Music Will Fill The Queenscliff Air This Weekend

The Age

Saturday November 27, 2004

Joanna McErvale

IN ITS eight-year history, the Queenscliff Music Festival has received many honours as the most significant festival at both the Victorian and National Tourism Awards. This year, the event's consistent success was recognised by an induction into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. The acknowledgment has cemented the event's importance for Queenscliff tourism and - judging by this year's line-up - reinforced its reputation as an essential stop on the national music festival circuit.

With 10 music venues, and almost as many genres, the program has something for everyone. Headline acts at last night's opening performances were scheduled to be blues artist Xavier Rudd, country singer Sara Storer and Kate Ceberano. Today's program has the Brazilian funk-infused styles of Tumbarumba at the Prime Mover tent from 12.45pm, guitar protege Kieran Murphy playing the Bay Stage throughout the afternoon and Max Merritt and the Meteors on the Main Stage from 5.15pm. The Blues Train departs the Queenscliff railway station on the hour from 10am until 8pm with acts alternating every two hours.

Tonight's acts on the Main Stage and Prime Mover include Papua New Guinea's Telek, Tim Rogers and Paul Kelly. Tomorrow's acts include Diesel, Colin Hay, the Beautiful Girls and a jazz performance with Don Burrows, Joe Chindamo and James Morrison.

Children are also catered for with entertainment at the Brick House. By night, the venue becomes the Acoustic Club - a showcase arena for young local musicians.

-- Joanna McErvale

GETTING THERE

Queenscliff is about 75 minutes' drive south-west of Melbourne. Take the Princes Highway to Geelong, then the Bellarine Highway. Travelling from the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, the Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry departs every hour and takes about 35 minutes. A shuttle bus service will run between Point Lonsdale and the Queenscliff music venues.

Ticket costs vary for the festival, with day and weekend passes. Details: qmf.net.au or Ticketek on 132 849. Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre, tel: 1300 884 843 or Geelong Otway Tourism on 1800 620 888 for accommodation information.

© 2004 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home