History

As the wine continued to flow, the idea of Tumbafest was born – to stage a festival in Tumbarumba which would celebrate the cool-climate wines and fruits, provide a variety of food sourced locally and through in some music for good measure.

Our first year

The inaugural Tumbafest was held in the town’s main street – The Parade, with tables and chairs placed on the roadway and the back of a truck for a stage (a practice that is still used at many festivals and events today).

Publicity for the first event consisted of a Letter to the Editor sent to all newspapers within a 300-kilometre range. This, along with a terrific arrangement with Prime Televising was combined with the best advertising of all: word of mouth.

Food stalls were operated by local service and sporting clubs, while anonymous volunteers circulated the crowd, collecting money to hold the event again the following year.

Attendance was around 500 in the first year, and the street was restored to normality by 6pm. Whilst stacking chairs and dismantling tables, the exhausted committee members were clearly heard muttering “Never again!”.

Recent times

Tumbafest has since been moved to the Creekscape, where there is plenty of seating, shade and space to move. The event has become a staple on the Tumbarumba calendar, with planning already underway for the 2022 event – marking 25 years of Tumbafest.

Today, sponsorship is measured in the tens of thousands, there is an actual advertising and promotions budget, and the food and refreshment stalls are outsourced to cater for the crowds. Performers over the years have included some of Australia’s best and since 2005 there has been a paid Event Coordinator to assist the hard-working volunteer committee.

Past Headliners

Tumbafest has seen some of Australia’s rock royalty take the stage over the years. Check out our past festival headliners below.