For first timers ConFest can be challenging. Set up a camping spot, relax, join in and make friends.

Workshops, play shops, singing, dancing, discussions, tai chi, yoga, jamming, alternative technology, vegetarian market, fire twirling, circus skills, meditations, walking, swimming and more. You may have some skill or thoughts you'd like to share with others.

Want to put on a workshop/conference? Create your own workshop. Everything is spontaneous. Just write topic/theme and time/place on workshop boards. There will be a number of shaded areas for workshops and events to take place. ConFest is as much you as it is any other person. Be free to just do your own thing. Create or join with a village that is your flavour.

Explore wellbeing ways - drumming, dancing, storytelling and friendly chats at firecircles. Make links with others. Relax among new friends. Share healing ways in hundreds of workshops and mini-conferences. Have an outdoor massage (over 30 tables). Go into the steam lodge. Have a swim.

Slow down in a safe friendly environment. Dance the nights away with thousands under the Southern Stars.

ConFest (Conference/Festival) is a gathering of people wishing to share talents, skills, ideas, concerns and philosophies in a caring fun loving and tolerant atmosphere.

The presentation of workshops, demonstrations, entertainments and the maintenance of site facilities are all performed by volunteers, monetary payment is neither accepted nor made. At ConFest, people often set up villages with differing themes, some of the villages have been: Healing Village (a wide range of healing ways), Spiritual Village (spiritual ways and ceremonies), Arts Village (all forms of art, mud bath and hot tub), Families Village, Spiral Village (drumming/well-being), Yoga Village, etc. etc.

Little is pre-planned and events happen spontaneously.

ConFest is a very unique event and all attending speak of the 'ConFest spirit' as something very special. In the Music Village, and at odd spaces around our site, performers include acoustic, folk, jazz, reggae, world and indigenous musical acts as well as some circus, theatre, comedy and poetry on an open air stage.

As well as spontaneous music, dance and art events and happenings that can emerge anywhere at any time. Once inside, all events are free. Join us for a fabulous communal experience.

ConFest is in effect a small town, it is created and dismantled again within the space of about two weeks. Power, plumbing, gas, toilets, tracks, first aid, kitchens, showers, etc etc..... all of this is created by volunteers. From those who contribute their two hours (an obligation of entry to ConFest) to those who have given hundreds, some many thousands of hours to the creation of the gathering and to the ConFest Community. ConFest is a creative and logistical marvel, and has successfully balanced the line between too little and too much organisation for over thirty years. The open and spontaneous nature of ConFest, combined with a wealth of valuable tradition and knowledge has created, and will continue to create this most unique celebration. Amongst our multi-talented Community are the thinkers, the dreamers, the doers, the activators, the enablers, the carers......... all of the skills, talents,awarenesses and understandings that we all have are vital to create a magical, safe and above all sustainable festival. Some volunteers give their time throughout the year; attending to the administration & book-keeping tasks, infrastructure maintenance, storage and acquisition, others participate during site visits or set up and pack down, others find their festival more fulfilling by actively participating through the days of ConFest. ConFest is also much enriched by the self organising acts of ConFesters; rubbish round ups and the "butt bob" (smokers, please lets make this task unnecessary). The tale of the "Toilet Fairy" is becoming legend; a ConFester who for some time, took it upon himself to keep the toilets tidy and supplied with the necessaries ..... all quite anonymously. Everyone can participate in the creation of ConFest; either by getting involved in Down To Earth or the remarkable ConFest volunteer process, or just by being in the right place at the right time to give a smile, kind word or lend a hand. It is this spirit that makes ConFest much more than just another festival. If you would like to get involved in the creation of ConFest please Contact Down To Earth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Share your ideas about ConFest activities and processes in the forum. Please Note: you must be registered and logged in to make posts, join groups and view images & video in the forums. or Simply visit the info & volunteers area at ConFest.

 

As ConFest is a non-profit event ticket prices are kept to a minimum to cover costs associated with providing the amenity and infrastucture.

The cost of tickets can be found by contacting us and will be published as the event draws closer.

At the very heart of the creation of the festival in 1976, are the conferences or workshops. Over the years since there have been a stunning variety of subjects covered. Ranging from the healing and esoteric arts, through creative arts of all mediums; visual, music, dance, drama... to informative workshops on alternative technologies and G.E.C.O.'s ever popular environment conservation workshops & film screenings, from laughter workshops to learning speed reading.

The workshops run with beautiful simplicity and are largely self -organised.

