The Gum Ball

The Gum Ball is an annual music festival held in secluded bushland at Bedford in the middle of the Hunter Valley each year.

It is a family-friendly weekend event filled with music, arts, food, beers, markets, yoga, and much more – becoming one of Australia’s most anticipated camping and music festivals.

Running across three glorious nights, the 25th, 26th & 27th of April 2025, with the additional special prelude warm-up concert on Thursday, 24th April, held on the majestic bushlands of Dashville (Wonnarua) Lower Belford, Hunter Valley, NSW.

The Gum Ball is a unique live music experience designed for all ages and inclinations. It celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and creativity and strives to deliver inspirational memories and a community built around live music, art, and friendships.

Boasting onsite bush camping and a popular BYO option, year in and year out, the Dashville team has delivered bountiful line-ups full of well-considered and diverse performers from across Australia and overseas, both emerging and established artists who are destined to impress as they all play one-by-one on the intimate bushland amphitheatre.

The three-day boutique camping festival, tucked away in the bush at Dashville in Country NSW, is considered by many as one of Australia’s greatest musical escapes, a must-do cultural expedition for people of all ages. If you’re only learning about it now by chance, then the truth is… You’ve got to go!

The festival was started in 2005 by a man known as Magpie, who still runs it to this day, alongside his wife Jess and many hardworking friends and family, mostly musicians. The Gum Ball is the perfect festival for those who may have given up on festivals, whether it be because you felt too old, society scared you or having kids makes it difficult. People have discovered this little gem as the answer to ease back into the game. Ask anyone who has been, and they’ll tell you just how achievable it is.

The best bit about The Gum Ball is in the discovery. It’s not a festival where you go to see the biggest names in show business and mark which acts on the timetable you’re going to try and see.

Sure, The Gum Ball hosts some pretty incredible acts – you can look at the festival’s history to see that. But the magic is in a festival where you don’t even need a timetable. You exist in this comfortable space where you experience the journey of music from start to finish. You can wander, relax, and come and go as you please. It’s right in front of you, pulling your attention when you see fit to give it.

The Gum Ball mixes musical genres and styles, from rock and soul to hip-hop, country and in between, over two stages, side by side, to create a flowing festival feast of music and dance.

Along with its musical element, The Gum Ball offers gourmet food and market stalls, yoga, skate demos, creative workshops, indigenous learning, live art, and a popular late-night silent disco.

All tickets include the option to camp, and you can bring whatever camp set-up you like. However, you must register and purchase a pass if you have a camper or caravan over 20ft. They also offer boutique-style accommodation in the form of GLAMPING as an optional extra.

The Gum Ball is a BYO event (STRICTLY NO GLASS), but there is also a top-shelf bar and licensed area inside the arena for those who like an ice-cold tap beer or cocktail.

All persons under 18 must be accompanied by a legal/responsible guardian at all times during the festival. No event entry will be permitted to unaccompanied minors at any time.

With discount bundle options available for families, it’s recommended that you get your money’s worth and camp for the whole weekend at this unique and annual festival. Don’t miss your opportunity to witness an array of up-and-coming artists in a safe and secluded venue in the beautiful Hunter Valley.

Young Gums Youth Mentorship

Young Gums is an incredible opportunity for young creatives to gain insight into the music and events industry. Now in its fifth year, we are once again looking for a bunch of kids who are super keen to immerse themselves in what could very well be their new projector.

Young Gums is a mentorship program led by the good people at Dashville and supported by The Gum Ball’s professional and creative community of musicians, artists, technicians and event managers.

This project is dedicated specifically to high school students aged 13 – 17 and targets emerging creatives in regional NSW who are interested in music festival production and performance.

After its success over the past few years, the Dashville team will continue with the program in 2025, providing a nurturing environment for the chosen few who want to delve into a hands-on learning experience in a five-day live festival environment.

During the five days, the students will engage with various qualified industry professionals – from musicians to lighting technicians – through workshops, tutoring and one-on-one mentoring, learning the ins and outs of what it takes from set up to showtime. With the support of a Musical Director, the students will carry out daily rehearsals in preparation for a group performance on the main stage during the festival’s last day.

With The Gum Ball in full swing from Friday through to Sunday, at the conclusion of each day’s program, there will be time for enjoying the festival’s evening performances with family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Bring Pets?
Strictly NO PETS are allowed at The Gum Ball.

However, Patrons with accredited Assistance Dogs are welcome. Please reach out via [email protected]

Please note: Companion & Therapy animals are not permitted at Dashville.

How Long Does The Festival Run?
The festival runs over three nights – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For those who can’t wait, you can arrive earlier on Thursday, but this incurs an extra fee per person.

If you would like to arrive one night earlier, you can add on an Early Entry Thursday Night Ticket. This includes camping and entry to the concert.

What Type Of Food Will Be Sold During The Festival?
Ruby’s Pizzeria will be open and serving everything from coffee to pizzas, but we will also have a wide selection of food trucks and stalls serving delicious treats all weekend. From Vegan to hardcore carnivorous food, from breakfast to dinner, and all things snacky and sweet in between, we’ve got you covered.

BYO Food & Beverages?
The Gum Ball is a licensed festival. Although we have a super awesome bar full of great booze and lots of tasty food stalls, you can bring your own food and drinks to this festival.

Truthfully, it’s becoming difficult to continue, mainly due to the excessive waste it produces. So please take note of our policies.

Please know and respect our biggest rule: GLASS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Please do not bring any form of glass into the festival. Basically, this is the bush, and broken glass does not break. Your one slip-up can cause long-term grief for not only children and animals but perhaps even your own face.

What Is The BYO Alcohol Limit?
Per person, you are allowed to bring one carton of canned beer OR one decanted bottle of spirits/wine in a plastic bottle into the campground. GLASS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

6 x drinks are allowed into the arena per person at a time.

Will Our Car Be Searched On The Way In?
Our security staff will search all vehicles on the way through Dashville’s main gate.

*Please keep in mind our number one rule: NO GLASS. Any glass found will be confiscated.

Can I Bring My Own Generator?
Small generators are permitted, but please respect your fellow patrons regarding noise. Switch off the genny when others are trying to sleep.

Are We Allowed To Make A Campfire?
There are no personal fires in the campground, and you are not allowed to bring firewood. We are bound by State fire restrictions, and the campground and surrounding areas are dense bushland. We generally have communal fires inside the arena, and you are welcome to sit around until 3 a.m. if that helps.

Do You Have Shower & Toilet Amenities At Dashville?
We have a large block of private shower cubicles and flushing toilets to cater to the needs of all campers, and there are always sufficient portaloos within the arena and campgrounds.

Getting There

Belford is a small town in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, about 171 kilometres north of the CBD via the M1. Public transport options are also available. Singleton is the nearest train station on the Main Northern Line. From there, you can catch a bus to Belford.