Riverboats Music Festival is all a-boat Australian sounds and sights

Who?

Friday February 14 – Sunday February 16.

Where?

Riverboats takes place in the historic paddle steamer town of Echuca-Moama, two and a half hours up the Northern Highway from the Melbourne CBD.

Who?

Riverboats brings together a collection of Australian artists representing the absolute cream of the crop. With the Murray River as a backdrop, Riverboats provides a welcomed tonic from many of the bigger events taking place across the summer months. If a picnic rug and a good bottle of wine is how you like watching the best Aussie artists, you’ll be right at home with Bernard Fanning, Kate Miller-Heidke, Something for Kate, Troy Cassar-Daley, Archie Roach, Dyson Stringer Cloher, Robert Forster, Bob Evans, Mama Kin Spender, Ainslie Wills, Horns of Leroy feat. Thando, Matt Joe Gow, Jess Locke, and Festival MC Brian Nankervis.

What to bring

For those making their first festival expedition, Riverboats is on the relaxed side, though you’ll still need some sunscreen, a water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and insect-repellent to defend against the Aussie summer elements. Be sure to pack a picnic rug so you can lounge around without copping a wet bum. Bring some good walking shoes because you’ll be getting yourself from your accommodation to the festival via bike or walking. Hot tip: tuck away a spare pair of clothes in case you decide to have a dip in the river.

Accommodation

Echuca-Moama boasts plenty of accommodation within walking distance of the festival hub, and if you’re prepared to stay a little further out of town there are some amazing campsites along the river. Parking is available across town, though you’re best to leave your car at your accommodation and walk or ride to the festival if you can.

Volunteer

The arrangement is simple – in return for one volunteer shift, Riverboats will give you a weekend ticket (valued at $175). Jobs may involve serving thirsty festival-goers from behind the bar, selling tickets or merchandise, moving stock and generally keeping the place humming. You’ll be a busy bee for a few hours, but after that, it’s all fun and games.

The vibe

The festival itself is staged in the heart of town at Aquatic Reserve, a beautiful natural amphitheatre under a canopy of red gums right next to the Murray River. Riverboats has remained boutique in both its size and philosophy through the years while attracting high calibre artists like Paul Kelly, Neil Finn, Missy Higgins and Dan Sultan, to name a few. You’ll be able to hear paddle steamer whistles passing by the festival stage all weekend long. Riverboats is the ultimate experience for music lovers who like their festivals on the chilled side. Bring a picnic rug, find a comfortable spot in the shade and settle in for three days of tunes under the gum trees.

Get green

Riverboats is committed to minimising its impact on the planet. They no longer sell single-use plastic bottles, so bring a reusable bottle from home. All food waste from the event will be turned into compost to be used on local farms and the town’s parks and gardens.

Biggest perk?

If you love chilling out in the sun, a bit o’ paddling and live music, Riverboats is the festival for you. It’s the only music festival in Australia providing festival-goers with the opportunity to experience a one-hour live performance while cruising down Australia’s longest river. Riverboats’ famous paddle steamer sideshows are set to expand in 2020 with the inclusion of five unique acoustic performances over the festival weekend. Held aboard the historic Pride of the Murray paddle steamer, these intimate performances are a truly unique way to take in the sounds and sights of Australia. These sideshows will include performances from Mama Kin Spender, Matt Joe Gow, Jess Locke, Horns of Leroy and Ainslie Wills.

Food

You can keep your energy up and fight the festival hangover by getting yourself down to Riverboats’ beloved Annual Festival Breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery on Sunday. With live sets by alt-country artist Matt Joe Gow, it’s one of the weekend’s hot-ticket events. The Festival Breakfast sells out each year and punters are encouraged to book early.