Yours & Owls Festival 2026: set times, map and transport

Yours & Owls Festival takes place in Wollongong on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026. Saturday is a two-stage outdoor festival at Flagstaff Hill. Sunday is a multi-venue program across Wollongong CBD, where entry to each space depends on capacity, licensing and age rules. The set times and Sunday map are now published, and Transport for NSW has confirmed extra train capacity, late services, trackwork and road closures.

*Original OpenSim editorial image. It illustrates planning at a generic Wollongong waterfront festival and does not show the actual 2026 event, performers or site layout.*

The short plan: save Saturday's two-stage timetable and Sunday's four schedule images, then pin the Sunday venues you actually want. Take the train if possible, but check the South Coast Line again before leaving. Port Kembla services have replacement buses, and the published Sunday artist grid runs later than some general event listings.

Yours & Owls Festival 2026 at a glance

This guide was checked on September 28 against the official Yours & Owls set times, Sunday map, festival FAQ and Transport for NSW event advice. Recheck those pages on the day because stage times, venue conditions and transport can change.

Saturday at Flagstaff Hill: choose a full set, not ten rushed fragments

Saturday has two alternating stages. The schedule is designed so the Southside and Northside programs often hand over to each other, but several popular sets overlap. The site also includes slopes and mixed surfaces, so moving between viewing positions is not instant.

If bbno$ is the priority, arrive at Southside before 9:00 pm instead of leaving Middle Kids at the exact handover. If Ball Park Music matters more than LUUDE, watch the complete set and accept that the Southside closing set has already started. A written choice made now is easier than negotiating in a moving crowd.

Saturday does not allow pass-outs. Bring the evening layer, charger, medication and empty water bottle you will need for the whole day. Leaving the gate means giving up the rest of that day's program.

Sunday is a CBD venue crawl, not a second day at Flagstaff Hill

The biggest planning mistake is returning to Saturday's site on Sunday. The second day spreads across Wollongong CBD. The official Sunday map groups the stages along Market Street, Keira Street, Crown Street, Globe Lane and nearby blocks.

Use four rough clusters:

1. Western CBD: Young Henrys and Dicey Riley's are closest to the railway side of the map.
2. Market and Keira streets: Roppongi, Keira Lane, Sailor Jerry Lane and The Illawarra Hotel sit in the northern group.
3. Crown Street and the mall: Heyday, Humber, Music Farmers, La La La's and Globe Lane form the central group.
4. Eastern Crown Street: Horizon Rising and Awesome Black Recording Studio sit beyond the central mall area.

Choose one anchor act in a cluster, then add nearby sets around it. Crossing the entire map between every performance creates unnecessary walking and makes venue capacity more likely to decide the schedule for you.

The Sunday timetable gives some artists a second set at another venue. That is useful when the first appearance clashes with a priority. For example, the published grid places Bootleg Rascal at Sailor Jerry Lane in the afternoon and Wollongong Mall in the evening. Georgia Maq, Spike Fuck, WAAX, Mini Skirt, Volatile Ways and several other acts also have more than one Sunday listing. Check all four official timetable images before treating one clash as final.

Sunday finish times need a separate train check

General event listings summarize Sunday as finishing around 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm. The newly published artist timetable goes later at Globe Lane: 1TBSP is listed from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm, RONA. from 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and Moktar from 11:30 pm to 1:00 am Monday.

That difference matters for anyone returning to Sydney or connecting beyond Wollongong. Transport for NSW says additional and extended late-night trains will operate after the festival, including services between Wollongong, Thirroul and Sydney. It does not mean every late set lines up with a convenient train to every destination.

Open the Transport for NSW Trip Planner with the actual set end time and destination. Save the last practical option and one earlier fallback. If the plan depends on an accessible service, turn on the accessible-services filter rather than assuming every departure has the same boarding arrangement.

Trains, trackwork and the free Gong Shuttle

North Wollongong and Wollongong stations are both listed as roughly 20 to 30 minutes on foot from the Saturday event. Wollongong Station is usually the more useful anchor for Sunday's CBD venues. Transport for NSW plans eight-car South Coast Line services from 11:00 am Saturday, plus additional and extended late-night services after the festival.

There is one important trackwork exception: buses replace trains between Port Kembla and Wollongong from Saturday, October 3 through Monday, October 5. Travelers starting south or east of Wollongong should check whether their route enters that replacement section and allow more transfer time.

The free Gong Shuttle routes 55A and 55C run in a loop that includes North Wollongong Station, Fairy Meadow Station, Gwynneville, the university and innovation campus. The published festival weekend frequency is every 20 minutes:

• Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:20 pm
• Sunday from 9:40 am to 6:20 pm

Those hours do not cover the late finish. Use the shuttle for the daytime approach only when its stop and direction fit the route, then plan the return separately.

