BREAKING NEWS Shocked Shocked Shocked


At 10 AM on Monday 17th May, The Hon Virginia Judge, Minister for the Arts, Peter Besseling MP for Port Macquarie and dignitaries from Port Macquarie - Hastings Council, NSW Events, and The Wintersun Festival represented by the Festival Chairman Don Rafton, and Festival Director Barry McNamara officially announced that Wintersun 2011 will be held from 3rd to 13th June in Port Macquarie, New South Wales.

After more than a year of careful deliberations The Wintersun Festival Committee has entered into an agreement with Events NSW to stage an annual Wintersun Festival in regional NSW for initially the next three years.

The Festival will not remain in the same location for two years in a row.


Port Macquarie is located on the New South Wales North Coast just off the Pacific Highway. By road it is about 7 hours from Brisbane, 3 hours from Newcastle, and 4��hours from Sydney. The Oxley Highway also links to Tamworth and Armidale. By air Qantas, Bridabella and Virgin fly direct from Sydney with current fares as low as $79.00. Wauchope is only 20 minutes from Port Macquarie and is serviced by XPT rail from Brisbane and Sydney, we hope to have a couple of rock & roll express trains as part of the event.


Port Macquarie has some fantastic accommodation ranging from caravan parks to top quality ocean view s and you will find incredible bargains. You will also experience a wide variety of restaurants from local seafood to top value bistros and club priced drinks.


Wintersun has secured some excellent venues including a basket ball court ��� and that means the return of a dance competition. Clubs and venues are all keen to work together with us to make this the best Wintersun ever seen. As usual Wintersun 2011 will feature a great range of entertainment from Swing to rockabilly and dance to Cabaret. We have got great enthusiasm with the local venues and fully expect to announce a full and action packed 10 day event before Christmas.


Car show areas will be in beachfront parks and in the town centre, we have an excellent merchandise area and room for good open air stages.


Festival Chairman Don Rafton said on his first visit: Port Macquarie is a picture postcard town, with a vibrant range of restaurants and nightlife in a family friendly safe environment. The feel of the town suits Wintersun perfectly and we hope that all our regulars will come on this adventure with us.


Festival Director Barry McNamara said The enthusiasm of Council, The Chamber of Commerce, local business and venue operators together with the strength and backing of State Government through Events NSW and local MP Peter Besseling gives us great confidence and the space in which we can create and develop Wintersun into the future as a very significant festival of international standing.


For the best deals book before the word gets out: TheWintersun Festival 2011 call 1300 303 155.

For Midura Wintersun Weekender 1800 039 143


Wintersun is now looking at potential host towns for 2012 and beyond.