In the room
The experience
Bluesfest runs Easter weekend on a 120-hectare tea-tree farm 11 km north of Byron Bay. Six big-top tents pitched in rows on rolling sub-tropical pasture, the Pacific Ocean a paddock away. The tea-tree plantation gives the whole site a medicinal-herb smell at dawn that becomes part of the listening. The Crossroads Tent is the smallest and where the late-night gospel sets happen. Locals queue for those, not the headliners. Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Mavis Staples, the Buena Vista Social Club all played the Crossroads at 23:30 over the years. Australia's deepest blues programming.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
The Crossroads Tent (smallest) is where the late-night gospel sets happen. Locals queue for those, not the headliners.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
A festival where the smell of the land is part of the listening experience.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Annual, four days Easter weekend (March or April depending on year). Friday is the soft open, Saturday and Sunday are the headline days, Monday closes. North NSW autumn is the comfortable season.
Hours
Annual four-day festival, Easter weekend. Gates open 12:00 each day, music to 23:00 nightly. Camping on site at Tyagarah; book accommodation in Byron Bay months ahead.
Getting there
Fly Ballina (BNK), 15 minutes drive north to Tyagarah, or Gold Coast (OOL), 90 minutes drive south. Festival shuttle buses from Byron Bay town. Camping on site for the duration.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates, line-ups and tickets come from the organiser. Opens bluesfest.com.au in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Bluesfest Byron Bay?
Bluesfest Byron Bay is in Tyagarah, NSW, Australia. Coordinates: -28.5500, 153.5500.
What kind of music is at Bluesfest Byron Bay?
Bluesfest Byron Bay programmes Blues, Roots, Gospel, Soul. Easter-weekend festival on the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, 11 km north of Byron Bay. Six big-top tents in rolling pasture, Pacific paddock-away. The medicinal-herb smell at dawn is part of the listening.
When is the best time to visit Bluesfest Byron Bay?
Annual, four days Easter weekend (March or April depending on year). Friday is the soft open, Saturday and Sunday are the headline days, Monday closes. North NSW autumn is the comfortable season.
How do I get to Bluesfest Byron Bay?
Fly Ballina (BNK), 15 minutes drive north to Tyagarah, or Gold Coast (OOL), 90 minutes drive south. Festival shuttle buses from Byron Bay town. Camping on site for the duration.
Why is Bluesfest Byron Bay in the Sonic Paths atlas?
A festival where the smell of the land is part of the listening experience.
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Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Bluesfest Byron Bay in Tyagarah through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
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