Great Ocean Road bushfires: Lorne’s Falls Festival relocated to Mt Duneed Estate

LORNE’S popular Falls Music and Arts Festival has bee relocated to Mt Duneed Estate after catastrophic bushfires devastated the Great Ocean Road.

Falls Festival 2014. Jelly fish and water was the theme of the night, with lots of people wearing wetsuits, which they needed the next day to keep warm and dry. Lorne showed all weather conditions, with winds blowing tents away. Picture- Nicole Cleary

LORNE’S popular Falls Music and Arts Festival has been relocated to Mt Duneed Estate after the catastrophic bushfires that devastated the Great Ocean Road

Following meetings with emergency services and fire authorities, organisers announced the new location just after 7pm on Boxing Day.

In a blog post, organisers wrote: “We have been working very hard over the past 24 hours to secure a new venue for the festival, and we’re pleased to announce that the show will go ahead nearby at the Mount Duneed Estate!

“We have been working closely with the local emergency services, Councils and CFA and unfortunately the Lorne farm is a potential high risk site for the 2015 event.

“We would like to thank the Byron Shire and Geelong Councils, emergency services and A Day On The Green. Our hearts and thoughts are with our local communities.”

Traditionally held in the Lorne hinterland, the event attracts thousands of music lovers to its eclectic line-up and New Year’s Eve countdown.

It is set to begin on Monday before ending on Friday.

Earlier on Boxing Day, event organisers urged festivalgoers to be patient, writing: “We understand your need to be informed, the situation is changing from hour to hour and we are working through this as quickly as possible.”

The event also posted an update on Christmas Day, saying the Falls farm itself was safe from the path of the fires.

Popular acts including The Wombats, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Wavves, and Foals are slated to play at Lorne.

Mt Duneed Estate recently played host to Elton John’s A Day on the Green concert, which attracted thousands of fans.

More information can be found here.

Originally published as Great Ocean Road bushfires: Lorne’s Falls Festival relocated to Mt Duneed Estate