Australia’s Folk Festival for Memorable New Years Down Under

VANCOUVER, October 2, 2007 – Looking for something unusual to make this New Year memorable? How does lying under the stars in a tropical paradise sound? Maybe listening to a didgeridoo and anticipating a sunrise candlelight ceremony? Discover all this and more when you make this year’s winter vacation special by combining it with Australia’s finest winter celebration – the Woodford Folk Festival, a milder and friendlier version of Burning Man.

"Make the most of a vacation away by getting into the thick of things with intent for adventure," says John Parker, CEO, Fresh Tracks Travel. "The Woodford Folk Festival is a great tradition that goes unnoticed by travelers. Why not take the lead of the locals, and try something different?"

Still relatively unknown among travelers, the Folk Festival, which takes place 70 km north of Brisbane, has been an Aussie hit since 1987. Six days of music of all genres last from December 27th to January 1st, but the real draw for travelers is the New Year’s Day closing ceremony.

This final event sees over 20,000 festival goers hillside watching a spectacle of dance, music, theatricality and fire. The New Year is heralded in with the wild burning of a large structure.

There are also twin New Year ceremonies, less theatrical, but perhaps more poignant. Say goodbye to the past year with three candlelit minutes of silence on New Years Eve, or greet the dawn of the New Year’s first day with a moving hill-top sunrise ceremony.

Make the most of a vacation away this winter by taking in some local festivities when you travel. Whether you greet the sunrise with Aussies at the Woodford Folk Festival or celebrate in a different way around the world, recharge and rejuvenate with these local traditions.

For more information about Australia vacations please see Fresh Tracks Australia

###