When it comes to New Year’s Eve in the South Island, Rhythm and Alps – the little sister of Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vines - is the biggest party and the only 2-day music festival in the south. Held in the spectacular setting between the iconic Cardrona Ski Resort and the rolling Pisa Plateau, it is 15 minutes south of Wanaka in the Otago region or roughly an hour from Queenstown, with your Queenstown Airport car hire.
Rhythm and Alps 2014 will cater for up to 5000 campers and the line-up features some great international and Kiwi acts to usher in the new year of 2015 in, including Bastille, Shapeshifter, Chet Faker, State of Mind, The Funk Hunters, Zane Lowe and Doprah.
Having learned from last year, this year’s Rhythm and Alps organisers have arranged for faster check in with more lanes and staff to reduce queues, more bars and staff, an even bigger campground with more space for everyone, and more buses between the festival site and the town of Wanaka.
You can either drive or bus to Rhythm and Alps – car parking is available free of charge at the festival site and grounds. Camping at Rhythm and Alps is an integral part of the entire experience. Staying onsite embeds you in the midst of the action. And given the remote and beautiful location, camping spots are incredibly popular.
Campers at Rhythm and Alps will have access to BBQ and picnic areas, hot showers, charging outlets for electronic devices, a campstore and more. There is a separate part of the Rhythm and Alps campground just for campervans – though these need to be self-sufficient campervans as no water or power is available.
For those who prefer more comfort, check out the teepee and glamping options in the premium camping section. Teepees come in 2 or 6 person setups, with airbeds and their own checkin and showers.Glampers also enjoy bedding, tables, carpet and LED lighting. Nearby Cardrona Hotel has also released Rhythm and Alps accommodation options for New Year’s Eve for couples or groups of four – these are, understandably going fast.