Christchurch Folk Music Club
Waimate Summer Folk Festival
Gunn’s Bush Camp | 6-9 February 2025
This year Waitangi day falls on a Thursday, so the “formal” festival will run from 12pm on Thursday 6th to 12pm on Sunday 9th when we need to pack up and leave the site.
Our guests this year are the duo Blue Sea Above; Dean Holliborn and Tom Bolton who first played together at a previous Waimate Festival and have gone on to create a fascinating fusion of original folk and violin.
Our other guests are the famous (infamous?) Barreltones. Master musicians Reid Hudson, Steve Barkman, Barry Macdonald and Adrian Higgins have been persuaded to reunite for the festival and treat us to their lively mix of folk, country, and blues.
There will also be jam sessions, black board concerts, humour and poetry events as well as blind dates (musical ones, that is) and a water fight.
This is a small festival with a site limit, so please book early to ensure a spot.
Festival Details
Situated 50km south of Timaru and 10 minutes from Waimate, Gunn’s Bush Camp. Nestled in 140 hectares of beautiful New Zealand forest.
36 Gunns Bush Road, Hunter, Waimate, South Canterbury (view on google maps)
Everyone attending needs to check on arrival and receive their ID tag. The site
will open at 12pm on 6 February 2025.
Departure: before 12 noon, 9 February 2025
Accommodation:
Camping
Available from midday. Please do not arrive prior to midday. If you want to arrive before 6/2 Gunn’s Bush may have some sites available contact gunnsbush@gmail.com at a cost of $25 per person per night
The camp has an abundance of grass fields for use for outdoor activities during
your stay and the native bush and creek is easily accessed via the camp.
Tents, campervans and caravans welcome.
Powered Sites
Only 5 powered sites are available – only use a power outlet if you have booked
and paid for it.
All sites are a short walk to the main venues and ablution facilities
Bunk room accommodation
A limited number of bunks in shared rooms available for long-distance travellers.
Sleeping bags essential. Ear plugs recommended as rooms are nearby to the
music venue.
Kitchen
Please note, this is not a catered event. The kitchen has communal fridges and limited cooling facilities equipped with jugs, toasters, pots pans, cutlery, crockery etc. but please bring your own cooking equipment where possible.
Registration
Festival Fees
| Full Weekend Adult (2pm Friday – 10am Monday) | $140 |
| Full Weekend Child (13 -18 years) | $80 |
| Under 13’s | Free |
| Full day pass | $40 |
| Half day pass | $25 |
There is an opportunity for 6 people to assist with cleaning and logistics in return for free
admission. Please email waimatesummerfest@gmail.com for more information.
Contact
Follow the fest on Facebook: here
Contact waimatesummerfest@gmail.com with any questions