24 September - 12 October 2025 | Townsville, QLD
Facebook Instagram
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now

FAQ’s

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Whether you’re planning your visit, performing in the festival, or just curious about how it all works, our FAQs cover everything from ticketing and venues to accessibility and participation.

General Information

What are the dates for NAFA 2025?

NAFA 2025 runs from 24 September – 12 October in Townsville, Queensland.

Keep an eye on our socials and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news.

Please contact the NAFA team via the online form, by phone on 07 5690 2031 or email us at info@nafa-tsv.com.au for any questions about the festival.

The main festival hub is located at Strand Park (51 The Strand, North Ward) however our events are held over various venues across Townsville, so please check your ticket for the location of your show.

Visit the Venues page for all venue details.

The Virago and Aurora Spiegeltent are our 2 pop-up venues that will be located inside the Queensland Country Bank Festival Hub at Strand Park (51 The Strand, North Ward).

Please check your tickets carefully for the location of your show. There are multiple NAFA venues across Townsville. To view the full list of NAFA venues and their locations, visit the Venues page.

Programs are available now and can be collected from these locations:

  • NAFA Head Office – 6 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville City. Please call 07 5690 2031 prior to arrival to ensure the team isn’t out and about.
  • Aitkenvale Citylibrary
  • Flinders Street Citylibrary
  • Riverway Citylibrary
  • Townsville Civic Theatre
  • Townsville Shopping Centre
  • Visitor Information Centre
  • Various cafes and shops across Townsville

You can also view the digital program here and book your tickets now.

If you’re interested in distributing NAFA programs at your business, please email us at info@nafa-tsv.com.au

We always recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your event.

The Queensland Country Bank Festival Hub at Strand Park (51 The Strand, North Word) has a bar, food trucks and entertainment so we suggest arriving even earlier!

Lost and unclaimed items are kept at the Box Office at Strand Park during the festival (24 Sept – 12 Oct).

After the event, all items are transferred to the NAFA Festival Office at 6 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville City (located inside Enterprise House).

To report or enquire about a missing item, please contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

Certainly! Please contact us on 07 5690 2031, email info@nafa-tsv.com.au or submit an enquiry form on the Contact Us page.

During busy periods, it may take up to 3 business days to respond to your enquiry.

Photography and video recording using mobile phones is generally permitted at NAFA. However, some performances may have restrictions, and this will be announced at the beginning of the show.

Please note that professional recording equipment (such as DSLR cameras) is not allowed at any venue.

If you’re unsure, just ask one of our friendly staff onsite.

Snapped a great moment? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram and use #NAFATSV and #TownsvilleShines to share the NAFA magic.

As we are a licenced venue, you may be asked to provide ID when purchasing or consuming alcohol.

If you plan on attending an 18+ event, our team members will ask for one of the following forms of identification before entering the venue:

  • Australian Driver’s License (with photo)
  • Current Passport
  • Government Issued Proof of Age Queensland Card
  • International Driver’s License (with photo)

Additionally, if you have purchased a concession, student, or companion ticket, you will also need to present this form of ID at the door.  

The Festival Hub is a licenced venue, and alcohol may be purchased and consumed at Strand Park within the licenced areas. Bringing your own alcohol to the Festival Hub is strictly prohibited.

Jezzine Barracks is NOT a licenced area. Bringing alcohol to events at Jezzine Barracks is strictly prohibited.

Licencing at other NAFA venues are subject to the venue’s terms and conditions. Please check the venue’s website for more information.

Food trucks will be available at the Festival Hub in Strand Park and at Jezzine Barracks.

Food and drinks purchased elsewhere are not permitted however you are welcome to bring home-packaged food and snacks if you wish.

Yes. NAFA provides guidance on age suitability to help you make informed choices about what to attend. However, as an open-access festival, shows are self-rated by the performers, so we cannot guarantee content suitability for all audiences. Please use your discretion when purchasing tickets, as exchanges or refunds are not available for change-of-mind or age-appropriateness concerns.

Here are the general age classifications used:

  • G – General (All Ages)
    Suitable for everyone. Content is very mild in impact.

  • PG – Parental Guidance Recommended
    Content is mild in impact. Some material may not be suitable for children under 15 without parental guidance.

  • MA15+ – Mature Accompanied
    Strong impact content. Restricted to people over 15 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, who must stay for the entire show and purchase the child’s ticket.

  • R18+ – Restricted
    High impact content. Strictly for adults aged 18 and over. Proof of age will be required.

