Byron Bay Bluesfest
Byron Bay Bluesfest
3.4
About
Now internationally recognised, Bluesfest attracts an array of Blues and Roots artists from all over the world, as well as offering the stage to a wide variety of local performers. Held over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay, the festival showcases amazing musical talent inside the huge grounds, and offers lots of great food and drink options, camping facilities and family-friendly activities in a truly Australian, laidback environment.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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3.4
99 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
13
Average
9
Poor
16
Terrible
21
SC
Gold Coast, Australia140 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Just spent Good Friday at Blues Festival and it was great except for the VIP Lounge a waist of money. The overall festival is a great event the organisation , the music, the people fantastic but the VIP area was disappointing. For an extra $150 dollars there was not enough seating to relax and only one food option a lamb roll for $22 the meat was tough over cooked and nothing else not even a gravy or coleslaw. Save your money and it would pay for 10 drinks and better food outside.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James N
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Couples
Music was fabulous but getting in and out of parking was a disaster except on Saturday, when it went like clockwork. Toilets were the worst I’ve seen, they were unclean, badly smelling and no paper. The mud should have been covered with a few tons of sand. Will rethink attendance in future.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NataliePatricia
San Francisco, CA649 contributions
Apr 2017
First time at bluesfest and overall a great experience with some fantastic artists: others were overrated and a bit hit and miss.
Great venue and logistics overall but the payments was overly complicated and seemed like everyone was out to make a buck from you. Would be much better experience if basic amenities like water and shuttle bus we're included in (already pricey) entrance ticket. Or at least add this option so people aren't fiddling around for money each for each of the following:
- shuttle bus tickets $5 each way but you can only buy with cash going there. Return requires a pre purchased ticket at limited vendors within bluesfest which may mean queuing behind people casually trying on tshirts at Merchandise when you just want to go home .
- water: despite the guise of RSA you cannot bring water inside the venue. You have to buy bottles water $4 or PAY for refill $1 per bottle or discover that there is "tap water" just outside the toilets?! (Has health dept been notified of this?)
Staff serving alcohol (rfid system) would not provide me with water but directed me to water station across the way where you had to use cash to buy water - too complicated having several payment systems for water!!!! Sort this out please
- food is cash system which is different from alcohol RFID tag. Queues everywhere most of the night- best tip is to avoid peak periods and go between shows to avoid the crowds. Best picks are Byron bay organic donuts and Ya Man Yemeni food. Everything else was overpriced and quite average
- Alcohol RFID tag system by unfortunately could not pre register online a site not working. Had to queue to do onsite top up and risk over topping up and never getting refund back. Make sure you plan how much you spend as it looks like getting an online refund is a nightmare (I'm sure they count on it being hard)
- VIP lounge: compete rip off. Only do this if you have back issues or need somewhere to sit . But even then, paying $120 per day is no guarantee of a seat. At best you may get a backless bench but count yourself lucky as it is packed with standing room only. The only seating with backsupport was plastic chairs (there were five). The lounge is filled mostly with hangers on and groupies who did not look like paid entry VIPs . There are at least clean bathrooms( ladies still have to queue).
Premium drinks just means they are more expensive- still drinking overpriced wine and spirits out of plastic cups. The one food option was decent, well run and well priced.
Top tips:
- comfortable shoes with arch support : only wear gum boots if wet: expect to be standing for up to hours a day as there is practically no seating
- a light towel or blanket to sit on the grass
- you can bring a foldaway chair but risk carrying it around
- rollaway hat as most venues undercover and you will be carrying it around at night (if you lose it say goodbye)
- pack layers in a comfortable sling bag or backpack that you can move with. Gets cool at night and hot days
- lots of cash for miscellaneous expenses (see above)
- empty drink bottle to fill water inside
- have a nice meal and pre load in byron before you go as food options very crowded and low quality or grab a slice of pizza from the shop opposite the shuttle bus stop on the way home
- stay near shuttle bus stop as you won't want to be walking far after a long day on your feet
Great venue and logistics overall but the payments was overly complicated and seemed like everyone was out to make a buck from you. Would be much better experience if basic amenities like water and shuttle bus we're included in (already pricey) entrance ticket. Or at least add this option so people aren't fiddling around for money each for each of the following:
- shuttle bus tickets $5 each way but you can only buy with cash going there. Return requires a pre purchased ticket at limited vendors within bluesfest which may mean queuing behind people casually trying on tshirts at Merchandise when you just want to go home .