Contactless American Express, Mastercard and Visa cards, and linked devices, can be used to tap on and off across the Opal network at adult fare rates. Use the same card or device for both taps. An Opal card remains useful, but top it up before joining the festival crowd.

Driving, parking and Saturday road closures

The organizer and Transport for NSW both discourage driving directly to Flagstaff Hill. Parking near the event is limited, and Saturday road closures affect:

• Cliff Road between Harbour Street and Marine Drive
• Endeavour Drive
• part of Marine Drive

Wollongong CBD has paid stations, metered spaces and some free street parking, but availability is not guaranteed. A passenger drop-off still has to approach through event traffic and the designated zone. Check Live Traffic NSW before leaving rather than relying on a normal weekend route.

For a rideshare pickup, save the organizer's current location once it is confirmed and pick a fallback point outside the immediate closure. Mobile coverage and driver availability can both become less predictable when a large crowd leaves together.

Camping at Fairy Meadow: the shuttle is part of the booking

Festival camping is at Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, 201 Pioneer Road, Fairy Meadow. It is about 5 km from the festival, and the organizer says it is not within walking distance. Each camper needs a separate camping pass as well as the relevant festival ticket.

Check-in runs from noon to 11:00 pm Friday, October 2, and from 8:00 am Saturday. Checkout is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, October 5. Camping is tent-only and unpowered, with vehicle parking away from the tents after unloading.

The dedicated camper shuttle runs at selected times between Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club and Harbour Street outside WIN Stadium. The free Gong Shuttle also stops at Elliots Road before Carters Lane, with the nearest festival-side stop on Cliff Road after Harbour Street. Save both stop pins because the dedicated shuttle does not run continuously.

Campfires, caravans, campervans and pop-up trailers are not permitted. A quiet period applies from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. Groups that do not arrive together must follow the campsite's advance authorization process if they expect space to be held.

Yours & Owls bag policy and Saturday entry rules

Saturday security searches bags, and the current limit excludes anything larger than an A4 sheet, listed as 30 cm by 20 cm. The organizer can update or interpret the prohibited-items list, so check it again before leaving.

Bring:

• valid photo ID;
• the ticket in the correct Moshtix account;
• a bank card or digital wallet because the event is cashless;
• an empty non-glass water bottle smaller than 1 litre;
• a hat, sunscreen and a jacket;
• earplugs and a compact charger; and
• necessary medication in sealed original packaging with the pharmacy label matching the ID, plus the supporting prescription or practitioner letter requested by the organizer.

Do not bring an umbrella, chair, stroller, outside food, glass, alcohol, aerosol, professional camera equipment, selfie stick or drink-filled bottle. Hand sanitizer, cosmetics and other fluids are limited by the organizer's published conditions. Medical dietary needs should be arranged with the festival before arrival rather than argued at the bag check.

The no-umbrella rule makes a light waterproof layer more useful than relying on shelter. Check the Bureau of Meteorology Wollongong forecast on the morning of each day. Do not pack from a monthly average.

Age, ID and Sunday venue limits

Yours & Owls is a 16-plus event. Anyone under 18 must stay with a responsible adult, and one adult may supervise no more than two minors. The adult must be acting in a role recognized by the organizer's current rules, not simply be another older person in the group.

Sunday adds a second restriction. Some licensed venues and areas are strictly 18-plus. A festival ticket gives access to the program, but it does not guarantee entry to every venue or performance. Capacity, licensing, age and venue-specific conditions still apply.

Carry current physical photo ID. The organizer lists Australian driver licences, NSW digital driver licences, passports, NSW photo cards and qualifying proof-of-age cards. International visitors should use a current passport unless another listed document clearly applies.

Ticket names and dates of birth must match the attendee's ID. Name changes are handled through Moshtix. Resale is accepted only through the organizer's official Moshtix or Tixel facilities once available. A forwarded screenshot or informal resale post is not a safe substitute for the approved transfer process.

Accessibility planning differs on Saturday and Sunday

Saturday's Flagstaff Hill site includes asphalt, gravel, grass and concrete, with steep inclines and uneven sections. The organizer plans a dedicated accessible viewing area for a visitor with mobility needs and one nominated companion, accessible toilets, a dedicated entry lane and accessible parking and pickup areas.

A valid NSW mobility parking permit is normally required for the accessible parking area. The Transport for NSW page says visitors who need assistance or do not hold that pass should contact the organizer before travel.

