Summer is the time lots of people think about going to international festivals.
Summer in Europe is winter in Australia but that doesn’t mean that the festival scene quietens down at all, there are still plenty of music festivals going on throughout the country.
This article will detail some important tips if you’re planning on going to a festival in Australia for the very first time.
1. Research Online
First and foremost, if you are departing from the UK we recommend signing up to the FCDO email alerts is a great way to stay informed about the location you are travelling to. This gives you updates about any changes in the weather, health advice or entry requirements which means you can be well prepared for your trip and know what to expect when you arrive.
2. Best Music Festivals in Australia
Australia is home to some of the biggest and most famous music festivals in the world including Sunset Sounds, Listen Out and SXSW Sydney, just to name just a few.
3. Weather
Although it can be tempting to believe that Australia is hot all year round, in some states it can get quite cold during the winter. There are varying climates across all states in Australia so make sure to do your research before you come out.
Queensland and the Northern Territory tend to be more tropical and so are more humid and warmer, even in the winter. Because of this, there are still plenty of festivals taking place in the winter months of the year.
Temperatures can still be as high as 26 degrees in Queensland and the humidity is often above 70%. If you are heading somewhere in the top end of the country, don’t underestimate the humidity. Make sure to drink plenty of water alongside any other drinks you may be having during the event. Heat stroke and exhaustion are not uncommon, and this is made worse by alcohol.
On the other hand, places like Sydney and Melbourne can get quite cold in the winter months. In Melbourne the temperature can drop to around 7 or 8 degrees in the evening and the chance of rain is also fairly high.
So, check your destination and pack your wardrobe accordingly, there’s nothing worse than being cold when you’re trying to have a good time. If the sun does come out, which it might, it is worth noting that the UV is much stronger over here than in the UK.
Make sure to be aware of how much time you’re spending in the direct sunlight, especially while drinking. In both climates, just make sure you’re drinking enough water and are dressed with appropriate layers and you’ll be fine!
4. Stick Together
If you’re going with friends try to stick together as much as possible during the festival. It’s likely to be busy and noisy which means it can be difficult to find people once they split off from the group.
It is a good idea to arrange a meeting point for the group in case anyone gets lost on their own at any point. This means everyone knows where to go when someone is missing from the group and avoids any issues with trying to use your phone or shouting for someone in a busy area.
Phone signal is likely to be unreliable in most festival environments due to the number of people trying to use the network at once so where possible try to stick together and avoid needing to phone to anyone.
Especially if you have never been to the festival before, it’s a good idea to stick together so that everyone feels safe. If you are travelling solo some travel companies offer festival tours which can be a lot of fun.
In Australia there is the added bonus of not having a language barrier so if you do ever find yourself getting lost, don’t be afraid to speak to the security staff who might be able to point you in the right direction.
5. Keep an Eye on Your Drinks
Having some drinks at a festival is commonplace and can be really good fun. However, you might get offered drinks from the people around you with no way of you knowing what’s in them. If this does happen to you, don’t accept the drink.
If someone wants to buy you a drink, go with them to the bars onsite to make sure you can see it being poured yourself. There will be several bars around the venue where you can buy your own drinks and be sure they haven’t been tampered with, so if you’re ever unsure, it’s not worth the risk. Unfortunately, drink-spiking is something that can happen at festivals so avoid unknown drinks.
Similarly, make sure to keep an eye on your drinks when you’re watching a performance or moving around the venue. In such a crowded area, it’s possible for someone to tamper with your drink.
Try to buy cans or bottles where the opening is very small and easy to cover with your hand. This way there is nearly no way anyone can put any unwanted substances in your drink without you noticing. Also, try to keep your drink in your hand at all times and not leave it lying unattended.
There are often hundreds of people at these events, and you never know what might happen to your drink. Don’t accept anything from anyone if you’re unsure what it is or who they are. Stick to your own drinks that have come from the vendors at the venue and you will have a great time.
6. Accommodation
It’s important to know what your plan for accommodation is before you enter the festival. Some bigger festivals might have space for people to camp overnight in tents or in vehicles and some of the smaller ones are just for the day.
Whether camping or staying somewhere nearby, make sure you have a plan of how to get there at the end of the night. Often things can be a bit hectic at the end of a festival as everyone is trying to get out at the same time.
There are good public transport links as well as multiple taxi companies across Australia so plenty of options for getting home. It can take a bit of time to get to wherever you’re going but you will get there eventually so be patient with it.
Trying to rush out as quickly as possible can often leave you frustrated so just allow yourself more time than usual to get from one place to another.
If you’re staying in the venue, make sure that everyone from your group is together and that your tent/vehicle is in a designated area to avoid any issues overnight.
Get Prepared For Your First Music Festival in Australia
Thousands of people go to these festivals every year and by and large there are no issues. As long as you’re organised, and you know what to expect when you arrive then you’ll have no problems.
There are plenty of festivals to go to all over the country and it’s such a beautiful place to visit so it’s definitely worth the trip. Take note of these tips and you will have an amazing festival experience.
Start searching for cheap flights to Australia or if the idea of living here appeals to you search working holiday packages today.
By Amy Salmon
#TravelAwareSBA