullet Man’ by his friends and admirers is well-placed to judge Darwin’s first Mulletfest on Saturday May 11, a national competition searching for the country’s most lustrous locks.

It is part of the Saturday’s Rock N Rodeo Muster at the Darwin Showgrounds, where more than 4500 punters are expected for a day of bull-wrangling, carnival entertainment, and of course, mullet-watching.

Kieryn Johnston, Laura Johnson, and Max Johnson preparing for Mulletfest at the 2024 NT Rock n Rodeo Muster. Picture: George Yankovich

Mulletfest founder Laura Johnson, 41, said she started the festival in 2018 to put her hometown of Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, on the map.

Competing categories include “grubbies”, “rookies”, juniors and even the best “ranga” mullet.

“We’ve really tried to break that stereotype of mullets of, ‘Why don’t you cut your hair and get a real job?’ and make people realise it’s something everyone can get involved in,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t realise how much hygiene goes into maintaining a mullet and cleaning it regularly to keep it looking fresh.”

Funds raised by the competition are donated to the Mark Hughes Foundation for brain cancer research, a disease Ms Johnson lost her friend to in 2019.

“I guess you could say what we do is like the opposite of the mullet – party at the front, business at the back,” Ms Johnson said.

Even her 11-year-old Max is getting involved, having grown out his mane over last four years.

He said he enjoys wearing it because “it keeps the sun off your neck and curls get the girls”.

The Rock N Rodeo Muster kicks off at 12pm on Saturday and tickets can be purchased online from Rodeo Promotions NT or at the door.

Mullet-owners can register to compete in Mulletfest online or on the day.