Road-tripping Sydney to Byron and back over the New Year break would usually provide some form of surfing along the way. And while the Mid North Coast did offer a couple of fun sessions to break the up the drive north, the return leg was void of any surf at all. Thus this gallery is full mostly of shots from the festival rather than the waves scored along the way.

The Byron Bay Falls Festival is located in the beautiful Tweed Valley. The drive in through the backroads around Mooball is just blissful, rolling hills of lush green as cows graze away and farmers sell their local produce on the side of the road.

The festival itself is like a mini city with thousands upon thousands of campers spread out across the farmland, while the centre piece are the stages and amusements set back in the leafy and hilly corner of the valley. The aptly named Valley Stage is a natural amphitheatre meaning you can view and hear the bands from any vantage point, but also get in as deep as you want within the crowd.

A highlight would have been a severe storm rolling through Dune Rats set. The crowd didn't budge, quite the opposite with many a punter throwing themselves down the slippery and muddy hills. It did get too dangerous though and even organisers rightfully shut down the giant mud slide.

As the storm passed though the air cleared and an amazing sunset ensued, with the rising moon and distant lightning creating a magical atmosphere.