FESTIVAL FAQs

TOWNSVILLE MEDIEVAL & FANTASY FESTIVAL RULES & FAQS

Please read and observe the following rules to help make the festival safe and enjoyable for everyone

Assumption of Risk: The Townsville Medieval & Fantasy Festival is an outdoor event held on natural terrain, and involves activities such as combat re-enactment, horse events, and the use of costume weaponry. By attending, you acknowledge these inherent risks and attend at your own risk. The festival, Hone Events, Townsville Festivals Inc., Cluden Park, and their staff, volunteers, and contractors accept no liability for injury, loss, or damage arising from attendance, except where such liability cannot be excluded under Australian law. 

TICKETS —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Why are you Sold Out?
  Our capacity is set to ensure the event is accessible for all guests — adequate seating, facilities, food and more. We know some people will miss out, but we encourage everyone to show their support, as strong demand helps us make the case to local and state government for a bigger and better festival every year! 

• Can I resell or transfer my ticket?

  To protect guests from scams and fraudulent tickets, we have a strict policy against accepting previously scanned tickets at the gate. Any ticket already scanned upon entry will be void, regardless of when or how it was purchased. 

  To keep yourself protected: 

  • Do not photograph or post your ticket online (including on social media, Facebook groups, or marketplace listings) 

  • Do not attempt to sell or transfer your ticket through unofficial channels 

  • If you need to resell your ticket, please do so only through our official resale partner, Tixel. If you were unable to purchase through our primary ticketing provider, Ticketebo, Tixel is the only authorised platform for buying and selling tickets to this event. 

  If your ticket cannot be scanned at the gate, you will be asked to provide proof of purchase. Even with proof of purchase, entry may not be guaranteed if there is reason to believe the ticket was obtained through an online resale scam. 

  We understand this can be frustrating , these measures exist solely to protect you and your fellow guests from fraud. 
  

• Can my child wander the festival?
  Guests under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a guest aged 18 or older to enter the festival. Please supervise your children at all times. 
  

PARKING —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Onsite parking is available but limited. We encourage carpooling, taxis/rideshare, or public transport where possible.

ANIMALS —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• We love our furry friends, but for the safety of our animal performers and other guests, please leave pets at home. Service animals are the exception and can be registered upon entry. 

• Please don't leave pets unattended. If anyone leaves a pet tied up outside or left in their car, authorities will be called and the guest will be evicted from the festival with no refund. 

Personal Items ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Buggies and carts: Welcome, for transporting children or your shopping around the festival.
  Please don't use them to bring in large items such as coolers , you will be asked to return these to your car. 

  Picnic blankets: Welcome. 

  Fold-up chairs and tables: Not permitted, for safety reasons. 

  Bag checks: All persons, bags, parcels, clothing and other items may be subject to screening/security checks at the entrance. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any bag, parcel or item. 

FOOD & DRINK ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Food: No commercial food may be brought into the festival, but homemade food is welcome in small, personal quantities.
  Glass containers, coolers, and eskies are not permitted anywhere on site . Food and drink should be carried in soft bags or containers only. 

  Medical or severe allergy needs: If you require specific food due to a medical condition or severe allergy, you may bring a small, soft cooler bag to keep it safe. Glass and hard eskies are still not permitted, and all bags are subject to inspection at the gate. 

  Drinks: No outside beverages are permitted, except: 

  • Liquids required for medical purposes and medically indicated nutritional supplements 

  • Baby food/baby formula 

  • Bottled water 

  Alcohol: Alcohol purchased on-site must be consumed on premises, no outside alcohol is permitted inside the park.
  Valid ID is required to purchase alcohol, and no one under 18 will be served. Please drink responsibly. 

  Payment: Most vendors accept cash and card, but not all , please bring some cash just in case your vendor of choice doesn't have card facilities.
  There is no ATM onsite; the nearest ATMs are at the shopping centre across the road. 

  Supervision of Unerage Guests: Please supervise your children at all times.
  Guests under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a guest age 18 or older to enter the festival.

WEATHER —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Sun Safety: It might still be winter, but this is North Queensland & the sun bites! Please slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat. Take advantage of shaded areas and stay hydrated throughout the day. Sun and heat exposure are among the inherent risks of attending an outdoor event, please plan accordingly, and seek first aid onsite if you feel unwell. Water Station are available throughout the festival & bottled water can be purchased at the bar.

• The festival is an all-weather event and runs rain or shine. We reserve the right to temporarily pause the event during electrical storms, heavy rain, high winds, or other dangerous conditions. There are no refunds for inclement weather if the festival remains open. 

Weapons & Costumes —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Our team has worked with local security to ensure our policy complies with Queensland weapons laws. All costumes and weaponry are inspected at the gate, and security is onsite throughout the day. 

• Attire Guidelines:
  The Festival is an outdoor family friendly event. We suggest you dress for the day’s weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
  Dressing in costumes is highly encouraged!

  1. Family-Friendly: Costumes and clothing must be appropriate for all ages. Avoid anything offensive, violent, or inappropriate.

  2. Footwear: You must wear shoes at all time.

  3. Inappropriate Attire: We have the right to deny entry to or remove anyone wearing clothes that we find inappropriate or distracting to other guests.

  Remember: Our goal is to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone, so please follow these guidelines. If you have any questions about what is acceptable, feel free to contact us in advance!

