The Lost Lands Festival Revamps & Streamlines 2016 Program

3 August 2016 | 10:11 am | Staff Writer

The inaugural event will be held at Werribee Mansion in a couple months' time

Nascent Melbourne festival The Lost Lands has performed a bit of last-minute housekeeping ahead of its inaugural event this October, rejigging its program to a neat — but still jam-packed — two-day spread.

In case you're worried that means a reduction in entertainment, fret not: Lost Lands organisers have ensured that the event's dates — Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October — are stuffed full with attractions for all ages, encompassing music, art, installations, comedy, performance, cultural activities, food, wine, and even dedicated adventure 'lands' for kids.

The festival is a first-time collaboration between Falls Festival founder Simon Daly and Peninsula Picnic creative director/ex-St Kilda Festival director David Strong, and the pair's clout has seen them net a tremendously impressive array of international and local acts to provide the soundtrack to this year's Lost Lands event, including Mariachi El BronxThe WaifsThe GratesMissy HigginsTash SultanaThe Bamboos with Tim Rogers, along with other entertainment yet to be announced.

Billed as following in the footsteps of an increasingly pro-family bent championed at festivals in Europe, The Lost Lands is making it not only easy but beneficial to bring along your young ones, with each children's ticket including entry to the Werribee Open Range Zoo between the event's Saturday and Monday.

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"In Europe, a number of festivals include children beyond 'entry'," Daly said in a statement. "They program shared experiences to be enjoyed by parents, kids, groups of friends — anyone really. The result is a more sophisticated generation who know, love and participate in the festival experience.

"I think there’s an appetite for more experiences crafted with families and friends in mind and it’s exciting for the industry."

Echoed Strong: "As parents, it’s about being able to share the magic of a festival with your kids and your mates. We wanted to create an event where you get treated like an adult and the kids get treated like kids; where a group of families can get together and have a truly amazing time."

If that sounds like it's up your alley, then you'll be stoked to know that tickets for The Lost Lands are on sale now, and encompass both one- and two-day passes for adults and children. The option to camp at the grounds is also available for an exceedingly reasonable $5 a night; see the event's website for more booking information.

The Lost Lands 2016 — Line-up

  • The Waifs
  • The Grates
  • Mariachi El Bronx
  • Missy Higgins
  • Ozomatli
  • Harts
  • Architecture In Helsinki
  • The Bamboos with Tim Rogers
  • Tash Sultana
  • Little Stevies
  • Ali Barter
  • Olympia