Falls Festival announces locations for 2022/23 events

Falls Festival has today announced the venues where the event will be staged when it returns in the summer of 2022/23 - with events to be staged in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia - but that it will not return to Tasmania.

Releasing the locations where the Falls Festival will be staged, organisers advised that the Lorne, Victoria event will be relocated to Pennyroyal Plains in Murroon and that after 17 years, it will not return to Marion Bay in Tasmania.

Last year's Festival in in Tasmania's south, was cancelled as a result of COVID-19, but organisers had previously expressed the hope the event would return eventually.

Jessica Ducrou, co-Chief Executive of Secret Sounds, the company that operates Falls Festival stated "it's been a pretty challenging time during the pandemic … we have had time to consider the future for the festival through such challenging times.

"The Festival in Tasmania had been consistently losing money for us (and) we had reached the height of how many people would attend the festival and it is just doesn't make financial sense."

Ducrou advised of discussions with the Tasmanian Government about what support was required to continue in the state, but commented “they haven't been able to offer us that financial support at this stage”.

With tickets to past editions of the Falls Festival in Tasmania sold than $100 cheaper than on the mainland, Ducrou noted “that extra revenue that we didn't feel comfortable charging in Tasmania is the difference between breaking even and losing money

In a statement, Tasmanian Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Sarah Courtney said the decision was "disappointing for many Tasmanians" explaining “we understand that this hasn't been an easy decision for them following the impact of the pandemic on their business.”

Advising of “mixed feelings” as Falls Festival “moves on to its next chapter”, Ducrou added “it has been a privilege to operate Falls Festival in such beautiful locations and we’re so thankful to the Surf Coast Shire, Sorell Council and supporting stakeholders of Lorne and Marion Bay who have shown Falls Festival such incredible support over the years.

“We hope that our Lorne and Tassie Falls fam will join us at Pennyroyal Plains

“Lorne is where Falls Festival started so we want to give a particularly special shout out to the locals there. You have been instrumental in making the festival all that it is today, and we’ll always be grateful to the community for their long-time support.”

Less than two hours from Melbourne and 30 minutes from its previous home in Lorne, Pennyroyal Plains is a spectacular and never before used event location.

Commenting on this Secret Sounds co-Chief Executive, Paul Piticco added “the space is truly special.

“We fell in love with its gentle topography and sweeping open spaces, which has created the opportunity for Falls to transform its new landscape into a deeper and more immersive festival experience.”

Falls Festival - December 2022/January 2023

• Pennyroyal Plains, Murroon, Victoria

• North Byron Parklands, Yelgun, NSW

• Fremantle Oval, Fremantle, Western Australia.

Image: Falls Festival.