Anyone at ConFest may hold a workshop, simply choose one of the many workshop spaces around the site, write the details on the workshop blackboards (always located near the information area) including details on any specific age group your workshop is intended for. ie, "for kids only", "for kids of all ages", "adults only".
 

This means ConFesters can wear, or not wear anything they chose. Everywhere at ConFest is clothes optional. Don't be surprised to have a naked ticket collector when you arrive at the ConFest gate. Clothing can range from nothing, to body paint, a coat of mud, a sheet, a fairy costume, even a ball gown or dinner suit. At ConFest, clothing is not gender specific. There is just one simple rule, respect other ConFester's choices.

There are times when some of us would like some time out/especially young mothers. Why not come in to the library for some quiet time as a good book is as good as a friend. Reading gives us flights of joy and fancy as one takes magic carpet rides to visit other times and faraway places. The library system runs on borrow a book, exchange a book if you can.

If you have any good books you would pass on to a friend, why not donate then to ConFest library. The books can be for all ages [in reasonable condition please] It is run voluntarily for ConFesters. We have around four hundred books at the moment.

There are a number of communal cooking spaces throughout the festival, often adopted by the village or 'tribe' camped around them, they each have a unique character and approach for a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Far more than a food provision service, community kitchens at ConFest become a hub for the community to interact with, entertain, and care for itself.

Note:

Cooking must be done in approved fire circles, in regulation fire drums or burners in the authorised community kitchen spaces. NO small fires or personal gas/fuel cookers are allowed out side approved fire areas.

A long running and very popular ConFest tradition is the communal artists studio.

Activities include, body and sign painting, life drawing, clay work, organic art, photography etc etc etc. Artists, models and workshop facilitators are always welcome.

The rebirth of the ConFest Art &Craft market has been widely welcomed. It's aim is to offer an ethical and community based "commercial" environment. There are many skilled and talented artists, artisans and craftspeople in the ConFest Community, the market space is an opportunity for them to make a living, and for others to acquire and support their works. The food market at ConFest is famous for its delicious vegetarian food, gorgeous desserts, and of course chai.

Please note:

ConFest does not have a "healing" market, all modalities of healing offered at ConFest, including spiritual/psychic readings are done so as an energy exchange or a contribution to the overall well-being of the Community.
 

Considered by some to be the heartbeat of ConFest, percussion workshops and drumming / jam circles are a focal point of music at ConFest, often accompanying dance workshops of a variety of styles.

Please note:

Kit drums are NOT appropriate at ConFest, they make a very different sound to hand percussion and are disturbing to other ConFesters and potentially dangerous to wildlife.

Arrive well before sunset - For safety reasons cars are restricted from moving around the ConFest site at night. If you arrive at sunset of later, you will be asked to remain outside the front gate until morning. Arriving in daylight allows for ease in setting up your camp. Cars are not driven on the site at night. Please pack your sleeping gear so that it's easily accessible. You may be able to walk into the ConFest site. The Ticket Gate is set well into the ConFest Site from the Road entrance gate.

For safety, the road entrance gate is locked before dark and reopened in the morning. If you want to leave the ConFest after dark, take your car outside the road gate before dark, and walk out to your car when you are ready to leave,

There are provisions in place for emergency vehicles, Ambulance, Fire, Police.

ConFest is a camp-out. Bring simple camping gear, some food, a hat, a water bottle, sun block or protective clothing, personal medications, insect repellent, torch, musical instruments, light footwear.

Bring some warm clothes as the nights may be cold. Earplugs can be good for blocking out noise when you want to sleep. Remember to bring earphones for your radio, CD or MP3 player.

It is good to bring a cup, a plate and cutlery for use at any of the community cooking spaces as well as any dietary specific food you may need. As you wander about ConFest carry a cup and have a cuppa at the community spaces.

Consider bringing drums, trumpets, guitars, singing voices, art and painting gear, anything unusual. Most essential of all, bring yourself and your spirit of ConFest.

THE ABUSE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL IS NOT WELCOME.

As ConFest is a family and child friendly environment and respect for each others right to freedom of abusive behaviour the abuse from those affected by drugs and alcohol is not welcome.

ConFest is about natural living with a significant physical and spiritual healing emphasis and abuse of Alcohol and use of drugs is not encouraged.

Also, in specific villages- i.e.; Healing, Massage, Spiritual, etc - all use of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol is banned.

PETS are NOT allowed at all.

NOT in the car-park, NOT in the camp, NOT left outside the site. Be kind to your pets and organise a friend early to mind them, or check out a local kennel or person to help.

