Info A-Z
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MEREDITH- A
- Accommodation
- All Ages
- Artists Application
- Ask Aunty Meredith
- C
- Campervans, Caravans Etc
- Camping
- Caterers Applications
- Contact
- D
- Dry Cleaning
- F
- Facilities
- G
- Getting There - Map and Directions
- H
- History
- Hours of Operation
- K
- Kids
- Know Your Rights
- L
- Lineup
- M
- Map of Site
- Market Stalls (No Thanks)
- Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre
- Myspace
- O
- OK Items
- On Arrival
- P
- Playing Times
- Please Look After Yourself and Others
- Pocket Companion
- Publicity
- Public Transport
- R
- The Rules
- S
- Showers
- T
- Tickets
- Toilets
- Tresspasser Policy
Accommodation
There are three main camping grounds.
Bush Camp
Bush Camping is located North of the stage area, and is a secluded and unbelievably pretty camping ground. Gum trees, she-oaks, ferns and other indigenous flora have existed untouched for as long as anyone can remember, and we have carefully laid down a track through this land, with minimum disruption to the eco-structure. This will be quiet, sheltered camping. You are basically in the bush. It will be hard for large groups to stake out large sites in this area due to the vegetation and the single ring-road. The two roads that go through Bush Camp are called The Ring Road, and The Ring-a-Ding-Ding Road. This area is also a fair distance from the Amphitheatre, although it is fairly close to both the Food area, Pink Flamingo and of course toilets, First Aid and other services. Around 30% of Meredith-goers will be able to camp in The Bush before it is full, so it is likely to be popular with the early arrivals.
Top Camp
Top Camp is the camping ground closest to the action; closest to the amphitheatre and stage, closest to the food area, toilets, Pink Flamingo and The Meredith Eye. Top Camp is also the largest camping ground on the site; it is a massive green field with gentle dips and hills; a few rock piles, trees, ring roads, native planting areas, and is governed by a Blue Gum crop to the East and Cypress rows to the South. Top Camp is so big you should be able to camp well away from your neighbours (if you choose to). It is divided into suburbs - Ringwood, Eltham, Hong Kong etc - so you can find your tent easily enough. The native plantings - gums, acacias, she-oaks - have thrived since they were put in a year ago and as such there's more greenery and windbreaks up there.
Over time Top Camp will be ‘planted out' to become like a vast Bush Camp - with groves of SheOaks, stands of gums, maybe the odd circle of blackwoods and a corridor or two of Acacia.
The Pines (North Pines, South Pines)
The Pines are on the South boundary of Top Camp. They are two perpendicular rows of Pine Trees which intersect to form a giant "T", thus creating two pockets of sheltered camping. The North pocket (North Pines) has been open for many years, whereas the South pocket (South Pines) is only a few years old. These campsites are the furthest away from the action and will be pretty quiet and peaceful. Both are protected on two sides by thick rows of Cypress Pines, so they provide excellent shelter, depending on the direction of the wind. The coldest wind is the southwester, North Pines and South Pines provide good shelter from it.
The other aspect of Pine Tree Corner that many will find appealing is the panoramic vista. Man! From the other side of the trees, you sit high on a ridge, looking West to wide open plains that extend for miles and miles, a huge pine plantation, a disused gold mine, and stunning sunsets. It's a great spot, and those Meredith-goers who liked sitting in a quiet field watching the sunset are in for a total treat.
The campgrounds are populated similarly to any city; the inner city is the most densely populated, with most campsites being smaller. The further away you go, the more land you have, and the closer to the wide open spaces of the countryside you get. South Pines, for instance, seems like its furthest from the action, but like so many outer suburbs, its got a direct arterial road and footpath to the inner city, and as such its easy to get to. And the blocks are bigger. And the views are amazing. And as we all know, the suburbs ain't any straighter than the inner city.
