Following Falls Festival’s last-minute venue change for its Lorne outing, organisers have sent out a handy list of the do’s and don’t for the festival at the Mount Duneed Estate which kicks off tomorrow:
Firstly, we’d like to thank you all for your overwhelming support over the past week. The shift in venue was unexpected and very last minute due to the fires in the area but it’s coming together beautifully and it’s going to be great. That said, we are working on new land with tight schedules and we ask that you’re patient with us, especially our staff and volunteers on the frontline.
It was important to us that the event continue nearby our home, the Surf Coast Shire. We’re conscious of the economic impact that the fires have had on our local communities and the financial benefits that Falls brings to the area and its small businesses. We could not have achieved the relocation without the terrific support of the emergency services, Surf Coast Shire and Geelong Councils and the Premier Daniel Andrews.
Our hearts are with our local communities; we will be looking to help in any way we can. With a new site comes some new information – here are the top 11 things you really need to know before you arrive.
TICKETS & CAR PASSES
No need to change your Tickets or Car Passes, they will still be valid to scan at the Mount Duneed Estate for the corresponding, matching dates of arrival, please have them printed before you arrive. If you wish to swap your ticket for Byron Bay or Marion Bay, please email info@oztix.com.au.
NEW YEAR’S EVE BUSH FIRE APPEAL TICKET $99
We have introduced a special New Year’s Eve ticket specifically to generate some much needed funds towards the Surf Coast Shire communities directly affected by recent fires. 100% of proceeds from this ticket will be donated by the Falls Festival and will go to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery work in the areas affected by the bushfires on the surf coast of Victoria.Come along and see some of the biggest and best new bands from across the world to welcome in 2016, including Foals, Birds of Tokyo, Django Django, Meg Mac and more! If you wish to park onsite you can pay $20 cash at the gates. This parking fee will also be donated. Entrance to the site available from 10am on Dec 31. BUY HERE.
DIRECTIONS TO SITE
Here’s how you get here, be sure to also follow our signage and staff directions once you arrive.Campers – Must enter the site via Reservoir Rd only
Heading from Melbourne & Geelong head South/West on the M1, Princes Hwy and take the Anglesea Rd Exit C134. Head down Anglesea Rd for 500m to Reservoir Rd, Turn right into Reservoir Rd and drive 2km to the camping gates.Heading from South, head north on C134 Anglesea Rd, 500m before you get to M1/Princes Hwy, turn left into Reservoir Rd and drive 2km to the camping gates.
Day Parking / Taxis / Bus Services / Drop off/ Pick up – Must enter the site from Princes Hwy via Pettavel Rd
Heading from Melbourne & Geelong head South/West on the M1, Princes Hwy, Enter the Site via Pettavel Rd
Heading from South, head north on C134 Anglesea Rd, turn left at the Highway intersection onto Prices Highway towards Colac. Enter the Site via Pettavel Rd.
BUS SHUTTLES TO & FROM LORNE, TORQUAY AND GEELONG
We understand that some of you have accommodation booked in Lorne, we are rescheduling buses in and out of Lorne, Torquay and Geelong. Check here for schedules.
GATE HOURS
Gate hours have changed slightly to give us enough time to prepare the site, we ask that you remain patient as you arrive. We will be processing you all as quickly as we possibly can and licensing will still be searching cars on arrival for byo alcohol (and ejecting patrons who bring it).
Camping gates open:
Dec 28 – 12noon until 9pm
Dec 29 – 9am until 9pm
Dec 30 – 9am until 9pm
Dec 31 – 9am until 9pm PLEASE NOTE FESTIVAL ARENA DOES NOT OPEN UNTIL 3PM 28 DECEMBER.
CAMPING WITH YOUR CARS & DAY PARKING
You will still be able to camp alongside your cars, business as usual! This site will have very limited day parking, first in best dressed. For NYE only ticket holders, a $20 cash only charge will apply. Cars parked along the side of the roads leading to the event will be towed. Camping cars will be able to leave on the exit day of January 01.
NO BYO
As part of our festival permit to run Falls we’ve been given some strict conditions by Police and Licensing Authorities. A big one is absolutely no BYO at the festivals. Police have made it clear that this is a strong focus for them and we need to toe the line. Licensing will be conducting thorough vehicle searches to look for BYO. You will be ejected if caught, even if it’s just one person who’s done the wrong thing, unfortunately, the whole car is going home! You do not want that and neither do we!
PLAYING TIMES
The playing times are exactly the same, make sure you get the app and set your planners – available on the Apple and Android marketplace, make sure you download this one before you leave home!
BANNED ITEMS
Staff, police and security will be searching all cars on arrival. Harsh penalties including immediate ejection from the event, fines and possible criminal charges apply to those found carrying any of the following items.
Illegal drugs ·alcohol · fireworks, flares & sparklers (all strictly monitored) · weapons.Other banned items include gas bottles or cooking facilities with a naked flame · campfires · glass of any kind · port-a-loos · couches · pets and animals · sound systems · bean bags · lasers · Umbrellas (use raincoat, poncho instead) · professional cameras.
FENCE JUMPERS & TRESPASSERS
Any persons attempting to gain entry to the festival without a valid event ticket either on foot, by private vehicle, bus or other means is considered to be trespassing and therefore breaking the law. Police will be issuing hefty on the spot fines for trespassing, and trespassers will be evicted from the festival.All persons travelling to the event via bus will be checked for a valid 2015 Lorne Falls Festival ticket or wristband prior to boarding, and will not be allowed on the bus without this.
GET YOUR CAR PASS NOW!
If you’re driving to the Mount Duneed Estate or Byron Bay you will need to pre-purchase a Car Pass. Sales for these will close at midnight before the date they’re valid. Remember, if camping and you arrive with 3 or more people in your vehicle, you’ll receive a refund! If you are purchasing a day carpark pass, 4 in the car and you get your money back!BUY A LORNE CAR PASS – NOW VALID FOR MT DUNEED ESTATE
BUY A BYRON BAY CAR PASS
Marion Bay does not require car passesBe careful on the roads, look out for one another.
We can’t wait to see you all onsite from tomorrow!
Falls x
Story: Supplied.
Photo: Cassandra Hannagan / Getty.
