Splendour in the Grass — North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay

Splendour in the Grass is Australia's largest and most iconic contemporary music festival, held annually at North Byron Parklands near Byron Bay since 2001. The festival has hosted headline performances from Coldplay, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Kanye West, The Cure, and virtually every significant act of the 21st century alongside homegrown Australian artists like Tame Impala, Flume, and Gang of Youths. Its position as the southern hemisphere's answer to Glastonbury has made it a career-defining booking for international and Australian acts alike.

Founded by promoters Secret Sounds and initially held at various sites around Byron Bay, Splendour moved to its permanent home at North Byron Parklands in Yelgun in 2010. The subtropical hinterland setting — lush green hills, palm trees, and the proximity to Byron Bay's beaches — gives the festival a distinctive laid-back atmosphere quite different from the mud-soaked British festival experience. The event typically runs over three days in July during the Australian winter.

North Byron Parklands is located about 15 minutes north of Byron Bay along the Pacific Highway. The site features purpose-built infrastructure for camping and festival production. Byron Bay itself is one of Australia's most popular coastal towns, known for its surfing, alternative culture, and natural beauty, making Splendour a festival-plus-holiday destination for many attendees.