FAQs

Caravans, Camper Trailers and Campervans are welcome.   Sites are not powered.  There is no dump point so please ensure you have done this prior to arrival.

We have camping and campervan facilities on site at the festival grounds. However, there are motels located in Laura and Cooktown. Places will be limited and are not associated with the festival.

You can bring your own camping gear or you can book a tent and linen directly with our camping partner Tent City.

Bookings are based on a 3-night stay and have options for the following;

• One Day Pass (without Camp Site Access)
• One Day Pass (inclusive 1 night at Camp Site)
• 3 Day Weekend Pass (without Camp Site Access)
• 3 Day Weekend Pass (inclusive 3 Nights at Camp Site)

Tents and linen can add to your booking. Tent City will have a team at the event to check you in and show you to your tents and help with any concerns or you can call them on Tel: 07 54826788.

Yes, there are multiple roadhouses around Laura that offer 24hr fuel facilities, EFTPOS and meals.

Laura is a small town and locality in Cook Shire, Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, Australia.  You can fly into Cairns from any major domestic or international airport and then transit to directly to Laura.

Fly, Drive, Train.

Flight times: Mackay to Cairns (via TSV) – 2 hours 15 mins; Brisbane or Gold Coast to Cairns – 2 hours 30 mins; Darwin to Cairns – 2 hours 30 mins; Sydney to Cairns – 3 hours; Adelaide to Cairns – 3 hours 15 mins; Melbourne to Cairns – 3 hours 20 mins; Alice Springs to Cairns – 4 hours; Auckland to Cairns – 4 hours 30 mins; Perth to Cairns – 5 hours 10 mins; Hobart to Cairns – 5 hours 30 mins.

Rail journeys: QR’s Spirit of Queensland, Brisbane to Cairns – 25 hours.

Driving distances from Cairns to Laura – Approximately 4 hours drive north of Cairns with the road being fully sealed.

Yes, the road from Cairns and from Cooktown is fully sealed.  The only unsealed road is when you get onto the Festival grounds. However, the festival grounds will be graded to deter damage to vehicles.

There are 2 camping options  within the Festival Precinct, including: 24 hr security, medical support, toilets and showers.

Campgrounds

Bush camping for those with their own, swag, motorhome, caravan, campervan, camper trailer or tent.  All sites are non powered, generators are permitted between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Drinking water will be provided

Tent City

Available for Festival and Camping ticket holders only. For a hassle and stress free LQIDF, book your accommodation in Tent City – pre set up tents, complete with an awning, carpet, 12v light, and stretcher beds and roll up windows– all you need to bring is your bedding.

If you’re planning on coming empty handed, no need to stress, you can book a linen package at time of booking.

You do not have an unlimited amount of space for your camp setup. A reasonable size tent, camper or caravan for the number of people staying in will be allowed, for example, four adults camping in a six-man tent is deemed reasonable.

Please consider your camp site and others around you.

Campsites are allocated on arrival, you are not able to save spots for friends. If you wish to camp with friends, you must arrive together.

Campers will be able to enter the Festival from 10 am Thursday 6th July.  Please Please do not ask for early entry as refusal may offend.

Festival Volunteers may be granted prior access and should consult with the Volunteer Coordinator to make such arrangements. See also: When can I access Tent City?

In the Campgrounds? No. The Campgrounds require you to BYO tents and/or equipment.

In Tent City? Yes. Tent City is the camping accommodation option for patrons who do not wish to supply their own tents and/or equipment. Each supplied tent is fully floored, carpeted and fitted with an internal 12V light. Linen can be provied at a small additional cost when booking.

The Tent City precinct will be available from 10am Thursday 6th July.  Strict check out is Monday 10th July 10am.

In the Campgrounds? Yes. The Campgrounds may have sufficient car space at your site. If your car or additional vehicles don’t fit into your designated campsite, parking is available free of charge at the Car Park nearby.

In Tent City? Yes. Tent City has its own designated Tent City Car Park but your venhicle will not be next to your tent.

In the interests of public safety, movement of vehicles is to be limited and only used for entry and exit of your camping period. Vehicles not permitted to come and go or to be driven around the Campgrounds. Vehicles are only to be driven out if the driver (and any passengers) will not be returning to their campsite.

Contravention of this rule puts other patrons at serious risk and may result in your eviction from the Campgrounds. In such circumstances, no refunds will be given. If you require your vehicle to travel to town or are planning to sightsee around the region during the Festival period, please be sure to park your car in the designated Car Park at the front of the festival grounds instead of at your campsite so that you're able to come and go as you please. 

.No

To the Campgrounds? Yes. But please be considerate of other campers and do not operate between 10pm and 7am.

To Tent City? No. Generators are not permitted within Tent City.

Drinking water stations will be provided throughout the festival.

Gas stoves are permitted.

Please have any such equipment serviced before bringing it to the Campgrounds and never use a gas cooker inside an enclosed area such as your tent. The flame should always be blue, as an orange/yellow flame or the production of soot may indicate a hazard. If you suspect a malfunction or smell gas, please clear the area and immediately seek assistance from Festival staff.

