FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I get First Aid?
A First Aid room is located between the Bar and the Festival Shop. Ask any KVFF Volunteer for assistance. The KVFF emergency phone number is: 0413 536 815 (this number is only active during the festival days).
Is the festival site accessible?
Kangaroo Valley Showground (Osborne Park) is accessible via the main Moss Vale Rd gate with a limited number of disability parking spaces near the Pavilion.
More detailed access information about our site is available on our Access page. We are working on developing new ideas to make our festival more accessible for everyone.
Is my dog allowed?
Yes.
Your dog must always be on a short lead (attached to a person) and not in any of the performance venues, but the edges are ok where you can still get a good view of the act.
Please help us & others by ensuring you’re aware & consider how they interact with the other festival participants. Eg if your dog becomes unsettled and is distracting during a performance, you may be asked to move to a quieter area.
Can I camp at the festival?
There is limited camping at the showgrounds and it is reserved for artists, volunteers and stallholders. Check out a few options in the section about nearby camping and other accommodation on our Accommodation page.
For artists, volunteers and stallholders intending to camp, please check the guidelines here.
There is limited power available for Performers, Volunteers or Stall holders. If you have medical requirements or have power needs as a volunteer or perfomer camper, it would be helpful to know these things in advance - please email us on the website and we will forward to someone who will attempt to help you, though we cannot make any guarantees.
Campers can arrive from 9am on Friday morning. Please do not arrive earlier in the week unless you are rostered on these days with site & decor tasks.
Stallholders may camp immediately behind their stalls.
We will add a map of go/no go areas this year, to avoid confusion.
Strictly NO CAMPING along the fence near the main road.
How do I get to the festival?
See travel information on our accommodation page.
Bowral Classic: If you're travelling to Kangaroo Valley on Sunday from the Southern Highlands you might be lucky enough to see bits of the famous bike race. The organisers assure us that traffic will still flow down the mountain and motorists will be given clear detour directions. See flyer with maps. Folks from Sydney can follow this direct route on Google Maps. For the latest info check LiveTraffic.com.
Where do we park at the festival?
Festival-goers enter via the Council car park on Moss Street and proceed down past the Village Green Nursery. Follow the signs to the designated festival car park area at the back of the showground (see the Showground Access and Parking Plan). This area is weather-dependent and if it's raining or has been raining, parking may be limited to the street.
For stall-holders etc, it is the preference to have minimal vehicles on the showground circle. Any vehicles required on showground are not to be moved during the festival.
Is smoking permitted at the festival?
No smoking is permitted anywhere within the Showground or camping areas. Shoalhaven Council has a No Smoking Policy which applies to indoor venues, amenities, showgrounds and sportsgrounds. If you do go to have a smoke outside the Showground, please be sure to stay at least 10m away from the play equipment near the festival entrance, as per NSW smoking regulations.
Should I bring cash?
YES! it's a good idea to bring some real money with you - preferably not just large notes. The Festival operates at a showground with sometimes less-than-perfect internet and wi-fi. Carry some change and smaller notes with you just in case! Also it's a case of use-it or lose it, so keep money circulating in the community by splashing some cash at the Festival.
Companion & concession cards?
Companion cards: If you are buying a ticket for yourself and a carer/companion, please ask them to show their companion card at the gate to receive their free ticket.
Concession: Rather than giving discounts for pension or concession card holders, we have decided to keep all our ticket prices as low as possible to make our festival affordable for everyone.
Open mic/blackboard at the festival?
When you arrive at the festival, go down to see Jules or Will at the Happy Nest venue. There is a maximum of two slots per act to make things fair and give more people an opportunity to participate.
KVFF AI position
Folk is a tradition defined by human experience, storytelling and community. We want the creativity and character of our festival to come from the people who pour so much time, care and hard work into bringing it to life, so we kindly ask that AI not be used for creative contributions to the festival.
Gangagruwan Kangaroo Valley
A discussion regarding a First Nations name for Kangaroo Valley was had by with Drew Longbottom and Jacob Morris, two local Aboriginal language practitioners.
The discussion focused on the name Gangagruwan, which has been approved by local knowledge holders as correlating to Kangaroo Grounds. However, as the discussion revealed, determining a definitive traditional name for the area, if one exists, is not a simple process and requires careful consideration of language, cultural knowledge, historical records and local knowledge.
The discussion was informative for all involved and provided an opportunity to explore the complexities surrounding the identification and use of traditional place names.
It was agreed that Gangaruwan would be suitable as a working title at this stage. It was also agreed that any future events or references seeking to use a First Nations name for Kangaroo Valley would adopt Gangaruwan consistently as the working name.
This approach allows the name to be used respectfully while recognising that further cultural and linguistic consultation may be required as knowledge continues to be shared and developed.
