Let’s face it, camping at music festivals can be a massive hassle. From setting up the tent, waking up in it at six in the morning when it turns into a sauna, the disgusting adventure that is the festival shower and finally to the ever-increasing camping prices that are actually reaching the level of hotel accommodation these days, it’s a brutal slog on the body, soul and wallet.
So what is a festival-hungry non-camper to do then? Just give up on the interstate festival experience of your dreams? Hell no! Don’t despair, trust us – there is still a way to pack up and head out to live your festival dreams without subjecting yourself to the tortures of the festival campsite, and we are here to share it with you.
Check Out Inner-City Festivals
Inner-city festivals are great locations for non-campers. This is not only because they’re easier in general but also because they are some of the country’s best. From Laneway to Listen Out, Sydney City Limits to WOMADelaide, you really don’t have to go far from the centre of the city to see some great music in this country. And with our friends at YHA boasting some amazing locations in the heart of our thriving metropolises, you don’t have to break the bank to stay nice and central either.
If You Do Go Regional (And You Should) Choose Your Festival Wisely
While the inner city festivals are great, a true summer festivals season wouldn’t be complete without a bit of music in nature. This can be tricky for the non-camper as camping and nature, unfortunately, go hand in hand. However, if you choose your festival wisely there are still plenty of regional festivals close enough to civilization for festivals goers not to have to camp, the likes of Port Macquarie’s Festival Of The Sun and Byron Bay’s Bluesfest being just two such examples.
Hostels
Hostels have long been the refuge of the intrepid and adventurous traveller, offering all the essential amenities one could ask for without breaking the bank. Stuffy hotels and kitsch Airbnbs might offer more luxurious surrounds, but the truly great advantage of the hostel is that ineffable quality, that je ne sais quoi the French call l’atmosphere. A mixing pot of international travellers and homegrown revellers, Australia has one of the best-celebrated hostel scenes in the world and for the camping-averse festival goer, there is no better place to lay your head. With dorms available for those on a budget and single and double rooms for those looking for more privacy, whatever level you want to travel at you can find a hostel that will suit.
If you really want to save money without scrimping on experience though, our mates at YHA have some bargain multi-night, pre-paid ePacks that let you hop around the country at heavily discounted rates. These 5, 10 and 15 night accom packs are good to use at most of the 80 YHAs around Australia, and are a great way to save money for anyone planning a couple of festivals trips over the summer, with the pre-paid price almost half the regular rate depending on which hostels and dates you are looking at.
Get The Gang Together
Now, this might be the most important point on this list, as we all know a good interstate festival experience is really all about bonding with the people you love – your deadshit mates. Not only will they be useful when it comes to splitting accommodation costs, if you get enough of you together you can even take over a dorm in a hostel.
More than just that though, as any true festival-goer knows, the only way to fully enjoy the experience is to share it with friends, as it is the people we make the memories with that truly shape them. So be sure to get the gang together and pile into the car or plane full of unlucky fellow passengers and make the most of it this summer and remember, just because you don’t like to get down in the dirt and camp, doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the interstate festival experience of a lifetime.
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Find your nearest YHA for your next interstate festival adventure, here.
