Review: Strawberry Fields was a perfectly curated escape hidden deep in the bush

Australian festival Strawberry Fields' popularity has exploded over the past few years. From a pop-up rave somewhere in between Melbourne and Sydney to its sprawling site on the banks of the majestic Murray River, that splits the states of Victoria and New South Wales, the vibe has remained pure and the music amazing as its roots spread further.

Excitement levels are always high as a seemingly endless network of highways stretch in front of you on the journey from civilisation into the bush, with summer in its full three-month-long glory and endless possibilities lying ahead at the end of November each year.

The event has cemented itself as a marker for the start of festival season on the country’s east coast, taking place across four days in the final throes of spring as parties begin to ramp up in the cities and the shackles of the colder months are well and truly shaken off and left lying discarded in the dust.

Hitting the site, ancient river red gum trees tower above with the Murray – Australia’s longest river, snaking its way across more than 2500km – offering an alluring place to cool off (and get clean of the dirt acquired as feet pound to Funktion-One speakers), providing a stunning backdrop for a weekend of house, techno, disco and more.

Musically, the curation is spot on and there is plenty to please all tastes – even more so in recent years with the introduction of several new stages, including one dedicated to live music with a jam session vibe. But, of course, the main stage is where it’s at and the pulsating heart of Strawberry Fields. A pink shade structure seemed simple and aesthetically pleasing during the day, before coming to life with lasers and lights that played off its varied sections on Saturday night.