- water: despite the guise of RSA you cannot bring water inside the venue. You have to buy bottles water $4 or PAY for refill $1 per bottle or discover that there is "tap water" just outside the toilets?! (Has health dept been notified of this?)
Staff serving alcohol (rfid system) would not provide me with water but directed me to water station across the way where you had to use cash to buy water - too complicated having several payment systems for water!!!! Sort this out please
- food is cash system which is different from alcohol RFID tag. Queues everywhere most of the night- best tip is to avoid peak periods and go between shows to avoid the crowds. Best picks are Byron bay organic donuts and Ya Man Yemeni food. Everything else was overpriced and quite average
- Alcohol RFID tag system by unfortunately could not pre register online a site not working. Had to queue to do onsite top up and risk over topping up and never getting refund back. Make sure you plan how much you spend as it looks like getting an online refund is a nightmare (I'm sure they count on it being hard)
- VIP lounge: compete rip off. Only do this if you have back issues or need somewhere to sit . But even then, paying $120 per day is no guarantee of a seat. At best you may get a backless bench but count yourself lucky as it is packed with standing room only. The only seating with backsupport was plastic chairs (there were five). The lounge is filled mostly with hangers on and groupies who did not look like paid entry VIPs . There are at least clean bathrooms( ladies still have to queue).
Premium drinks just means they are more expensive- still drinking overpriced wine and spirits out of plastic cups. The one food option was decent, well run and well priced.
Top tips:
- comfortable shoes with arch support : only wear gum boots if wet: expect to be standing for up to hours a day as there is practically no seating
- a light towel or blanket to sit on the grass
- you can bring a foldaway chair but risk carrying it around
- rollaway hat as most venues undercover and you will be carrying it around at night (if you lose it say goodbye)
- pack layers in a comfortable sling bag or backpack that you can move with. Gets cool at night and hot days
- lots of cash for miscellaneous expenses (see above)
- empty drink bottle to fill water inside
- have a nice meal and pre load in byron before you go as food options very crowded and low quality or grab a slice of pizza from the shop opposite the shuttle bus stop on the way home
- stay near shuttle bus stop as you won't want to be walking far after a long day on your feet
Written 17 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuGar_rett
Sydney, Australia68 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Really well organised with lots of staff to help along the way.
Paid in advanced parking good and easy to find.
Lots of stalls with local products.
Lots of food outlets.
Lots of alcohol outlets.
The weather was sensational even though it rained briefly one evening.
The ground didn’t get too muddy and there was lots of available cover.
We brought folding camp chairs. I would highly recommend bringing something like this if you intend on going as most of the chairs in the tents were occupied and you’ll be more comfortable whilst waiting for a band to start.
We had to empty our water bottles at their checkpoint just in case it contained alcohol.
This year there was 4 main tents housing different entertainers and bands. With help of the bluesfest app, you can plan your time there.
Bring a light jacket for evening as it’s gets a bit cool. And a good pair of walking boots as it’s very dusty and you do spend a lot of time walking between tents.
Pros:
Good line up of entertainers
Toilets were surprisingly clean
Lots to see and listen to
Free water stations
Family friendly
Cons:
Very expensive
A plastic cup of wine $12-17 for approx 110 mls
Many good mixes ran out before the nights end.
Food starts at $17 for anything substantial but very small portions
Paid in advanced parking good and easy to find.
Lots of stalls with local products.
Lots of food outlets.
Lots of alcohol outlets.
The weather was sensational even though it rained briefly one evening.
The ground didn’t get too muddy and there was lots of available cover.
We brought folding camp chairs. I would highly recommend bringing something like this if you intend on going as most of the chairs in the tents were occupied and you’ll be more comfortable whilst waiting for a band to start.
We had to empty our water bottles at their checkpoint just in case it contained alcohol.
This year there was 4 main tents housing different entertainers and bands. With help of the bluesfest app, you can plan your time there.
Bring a light jacket for evening as it’s gets a bit cool. And a good pair of walking boots as it’s very dusty and you do spend a lot of time walking between tents.
