Photo by David Rogers
The recent stint of abnormally warm winter weather has gotten us oh-so-excited for the joys of spring. And what better way to get in the mood for sunny days and starry nights than by booking tickets for a three-day festival on the breathtakingly beautiful Sapphire Coast?
Wanderer Festival returns to Pambula Beach this September after a fantastic first outing last year – now with an even bigger and better roster. Some keen beans may have noticed that Wanderer already announced a brilliant program of music earlier in the year. Hotly anticipated acts included Ocean Alley, Django Django, The Jungle Giants, Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide, Whiskey Dram, Urthboy, and SO MUCH MORE!
Photo by Jo Duck
And now – as if that wasn’t enough – they’ve just doubled down and added even more to the list. Sampa The Great, Lonnie Holley, Ben Lee, DJ Dad Bod, and Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers are just a few of the amazing musicians recruited to join the phenomenally diverse line-up at the end of September.
Over 70 acts from all over the globe have now been announced. There’s something for everyone, from pop-folk to rhythm and blues to electronica. There will also be art, comedy, theatre, circus and artisan workshops to entertain you over three unforgettable days and nights.
Photo by Travys Owen
From a welcome dance by Duurunu Miru Dancers to a gravity-defying circus cabaret by the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, there will be plenty of spectacular things to explore. And if you’re worried about missing the AFL or NRL grand finals – you can catch them on the big screen with hot pies and drinks on hand, plus some half-time entertainment!
I will personally be staying in a nearby hotel as my plus one flat out refused to go anywhere near a campsite shower. (Oh the sacrifices we make for friends!) But if you’re not quite as… shall we say particular?… there are camping and glamping options available.
Illustration by Dave Homer
If you, like me, enjoy your musical festivals with just a slight sense of decorum – Wanderer seems like a safe bet. It’s got an eclectic music line-up that offers a little bit of everything, but it’s also got that extra bit of arts and culture to enjoy too. Families are encouraged to get in the mix – they even specify on the website that families should camp in groups so that the parents can take turns to mosh out (okay they didn’t actually say mosh out…) while the kids sleep.
These may well be famous last words but my plan for this one is to adopt a slow and steady pace – enjoying some chilled beers (pun intended) and relaxing to some music. But I also can’t promise that I won’t be spotted on day two with a gigantic hangover and a hair-of-the-dog beer in my hand because I got too excited on day one. I guess you’ll just have to keep an eye on our socials to see how this one turns out…
Wanderer Festival – https://wanderer.com.au/
When: 29 Sept – 1 Oct
Where: Pambula Beach, NSW
How much: Tickets are priced according to age and range from $50-$320
Tickets: Single-day, 2-day, and 3-day tickets plus camping and glamping options are available on the Wanderer website
