The basics
An environmentally-minded creative festival within a New Zealand national park
The festival
Splore is an explosion of music and art, excess and conscious non-consumption. Watch the main stage from the crystal waters of the sea, participate in a synchronised swimming performance, or even moor your boat at the festival - the beautiful beach-side location will make sure there's always a novel way to get involved.
With regular performers including The Correspondents, and a tradition of wacky burlesque and performers, there's plenty of novel entertainment and more than enough excuses to dance all day in your trunks. Meanwhile there's a spiritual element as well, a delightful children's area, and it's warm enough that you can even sleep on the beach if you so please. What a hemisphere.
Our tip
Don't expect constant sun - New Zealand isn't tropical, and although it's summer it might actually get a bit chilly every now and then.
Watch
Lineup
Full lineup here.
Getting there
How do I get there?
Bus
Catching the Splore Express bus is by far the best way to get to Splore. You’ll be making a positive impact on the environment and the price is subsidised for these reasons. Splore Express Bus ticket prices start at just $5+BF each way for early birds. When these sell out the price will rise to $10+BF each way. There’s loads of cheap seats but make sure to book yours before they go.
Buses will depart from Downtown Auckland, 172 Quay Street, Opposite the Ferry Terminal, at 9am and 1.30pm on Friday the 19th February. Arriving at Splore Camp HQ approximately 1 hour later. Ticket and wristband processing will happen on board so there’ll be no waiting in queues at the front gate. The Splore Express will take you directly to the campgrounds where you can simply unload and get going into the festival.
Carpooling
If you do have to drive, take a look at the Splore Carpool Club to cut costs and emissions. Vehicles with 3 or more people will earn subsidised parking by getting a $35 refund on their pre-purchased parking pass.
Directions
Tapapakanga Regional Park is located 72km south east of Auckland CBD. Once off the motorway the roads are well sealed, but windy with sharp corners in some parts of the journey - so do drive carefully.
From Auckland:
Take the motorway south, exit left at either Manukau or Manurewa and head in the direction of Clevedon. At the Clevedon Roundabout turn right on to Pacific Coast Highway and head in the direction of Kawakawa Bay. At Kawakawa Bay turn right at the dairy and then to Orere Point/ Kaiaua. After approx 11km cross a bridge and veer right at the Orere Point intersection. Continue over the hill for approx 2km and watch for signs to Tapapakanga Regional Park. Turn left down Deerys Rd (gravel road) and you'll be at Splore!
From Thames / Coromandel:
From Thames take SH25 North and turn right at Waitakaruru into Front Miranda Rd. Head north through Kaiaua and continue north through Waharau. Continue on to Coastal Rd for approx another 11km and watch for Tapapakanga Regional Park signgage. Turn left down Deerys Rd (gravel road) and you'll be at Splore!
From Matamata / Hamilton direction:
Turn right off SH 2 at Mangatangi Rd and head in the direction of Kaiaua. Turn left into Kaiaua Rd and head to Kaiaua, where you turn left into East Coast Bays Rd. Follow this Coastal Rd through Waharau village and after approx another 11km, watch for Tapapakanga Regional Park signage. Turn right into Deerys Rd (gravel road) and you'll be at Splore!
Boats
You can find instructions on how to bring your own boat to Splore here. Arrrrrr-some, me maties.
Tickets
Pricing
Early bird tickets cost $189, rising to $225 in tier 2. Under-12s are free, while under-17s will cost $125.
When can I get them?
Tickets on sale now
Where can I get them?
Tickets are available from iTicket