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Are you a music-loving, adventure-seeking itinerant worker looking to make the most of your time in Australia? We've got the perfect solution for you - combine your love for live music with the chance to earn some cash during harvest season!
Follow the Harvest Trail to experience Australia’s vibrant music festivals, while working in picturesque regions ripe for harvest. From Bribie Island’s Spring Loaded Festival to Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, we’ve listed the top music events that coincide with harvest work opportunities in the region.
Splendour in the Grass
Held annually in July, this festival takes place in Byron Bay, New South Wales, and features a diverse line up of local and international acts across various genres, such as indie rock, electronic, and hip-hop. Avocados and macadamias are harvested at the same time in the Byron Bay area.
Rainbow Serpent Festival
A celebration of electronic music, art, and culture, this festival takes place in Lexton, Victoria, in late January. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere, workshops, and community-building activities. In nearby Ballarat and surrounding areas, potatoes are ready for harvest and jobs are available. About an hour away in Werribee, workers are needed for vegetable picking jobs.
St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival
This indie music festival happens in various cities across Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Fremantle, usually in late January or early February. The Laneway Festival is known for its eclectic line up featuring emerging and established artists.
Bluesfest
Held annually over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Bluesfest showcases blues, roots, folk, and world music, attracting international and local artists alike. Blueberries and macadamia are being harvested at the same time.
Woodford Folk Festival
Taking place between Christmas and New Year in Woodford, Queensland, this festival is one of the largest annual cultural events in Australia. It features a diverse program of music, dance, theatre, workshops, and street performances.
Meredith Music Festival
This three-day event, held in December in Meredith, Victoria, is a smaller, more intimate festival known for its eclectic music line up, BYO alcohol policy, and relaxed atmosphere
Groovin the Moo
A regional touring festival, Groovin the Moo takes place between April and May in various locations across Australia. It showcases a mix of local and international artists, covering a range of genres.
Keep in mind that festival dates and line ups can change from year to year, so it’s always a good idea to check the festival’s official website for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.
Some of these festivals align with harvest work:
| June 2023 | Spring loaded festival | Bribie Island, Queensland | Strawberry harvesting in Caboolture |
| 21 July – 23 July 2023 | Splendour in the Grass | Byron Bay, New South Wales | Avocado and macadamia harvesting |
| 4-5 August 2023 | Wildlands Festival | Brisbane, Queensland | Strawberry harvesting in Caboolture & Sunshine CoastVegetable Harvesting in the Lockyer Valley |
| 19 August 2023 | MEKKAFEST | Ascot, Queensland | Strawberry harvesting in Caboolture & Sunshine CoastVegetable Harvesting in the Lockyer Valley |
| Around September | Orin Aya Festival | Rossville near the Daintree forest, Queensland | Work is available on banana plantations in the Lakeland area |
| 30 September – 1 October 2023 | Promiseland Festival | Gold Coast Queensland | Strawberry harvesting in Caboolture & Sunshine CoastVegetable Harvesting in the Lockyer Valley |
| November 2023 | Festival X | Carrara, Queensland | Vegetable harvesting in Boonah, Lockyer ValleyStrawberry harvesting in Stanthorpe |
| 19-20 November 2023 | Harvest Rock Festival | Adelaide, South Australia | Cherry and strawberry harvesting in Adelaide Hills |
| December 2023 | Meredith Music Festival | Meredith, Victoria | Vegetable harvesting in WerribeeStrawberry, cherry and grape harvesting in Yarra Valley |
| 1 January 2024 | Field Day | Sydney, New South Wales | Vegetables and flowers in the Sydney Basin area |
| Late January | Rainbow Serpent Festival | Lexton, Victoria | Potatoes in nearby Ballarat and surrounding areas. Further away in Werribee vegetable picking is in full swing |
| 1 April 2024 | Byron Bay Bluesfest | Byron Bay, New South Wales | Macadamia and blueberry harvesting in Lismore |
The timing of harvest work is reasonably consistent year to year and will normally only vary by a few weeks unless the crop has been totally wiped out by adverse weather events or pests and disease outbreaks, however, music festivals are much less reliable and can be subject to last minute postponements and even cancellations.
Remember to always check the festival’s official website for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.
Also, contact the Harvest Trail Information Service on free call 1800 062 332 for the most up to date advice on harvest work across the country. So, grab your backpack, work boots, and festival gear to embark on a unique adventure that combines the best of music and work opportunities that can help fund your adventures.
