Pitch Music And Arts Festival

If you’re the kind of person who believes the DJ is a God, then Pitch Music and Arts Festival will be perfect for you. Pitch features one of Australia’s most impressive music bills for electronic music, (some people thought - incorrectly - the line up announcement was fake after following its inauguration in 2017).

Australia is certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to finding incredible festival landscapes, but having the privilege of hosting some of the world’s best artists is a different story because, let’s face it, travelling down under is expensive and can be exhausting. Luckily, the great team behind Pitch have made dreams come true and allowed dance music lovers to find a heaven on earth. Situated amongst the picturesque National Heritage listed Grampians, only a few hours drive from Melbourne, Pitch features four days of bliss amongst one of the most picturesque backdrops that an Australian festival has to offer. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a weekend that you’ll never forget.

Getting there

Before you spend the weekend having a boogie, spend some time at the Brambuk Cultural Centre to discover and experience Indigenous Australian culture. The Grampians is home to distinctively special First Nations culture and Brambuk offers an opportunity for visitors to understand the rich history of the people and their land. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, the region contains over 80% of Victoria’s Aboriginal rock art across 60 different sites. Take a tour led by Aboriginal guides who can show you an important insight into the spiritual and historical significance of the land. The impressive architecture of the centre represents the mountains of Gariwerd with the wings of a cockatoo.

The best way of taking in the views is by climbing to the top, so before you dance your legs off, go for a hike up to the Reeds/Boroka Lookout. The view from the top of the lookout provides an opportunity to see the landscapes of Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook and Mt Difficult Range, all from the one spot. The views are best in the early hours of the morning as the sunrise will completely take your breath away.

What to bring

Falling on a weekend and with temperatures in March often being changeable, it is important to pack for both hot and cold weather. Even if it isn’t 40 degrees, Australia’s blistering sun can still burn you even if the day is overcast. So, on top of all of your camping equipment, please remember to bring sunscreen. And it will get cold in the evenings, so make sure you’ve packed extra layers and a coat or warm jacket.

Bring a comfortable chair and a gazebo so you can chill and relax with your pals at the campsite. With a line up as good as this one, you’ll be on your feet all day so you’ll definitely need a place to recharge - if you can manage to find a time slot where an incredible artist isn’t playing.

Get creative with your outfits as it makes it all the more fun! Pitch features a very mature and laid-back crowd with a crowd who are there to have a great time and meet other people. And, let’s face it, there’s no better conversation starter than a weird and wacky costume.

Do bring a respectful and positive attitude. Pitch is a safe space for all genders, sexualities, race, religions and abilities so be cool.

And lastly, don’t forget to stay hydrated by bringing a refillable water bottle. It’s going to be a long four days and you will want to feel ready and fresh for each day that follows so be prepared.

Where to go

Make sure you take the time to wander around the entire festival while you are there. While the weekend has an impressive focus on the performers, this is just about music. Check out the array of talented artists with their works set up as installations situated around the festival grounds.

The main stages are pieces of artwork too. Stage engineers and volunteers spend months before the festival setting them up and the effort is well worth it. Beton Brut stage is the largest, with a grey concrete brutalist structure and rectangular blocks that form a pyramid above the DJ booth, with epic Funktion-One 32 inch subs. The Electrum stage gives tribal, rainbow vibes whilst the Vanishing Point stage features a picturesque backdrop of the mountains that seems totally surreal. But youmust check it out for yourself - we don’t want to spoil it for you.

There are also market stalls and food trucks that feature locals, specifically picked for the event to feed your tummy and provide you with trinkets and souvenirs to take home so that you’ll never forget the weekend.

Journeying home

With a line up as good as Pitch, you’ll barely have time for a shower. By the end of the festival, you’ll likely be in desperate need of a good bathing session, and the best place to do that is at Mackenzie Falls. The beautiful spot, with its luscious, cascading water, will leave you with a dropped jaw from its pristine beauty. There are a couple of walks you can choose from while you’re there that are both 2km long. One of these is down to the base of the falls where you can let the mist soak into your grubby festival skin, and another stroll takes you to a lookout where you can view the waterfall amongst the delightful native blue gums.

Or if you’re looking for a quieter dip, check out the nearby Lake Bellfield where you can take a bush walk and see some of the hundreds of species of native flora and fauna or go swimming, picnicking or boating. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies owls or wedge-tailed eagles.

And if you’re looking for a good feed on your way out after burning more calories than a marathon runner, check out Barney’s Bistro. Barney’s is the definition of a country pub in a renovated barn with a rustic setting that you won’t find anywhere else. Have a cold drink while you enjoy the iconic mountains in the background before you travel back home.