Winter Solstice Gathering 2026
All ages. All welcome. Village vibe.
A winter weekend in the bush. Fires, food, fresh air, and good people.
The Rocky River HQ Winter Solstice Gathering is a small, community-style camping event for families, first-time campers, solo parents, and anyone who loves getting into nature. We're not a festival. We're more like a bunch of families heading bush together — with a little structure and a lot of space.
Size capped at 50 campers.
When & Where
Dates: Friday 19 – Sunday 21 June 2026
Location: Rocky River, Northern NSW (private property — exact address shared after booking)
Roughly 4 hours from Brisbane · 2 hours from Lismore · 1.5 hours from Tenterfield
How it Works
This is assisted camping — which means a lot of the hard work of camping is taken care of for you.
Your gear gets dropped directly to our communal campsite. You get to take a leisurely stroll through the bush with the group, exploring the creek and valley as you go. Once we arrive to the campsite, we set up and settle in. There's a communal camp area, shared fires, and plenty of space to roam.
Whether it's your first time camping or your fiftieth, the setup is designed to be easy and relaxed.
🔥 Communal camp area & bonfire
🌿 Guided plant identification walk
🛖 Build a bush cubby
🌄 Dawn greeting ceremony
🧘 Yoga in nature
🏮 Nature craft & lantern weaving
🌲 Free-range bush exploration
🍲 Shared Saturday night campfire cook-up
Note: no mobile reception onsite. Fully off-grid.
Food
We keep it simple with a loose shared meal plan — everyone brings and cooks their own food, but we're all roughly eating the same thing at the same time. Think: noodles Friday night, nachos for Saturday lunch. It makes mealtimes feel communal, while keeping to our (kids’) favourite tastes, and no stress about mixed dietary requirements.
Saturday dinner is our big communal campfire cook-up. Bring your camping ovens, load up some baked potatoes, and share what you've got. (Sharing encouraged, not mandatory.)
A suggested meal plan will be sent out before the event.
What to Bring
Your tent and sleeping gear (warm — it's winter!)
Warm layers for cold nights (pro tip: a cheap ski suit for young kids keeps them super snuggly even if they’re blanket kickers!)
Your own food (following the suggested meal plan if you wish)
Camping cookware
A good attitude and an appetite for simplicity
Don't have all the gear? No stress. Get in touch and we'll see what can be shared or sourced from the community before you arrive.
Tickets & Pricing
Adults $120
Ages 16–20 $50
Under 15 Free
Tickets available via [registration link — coming soon].
Cancellation policy: Full refund available up until the day before the event.
Getting There
Exact address and directions will be sent after booking. The property is on private land in the Rocky River area of Northern NSW.
Coming from Brisbane: approx. 4 hours
Coming from Lismore: approx. 2 hours
Coming from Tenterfield: approx. 1.5 hours
FAQ
Is this suitable for first-time campers? Absolutely. The assisted setup and communal atmosphere make it a great introduction.
What if the weather is bad? The gathering goes ahead rain or shine. We're not scared of a little winter drizzle. The event would only be cancelled in the case of severe or dangerous weather conditions.
What age is this for? All ages. Kids under 15 come free. This is a family and community event at heart.
Is there running water or facilities onsite? Yes — water is available onsite. Facilities are bush toilets.
Will there be phone reception? No mobile reception onsite. Enjoy the digital detox! (wifi available at HQ for emergencies, 5 min drive away)
Who's organising this? [Organiser name/bio here — a short, warm intro works well here.]
