Thousands of scantily-clad revellers have flocked to a four-day festival promising an eclectic entry into 2020.
The Tropical Fruits Festival kicked off on Sunday afternoon with a vibrant parade in the small town of Lismore, also known as the ‘rainbow region’, on the New South Wales north coast.
The festival, now in its 31st year, promotes itself as the nation’s premier LGBTIQ event and welcomes as many as 3,000 people to the Lismore Showgrounds every December.
Party-goers dressed in leather, spandex, fishnets and G-strings danced down the main street of the town to celebrate the first day of the event.
One reveller was inspired by Catwoman on a motorbike and donned a leather cat-eared cap with Aviator-style sunglasses and a tight black corset
One festival-goer draped herself in a peach-coloured sheet, baring plenty of skin as she sauntered confidently down the street
Another reveller cut a psychedelic figure in a silver leotard with a matching hat and jacket burnt, paired with orange fishnet tights with fluorescent pink roller-skates with neon green wheels
One festival-goer donned an Extinction Rebellion logo on their leg, showing her support for the environmentalist movement known for launching a series of extreme climate protests around the world
One festival-goer draped themselves in a peach-coloured sheet, baring plenty of skin as they sauntered down the street.
Another wore a silver leotard with a matching hat and jacket, paired with orange fishnet tights with fluorescent pink roller-skates with neon green wheels.
Another reveller flaunted their pins in white fishnet tights teamed with wedge heels a silver tutu, a denim jacket with a cigarette packet poking out of the pocket, a 20s-style beaded flapper cap and a casual pair of sunglasses.
A reveller flaunts their pins in white fishnet tights teamed with wedge heels a silver tutu, a denim jacket with a cigarette packet poking out of the pocket, a 20s-style beaded flapper cap and a casual pair of sunglasses
Someone in a red bullet bra corset and black knee-high boots rides a green bicycle festooned with a red umbrella and draped in ropes and flowers
People from all over dressed in costumes for the annual parade. One person wears Maleficent-style horns with a gold cape and platform boots
One festival-goer donned an Extinction Rebellion logo on their leg, showing their support for the environmentalist movement known for launching a series of climate protests around the world.
The festival was officially launched with a welcome to country by local Indigenous drag queen Destiny Haz Arrived before the Opening Soiree began on Sunday night at the Lismore City Hall.
Featuring multiple events over the four-day extravaganza, festival-goers are invited to bring a tent and camp to make the most of the celebrations.
The festival is in its 31st year and is said to attract up to 3,000 people to the town of Lismore, which usually boasts a population of just under 30,000 people
A reveller shows off his their leotard and Rod Stewart/Bonnie Tyler wig while sporting a pink sippy cup and matching umbrella, square sunglasses and a swimming goggle necklace
One person is draped in sequins as they parade down the main street of Lismore on the New South Wales north coast
A bearded reveller dressed in hot pink wears a flamingo face mask under a multi-coloured umbrella held by a fellow festival-goer
Two people flaunt their unforgettable outfits as they strut down the main street. One wears pink and black polka dotted material and black high heels
Established in 1988, Tropical Fruits prides itself on being the is the premier LGBTIQ festival serving New South Wales’ relatively secluded north coast.
In the two weeks which straddle the festival’s start and end dates, more than $10 million is expected to be poured into the local economy.
But despite its now-lucrative status Tropical Fruits comes from firmly humble beginnings.
A festival-goer dressed in white with multi-coloured feathers and a wig rides a motorbike with someone in a purple sequined dress on the back
Revellers weren’t afraid to show some skin during the parade. A tattooed person wears a white see-through mesh top on a motorbike
Some people used the event to campaign for LGBTIQ rights. Dressed-up revellers carry political signs as they walk down the street
In its first year three decades ago, the festival attracted just 200 people and was held at the Repentance Creek Hall 30 kilometres from the current site.
Locals have also embraced the event’s colourful and eccentric nature – and the economic surge it brings to the town.
The theme for this year’s festival is Family.
The festival was officially launched with a welcome to country by local Indigenous drag queen Destiny Haz Arrived. The Aboriginal flag can be seen flying at the front of the parade
Someone cheekily removes a garter from another festival-goer dressed as a risque bride in a white dress and black boots
One party-goer tied baby pink straps over their head, arms and legs while brandishing a multi-coloured whip made with ribbons