Thousands of revellers who were urged to leave Falls Festivals in Lorne immediately after it was cancelled due to raging bushfires have expressed their outrage online.
Organisers announced they were cancelling the remaining days of its event in Victoria due to extreme weather predictions.
Many revellers had arrived for the first day of the festival on Friday and had expected to stay until New Year’s Day.
But more than 9,000 festival-goers were ordered to pack up their stuff on Sunday and leave before 9am on Monday morning.
Since the announcement was made, hundreds of people have taken to social media to vent their frustrations about being left with no accommodation or plans for New Year’s Eve.
They now face a long journey home as thousands of people are attempting to leave the festival grounds at the same time, causing traffic chaos in the region.
Revellers have taken to social media since Falls Festival in Lorne announced their cancellation. This image was captioned ‘Falls really said go hard AND go home’
They now face a long journey home as thousands of people are attempting to leave the festival grounds at the same time
Instagram user Chloe Heath posted a video of the long line of traffic leading out of the campsite and can be heard saying ‘it ended before it began’.
Shaun Comrie was already at the festival when he woke up to the news the remaining days had been cancelled on Sunday morning.
‘They knew the weather for a while now but for it all to be cancelled is a bit how you going,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I have no idea what we’re all going to do especially when half our group is from Darwin and haven’t gotten here yet.’
Others took to Twitter to complain about the money they had spent that will now be going to waste.
‘Spent $3,000 on accommodation and Falls Festival is cancelled,’ one user wrote.
‘I TRAVELLED 12+ HOURS AND SPENT SO MUCH TO GET TO LORNE FOR FALLS FESTIVAL TO SEE HALSEY AND THEY CANCELLED IT,’ another Tweeted.
American singer-songwriter Halsey also took to Instagram to express her devastation over the cancellation.
Many took to Instagram to post their reaction at the cancellation, with this image captioned ‘Swipe to see the moment we found out Falls Festival was cancelled’
More than 9,000 festival-goers were ordered to pack up their stuff on Sunday and leave before 9am on Monday morning
‘Falls cancelled after one day really not impressed,’ one punter wrote on Instagram
‘I saw that Lorne Falls Festival has been cancelled, obviously I’m super devastated because I came all the way here and was excited to play for you guys and it sucks,’ she said.
‘But I’m also happy because it’s important that Falls is keeping you guys safe in regards to extreme weather and the potential fires.’
The statement was issued on Sunday morning with festival organisers Secret Sounds saying conditions posed a risk to health and safety.
‘It is with a heavy heart we have had to cancel the remaining days of The Falls Festival in Lorne due to the predicted extreme weather conditions forecast for Monday December 30th in the Otways and surrounding region, creating a risk to health and safety due to potential fires, smoke, severe winds and tree hazards.
American singer-songwriter Halsey (pictured) also took to Instagram to express her devastation over the cancellation
‘Here for a good time not a long time (quite literally)’ this Instagram user captioned her picture
‘The decision has not been made lightly, our patron and staff safety is our priority,’ the statement said.
Worsening conditions are expected for the Otways region on Sunday, with temperatures expected to soar into the mid-30s.
The area is facing extreme fire risks with possible lightning due to forecast thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to 100km/h.
Secret Sounds said they have consulted with local and regional fire authorities and were told there was no other option than to cancel the festival.
‘While conditions are fine at time of writing, we are taking the opportunity to move everyone offsite safely and in good time,’ the statement read.
Many took to Twitter to vent their frustrations over the cancellation of the popular music festival
Organisers are urging revellers not to rush leaving the grounds and to ‘ensure they have a sober driver’, but will be closing the gates at 9am Monday.
They have been advised not to return to Lorne or other coastal towns on the Great Ocean Road as they are facing the same extreme weather conditions.
A total fire ban is in place across the state on Monday.
Extreme heat, wind, possible storms and fire risk are on the cards for Monday in the area, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart told AAP.
‘It is going to be hot, it is going to be windy there is some potential for storms coming across,’ Mr Stewart said.
‘The heat and the wind will push the fire danger up to severe to extreme around parts of the state. If you have all those people in a bush environment … it is is not a good recipe.’
The hugely popular Falls Festival (pictured) in Lorne has been cancelled because of raging bushfires
Worsening conditions are expected for Victoria on Sunday, with temperatures expected to soar into the mid-30s
Everyone with a ticket will be offered a full refund including booking and payment processing fees.
Secret Sounds Co CEO Jessica Ducrou said she is ‘gutted’ they had to make the call but safety of patrons, artists and staff is their top priority.
‘We would like to thank our regional emergency management team, Surf Coast Council, SES, Police and CFA for their support and advice during this time,’ she said.
‘We would also like to thank our Falls family who work year round and over the last few weeks who have put their heart and soul into Falls Lorne, we are forever grateful. Please take care getting home safely.’