• Weapons Guidelines as follows:

• What is Allowable:
  The following may be carried as part of a costume:
  + Foam Weapons (LARP style props)
  + LARP safe weapons
  + Lightweight plastic weapons & props
  + Lightweight Wooden Props (Must Be Blunted)

• NO Metal Weapons Allowed:
  No Metal Weapons of any nature are allowed within the event!
  This includes Swords, Axes, Maces, Polearms, Daggers, Knives or Tipped Arrows.
  Regardless of whether these are sheathed or part of a costume, they will not be allowed.
  If it is metal and resembles a weapon, it will not be allowed in.

• How to Act with an Allowable Weapon within the Event:
  While the above weapons are allowed within the event, they must not be drawn or brandished in any way. It is an offence to cause fear or alarm under the guidelines of the QLD Police. Anyone who appears to brandish or swing a weapon with an intention to cause fear and distress will be removed from the event & their ticket voided with no refund issued.

• Performers & Re-Enactors Weapons Policy:
  Contracted performers and groups may engage in weapon displays in designated areas, and may walk the grounds with sheathed weapons. When not in use, all weapons must be stored securely, and all performers must comply with QLD Police regulations.

• Busking: Busking is not permitted unless approved by the festival. If you'd like to perform, please email us at performers@townsvillefestivals.comto register. 

• Re-enactment camps, combat, and horse events: Please stay behind barriers at all times, supervise children closely, and follow instructions from staff and performers. If it's roped off, it's a no-go. These are live demonstrations involving weapons, animals, and trained performers, guests who cross barriers or fail to follow directed instructions do so at their own risk, and may be removed from the festival. 

CONDUCT & SAFETY —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Please show common courtesy to fellow guests and festival staff. Limit profanity, and no unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behaviour. 

• Smoking/vaping: Tobacco, e-cigarettes, and any smoke- or vapour-producing products are permitted only in designated areas. Guests found smoking/vaping outside these areas may be removed with no refund. 

• Solicitation: Distributing printed or recorded materials, selling or displaying goods/services for sale, and unauthorised performances, demonstrations, or speeches are all prohibited. All performances are scheduled by the festival. 

• Admission: We reserve the right to deny admission, or require an already-admitted guest to leave, without refund, liability, or compensation, if circumstances require it. Tickets are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, non-refundable, revocable, and void if altered, and must be used by the same person for whom they were purchased. 

• Barriers: Please stay behind barriers at all times, supervise children closely, and follow instructions from staff and performers. If it's roped off, it's a no-go. These are live demonstrations involving weapons, animals, and trained performers, guests who cross barriers or fail to follow directed instructions do so at their own risk, and may be removed from the festival. 

Photography & Media  —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Our staff and contracted vendors may photograph, film, or record any guest and use this footage for any purpose without payment. Photography, filming, or recording for commercial purposes is prohibited unless approved by the organisers. 

Hone Events has official photographers and videographers at this event. By attending, you agree that Hone Events may use video, audio, photos, or other recordings of you for advertising or other purposes (including radio, TV, internet, print, etc.), and you waive any right to approve such use or receive compensation for it. You also release Hone Events and its affiliates, officers, partners, volunteers, agents, and subcontractors from claims arising from such use, whether by authorised or unauthorised photographers. 

If you'd prefer you or your child not be photographed, please speak to the photographer on the day. 

All official Hone Events photographers/videographers will have a visible media pass. Anyone without one is not representing our event. 

• Can I bring my own camera? Yes. Personal cameras, including professional-grade equipment, are welcome for photographing your own experience. Soliciting photography services to other guests (paid shoots, business cards, on-grounds promotion) is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate ticket revocation with no refund. Drones and other aerial devices are not permitted anywhere on or around the event grounds. By bringing a camera, you agree to use it for personal, non-commercial purposes only. 

• Selfie sticks and tripods are not permitted onsite. 

Accessibility   —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The festival is an outdoor event. Wheelchairs and motorised wheelchairs are welcome, and Cluden Park is generally wheelchair-friendly. Pathways vary between grass, cement, and dirt, with minor rolling elevation changes. Guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs or single-passenger ECVs. Wheelchairs, strollers, and ECVs are not currently available to rent. 

• Accessibility requests: While we work hard to make the event accessible for everyone, it remains an outdoor festival with some dirt and grass areas that may be difficult for certain guests to navigate, and we cannot guarantee suitability of all areas for all needs. A golf cart is available on request. Please email admin@townsvillefestivals.comwith any accessibility concerns. 

Facilities  ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Restrooms: Signposted throughout the festival, with a mix of built-in facilities and hired toilet blocks. Some are gendered, some unisex, to help keep queue times down. 

• First aid: First aid personnel are onsite for the full day, with a first aid tent and paramedics presence at various locations (see map). Staff throughout the festival can call for medical assistance if needed. 

• Lost & found: Visit the Merch Tent near the Front Gate for lost children or lost property. The festival, Hone Events, and Cluden Park are not responsible for lost, missing, or stolen personal property. For lost & found enquiries, email admin@townsvillefestivals.com with details of the item and the time you visited. 

BEFORE YOU GO ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

These rules form part of the terms of entry to the festival, and management's decisions regarding their application and enforcement are final. We hope this covers everything you need. If you still have questions, please reach out to us in advance so we can help. See you at the festival!