Sunday uses existing streets and venues. The organizer says most partner venues have mobility access, but that is not the same as every room, stage or path being step-free. Check the venue attached to each priority set and contact the festival when a specific route, viewing area, toilet or quiet space is essential.

Valid NSW Companion Card holders who have bought a festival ticket can request a complimentary companion ticket through the published ticket-support process. Do not wait until the gate to start that request.

Save these apps and pages before the festival

The offline maps travel guide explains what remains available without a connection. Save a plain-text meeting point as well. A venue name is not enough on Sunday when the group is moving among several blocks.

Mobile data for Yours & Owls and Wollongong

Mobile data is useful for opening a Moshtix account, checking a changed set time, running the Trip Planner and coordinating a Sunday venue switch. It should not be the only place where the ticket, map or route home exists. A crowded festival can slow any participating mobile network.

OpenSim's public Australia catalog returned 34 plans when checked on September 28. Current fixed-data examples included 1 GB for 7 days at USD 1.40 and 10 GB for 30 days at USD 9.40. Both examples listed Optus, 3G/4G/5G access and top-up support. Prices, availability, networks and features can change, so the Australia OpenSim page is the current purchase source.

The practical OpenSim advantage for an international visitor is having a travel-data option that can be installed before reaching the station or festival gate, while the usual SIM can remain in the phone. It does not create priority during congestion, guarantee 5G or replace saved tickets and maps.

Use the travel data calculator for the full Australia trip, confirm whether the phone supports eSIM, and install the eSIM before travel while dependable Wi-Fi is available. The Australia with kids guide covers a broader family itinerary, but remember that this festival has a minimum age of 16.

Ten Yours & Owls Festival 2026 questions answered

1. When and where is Yours & Owls Festival 2026?

It runs Saturday, October 3 at Flagstaff Hill and Sunday, October 4 across Wollongong CBD. Saturday is a two-stage outdoor event. Sunday uses multiple streets, laneways and existing venues.

2. Are the Yours & Owls 2026 set times available?

Yes. The organizer has published one Saturday grid and four Sunday grids. Save the current images, but check the official page again on the day for changes.

3. How does the Sunday CBD venue crawl work?

Your ticket opens access to the Sunday program, but each venue controls admission based on capacity, licensing, age and its own entry conditions. Build the day around one or two nearby venue clusters instead of crossing the whole CBD for every set.

4. Can 16 and 17 year olds attend?

Yes, with continuous supervision by a responsible adult. One adult may supervise no more than two minors. Some Sunday venues and licensed areas are 18-plus even when the festival ticket holder is 16 or 17.

5. Which train station is closest to Yours & Owls?

Transport for NSW lists North Wollongong and Wollongong as about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from Saturday's event. Wollongong Station is the more direct planning anchor for many Sunday CBD venues.

6. Are extra trains running after the festival?

Transport for NSW says additional and extended late-night South Coast Line services will run after the festival, including services toward Thirroul and Sydney. Check the Trip Planner for the chosen finish time, especially if staying for the Globe Lane timetable through 1:00 am.

7. Does South Coast Line trackwork affect the weekend?

Yes. Buses replace trains between Port Kembla and Wollongong from Saturday, October 3 through Monday, October 5. Other South Coast services receive extra capacity, but every route should be checked before departure.

8. Is the Yours & Owls campground within walking distance?

No. The organizer places it about 5 km away at Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort in Fairy Meadow and says it is not walkable. Use the published camper shuttle or an appropriate Gong Shuttle connection.

9. Can I change the name or resell a ticket?

Yes, through the official process. Ticket names must match valid ID. Use Moshtix for a name change and only the approved Moshtix or Tixel resale facility when it is available.

10. What can I take into Yours & Owls on Saturday?

Use a bag no larger than A4. Bring ID, card payment, a jacket, sun protection, earplugs and an empty non-glass bottle under 1 litre. Umbrellas, chairs, strollers, outside food, glass, alcohol and larger bags are prohibited under the current rules.

Yours & Owls sources and update triggers

The event format, set times, Sunday map, age, ID, ticket, bag, camping, access and safety rules come from the Yours & Owls organizer. Train capacity, late services, trackwork, Gong Shuttle hours, road closures and accessible-transport details come from Transport for NSW. Public discussions were used to identify planning questions, not to establish operating facts.

OpenSim will update this guide if the organizer changes the event status, set times, venue map, ticket rules, age limits, prohibited items, camping or accessibility arrangements, or if Transport for NSW changes the extra trains, trackwork, shuttle times or road closures. The official event and transport pages take priority over this guide on the day.