Beachside town Byron Bay, in the far north of the state of New South Wales, is popular with surfers, scuba divers, wale watchers, and is big with travelers and tourists. Backpackers can often find work here due to the climate and tourist seasons, but as well as being a great place to visit, Byron Bay has some top-notch festivals. Check these out next time you are near by, or perhaps, organise your working holiday around these beauties and you are sure to have an unforgettable time.
Byron Bay International Film Festival
Mid October, for 10 days
Across 5 venues in Byron Bay, this film festival is now the biggest regional film festival in Australia, and attracts not just the locals and a few Australians from further away, but all sorts from all over the world. They show features, documentaries, animation and shorts of entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking film. They also need volunteers – which is a great way to be involved and get some perks within the festival.
Byron Spirit festival
Mid April, for 3 days
Just a short bus ride away from the centre of Byron Bay is this wonderful spiritual festival held in venues around the small, but lovely, Mullumbimby. Based around yoga, healing, tantra and dance, your ticket includes all workshops of all things spiritual and therapeutic, plus there are lots of concerts delivering some great music. You can camp on the show grounds, or stay at other accommodation in town or in the region of the Byron Shire.
Blues Fest
Easter long weekend
Get your blues kicks at the country’s best contemporary blues and roots music festival. This gig is the bomb! Music from around the world comes to the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay. 5 days, 7 stages, camping site, bars, food and market stalls AND always a great line up of acts, you can’t go wrong really.
Falls Festival Byron Bay
New years eve, for 3 days
A right of passage for many young Australians is to take a road trip with your mates to the Music and Arts Falls festival. See an amazing line up of awesome musicians and bands whilst camping out in Byron. Join in the arty fun with special events and activities and generally just chill out and enjoy yourselves.
Sample Food festival
First Saturday in September
The Sample food festival lasts for only one day, but there is so much love for food here, you’ll be stuffed after those short 24 hours. Using all local produce and celebrating the creativity and well being of the local food, there 200 stall holders, demonstrations and entertainment galore! Held in Bangalore, it’s just a short 15 minute car or bus ride from Byron Bay. Your taste buds will thank you, and so will the community.