Pros:
Good line up of entertainers
Toilets were surprisingly clean
Lots to see and listen to
Free water stations
Family friendly
Cons:
Very expensive
A plastic cup of wine $12-17 for approx 110 mls
Many good mixes ran out before the nights end.
Food starts at $17 for anything substantial but very small portions
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara O'Neill
1 contribution
Apr 2022
We were onsite campers and elected to pay extra to stay in the 'Tent Motel' we, along with fellow campers experienced extremely unhygenic toilet and shower facilities. The toilets and showers had no water on day one, they were cleaned overnight the first night, and not cleaned inside for the duration of the festival, ran out of water for flushing of waste in toilets,and for showers every day. Disguitsting toilet facilities inside the festival site, a health and safety disaster, Despite allerting those responsible nothing was done.
Worst festival experience ever. Have attended Bluesfest before but this one was oversold and nothing was done to improve the putrid stench of the surrounds. Negative comments posted on Instagram alerting the festival organisers of the health and safety issues were promptly deleted. Is this legal?? We Festival attendees paid a lot of money to attend it was a massive disappointment.
Worst festival experience ever. Have attended Bluesfest before but this one was oversold and nothing was done to improve the putrid stench of the surrounds. Negative comments posted on Instagram alerting the festival organisers of the health and safety issues were promptly deleted. Is this legal?? We Festival attendees paid a lot of money to attend it was a massive disappointment.
Written 25 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Gold Coast, Australia10 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Waste of money! Line ups are ridiculous. Tickets obviously oversold and Sevices underdelivered
VIP tickets a waste 1 hour line up for drinks and now seating available. Similar line ups for food and drink in general admission.
Music line up was good with some great music. Better prep of the audience area required at each stage tent to prevent the mud pit!! Won’t be going again!!
VIP tickets a waste 1 hour line up for drinks and now seating available. Similar line ups for food and drink in general admission.
Music line up was good with some great music. Better prep of the audience area required at each stage tent to prevent the mud pit!! Won’t be going again!!
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Couples
Good music food beer (though costly) and shops.
Absolutely ruined by very overcrowded mud filled smelly poorly lit venue with boggy parking ground. Stages under large tents - packed like sardines.
For the 150 daily cost and high priced food/drink I'm surprised at the issues. Perhaps make an effort to put down some crusher dust after on mud each day ...
First time attending - unfortunately sounds like best years behind it. Would attend again only if venue change / high confidence management fixed issues.
Absolutely ruined by very overcrowded mud filled smelly poorly lit venue with boggy parking ground. Stages under large tents - packed like sardines.
For the 150 daily cost and high priced food/drink I'm surprised at the issues. Perhaps make an effort to put down some crusher dust after on mud each day ...
First time attending - unfortunately sounds like best years behind it. Would attend again only if venue change / high confidence management fixed issues.
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westcj
Koroit3 contributions
Mar 2021
Bluesfest management badly mishandled the cancellation of the 2021 festival. On the morning of the cancellation, Wednesday 31 March, the Bluesfest website was still saying that festival was all systems go - " Please be assured that Bluesfest is going ahead this Easter Long Weekend", and the camping grounds were opening at 10 am as planned.
Myself and hundreds of others took this as being factual , arrived and set up camps on Wednesday only to be told at 4.30 pm that the festival had been cancelled.
What Management should have said on their website on Tuesday 30 March was the festival was planning to go ahead, but if it was possible, try and delay your arrival until a final decision will have been made.
On Tuesday , Bluesfest would have known that there was a threat of the festival being cancelled and this should have been made clear to the ticket holders.
This would have saved many ticket holders, including myself, a long and pointless drive to the festival site and given people time to come up with a Plan B in terms of finding alternative accommodation for Easter, if required
The corporate buzzword for the last few years has been 'transparency' , Bluesfest is like many other businesses, it seems to have little understanding of the word.
Myself and hundreds of others took this as being factual , arrived and set up camps on Wednesday only to be told at 4.30 pm that the festival had been cancelled.
What Management should have said on their website on Tuesday 30 March was the festival was planning to go ahead, but if it was possible, try and delay your arrival until a final decision will have been made.
On Tuesday , Bluesfest would have known that there was a threat of the festival being cancelled and this should have been made clear to the ticket holders.
