Lovefest Bellingen

Friday, 4th October 2024 5pm - Monday 7th October 2024 2pm

Homeland Festival Grounds, Thora Valley, Bellingen

GIRRWAAWA BAYIGAMBA - This means "We come together in the love" in Gumbaynggirr Language

We are coming together with acceptance of each other and all of our choices.  We discover a sense of belonging to self, each other, and nature. All parts of the community together as one. GIRRWAAWA BAYIGAMBA

Lovefest Bellingen is a family friendly camping event over the October long weekend. A very special journey celebrating community surrounded by lush bushland full of birds and trees with a rushing freshwater river for swimming that surrounds the site. A natural atrium where the nature spirits abound. It actually feels like a paradise.

Our amazing Facilitators will weave a story to enhance connection with self, others and country.

This is a sober event that enables deeper CONNECTION, COMMUNITY and CELEBRATION. We will journey together to higher states of Love and wellbeing in a safe, creative environment where we accept each other for who we are and who we want to be, creating ripples of Love and Peace.  

PROGRAM

LINEUP

NOAM BLAT  ⭐️  LAURA TARGETT  ⭐️  JOE NEWTON  ⭐️ ANDRE MEYER

SANDY GREENWOOD  ⭐️ UNCLE MICKLO  ⭐️  RACHE MOORE ⭐️ KAYA BOOM 

FREEA FONTANELLA   ⭐️  SOLANGE (Aka DiscoPig)   ⭐️  BELLINGEN KIRTAN

BIRD GUY ⭐️  MAMA WHITE LION   ⭐️  JESSE LETHBRIDGE

NATURE CONNECTION SCHOOL ⭐️  NAOMI LISHMAN  ⭐️  ZEBIAH LIONHEART

PHOENIX RISING  ⭐️  SONYA KUMAR  ⭐️  WOMEN'S KIRTAN COLLECTIVE 

ASTARA MAGICAL ARTS  ⭐️ JOSEPH FAIRBURN   ⭐️  MELINA SUNSHINE

JOSEPH FAIRBURN ⭐️  SISTAS OF SOUND  ⭐️  RYZMATIC (AKA RYAN JASPER)

TATJANA GENYS ⭐️  BARE WEAVING ⭐️ JOURNEY WITH FRECKLE

SIMON BURTON ⭐️ TOWE PATRICIA CELEST AND DAVID STYLES 

 Additional Attractions include:

✅ Kids Activities
✅ A variety of Market Stalls
✅ Food vendors serving a variety of plant-based food with gluten free options
✅ Face Painting
✅ Healthy Drinks including chai, cacao, kombucha and elixirs
✅ Massage Healing Tents
✅ Sanctuary
✅ Multiple Swimming areas by the river

DATE & TIME

Friday 4th October from 2PM until Monday 7th October 2PM. 

Full experience, weekend pass and day passes available, with options available for concession and financial support.

Afterpay is available as a payment option

WHERE

An amazing property at Homeland in the Thora Valley near Bellingen with a river for swimming and plenty of space for camping. 

GETTING THERE

The Homeland Festival site is on Darkwood Rd Thora, approx 7.69km from the turnoff at Waterfall Way.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/a2Eevi6G4LZtKgfF8

Car pooling is recommended, join the rideshare group to help or get a ride. https://www.facebook.com/groups/8048094911977466

CAMPING AND FACILITIES

• Access to toilets, cold showers and drinking water

• Food vendors, drinks vendors, market stalls and massage tents

• On-site parking provided with car pass only. We encourage car pooling where possible to reduce environmental impact onsite.

• Please bring ALL your own camping equipment, including tent, bedding, cups, bowls, plates, cutlery, and everything you will need to be comfortable.

• - There is no power and minimal mobile reception.

• Sorry, no dogs, or personal campfires/firepits (gas cookers are ok)

VEHICLES

• Vehicle access provided with vehicle pass only. 

• We encourage car pooling where possible to reduce environmental impact onsite. 

• There is plenty of space for campervans and caravans, register these when booking your vehicle pass

FOOD AND DRINKS

We have local food vendors cooking up a variety of plant-based meals with gluten free options.

• Prices range from $7 - $20.

  Purchase your meals, save on prep, reduce waste.

• Important: BYO cups plates, bowls and cutlery (washing station available)

MARKET STALLS

• Market stalls will be offering a range of products for sale

• BRING CASH! Most vendors will also offer card, however Telstra coverage is very limited.

MASSAGE & HEALING TENTS

• Healing tents offering a range of massage and other bodywork modalities (bookings will be required when onsite)

• BRING CASH! Most vendors will also offer card, however Telstra coverage is very limited.

ENTRY AGREEMENT

• This will be an alcohol and drug-free event. This will allow us to connect together with clarity and focused intention.

• Photography and video for promotional purposes will be taken at the time of the festival.

• Dressing colourful (is recommended) 

LEAVE NO TRACE

We trust that you will all respect the environment, leave no trace and even better leave the place better than we found it. Minimise waste, take your waste back with you. Practice Love for Planet Earth.

WEATHER

The forecast is for mostly fine weather, however pack for ALL weather as it is variable in the valley. It is quite cold at night so bring extra blankets.

SHOWERING BEFORE SWIMMING

This is a must! The river is home to an endangered turtle species, as well as other sensitive wildlife. There is an open air shower located at the top of the swimming access, use soap and give yourself and any kiddies a really good wash.

TICKS

Plan for ticks, though locals report there are less around than last year. Ticks are self managed, so bring your chosen treatment with you.

Ether containing sprays (like Ticks Tox) are recommended instead of pulling them out, and for prevention, essential oils (citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood, peppermint , geranium, tea tree, eucalyptus) and patches for kids https://www.natpat.com/.../trailpatch-kids-tick-repellent...

CO-CREATORS

Are you a facilitator or artist with a gift to weave into the Lovefest Journey? Do you have a market stall that adds to the festival vibe, nourish others through heart centred food and drinks, or a healing space that relaxes and connects?

Or are you volunteer who wants to help hold space and be in service as part of an awesome team contributing to the smooth running of the event?

Applications are now open, apply here to be a cocreator of Lovefest! https://www.lovefestaustralia.com/cocreators

GIVING TO THE LAND

When you arrive, take a moment to ground in. Connect with one of the guardian trees and let them know who you are, and your intentions. Bring some fruit, a flower, stick or rock that you can add to the gifting Mandala.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land of this location and this special space. The Gumbaynggirr people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

ABOUT LOVEFEST
Lovefest is about Love for Self, Love for Community, and Love for the planet. We connect with ourselves and each other so we can send ripples of Love to our families, community, nation and then the entire planet,
Lovefest events have 3 pillars. Health and Wellbeing, Community Connection, and Dance.

Without any substances that impair cognition so we are all on the same wavelength. We come together to connect, transform, and celebrate, whilst holding the same vision and intention to spread love into the world and take action post-event. We then start to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. This then ripples out into the society we live in, positively impacting the community at large and eventually the country and planet.

The 8 Principles of Lovefest are:
1. INNER JOURNEY
2. EMPATHETIC COMMUNICATION
3. BEING OF SERVICE
4. HUMILITY
5. HARMONY
6. BUILDING COMMUNITY
7. CONNECTION TO LAND
8. CELEBRATION
www.lovefestaustralia.com