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Festival Map

St Albans

How to get there from Sydney

Travelling from Sydney to Wiseman's Ferry you cross the Hawkesbury River on the Webb Creek Ferry and meander through the McDonald Valley to historic St Albans on the McDonald River.

The Webb's Creek Ferry Road is now tarmacced the whole way to St Albans.

There is an alternative route via the Wiseman's Ferry - it is largely untarmacced but may be more suitable for long vehicles because of the sharp turn & decreased width of the St Albans Bridge.

How to get there for those travelling south

On the Freeway travelling south take the turnoff for Central Mangrove and Sommersby (somewhere between Gosford and Peat's Ridge) . Follow signs for Central Mangrove, Mangrove Mountain, Spencer then St Albans. No need to take any ferries.


The festival takes place at venues dotted throughout the sleepy township, centring around the The Settlers Arms, (built in 1836, it is one of the oldest hotels in Australia).

 

 

Venues

include

the church & the barn

Waywood folk performing in the church 2003

The Sommers Family performing in the barn 2003

 

Here is a lovely poem by Jane Faulkner which sums up the festival wonderfully.

Waking Up at St Albans'

 

Mist hangs in the air shrouding the mountains
As I emerge from a too short slumber.
Birds caw, voicing their own protest at the early start.

The children's voices are eager and excited
As they run, chasing one another
And making their own games
Until the rest of the camp site catches up.

Bacon and eggs sizzle on the barbecue
For the traditional festival breakfast.
Musicians give up the fight for more sleep
And reluctantly force open one eye;
Testing the idea of consciousness.
Drowsy poets stumble towards the cafe.

As the coffee is poured
And the first rhyming verse is dragged from memory
Another day at the festival begins.

Jane Faulkner © 2002