It's summer festival time in the southern hemisphere and amongst all of the excitement of choosing which bands make your must-see list, it's easy to forget the essentials when it comes to pre-festival packing. This is especially so when you're planning to be camping on-site for a multi-day festival. Despite best intentions, we inevitably find ourselves throwing things into our rucksacks at the very last minute and forgetting those bits and bobs that we really hope not to forget, like loo roll & a toothbrush! To make your festival experience a little more care-free & assist in ensuring you're truly and utterly prepared for your next summer festival, why not follow this easy to use festival preparation guide?


Photos by Ian Wilson and Bérenger ZYLA.
1 week out

• Make sure your ticket has arrived in the post, or is available to pick up upon arrival. Chase up if necessary!
  
• Have you booked transport? If not, get organising: car pool, bus, train - book it now.
  
• If it's been a while since you last pitched your tent, give it a trial run in the yard. This will ensure your festival home still has all of it's poles and pegs.
  
• Check you own both gumboots and thongs. You won't know which you need until you arrive. It could quite possibly be that both are required.

2-3 days out

• Do a load of laundry, most importantly, be sure to include enough sets of knickers to see you through each day of the festival. Also include in your load, a towel, swimmers (these double as underwear or a top depending on need and weather!), jeans, socks and singlets.
  
• Check the state of your sleeping bag. Air out or put in the washing machine if necessary.

The Day Before

• Pack your clothing, towel and shoes you won't be wearing on the day you leave.
  
• Pack loo roll (this is important), wet wipes, hand sanitizer and a bunch of plastic bags.
  
• Get together all of your camping gear: torch, tent, sleeping bag, mozzie spray, sunscreen, plates, cutlery, mug & food if doing your own cooking.
  
• Do a supermarket run. Pick up extra batteries for your torch as well as snacks like chips, rice crackers, muesli & nuts. Save your dosh for the over-priced beer in plastic cups.
  
• If you don't own a watch, pick one up from the chemist or local servo. Depending on how long the festival lasts, chances are come mid to end, your phone battery will have died and a watch will make finding the right stage at the right time a much simpler task.

The Morning of

• Pack your bathroom bits and pieces: any makeup you use, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
  
• Double check you have your ticket (for both the festival & your transport). Have fun!!

For more tips on preparing for the summer festivals, see the Girls Guide to Festival Fashion.


What is your must-have festival item?