Enclosed campfires (i.e. a fire within a fire ring, fire pit, wood stove, fire bucket, fire burner, or any homemade or manufactured device that has the effect of containing a fire) are also permitted between 4pm and 10am.

Any campfire should be at least 5 metres from a tent, vehicle or other camping structure. You may BYO firewood as required.

Unattended fires or fires outside of the permitted hours will be extinguished by the Rural Fire Service. All fires must be contained.  You must do this by digging hole for your fire.  Do not place rocks as a surround.  Any fires that are not contained will be extinguished.

Yes, enclosed campfires (i.e. a fire within a fire ring, fire pit, wood stove, fire bucket, fire burner, or any homemade or manufactured device that has the effect of containing a fire) are permitted.

Any campfire should be at least 5 metres from a tent, vehicle or other camping structure. You may BYO firewood as required.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAMP FIRE UNATTENDED

Unattended fires or fires outside of the permitted hours will be extinguished by the Rural Fire Service. All fires must be contained.  You must do this by digging hole for your fire.  Do not place rocks as a surround.  Any fires that are not contained will be extinguished.

Yes.

Please be considerate of those around you when trying to. capture your perfect shot.

It is preferred that you DO NOT bring your dog however for those travelling with a small dog may bring them to the Campgrounds only. Provided s/he is kept on a leash or otherwise secured and not allowed to wander. The Campgrounds is not a suitable environment for hunting or work dogs. Please make other arrangements.

Dogs are not permitted in Tent City or in the main festival area.

NO

This is a drug and Alcohol free event.  Vehicles will be checked upon entry.

Items which could reasonably be considered hazardous or disruptive to other patrons should not be brought to this Festival.

Such items include but are not limited to:

• Alcohol
• Air horns
• Drones or other remotely controlled toys/technologies
• Flammable liquids
• Flares, fireworks, sparklers, explosives, fire twirling gear or similar
• Glass bottles, containers, etc. – this is a Glass Free Festival
• Illicit drugs and/or illegal substances
• Laser pointers, pens or equipment
• Personal motorised vehicles
• Sound systems
• Spray paint, markers, sharpies or similar
• Studded belts, cuffs or similar
• Toy guns, water guns, sling shots, or similar
• Umbrellas
• Unauthorised flyers, stickers, promotional merchandise, samples or similar
• Weapons and/or explosives
• Dogs

Or any other item deemed by Festival Security or Festival Staff (at their own discretion) to be potentially dangerous or disruptive to other patrons.

 Any such items found on patrons will be confiscated and not returned. Holders of any such items may be excluded from the Festival Grounds without refund. Patrons found to be participating in any illegal activities may additionally be referred to the Queensland Police Service. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to any person.

Due to the remote location, we at this time, cannot gaurantee ATM's will be available.  The LQIDF Team are working hard to increase connectivity at the site.  We recommend that you bring cash.

Due to the remote location and limited connectivity, we at this time, cannot gaurantee EFTPOS will be available.  The LQIDF Team are working hard to increase connectivity at the site.  Food, drink and merchandise vendors who accept EFTPOS, will provide if connectivity allowes.

WE RECOMMEND YOU BRING CASH

No.

Yes. A phone charging kiosk will be available within the Festival Village.

Yes drinking water stations will be provided.

There is disability parking, toilets and limited camping available. However please note that the Festival grounds are very remote and accessibility is limited.

Yes, QLD Ambulance, Fire and SES will be set up with a temporary hospital for the duration of the event. Please note there is limited medical facilities on site, if you need to see a doctor for general health reasons please go to the clinic.

NO

You are free to enter and exit the Festival grounds at your own discretion, provided you keep your armband on at all times. Please bear in mind that it will be necessary for you to be re-processed by security upon re-entry, and any applicable public health protocols (to protect against COVID-19), may also need to be retaken. 

Yes, ample on-site parking is available for non-camping Festival patrons. Please follow the relevant signs and/or directions from parking attendants.

You will need to BYO camp chairs and blankets. 

The Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival is a camping event and we expect patrons will be self sufficient.

There will be a selection of food and drink facitlites available at the festival.

It is a condition of entry to the Festival that searches of patrons and/or their bags/possessions may be undertaken. If you do not consent to such searches, you may be denied entry to the Festival. In such circumstances, no refunds will be given. Please note: any prohibited items located during bag searches will be confiscated and not returned.

Possible refusal of entry may occur at the Festival Directors discretion.

There will be designated smoking areas. Signs will advise you where such zones are located.

You can smoke at your campsite but please ensure you extinguish all cicagets properly.

Average July temperatures in Laura are 26o C high / 19o C low.

The festival is an all weather event and will proceed rain or shine.

Yes. Demountable shower and toilet blocks are set up for the festival. They all have warm water, but with any hot water system, it may run out during the day! Some showers will be cold water only.