Fears for Byron Bay woman missing after attending ‘psychedelic’ festival Orin-Aya in Queensland

A frantic search is underway for a woman missing in remote Far North Queensland after attending a festival billed as “a psychedelic global gathering.”

Friends and family of a Byron Bay business owner missing in far North Queensland say her disappearance after a “psychedelic” festival is out of character.

Juliana Jaramillo Castrillon, a 36-year-old Columbian national, has been missing near Cooktown since Saturday where she was attending the Orin-Aya festival – billed as “a psychedelic global gathering.”

Family and friends have since made their way to the remote corner Far North Queensland to help with the search.

Ms Castrillon’s best friend Alejandra Correa said she was meant to return home to Byron Bay over the weekend but never made it back.

“She said she was coming back on the weekend and she didn’t show up,” she said.

Ms Correa said she doubted Ms Castrillon would have been intoxicated at the festival.

“I know festivals people take drugs but she’s not that kind of person, she’s into spirituality and meditation,” she told the Cairns Post.

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Ms Castrillon was last seen on a track linking the Home Rule festival site and Cedar Bay on Saturday.

The trail between Home Rule to Cedar Bay is described as difficult trek for experienced walkers with a six to eight hour journey each way.

Police Inspector David Perry described the 14km track as “extremely difficult” with dense rainforest and waterfalls presenting numerous challenges.

“Home Rule features some significant rainforests and waterfall,” he said.

“The terrain … is extremely difficult to traverse and quite dense.”

Insp Perry said while survivability was high along the trail, there were still some very real dangers in the broader area.

“Having been involved in searches before, the fact that you’ve have access to clean water means survivability is very high,” he said.

“It’s more like the wildlife you know, whether it be venomous snakes that are in the area. We’re talking about crocodiles that might be in the area. And as mentioned the there’s some quite deep ravines and dangerous waterways in the area as well.

“So they are all areas of concern in relation to survivability.”

However friends and family described Ms Castrillon as a fit and confident bushwalker.

Queensland Police confirmed an “extensive search operation” was underway.

“An aerial search of the area was conducted on Monday and Tuesday, however these efforts were hampered by poor visibility due to the dense terrain,” a statement read.

“A ground search and rescue will recommence this morning (Wednesday) utilising police on foot, along with SES volunteers.”

The Cairns Tactical Crime Squad have also been called in to assist with the search.

Police describe Ms Castrillon as 169cm tall, with black hair and brown eyes.

The four-day Orin-Aya festival has held property located just outside Rossville between September 2 and 5 – 40km south of Cooktown.

Now in its sixth year, the festival claims to offers “what we hope will be a life changing experience.”

Orin-Aya festival – billed as “a psychedelic global gathering.”. Picture: Facebook

“Away from our daily life away from all that is “normal” we will be free for three days and nights to dance and sing and love one another …. to learn, play, listen, support, create, participate and evolve,” the festival’s website states.

Just days prior the festival was rocked by the death of one of its artists in a car crash.

Renowned Indigenous artist Clarence Ball, 49, was killed on Homerule Rd on the evening of September 2.

Police confirmed Mr Ball was en route to the festival with three others when a vehicle lost control on wet roads and crashed into Wallaby Creek.

Anyone with information about Ms Castrillon is asked to contact Queensland Police.