Advertising
All Ages
Meredith is technically an all ages event, however a very small percentage of people on site are under 18 - around 5% at most according to our surveys. Valid photo ID is required and checked at the entrance to each licensed area at all times.
Artists Application
Applications for artists to be part of the festival close on July 30 each year. We accept emails only - no need to send materials anymore, save some trees and stamps and money. All you need to do is email us before July 30 with the name of your act, and some links to some music or video or anything else you think might be useful. DO NOT SEND MP3s OR ANY OTHER ATTACHMENTS AT ALL. If you have been to the festival and have a particular time/day in mind when your music/act might work best, please tell us. The email address is ArtistSubmissionsNoReply@mmf.com.au
Ask Aunty Meredith
You really should be able to find just about everything you need to know in this website somewhere. For a start, go to INFO A-Z. If you get no joy, feel free to Ask Aunty Meredith. She'll get back to you as soon as she can.
Banned Items
Bring These Things
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET THERE.
YOUR TICKET (wristband). Double-check you have it now. Put it on as you leave to go to the festival.
SOMETHING TO SLEEP IN eg a tent. Don't forget the tent pegs. If you drive, you can park the car next to your tent. Caravans and motorhomes are welcome.
A sleeping bag/doona/blankets.
BRING REALLY WARM CLOTHES. We cant stress this enough - BRING REALLY WARM CLOTHES AND WATERPROOF CLOTHES EVEN IF ITS HOT AND SUNNY WHEN YOU LEAVE HOME. It can get very cold at night.
SUNGLASSES, HAT, SUNSCREENS, LONGSLEEVE SHIRT etc.
PHOTO ID - If you are over 18 and wish to gain access, BRING PHOTO ID. EVEN IF YOU ARE 55 YOU WILL STILL NEED PHOTO ID.
A GOOD STASH OF CASH. There is a cash-out facility on site, at The Gift Shoppe, which is open until 10pm each night. But best to bring with you.
MOBILE PHONE AND SPARE CHARGED BATTERY if you have one. There are no landline public phones on site. There are more public phones in the town of Meredith, 10 minutes drive from the site, but if you have a mobile, bring it. Coverage on the farm is improving all the time; you may have to go to the highest part of the site to get a signal.
ANY MEDICATION YOU NEED - there is no pharmacy on site.
A VEHICLE OR ORGANISE YOURSELF A LIFT HOME. Taxis are at an absolute premium out there; a small number are available but book well in advance (like weeks) and make clear plans with the driver.
TENT MARKER - they really do all look the same. A flag for the car aerial…etc…
Good sensible shoes for your feet.
If the weather is hot you might bring a supply of fresh drinking water for your campsite - most supermarkets sell bulk water in small drums with an easy valve. This is great for drinking, but also washing, cleaning your teeth, face, hands etc.
If the weather looks like being wet bring gumboots.
Cameras
Campervans, Caravans Etc
Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, coverted buses and the like are all welcome at no extra charge. However, if you arrive in a vehicle such as one of these you may not have the freedom to park and camp wherever you choose. The Camping Marshalls may require you to park and camp on certain parts of the site, especially if the weather has been wet or the campsites are already nearing capacity. So, again, if you wish to camp with friends, arrive in convoy. Lastly, gas cooking is not permitted at Meredith so gas bottles will not be permitted onto the site.
Please note these vehicles will be subjected to rigorous searches upon entry.
Camping
There are three main camping grounds.
Bush Camp
Bush Camping is located North of the stage area, and is a secluded and unbelievably pretty camping ground. Gum trees, she-oaks, ferns and other indigenous flora have existed untouched for as long as anyone can remember, and we have carefully laid down a track through this land, with minimum disruption to the eco-structure. This will be quiet, sheltered camping. You are basically in the bush. It will be hard for large groups to stake out large sites in this area due to the vegetation and the single ring-road. The two roads that go through Bush Camp are called The Ring Road, and The Ring-a-Ding-Ding Road. This area is also a fair distance from the Amphitheatre, although it is fairly close to both the Food area, Pink Flamingo and of course toilets, First Aid and other services. Around 30% of Meredith-goers will be able to camp in The Bush before it is full, so it is likely to be popular with the early arrivals.
