Strawberry Fields Festival Melbourne

For those travelling from Melbourne, the journey ahead of you is a few hours long. Before reviewing the directions, it is essential that you read this information on this page to prepare for your journey.

Police roadblocks will be in place performing roadside drug and alcohol testing on both the Victorian and New South Wales roads to and from Strawberry Fields. These operations exist to prioritise road safety, not just for festival goers but for the surrounding community.

As of 1 August 2015, Victorian drivers caught driving impaired by either drugs or alcohol face a minimum 12 month license cancellation and court fees of up to $4550 for your first offence. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $40, 959, prison time, and vehicle impound. There are now also new laws for people who mix alcohol and drugs – strict rules now apply and your vehicle will be impounded on the spot.

As of 1 February 2015, New South Wales drivers caught driving impaired by either drugs or alcohol face a $3, 300 fine for the first offence, a 12 month suspension of license, may be subject to the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Program, and or prison time.

Does any of this sound like the way you want to start or end your festival? Didn’t think so.

Strawberry Fields has a zero tolerance approach to people who drive after consuming alcohol and illicit drugs. We fully support the efforts of both the Victorian and New South Wales police in working to ensure road safety. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol isn’t just incredibly stupid and reckless, but puts your life, the lives of your passengers, friends, and others on the road at risk. Impaired drivers remain the biggest killer on our roads, with drivers who have alcohol and drugs in their system being 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to a sober driver.

Driving under the influence also threatens the existence of music festivals period – in order to continue to bring your favourite music and art to beautiful outdoor locations, events like Strawberry Fields need to show the community that we attract lovely people like yourself. Breaking the law makes you just another statistic in proving why these events should not happen.

Our advice to you?

1. DO NOT DRIVE IMPAIRED FOR ANY REASON. You will be tested, you will be caught, you will ruin your festival and that of anyone travelling with you.

2. GET TESTED BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE (Blow me First will be available to perform drug and alcohol tests at the Info Tent during the festival and at the gate from Sunday to Monday). The first 500 vehicles leaving the festival will also receive free breath tests.

3. IF UNSURE, DON'T RISK IT. If you feel unsure about being sober, don’t even consider trying to drive. Many substances can be detected in your system for at least 24 hours after consumption, if not longer. Once again, you will be tested, you will be caught, you will ruin your festival and that of anyone travelling with you.