Permaculture Australia presents . . .
23-25th
APRIL
The Permaculture Festival Weekend brings together village culture, party vibes, inspiring ideas and practical action for an unforgettable celebration of regenerative living. Explore vibrant workshops, hear from some of Australia's leading pioneers and changemakers, learn new skills, dance at the Perma-Parties, and make lifelong friends with people who share your hopes for a thriving future.
What is the Permaculture Festival Weekend?
The Permaculture Festival Weekend is where the energy of the Australasian Permaculture Convergence spills out into a vibrant public celebration. After four days of gathering, learning and connecting, the village is already alive with ideas, friendships and inspiration, and then the gates open for everyone to join in. The program expands, the music gets louder, the workshops multiply, the Perma-Parties begin, and Woodfordia transforms into a thriving village of regenerative living in action. Explore hands-on workshops for all ages, inspiring talks, live music, art, great food, family activities and practical solutions for a better future, while connecting with thousands of people who share a passion for community, sustainability and positive change. Whether you're new to permaculture or have been part of the movement for decades, the Festival Weekend is an opportunity to learn, celebrate, belong and experience the power of village culture firsthand.
Imagine a thriving village filled with inspiring conversations, practical skills, shared meals, music, creativity and celebration. For one unforgettable weekend, that's exactly what you'll find at Woodfordia.
Festival Themes
At its heart, the Permaculture Festival Weekend is grounded in the ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share, exploring how these timeless principles can help us create thriving homes, communities and ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.
Across the weekend you'll discover practical skills and inspiring ideas spanning regenerative gardening and farming, bush-craft, foraging and ethical hunting, homesteading, natural building, renewable energy, solarpunk technology, sustainable finance, health and nutrition, wellbeing, handcrafts, tools and self-sufficiency.
Beyond practical skills, the festival also explores the deeper cultural and human dimensions of regenerative living. Expect conversations and experiences centred around belonging, village culture, community building, Indigenous knowledge and connection to Country, bio-regional living, intergenerational wisdom, youth leadership, creativity, ceremony, bio-spiritual practices and the role of culture in shaping a more resilient future.
Woven throughout the program is a spirit of radical optimism - a belief that by learning together, sharing stories, building relationships and taking practical action, we can help create a future that is abundant by design, deeply connected and full of possibility.
Discover what's possible together at Return to the Village.
"Come and sit by the fire, walk beside the lake, share what you've learned and discover what is possible when people come together with purpose and care. For a few precious days, we'll remember what it feels like to live in a village and carry that spirit home with us."
Woodfordia Camping
Set within the beautiful Woodfordia landscape, camping beside Lake Gkula is one of the most memorable parts of the Return to the Village experience. Wander beneath shady trees, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Australia's largest all-natural conservation and recreation lake, explore the pathways and gathering spaces scattered throughout the site, and wake each morning to birdsong, fresh country air and mist rising from the water.
Festival participants can choose a day pass or settle in for the full experience with a 2 Night Festival Pass, including onsite camping on Friday and Saturday nights. As the sun sets, campfires glow across the village, conversations continue long after the workshops finish, and strangers quickly become friends. Whether you're travelling with family, arriving with a group, or coming on your own, you'll find yourself part of a welcoming community gathered from across Australia and beyond.
Bring your tent, caravan or camper trailer, find your perfect spot beside the lake or beneath the trees, and make Woodfordia your home for a weekend of connection, celebration and village life.
Part festival, part village and part movement, the Permaculture Festival Weekend is where inspiration meets action. Discover practical solutions, learn from some of Australia's most innovative changemakers, enjoy music, food and celebration, and connect with a community of people creating positive change in the world.
The Program
The Permaculture Festival Weekend is designed to be equal parts inspiration, education and celebration. Throughout the weekend you'll hear from some of Australia's leading pioneers, changemakers, regenerative farmers, designers, educators and deep thinkers, sharing practical ideas and bold visions for a thriving future. Across the site, a diverse program of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, skill-shares and conversations will invite you to roll up your sleeves, learn something new and connect with people who share your passions. Alongside the learning, you'll discover a thriving arts and music scene, artisan makers, sustainable market stalls, delicious ethical and cultural foods, interactive experiences and countless opportunities for friendship, creativity and fun.
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the Perma-Party One - a special celebration of permaculture's 50th birthday. Gather with old friends and new beneath the stars as the legendary Formidable Vegetable Sound System and other incredible artists bring the village to life with music, dancing and joyful celebration. Camp beside beautiful Lake Gkula, gather around the fire, and wake to the sounds of the village coming alive as sustainably minded food vendors serve up nourishing breakfasts.
Saturday sees the village in full swing. Wander between inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, skill-shares, live music, art installations, market stalls and spontaneous conversations. Learn practical skills from some of Australia's leading voices in sustainability, discover new ideas, meet incredible makers and growers, enjoy delicious food, and stumble across unexpected moments of creativity and connection around every corner. Whether you're diving deep into a workshop, listening to a thought-provoking conversation, joining a community art project or simply relaxing beneath the trees with new friends, the day offers endless opportunities to learn, explore and belong.
As evening falls, the village gathers once more for Perma-Party Two, with music, dancing, campfires, storytelling and celebration carrying late into the night. Then on Sunday, the pace softens into a joyful Family Fun Day, filled with children's activities, games, workshops, performances and community experiences for all ages. It's a chance to slow down, reconnect, make a few final friendships and savour one last day immersed in the spirit of village life before carrying the inspiration home.