Top Camp
Top Camp is the camping ground closest to the action; closest to the amphitheatre and stage, closest to the food area, toilets, Pink Flamingo and The Meredith Eye. Top Camp is also the largest camping ground on the site; it is a massive green field with gentle dips and hills; a few rock piles, trees, ring roads, native planting areas, and is governed by a Blue Gum crop to the East and Cypress rows to the South. Top Camp is so big you should be able to camp well away from your neighbours (if you choose to). It is divided into suburbs - Ringwood, Eltham, Hong Kong etc - so you can find your tent easily enough. The native plantings - gums, acacias, she-oaks - have thrived since they were put in a year ago and as such there's more greenery and windbreaks up there.
Over time Top Camp will be ‘planted out' to become like a vast Bush Camp - with groves of SheOaks, stands of gums, maybe the odd circle of blackwoods and a corridor or two of Acacia.
The Pines (North Pines, South Pines)
The Pines are on the South boundary of Top Camp. They are two perpendicular rows of Pine Trees which intersect to form a giant "T", thus creating two pockets of sheltered camping. The North pocket (North Pines) has been open for many years, whereas the South pocket (South Pines) is only a few years old. These campsites are the furthest away from the action and will be pretty quiet and peaceful. Both are protected on two sides by thick rows of Cypress Pines, so they provide excellent shelter, depending on the direction of the wind. The coldest wind is the southwester, North Pines and South Pines provide good shelter from it.
The other aspect of Pine Tree Corner that many will find appealing is the panoramic vista. Man! From the other side of the trees, you sit high on a ridge, looking West to wide open plains that extend for miles and miles, a huge pine plantation, a disused gold mine, and stunning sunsets. It's a great spot, and those Meredith-goers who liked sitting in a quiet field watching the sunset are in for a total treat.
The campgrounds are populated similarly to any city; the inner city is the most densely populated, with most campsites being smaller. The further away you go, the more land you have, and the closer to the wide open spaces of the countryside you get. South Pines, for instance, seems like its furthest from the action, but like so many outer suburbs, its got a direct arterial road and footpath to the inner city, and as such its easy to get to. And the blocks are bigger. And the views are amazing. And as we all know, the suburbs ain't any straighter than the inner city.
Caterers Applications
We have a group of caterers who have been part of the festival for many years, so there is only ever opportunity for a small amount of new food stalls at the most each year. It is a requirement that all food vendors have current public liability insurance. Applications will not be accepted for stalls that do not have this.
If you do, then please send the following details to us and should not be larger than 2MB - your menu with prices, specifications of the size of your site how much power you require and a photo of your site (if applicable).
We will contact you if we are interested.
You can email this info along with any links to websites etc to tam@thetenthstreetgroup.com
OR
Post to
MMF
Applicater
PO Box 947,
South Melbourne,
VIC 3205
Please note we do not have market stalls at Meredith.
Cheaters Policy
Contact
Publicity
For media matters ONLY and boy do we mean only please contact Natalie Mason at Oh! Traveller Publicity - natalie@ohtraveller.com
Tickets
If you have purchased tickets Online, in the Ballot or through Last Chance and have an enquiry, please go to Greentix directly by clicking here.
Artist Applications
Please go to Artist Applications for details
Caterer Applications
Please go to Caterer Applications for details
Ask Aunty Meredith
If you can't find what you are looking for on this website then you can Ask Aunty Meredith (aunty@mmf.com.au)
Disable Entry/Facilities
Dry Cleaning
When you drop off clothes to be dry cleaned, the staff member at the dry cleaners will usually give you a ticket or receipt. These tickets cannot be used for entry to the Meredith Music Festival. There is no “two-for-one” offer this year with The Boat Show either.