Please note: All ratings are provided by the artists, and NAFA is not liable for incorrect classifications.

PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL

Can I perform at NAFA?

Artist registrations for NAFA 2025 have closed.

To stay in the loop about future festival dates and artist opportunities, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter.

If you have any questions about performing at NAFA, feel free to contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

All information about festival crew roles and full-time staff recruitment can be found on our Join the Team webpage.

Interested in volunteering? You’ll find current opportunities here.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook,  Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

For any questions, contact the NAFA team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

ACCESSIBILITY

Where can I find information on accessibility at the festival?

Please visit our Accessibility page for further information.

If you have any concerns or specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help make your NAFA experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

For more information, contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

At NAFA, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming festival experience for everyone. While we aim to ensure all venues are accessible, this may not always be possible due to the nature of some external sites.

All venues within the Festival Hub at Strand Park are accessibility-friendly. For other venues, we recommend checking accessibility details on our website or the specific venue’s site before attending your show.

If you have any concerns or specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help make your NAFA experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

For more information, contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

Yes, there is! Several accessible parking spots are located close to the Festival Hub in Strand Park for easy access to the venue. However, we cannot guarantee these spots will always be available, so we recommend arriving early to avoid any inconveniences.

Please note that we cannot guarantee accessible parking at external venues outside the Festival Hub.

If you have any concerns or specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help make your NAFA experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

For more information, contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

Yes! For ticketed NAFA venues, you can request wheelchair or accessible seating during checkout. Simply tick ‘Yes’ under ‘Do you have any accessibility requirements?’ and let us know your needs in the comments section. Our team will then get in touch to assist you.

If you’re booking a Companion Ticket, just add it to your order – these are free of charge. Please remember to bring your Companion Card on the day, as it must be presented at the venue.

For events held at externally ticketed venues, please contact the venue directly to discuss accessibility arrangements.

For more information, contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

Yes! NAFA is proud to offer Auslan-interpreted performances as part of our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Auslan-interpreted shows will be clearly marked on our website and in the festival program. Keep an eye out for the Auslan symbol when browsing events.

Auslan-interpreted shows for NAFA 2025:

For more information, visit our Accessibility page or contact the NAFA team on 07 5690 2031 or at info@nafa-tsv.com.au

Yes, assistance animals are welcome both on-site at the festival hub and within performances.

To ensure we can provide sufficient space for you and your assistance animal inside the venue, please tick ‘Yes’ under ‘Do you have any accessibility requirements?’ when booking. Then, provide details of your needs in the comments section. Our team will follow up with you to make appropriate arrangements.

If you have any concerns or specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help make your NAFA experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

For more information, contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or email info@nafa-tsv.com.au

TICKETING

TICKET TYPES & DISCOUNTS

What ticket types are available and how much do they cost?

NAFA is a hybrid festival, offering a mix of Curated and Fringe shows, each with different pricing structures.

Curated Shows: These shows have set ticket prices and offer a range of discounts including:

  • Adult
  • Concession/ Student
  • Child
  • Companion
  • Infant
  • Group and Booth Bookings

Fringe Shows: Fringe artists set their own ticket prices based on their audience and production costs. Ticket types may vary by show. Check the individual event listing for details.

If you’re unsure whether a show offers specific ticket types, please contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or info@nafa-tsv.com.au for more information.


Ticket Types Explained


Adult Tickets
Standard tickets for attendees aged 18 and over, without concession or student discounts.


All Ages Tickets
These apply to select shows where there is no price difference between adult and child tickets.


Concession Tickets
Available to Pensioners, Seniors, Veterans, people with accessible needs, Students, and other valid concession card holders. You may be asked to present your ID at the venue.


Student Tickets
Discounted tickets for students with valid ID from a high school, TAFE, university or registered training organisation. Student tickets fall under the Concession category.


Companion Tickets
Free of charge for Companion Card holders when purchased with an Adult, Child, or Concession ticket. Simply add a Companion Ticket to your booking at checkout. Please present your Companion Card at the venue. If you are having trouble booking, please contact us on 07 5690 2031 or info@nafa-tsv.com.au


Child Tickets
For children aged 18 months to 12 years.


Infant Tickets
Infants (0–18 months) generally do not need a ticket if sitting on a parent or guardian’s lap. Some shows may require an infant ticket – this will appear as an option when selecting your adult ticket. If this option is not available, please contact our team on 07 5690 2031 or info@nafa-tsv.com.au for assistance.


