Top 5: Music Festivals of Australia

A continent like Australia seems like it was made for music festivals. With great weather year-round and no shortage of open space, there are simply too many great events to fit into one article, though here are five favorites worth checking out.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

This small town’s modest festival grew from a crowd of 6,000 to more than 100,000 in its 25 years. Showcasing the best in Australian and international jazz, the Byron Bay Bluesfest is a family-friendly event that has become one of Australia’s favorite destination festivals.

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Melbourne

What started as a weekly residency grew into a block party and further expanded into a multi-city music festival. The sound is eclectic, leaning on the indie side, and the organizers like to set up stages in unique and interesting spots around the city.

Falls Festival, Marion Bay, Tasmania

Located on the island of Tasmania, Falls Festival is a renowned event that features a star-studded lineup of rock, hip-hop and electronic acts. This is a camping music festival with a strong focus on sustainability, winning numerous awards for its green practices.

Rainbow Serpent Festival, Victoria

Similar to Burning Man, Rainbow Serpent is a four-day festival in the Australian outback, specializing in psychedelic trance and minimal techno. Beyond the music, there are workshops, art installations, and more. Like Burning Man, this festival operates on the leave-no-trace ethos.

Meredith Music Festival

Held in Meredith’s natural amphitheater, the Meredith Music Festival is a completely self-funded, non-commercial event. The grounds are owned by organizer Chris Nolan, who has built a permanent infrastructure with stages, compost toilets and showers to support the event.