Opening its doors for the first time in 1990, at The Arts Factory Lodge, as a three day Blues music event on Easter weekend in Byron Bay, Bluesfest has grown solidly into one of the world’s leading contemporary music festivals.

From a modest original crowd of 6,000, Bluesfest now attracts annual audiences of over 100,000 across the 5 days celebrating a premier cultural and social experience.

Patrons range from locals who have grown up with Bluesfest, to international and first time visitors to the area, all of whom span a vast age demographic.

Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm

Bluesfest’s history is parallel to Byron Bay’s evolution into the iconic destination it is today.

In 2010 Bluesfest moved to its permanent home at the spectacular 120 hectare Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm farm 11 km north of Byron Bay, one of many milestones achieved in Bluesfest’s 25 year history.

Like Byron Bay Bluesfest itself, the Koala is an international icon. Koalas are still widely distributed throughout the north east of New South Wales. Increasingly however they are under pressure from human occupation.

Coastal populations in particular are at risk from habitat destruction, disease, road strikes, predation by dogs and even wildfire. The species is listed vulnerable to extinction.

It is an operational Tea Tree Farm for most of the year and turns into a Byron Bay Bluesfest site for a few weeks before, during and after the Easter Festival weekend.

In addition to the 7 performance stages, 5 licensed bars, 50+ market stalls, 40+ food stalls we make sure everyones needs are catered for at Byron Bay Bluesfest, not just the musical ones.

Byron Bay Bluesfest may be a few kms out of town, but rest assured getting to and from the Festival will be hassle free.

From Gold Coast airport (which is located to the north) it takes about 45 minutes to get to Bluesfest and 35 minutes from Ballina airport.

From Brisbane International & Domestic airport travel time is approx 1 3/4 hours to get to Bluesfest.

Shuttle buses will be running to and from Byron Bay and surrounding areas. The address is Lot 103 - 105 Pacific Highway, Tyagarah.

For this is what Byron Bay Bluesfest does so well these days: puts together as varied and exciting a bill as any you’ll find around the world - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD