Got questions about the Cobargo Folk Festival? You’ve come to the right place! Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about attending our festival, from getting here and what to expect, to our policies on pets, alcohol, car access and busking opportunities.
How do I get to Cobargo?
There are many options including The Festival Shuttle bus. See our Getting Here page for more information.
Can I leave the festival in my vehicle once it starts
Vehicles on site in the campgrounds must not move once the Festival starts – emergencies excepted. This is for safety reasons and to reduce dust. Once you are checked in and set up, you will need to park your car for the duration of the event and relax in a safe (and dust free!) environment for the duration of the Festival.
If you feel like a break from the music or need to walk, swim, shop or dine – Best to park in the Festival Day Parking Zone and you can come and go at any time.
Alternatively, take advantage of the regular Festival Shuttle Bus service to Narooma, Tilba, Wallaga Lake and Bermagui to explore the stunning Sapphire Coast.
Pedestrian zone hours (no vehicle movements within or from the festival site):
Friday 2:00pm – midnight
Saturday 10:00am – midnight
Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm
What is the weather like in March?
March weather is generally pleasantly mild to hot but can get cool at night. It is usually dry but come prepared for rain and the occasional storm.
Tell me about Cobargo
The village has a pub, petrol station, pharmacy, doctors’ surgery, various food outlets and a range of craft and other shops. Some shops will not be open all weekend. The Cobargo Post Office will be open on Saturday. There is a small village market on Saturday mornings selling local artisan produce, art and craft. There is an ATM at the Cobargo Hotel. We have no supermarket. The nearest supermarket is in Bermagui.
Cobargo is located just 20 minutes away from the coastal township of Bermagui and some of the best beaches in Australia. From our village you can also easily drive to some of the largest National Parks in NSW, including Wadbilliga NP, Gulaga NP and Biamanga NP. Come for the festival and stay to explore our beautiful region.
Can I bring a pet to the festival?
NO PETS ALLOWED.
Companion animals are welcome with appropriate documentation.
Sorry but The Cobargo Folk Festival has a strict NO PETS policy. Please do not bring dogs or other pets. A festival can be a stressful place for animals and we do not have facilities for their care. If you bring a pet you will be asked to leave.
Can I BYO Alcohol?
The festival is a licensed event. Please do not bring alcohol onto the site. The festival has
a strict NO GLASS policy.
Please help us meet our legal obligations. The festival is a licensed event and operates its own bar serving a range of alcoholic drinks under strict NSW licensing laws. The bar is managed strictly according to licensing laws and regulations. We encourage responsible alcohol consumption. Under-aged and intoxicated persons will not be served. Please drink sensibly!
The Bar proceeds are a very important source of revenue to pay for the running of the festival and can mean the difference between meeting our production costs or making a loss.
The licensed area is shown clearly on the site map in the program booklet. The licensed area is marked by fencing, bunting and signage, please observe the signs. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL INTO THE LICENSED AREA. Anyone bringing their own alcohol into the festival zone will be asked to leave.
Can I busk at the Festival?
We offer a number of playing opportunities for people who are not booked at the festival but have an urge to play in public. We host a blackboard that runs on Friday, Saturday evening after the youth stage has finished, and on Sunday, plus programmed and informal sessions and jams. We also host a Kids’ Open Mic at KIDBARGO! on Sunday.
Buskers of all ages (and parents/guardians of young buskers) are asked to be aware of where they are playing and to make sure that their playing does not disrupt any of the concert stages. Buskers will be asked to stop if their music is affecting programmed stages
Amplified busking is not allowed and buskers using amps will be asked to switch them off.
We don’t generally stop buskers from putting the hat out but we don’t encourage it either.
The kids’ Open Mic is for primary school players. This will be at the KIDBARGO! venue on Sunday and managed by Polly and Bec who run the venue. Intending performers are required to register at the KIDBARGO! venue to secure a spot.
Young musicians are encouraged to apply to play on THE CROSSING YOUTH STAGE. This is an online application process that generally opens around October each year.