Please note, dogs found on site may be surrendered to the local ranger/pound. This is necessary to protect other ConFesters and local wildlife.

Drinking water, cold showers, pit style toilets and regulation fire pits are provided. Showers and toilets provided are basic and adequate. There is good swimming and lots of shade trees on site. When selecting a camp site, look up and check the trees for dangerous branches. If in doubt seek advice.

Bring as little as possible and take your rubbish home, there is NO kerbside rubbish/recycling service at ConFest. Organic matter can be thrown down a toilet. Avoid bringing glass as it is dangerous for bare feet and potentially lethal for wildlife.

NO DISPOSABLES

Down To Earth has a non negotiable "No Disposables" rule for ConFest (this includes food market venders). Please bring a Mug, Plate, Bowl and Cutlery for use at the Market and our Community Cooking Spaces. Please be aware of the amount of potential garbage you bring on site, and please take all non compostable garbage away with you when you leave.

There are strict conditions imposed on the use of fire.
 
 We cannot use any device that has a flame, outside a prepared, approved and signed, fire circles.
 Definitely not in any tent. This includes candles, kero lamps, pressure lamps, gas lamps, gas stoves, metho or kero stoves ............. Anything with a flame! 

BE CONSCIOUS and considerate.

FIRE BAN days must be adhered to, so also bring "no cooking needed" tucker.

SMOKERS Please remember to dispose of your butts with care. ConFest is out in the bush and fire is a major worry, many people are bare foot and there is the well-being of the local wildlife to consider.

'Obie' a ConFest First aid Co-ordinator said:
"I am so happy that fire is limited at ConFest. I saw the look on peoples faces when their tent and all their gear was burnt to nothing by a candle. I still remember the screaming of each of the little children that I treated in First Aid for burnt feet, hands or legs from campfires that weren't extinguished properly, that is "blacked out". If you had heard the screaming of the toddler who fell face first into a campfire you would not question the need to strictly limit the use of fire at ConFest."
 
 If you have been to ConFest you will have experienced the fire spaces. Each space is scraped and sanded to reduce dust. There are half drums for the fires.and three burner gas stoves with gas provided. There are a number of trolley mounted four burner BBQ's for community use at the fire circles.
 The only flame allowed at ConFest is a cooking fire in these circles. If you don't like walking, camp near a fire circle.
 
 The safety of the festival, the local ecology, economy and the residents themselves depend on our adherence to local fire regulations, and our general responsible use of fire. There is an active fire patrol process at ConFest.
 
 If you have to have your own personal camp fire,
 If, with all the lighting alternatives available, you must use a flame for lighting.
 If you won't cook with other people at a community fire space,
 It could be ConFest isn't the right place for you.
 

When you enter the ConFest site, the tab is removed from your ticket.

YOUR TICKET IS THEN YOUR PERSONAL PASS-OUT so have it with you when you wish to leave and return to the ConFest site. Your ticket is stamped as you leave the site,and when you return the stamp is cancelled.You must have a validated passout in order to re-enter ConFest. Your vehicle will also get a passout which is handed back when you your vehicle re-enters the ConFest site.
There are several personal passout spaces on your ticket. We encourage the minimisation of traffic by car pooling and better still, by being organised so that you don't need to go into town during the ConFest.
Make sure that you check gate hours, before you leave the ConFest site, if you intend to return.

There are usually three alternatives if you come to ConFest by car.

CARFREE - This is fixed carparking for ConFesters who will not be moving their cars until the end of ConFest . It is situated closer to the carfree camping area to make it easier to get gear to the camp site. Hand trolleys and barrows are there to help move your gear.

GYPSY - You may have your car, caravan, camper, truck, etc at your camp. Your vehicle must remain stationary while you are ConFest. Once camped you can travel to town with others if need be. Your vehicle cannot be moved from this area till the end of ConFest.

ACCESS - This area is for people who wish to camp with their car but come and go during ConFest: People who are camping in CARFREE may also leave their cars in ACCESS,

Photographs, video and audio recordings are sometimes taken at ConFest for creative purposes and simply to document our celebrations; our "history as it happens".

This should always be announced and permission sought beforehand to allow those not wishing to participate to avoid the recording device or leave the area.

Please note:

All photographs and video & audio recordings are the copyright of the Down To Earth
Co-Operative Society, this has been done to protect the privacy of ConFesters.

If you have been photographed or recorded against your wishes, and are unable to resolve the situation yourself, please report the matter to a D.T.E. Volunteer in as much detail as possible.