Meredith doesn't operate a facebook page. It's not our place to engineer these things.
Facilities
Onsite there are the following facilites and services: world's best practice eco-toilets, superb hot and cold showers, 24-hour first aid station, food stalls, free water stations, 24-hour Info Centre, Police, Cash Out facility, Cinema, Tai Chi, Bottleshop, Bars, Ferris Wheel, Gift Shoppe (festival clothing and souvenirs), free breath-testing station (Vanessa, supplied by the TAC), massage, Heaven-11 24-hour milk bar, Deep Sea Diving lessons and calisthenics classes.
First Aid
Getting There - Map and Directions
Green/Environmental Policies and Practices
Health and Safety
Historical Highlights
History
Never repeats.
Hours of Operation
Gate Times
FriSatSun (yellow) ticket-holders : Gates open 1pm Friday 12 December. Live music starts 6pm.
SatSun (pink) ticket-holders : Gates open 8am Saturday 13 December. Live music starts 10am.
The festival ends 5pm Sunday when gates close. There is no camping Sunday night.
Info Centre - J11
Open 24 hours
Answers many questions
Medical Centre - I10
Open 24 hours
Bottleshop - J9
Friday: 6pm - 9pm
Saturday: 12noon-5pm
Sunday: closed
The Gift Shoppe - J10
Friday 2pm to 11pm
Saturday 10am to 11pm
Sunday 9am to close
EFTPOS / Cash out
Available from The Gift Shoppe
Vanessa the breath-testing station
Check you are ok to drive before driving
Will be in Sportsfield Fri and Sat
Free breath testing at Info Centre and Reception on Sunday
Take the far right exit lane to be breath-tested
Our thanks to the TAC for this marvelous idea
Canbar (where the Bottleshop is) - J9
Friday: 9pm - 3am
Saturday 5pm - 3am
Sunday: closed
The Pink Flamingo Bar - K8
Friday: 6pm -5am
Saturday: 12noon-5am
Sunday: 12noon - 4pm
The Electric Possum (Southbank) - M10
Friday: 8pm -3am
Saturday: 2pm -3am
Sunday: 12-4pm
Sportsfield - H10
Open daylight hours. Get bats and balls from Info Centre.
The Meredith Eye - K7
Will run nearly 24 hours.
Outlands Ecoplex Cinema - I13
For program details see story on another page
Friday 10pm - late
Saturday 10pm- later
Heaven - L8
Massive shade and shelter tent
Open 24 hours
Em for Massage - M10
Stressed, strung out or just plain over stimulated? RELAX! Em for Massage is here to help.
Friday 5 p.m. 'til 11pm,
Saturday 9 a.m. 'til 11pm
Sunday 9 a.m. 'til Close
Remedial, Relaxation, Oriental, Shiatsu Massage; are all available PLUS a REIKI/ Flower Essences dude. Also! We've got Clippers and we're not afraid to use them… Buzz cuts and Shaves.
Meredith Sky Show
Takes place in the Amphitheatre Saturday night
Heaven Eleven 24 hour general store (in Heaven) - L8
Sells some things you forgot to pack. Open 24 hours
Mens Shoes - S16
Take elevator to third floor
Second on the left
Ask for Hanna
Showers
Open nearly 24 hours (closed for cleaning 1pm - 2pm daily)
Tokens available at the Showers.
$3 for 3 minutes, $6 for 6 minutes, and so on.
The Meredith Gift
Runs at 3:15pm in front of stage
All competitors must register at 2pm near The Gift Shoppe.
Register near The Gift Shoppe
Free drinking water - I10, M10
In both Food Court areas. Open 24 hours. BYO plastic bottle or cup.
Festival gates close at 5pm - no camping Sunday night
Kids
Kids under 10 are free. Kids 11 and over need a full price ticket to gain entry. Anyone under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian with them to gain entry. Please note we do not set the festival up for kids; there is no child-minding facility nor any children-specific play areas. Kids certainly are welcome but they MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian and are absolutely the responsibility of that person.