This would have saved many ticket holders, including myself, a long and pointless drive to the festival site and given people time to come up with a Plan B in terms of finding alternative accommodation for Easter, if required
The corporate buzzword for the last few years has been 'transparency' , Bluesfest is like many other businesses, it seems to have little understanding of the word.
Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
1 contribution
Apr 2022
Paid over 2 grand for glamping at Bluesfest Byron Bay, which supposedly included a king size mattress elevated on pallets.
What we got instead was a wafer-thin mattress on the tent floor, which was so short, my feet were resting on the clothes rack!
I am approximately 180cm tall. Tent was also way smaller than as described.
What we got instead was a wafer-thin mattress on the tent floor, which was so short, my feet were resting on the clothes rack!
I am approximately 180cm tall. Tent was also way smaller than as described.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caronnect
15 contributions
Apr 2022
Mudfest 2022. After recent rains, this wasn't surprising but MUST wear sturdy, waterproof boots that can be hosed off later.
Amazing music: 4.5 out of 5 for the many talented musicians & excellent food/shopping stalls. Only 'problems' were the venues were spread out & many clashes / overlaps. Sound engineering was very poor if not inside the tents.
Terrible: Only 2 out of 5 for VIP (absolute sh*t experience), transport logistics, non-existent seating & poor sound engineering. DO NOT BUY VIP - absolute scam for $100+ pp/day. Did not provide promised food (none in VIP), very limited seating (hard benches & almost no seating inside), NO view of nearby stage (deliberately blocked views by covering fences) & locked out of VIP without notice on 2 nights from 11pm.
Amazing music: 4.5 out of 5 for the many talented musicians & excellent food/shopping stalls. Only 'problems' were the venues were spread out & many clashes / overlaps. Sound engineering was very poor if not inside the tents.
Terrible: Only 2 out of 5 for VIP (absolute sh*t experience), transport logistics, non-existent seating & poor sound engineering. DO NOT BUY VIP - absolute scam for $100+ pp/day. Did not provide promised food (none in VIP), very limited seating (hard benches & almost no seating inside), NO view of nearby stage (deliberately blocked views by covering fences) & locked out of VIP without notice on 2 nights from 11pm.
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Considering flying to Australia for this. I would be very disappointed if the venue's I most want to see were too full to get into, for instance, MOJO on the Saturday night. Is that a possibility?
Written 7 March 2023
Hi if we are taking our caravan and staying in the camp area, Is it pet friendly. ??
Written 16 February 2023
Hi all! We are looking at how to get to Bluesfest without a car, & therefore where to stay (I can't walk far, so it needs to be near shuttle bus stops?). I can't seem to find this info on the Bluesfest website - can anyone help please?
Written 25 September 2019
Hey Roam,
Sorry for the delay. If you email us via our contact form on our website we can send you the 2019 map.
Written 2 December 2019
Is there many drugs and drugged out people getting around? Is it safe and appropriate to bring little children to?
Written 21 August 2019
I wouldn’t hesitate to take kids. Loads of families go. I believe it is a safe & family friendly environment.
Given the demographic of the majority of patrons, at a guess, is around 50 +. Of course there are young & older too. I’ve never seen or experienced the drug problems that occur at other festivals that are aimed at the younger crew.
Many parents have ear muffs on kids to protect from loud music. Many use carts for kids to nap & ride in. They decorate them and look great!
Organisers are vigilant in their admission at gates. Police & sniffer dogs present, but not all the time. Police also roaming the festival crowds. That said you do get the occasional whiff of pot.
There is alcohol sold (No byo) & there is the odd one who has had a little too much. Never have I seen anything aggressive or in any way harmful. I’ve attended this festival for at least the last 15 years.
By all means take the kids & introduce them to a variety of music artists, fantastic food, fun and create some magnificent memories! Enjoy 😊
Written 6 September 2019
Possibly, but if you have to drive out of the festival grounds to go and get some you will be hit the the daily parking charge every day. $50 per day if your not aware and don't repurchase the $25 per day prepaid voucher. Otherwise your car must stay on site.
Written 27 February 2019
Check the Bluesfest website for costs, but you are better off staying up the road at Tweed Heads and having brekky near the beach a swim and go to the Bluesfest around lunchtime or mid afternoon
Written 25 July 2017
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