Group Bookings
Discounted pricing is available for groups of 5 to 20. While we can’t guarantee seats together, arriving early will help, and our Front of House team will do their best to assist.


Booth Bookings
Available for groups of 8 people and must be purchased in a single transaction. Only available for select shows in the Aurora Spiegeltent. Please arrive early to be seated together.


VIP
Available for select shows only, VIP tickets include priority entry, premium seating, and special artist inclusions.

Adult Shows (MA15+ and R18+)

Some adult-rated shows may allow babes in arms (children aged 18 months and under). Please consider the nature of the performance—loud sounds and dark settings may not be suitable for young children, and unsettled babies may disturb the experience for others.

If allowed, the baby must be held in the arms of a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the show.

Show listings will clearly state if babes in arms are not permitted.


Children’s Shows & Family Performances

Children aged 18 months and under can attend most Kids & Family shows free of charge, but they still require an infant ticket and must sit on an adult’s lap.

If you’d prefer your child to have their own seat, a paid child ticket must be purchased.


EXCEPTIONS:
What’s in the Woods?
This show is specially designed for very young children, including babies aged 0–18 months, and all attendees (including infants) must hold a paid ticket.

Kids Day Out
Children aged 18 months and under can attend Kids Day Out for free with an infant ticket. They must also be listed on a signed waiver, which will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.

Kids Day Out

Children aged 18 months and under can attend Kids Day Out for free but will still need an infant ticket. They must also be listed on a signed waiver, which will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.

Children’s Shows & Family Performances

Children aged 18 months to 12 years will need a child ticket to attend most performances.

Children aged 18 months and under can generally attend Kids & Family shows free of charge, but must still have an infant ticket and sit on the lap of a parent or carer for the duration of the show. If you prefer your child to have their own seat, a paid ticket is required.

Note: Some shows may have specific age requirements. Always check the event listing before booking.

Ticket prices are generally set at the time of release and usually remain unchanged. However, event partners may adjust prices later on for promotional reasons or other factors.

Please note that refunds or credits are not available if:

  • The ticket price was lower before you made your purchase, or

  • The price of any other ticket for the event is reduced after you’ve bought yours.

We always recommend booking early to secure the best availability and pricing for your chosen event.

You may self-exchange tickets in your account to an event, generally up to 24 hours prior to the event start time.

There is a $2 fee for exchanging tickets to an event, which becomes non-refundable in the event of further refunds or cancellations.

Once completed, your original tickets are void and cannot be used for any further purpose.

To swap your tickets:

  1. Go to My Account page and click on the Tickets section
  2. Select the tickets you wish to swap and tick Exchange
  3. There are 2 options available: 
    Manual Exchange – Add the tickets to your cart at a negative value, then browse the program to find tickets you’d like to swap. The tickets must be at greater or equal value to the tickets being exchanged.
    Quick Exchange – Search for the event you’d like to swap your tickets for and select the event. 

For assistance with the exchange process, please contact the NAFA team on 07 5690 2031 or info@nafa-tsv.com.au

PURCHASING

Will my cart time out?

Yes, you have 20 minutes to complete your purchase before your tickets are removed from your cart.

This time limit helps ensure a fair ticketing process by preventing individuals from holding onto tickets without purchasing them, which can block others from accessing popular events.

Releasing unpurchased tickets back into the pool gives everyone a fair chance to secure their spot.

You can purchase your tickets in the following ways:

  1. ONLINE
  2. BY PHONE on 07 5690 2031
  3. IN PERSON – NAFA OFFICE at 6 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville City, QLD 4810.
    Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm from 25 July to 19 September.
  4. IN PERSON – BOX OFFICE AT FESTIVAL HUB at Strand Park, 51 The Strand, North Ward, QLD 4810. Opening Hours: Varies from 12 September to 12 October. Please visit our website or call us for updated info.

    Note: In the two weeks leading up to the festival, our team will be busy with event setup. Opening hours at the NAFA Office during this time are not guaranteed. To avoid disappointment, we recommend calling ahead before visiting in person to purchase tickets.

A booking fee of $1.65 – $4.40 applies when adding tickets to your cart. This helps cover the costs of maintaining a secure, reliable ticketing system including website hosting, customer support, and platform maintenance to ensure a smooth booking experience for all users.

A card processing fee of 30c + 1.7% is added at checkout to cover bank and payment gateway charges.

If you choose to receive your tickets via SMS, a 67c charge also applies. Email delivery is free.

REFUNDS & EXCHANGES

What is your refund policy?

Events and other items are sold on a generally non-refundable basis.

