One of the best things about a festival is the chance to wear quirky, colourful and bold outfits. Nothing says ‘partying in Wānaka’ like a bit of shimmer and groove! Second-hand shops are the perfect way to keep things circular; Wānaka Wastebusters is an absolute go-to shop in town, a one-stop-shop for all things funky and fun. Locally-owned and run, ‘Wasties’ is a treasure chest for the conscious festival-goer.
The best part about Wastebusters?! At the end of it all, simply drop your stuff back to them and they’ll be more than excited to give it a new life with someone else! If you haven’t quite completed your outfit, continue the journey through the racks in Upper Clutha Hospice Shop and Salvation Army Family Store.
If you’re choosing to camp, keep in mind that buying quality equipment is a better option in the long run. It’s both a commitment and an investment! It can be all too tempting to buy a cheap tent, but the reality of that is a broken tent after day one and a pile of plastic left over. Plus it means that you’ll be all set for R&A next year and any other festivals or camping missions in-between! There are plenty of awesome sports and outdoors stores in Wānaka that can help you find all your camping needs. After that, buying second-hand or off Facebook Marketplace is a great fall-back for anything else missing!
Now we’re all ready and psyched, it’s time to get to R&A! Ride-sharing and public transport are the ideal solutions for getting around with a lower footprint. If you’re wanting to drive, make sure you carpool with your mates and fill up those seats. Be sure to check out the transport page on R&A’s site for transport instructions. If you’re planning on having a big night and don’t want to fuss, Wānaka’s very own Yello Cabs provide a return bus service directly from the town centre.
Make your best friend your reusable water bottle and keep one on you at all times to refill throughout the event. Multiple water stations are dispersed throughout the festival which makes it free and easy to top up your h20!
Say no to single-use plastic when buying food and drink and use the correct bins for your waste. And when it comes to packing down camp and heading home make sure everything that came with you, also leaves with you. Anything you don’t plan on reusing can be dropped off at Wastebusters and store the rest until next year! Let’s encourage friends to do the same.
Thanks to a partnership with the Love Wānaka Community Fund, R&A are giving every single ticket holder the opportunity to give back and support local environmental action.
Add a $3 donation to your ticket purchase to support Love Wānaka’s mahi | work, and ensure you’re leaving this place a little better than you found it. Every donation supports grassroots efforts to protect and regenerate Wānaka’s stunning natural environment, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re contributing to a brighter future for the generations – and festy-goers – to come.
Here’s your go-to checklist that you can refer to before hitting the road!
Together we can honour the Tiaki Promise, #LoveWanaka, and #SUCFreeSummer movements!
