The Unconformity has arrived …

After months of preparation, The Unconformity is upon us. Queenstown awaits, with a warm West Coast welcome and a weekend of amazing encounters. Barbecues have been welded from bits and pieces of old mining equipment to help cater for the influx of visitors, artists and tourists this weekend. Around 3,000 cardboard boxes have been unfolded in the Memorial Hall in readiness for ‘We Built This City’, and all over town, there is an air of ordered frenzy as preparations continue.

Unconformity director Travis Tiddy says this is the biggest festival yet, with more events and activities than anyone will fit into just one weekend.

“To assist visitors navigate the program, we’ve prepared some sample itineraries for the weekend, with different suggested schedules for the hard-core arts aficionado, the heritage buff and even for families,” said Mr Tiddy.

“That’s not to suggest that anyone should follow these slavishly; just that they highlight the potential pathways through the diverse program to reveal its many facets.”

Around three-quarters of the events in the program are free of charge, and bookings for ticketed events are selling fast.

“Two events – Dark Water and We Are Mountain – sold out earlier this week,” said Travis, “which is really gratifying, as these were perhaps two of the more ambitious events, artistically speaking.”

Mr Tiddy said preparations were going well ahead of the influx of artists and visitors this week.

“We look forward to seeing everyone to Queenstown, and we certainly want everyone to arrive safely.”

He advised that it is a long and winding road to Queenstown no matter which direction people are coming from, and urged travellers to allow plenty of time, not to rush it and enjoy the journey.

“Ideally, stay a day or two after the Festival and explore the region and its amazing experiences.”

The Unconformity program and bookings for ticketed events are available at theunconformity.com.au

Accommodation in Queenstown is fully booked, but intending visitors are encouraged to stay in Strahan or Zeehan, about a 40 minute drive away. Bookings and information on what to see and where to go is available from the West Coast Visitor Information Centre westernwilderness.com.au

The Unconformity – Sample Itineraries

These suggestions have been prepared to help you navigate the very full program of The Unconformity, based on different interests.

Art Immersion

Friday 14 October
•5pm Beauty and Chaos – Free
•7pm Welcome to Country – Free & The Crib Room – menu prices
•8pm The Rumble – Free
•Unconformist Radio – Free
•9pm I Am a Lake – Adult $35
•10pm The Oasis – Adult $15

Saturday 15 October
•10am Queenstown Raw – Free
•11am Fault Traces – Adult $35
•12noon Suffering – Free
•1pm Flux – Free
•2.15pm Lunch The Crib Room – menu prices
•3pm See Thru Me – Free
•6pm Geologies – Adult $35
•7pm We Are Mountain – (sold out)
•10pm Dark Water – (sold out)
•11.30pm The Oasis – Adult $15

Sunday 16 October
•10am Unconformity Art Trail – Free
•12 The Unconformity Cup – Adult $10
•3pm Art in Parks – Free

TIP: Watch out for ‘The Owl’, The Unconformity’s roving correspondent who will be popping up around town reporting on the story of Queenstown in poetry and prose.

Heritage Buff

Friday 14 October
•2.30pm New Discoveries Old Traps book launch – Free
•7pm Welcome to Country – Free & The Crib Room – menu prices
•8pm The Rumble – Free
•Unconformist Radio – Free

Saturday 15 October
•10am John Butters Power Station – Free
•1pm Lunch The Crib Room – menu prices
•4pm How to See Through Fog – Adult $10
•8pm I Am A Lake – Adult $35

Sunday 16 October
•9am Memory Map – Free
•10am Unconformity Art Trail – Free
•12 The Unconformity Cup – Adult $10
•3pm Art in Parks – Free

TIP: Download The Singularity app to hear stories of Queenstown’s past. Something dark happened here…

Families

Friday 14 October
•5pm The Crib Room – menu prices
•7pm Welcome to Country – Free
•8pm The Rumble – Free
•Unconformist Radio – Free

Saturday 15 October
•10am Geological and Social Unconformities – Free
•11am We Built This City – Free
•12.30pm Lunch The Crib Room – menu prices
•2pm I Am a Lake – Adult $35, Youth $25
•4pm WCWR Devonshire Tea Train – Adult $35, Youth $25

Sunday 16 October
•9am Lost Mines & Ancient Pines tour – Adults $45 children $35
•12 The Unconformity Cup – Adult $10 Youth $5
•3pm Art in Parks – Free

TIP: Keep your eyes open for ‘The Space Between’, a pop-up event collaboration between artist Selena De Carvalho and students of Mountain Heights School.

Stay on a day or two to explore more …

• Ride a heritage steam train through the rainforest aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway
• Journey deep into Tasmania’s world heritage wilderness as you cruise the Gordon River
• Explore the region’s industrial heritage with Queenstown Heritage Tours
• Spend a few days touring the West Coast Wilderness Way
Andrew Ross