Get Down, To Core Of The Earth
The Age
Saturday January 1, 2000
LAKE EILDON
It might not be the most chic of Victoria's millennium celebrations, but the 10,000 people who escaped the city for serene bushland overlooking Lake Eildon in the state's north aimed to party longest.
Yesterday, hundreds of cars weaved through rolling hills along dusty roads to join those already camped at Earthcore 2000, a seven-day, techno music and lifestyle festival in a valley 15 kilometres from Mansfield.
Soon, brightly colored camp sites liberally dotted the grassy hills to create an alternative entertainment city in the middle of nowhere. Deck chairs were opened, tables erected and sound systems activated, pumping out the throbbing techno beat.
Anxiety about the millennium bug and the city's congested traffic were forgotten as the festival goers planned funky costumes for the year's final night.
Dressed in tie-dye, revellers sipped herbal tea or fruit juice and watched houseboats rock lazily on the lake's calm waters.
An Earthcore organiser, Mr Pip Darvall, said he expected 10,000 people at the festival, which began on Wednesday and ends next Tuesday. It has taken more than a year to organise and many weeks to set up the elaborate stages. There are six dance floors across the valley, each with a different theme.
More than 100 DJs, including 25 from overseas, plan to take the audience to another plane of awareness. Many ravers napped away yesterday afternoon to ready for the millennium all-night party.
Mr Darvall said Earthcore was about creating an alternative society that focused on entertainment and community.
``We're interested in people contributing to their own personal development," he said. ``This party is more than just turning up. Raves in the city go for 12 hours at the most, in a glorified shed. People come here not only for the music, but for the beautiful outdoors and fresh air."
The experience doesn't come cheap. Pre-sale tickets for the seven days cost up to $130. At the gate yesterday, they cost $180. But on Sunday the price will drop to $100. .
© 2000 The Age