However, in certain cases we may offer refunds before the event if you are unable to attend:

  • As a result of you contracting COVID-19 illness or being required to quarantine due to being a close contact. A medical certificate will need to be provided.
  • If the event has had to be materially changed or postponed for circumstances beyond our control. In this case we may either offer refunds or substitute an equivalent event.
  • In certain other compassionate circumstances.

After the event has been held, you are not entitled to any refund on unused tickets or purchases made if you cannot prove that you contacted us in writing prior to the event.

You will receive a refund of the face value of the tickets but will forfeit any booking or transaction fees paid as these are part of the cost of the ticketing service.

Complimentary or free tickets are not valid for any refund or form of exchange.

If the event is cancelled you will receive a refund of the face value of the tickets, but will forfeit any booking or transaction fees paid as these are part of the cost of the ticketing service.

Complimentary or free tickets to events that are cancelled are not valid for any refund or exchange to other events.

GROUP BOOKINGS

Are group booking discounts available?

Yes, we provide group booking discounts.

Group Bookings
Discounted pricing is available for groups of 5 to 20 and must be purchased in one transaction. While we can’t guarantee seats together, arriving early will help, and our Front of House team will do their best to assist.


Booth Bookings
Discounted pricing available for groups of 8 people and must be purchased in a single transaction. Only available for select shows for booths in the Aurora Spiegeltent. Please arrive early to be seated together.

SAFETY & CONDITIONS

What happens if it rains? Are events cancelled due to weather?

Some NAFA events are held outdoors and may be affected by weather. While we do our best to proceed as planned, some events may go ahead in conditions that you might find less than ideal.

In the interest of safety, we reserve the right to cancel or postpone events if weather conditions are deemed unsafe for performers, staff, or attendees. In some cases, we may choose to move an event to an indoor venue or provide an equivalent experience.

While we do not conduct routine bag checks or formal security screenings, security personnel are present at entry points and throughout the festival hub to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.

Please note the following conditions of entry:
• Alcohol and outside food are not permitted to be brought into the festival.
• Prohibited items include (but are not limited to): flag poles, flares, fireworks, weapons, fuel canisters, or any items considered dangerous. Possession of such items will result in immediate removal from the event by police and may lead to legal action.

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for everyone. If you witness or experience any anti-social or suspicious behaviour, please report it to our festival staff or security team immediately.

Smoking and vaping are only permitted in the designated area within the Festival Hub at Strand Park.

For all other venues, please refer to their individual smoking and vaping policies or check with venue staff directly.

Please be considerate of others and follow all signage and local regulations when smoking or vaping near festival spaces.

TECH & COMMUNICATION

Is there a festival app?

We don’t have a festival app just yet but it’s on our radar! We’re working towards creating one in the future to enhance your festival experience. Stay tuned!

Yes, you can access free wi-fi in the Festival Hub at Strand Park thanks to Townsville City Council with a daily limit of 500MB. You can also access free wi-fi in the following nearby locations:

For more information, visit Townsville City Council’s website.

PAYMENTS

Is NAFA cashless? Can I use card or contactless payments at venues?

Yes, the Festival Hub at Strand Park is a cashless venue. Card and contactless payments are accepted at all bars, food vendors, and the box office.

For other festival venues, please check directly with the venue regarding their payment options.

We recommend planning ahead and bringing a backup payment method, just in case especially when attending events at external or pop-up venues.

SUSTAINABILITY

How does NAFA support sustainability?

NAFA is committed to being Townsville’s first waste‑free festival, through several eco‑friendly initiatives:

  • Reusable dining items available across food vendors and hydration stations: returnable bowls, cups, sporks, and plates made from 75% Australian materials and fully recyclable.

  • Hydration stations that encourage attendees to bring their own water bottles, helping reduce single-use plastic.

  • Recycling and waste management supported by dedicated bins and teams, plus a partnership with MAMS Redeem Townsville to collect cans and bottles with proceeds going to a local primary school.

  • Cigarette litter reduction through the ReefClean “Ditch the Flick” campaign at the Festival Hub’s smoking area.

  • Responsibly sourced printed programs, featuring the FSC Mix certification, which ensures the materials come from responsibly managed forests and controlled sources.

Absolutely! We encourage you to bring your own cups, waterbottles, containers and cutleries to help reach our goal of becoming Townsville’s first waste-free festival!

Couldn’t find an answer to your question? Please contact us on 07 5690 2031, email info@nafa-tsv.com.au or submit an enquiry on the Contact Us webpage. During busy periods, it may take up to 3 business days to respond to your enquiry.