Escape to Secret Garden Festival in 2017
Praised for its love of music, art and keeping punters close to their heart, Secret Garden Festival returns to Brownlow Hill Farm in 2017. Save the date!
The first beam of light unfolds, appearing in a stretched almond-shaped opening. Thud. Adjusting to the glare, you raise your head and notice the leafy evergreen forest that engulfs you. Thud. Summoned by nature, one foot follows the other, and the canopies suddenly tower over; becoming your whole world. Thud. Artificial sounds intertwine with the whispers of the breeze. Thud. The textural sonics grow louder, as your steps crunch the dried leaves and forgotten twigs that curate the pathway beneath you. Thud. There's people now, sporting outrageous costumes. Thud. Dancing; comedy; art-making; unholy matrimony. Thud. The beat grows fonder. Thud. Thud. Thud. You're in the Secret Garden, baby.
Born and raised on the pastures of Brownlow Hill Farm in Western NSW, the festival organisers are really just a bunch of buddies with bright ideas and an insatiable hunger for creativity. Where music is most definitely important, they pride themselves on bringing forest parties, theatre, comedy, games and art to the forefront as well. So much so, that the lineup isn't even announced until all festival tickets have sold - an amount that is admirable, too.
Despite the festival's rise in popularity over the years, they've decided to keep the capacity small for a cosy and intimate experience. Don't be thinking that that entails a small ground to play on though, as there's soo much to explore during your stay. Where one stage may be recreating the Castaway scene of Wilson's bobbing departure, another area may swallow you up with an inflated mouse trap before turning a corner to play human foosball right after glittering your beard / bare breasts.
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Doubling as a gigantic fancy dress party with a universal theme for the Friday night, Secret Garden draws out the child from within; encouraging you to get as weird and silly as respectfully possible.
Returning in 2017 over Friday, 24th and Saturday, 25th February, tickets to the festival go on sale next Thursday, 29th September; unless you've attended at least once since 2014, in which you will be granted exclusive Loyal Legends presale access. Check your inboxes tomorrow!
They've certainly been listening to you guys too, as they've thrown together some hot package deals to suit anyone and everyone; plus camping remains free!
One of the very few festivals where the love, passion and appreciation from the organisers is genuinely felt, I cannot encourage you enough to experience Secret Garden at least once in your adult life. Besides, the Banquet feast is returning, and Farmer Henry is still on the prowl for a wifey - need I say more?
Words by Hannah Galvin.
Photo credit: Raury @ Secret Garden 2016 by Jess Gleeson.
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