A valid form of ID will be required for children under 10. Extract of birth certificate or Medicare statement showing date of birth will suffice. On arrival at Reception, if you have a child under 10 with you please alert our staff, show them the ID and we will provide a wristband for each child, on which we ask you to write contact numbers in case the child is lost/found.
Know Your Rights
Lineup
Map of Site
Market Stalls (No Thanks)
We do not have market stalls of the non-food variety at Meredith. Except for stalls that deal in water skiing accessories.
Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre
Myspace
Meredith doesn't operate a myspace page.
On Arrival
Well in fact before you depart to go to the festival make sure your have put on your wristband. Not too tight as it needs to stay on for the duration of the festival.
If you wish to camp with friends you should arrive in convoy as it is almost impossible to drive around looking for a certain campsite once you are in the campgrounds.
Get ready to have your vehicle searched at Reception - we search for glass, gas bottles and stowaways. These are all banned. If a stowaway is found then all occupants of the vehicle will be refused admission to the festival, removed from the mailing list and banned from future events at the venue.
Find yourself a good spot and get set up. Even the campsite that is furthest from the action is still only a 5 minute walk so don't stress too much about trying to get the perfect spot - they are all good. The campsites generally follow the patterns of a town or city - the closer to the action, the less space you will have. Further away you get more room, a backyard for the kids to play cricket in and maybe keep some rabbits.
Parking
Past Lineups
Playing Times
Please Look After Yourself and Others
Pocket Companion
Prices
SatSun $169 plus booking fee*
FriSatSun $199 plus booking fee*
Free camping and parking is of course included with every pass.
Note that FriSatSuns are even more limited than SatSuns and will certainly sell out first.
Booking fees vary from store to store, and online, but are generally around $8 for a FriSatsun and $6 for a SatSun.
*Registered Post is an additional $4.95 if you purchase online.
Publicity
For media matters ONLY and boy do we mean only please contact Natalie Mason at Oh! Traveller Publicity natalie@ohtraveller.com
Recycling
Rubbish Streams
The Rules
Festival tickets must be worn at all times around the wrist of the Festival ticket-holder when at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre.
Everyone that goes has to have a ticket.
The Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre is a TOTAL FIRE BAN site. Day and night. These items are not permitted on site: gas bottles, gas or fuel-burning cookers of any type, BBQs, generators, firesticks and fireworks.
DO NOT BRING GLASS - it will be confiscated.
BRING PHOTO ID if you wish to drink alcohol. Even if you are 55, bring photo ID.
There is no camping Sunday Night.
No dogs - or animals of any kind.
No bean bags - those little foam beads don't mix well with the natural environment when the bean bag breaks.
No stage diving, crowd surfing or moshing. No aggressive behaviour.
Swimming in the dams is prohibited.
A 20km/h speed limit applies to all vehicles on site at all times.
If you plan to drive home on Sunday, monitor any alcohol intake on Saturday night - you may be over the legal limit on Sunday and face heavy penalties and/or loss of license.
Please clean up any mess at your campsite - the site is a farm. Meredith has a recycling program, please be part of it.
Smokers - don't butt out on the ground - use portable ashtrays provided on site.
No out of Boundary / Trespassing
No Parking on Roads.
No reserved camping, please travel in convoy if you would like to camp together
Don't turn up with out a valid wristband
Wear sensible shoes.
Caution if you camp under trees.
Follow all directions of Emergency Management Staff.
Do not walk down the driveway.
Gates open at 1pm on Friday for FRI/SAT/SUN ticket-holders and 8am on Sat for SAT/SUN ticket holders - please don't come earlier.
Any vehicle found harbouring or assisting a trespasser in any way - and all its occupants - will be refused entry to or ejected from the festival. All occupants will also be removed from mailing lists and ticket ballots and banned from future festivals at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. Even if one person in a vehicle is trying to sneak in, these penalties will apply to all occupants.
