Beyond the Valley
The new kid on the Aussie music festival block, Beyond the Valley has made a big impact since its inception in 2014 and is fast becoming the way to celebrate the New Year in this part of the world. The festival pulls in handpicked homegrown and international talent, with this year hosting Schoolboy Q, The Presets and Matt Corby among others.
Nestled in Victoria’s Lardner Park, around 100 kilometres east of Melbourne, the lush fields and rolling hills of the lakeside festival site set an escapist mood. The natural amphitheatre is brought to life with acts performing on three stages amidst spectacular artwork and visual effects.
Beyond the party, there’s a hammock park in which to relax, a lakeside bar for a quiet drink, morning yoga classes, and gourmet food and drink options: think slow-cooked pulled pork or a vegan burger, paired with a craft brew or an espresso martini.
When it comes to camping options, Beyond the Valley has it covered. Zip City is the perfect solution for those who don’t want to deal with poles and canvas: guests arrive to a completely set-up tent, allowing the party to begin right away. Powered sites are available within the walls of Electric City, while at the top end, Lux Camp takes glamping to the next level, with access to premium facilities and a VIP bar.
Beyond the Valley is a ‘green’ festival, and also supports the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), with AUD$1 donated for each ticket sold. And while the festival is a destination unto itself, the journey doesn’t have to end there: make a road trip of it. The surrounding Baw Baw region offers everything from wineries and art to nature treks and fishing.
WORDS OF WISDOM
- EFTPOS is accepted at bars and ATMs are available, but it’s advisable to bring along a wad of cash to save time queueing.
- Stay hydrated. Free water stations are located throughout the festival and camping grounds.
- Traffic jam alert: expect delays when arriving and departing the grounds, and consider leaving early on the 1st of January to miss the bulk of the traffic.
- An easy route to Beyond the Valley is the V Line train between Melbourne and Drouin. From here, a shuttle bus will whisk festival-goers to and from Lardner Park.
Visit Beyond The Valley