There is only one official entry and exit located at the corner of Mount Mercer Road and Nolan Road. Access via any other point will be considered as trespass.
Showers
Uncle Doug and Stu the Groundskeeper have built a permanent, excellent shower facility. In fact they have built two. One is next to the Pink Flamingo (on the Bush Camp side) and the other is on the other side of the Amphi, right up the back. They are completely private, sheltered, eco-friendly installations, and provide steaming hot water (or cold if its hot) from lo-flo yet good pressure shower heads. The shower facility is brand new and clean as a whistle and has many terrific and user-friendly features. It is open 24 hours a day, and costs $1 per minute to use. Our attendants will be on hand to provide coin change for you and biodegradable soaps and shampoos which help the waste water re-enter the Earth with a minimum of fuss.
Sorting
Sponsors
Tickets
Toilets
The toilets at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre are widely regarded as some the finest festival toilets on the planet, and since their installation in 2006-7 have been a talking point and indeed a highlight of the festivals. There are currently about a hundred of these private, waterless, odorless composting beauties on site, built permanently into two separate areas either side of the Amphitheatre. They are user-friend-ly and enviro-lover-ly; private, clean, and waterless; with no pumping or transport required. Plus, about twelve months after operate, with some sophisticated but simple treatment they create perfectly safe compost to use on the site. WINNER!! Our thanks also to Natural Event.
Tresspasser Policy
There is a Zero Tolerance Policy in place for anyone trying to gain entry without a valid ticket, by foot or vehicle. Such persons are trespassers and are therefore breaking the law. The maximum penalty for trespassing is approximately $2750 or 6 months imprisonment. Anyone assisting trespassers will be refused entry or ejected from the festival, and banned from future festivals at the site. If a vehicle is found to be carrying a trespasser, all occupants of the vehicle will be refused entry.
SO PLEASE DO NOT:
* attempt entry in any manner without a valid wristband, or
* trespass on private property, or
* approach or enter/exit the site by other than the authorised entry/exit located at the corner of Mount Mercer and Nolan Road.
Venue
Voluntary Carbon Credits
Volunteers
All positions for Volunteers for Meredith 2008 have been well and truly. All applicants were sent an email on or before August 19 advising of whether or not they got the gig.
Applications for Meredith 2009 (NEXT YEAR) will not open before June 2009. Check back here then.
If you got a Volunteer shift for 2009 and have a question please contact the Volunteers Manager.
What Goes on
What Not to Bring
What to Bring
Wristbands
This year tickets will be in the form of wristbands. The ticket is a wristband' the wristband is a ticket.
The wristband does what the ticket used to do - give you entry to the festival. When you purchase a "ticket" from any outlet or online you will actually receive a wristband.
Each wristband will have a unique code on it, and each person's wristband will be electronically scanned on entry to ensure it is valid. Once you are in the festival, you need to keep your wristband on for the duration of the event. The wristband is made of a durable yet soft, waterproof material that won't irritate.
When you receive your wristband, do not put it on until the day of the festival. When that day does arrive, our suggestion is to put it on before you depart for the festival, so you know it's on your wrist and you definitely packed it! Don't leave home without it (on your wrist).
No sponsorship or advertising messages will be printed on the wristbands, we are very mindful of the wristband being on your person for a day or three.
The benefits of the wristband include:
Speeding up the entry process at the festival gates
Canceling stolen or scalped tickets
Keeping the number ofpeople at the festival as low as it should be, by visually identifying anyone at the festival who does not have a legitimate ticket (wristband) and politely handing them over to the Police with a view to them being charged on summons with Trespass, facing fines of up to $2750.
Yurts
We are sorry to say that the Yurt Village that was so popular at Golden Plains last season wont be returning. Basically, the chaps that owned and ran the Yurt business have gone out of it. Seems they were too costly to install and move and maintain.