The countdown is on for the inaugural EarthTonz New Year's Eve music festival in the Gibbston Valley, with the first backstage marquees being erected and international acts soon to arrive.
Festival producer Dan Allen arrived on Tuesday afternoon from snowy Missouri in the United States, and on Wednesday showed the Otago Daily Times around the site.
While pointing out locations where up to 10,000 people would park, camp and eventually dance in the new year, Mr Allen enthused about the epic scale of the festival location.
"I think even the acts are going to be awestruck, and would hazard to say they would never have played anywhere like this before."
Stage scaffolding was being assembled, rabbit holes filled in and only days remained until the festival started, complete with giant inflatable stars and palm trees "to help give it the festival vibe".
Performing from noon on December 31 would be international acts Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) and DJ Aero, The Crystal Method, The Freestylers, DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), Kraak and Smaak, AK 1200/DJ Dara/MC Messinian (Planet of the Drums), Boombox, Ana Sia, Heatbox, and New Zealanders Minuit.
Mr Allen said the first of the international performers were due to arrive the day before Christmas, with more turning up from Boxing Day onwards.
Some were planning to stay until about January 4 or 5 to "see the beautiful South Island and make the most of it".
Mr Allen said the festival would be an unmissable experience. Sales of the $149 tickets, which covered both days, were "picking up quite a bit".
"People are starting to make their plans and from Boxing Day on we think they will skyrocket as people decide what to do for New Year's and think, 'Hey, that's a great line up,"' Mr Allen said.
Gate sales would be available, but he recommended people bought early to take advantage of presale offers and avoid long queues on the day.
Buses would be running from Queenstown, Arrowtown, Cromwell and Wanaka to the festival site, which was located opposite sponsors Gibbston Valley Wines.
Mr Allen said people who drove would be welcome to sleep in their cars in the car park on New Year's Eve, but said many people had opted for two nights of camping, including showers, at $15.
Food and drinks would be bought using a ticket system Mr Allen said would "cut out long lines".
Playing to campers as part of The "Edge Bass Camp" would be a line-up of New Zealand acts from 2pm until midnight on December 30. Featured would be Hamilton's Knights of the Dub Table Soundsystem, Dunedin groups Hunting Bears and Simple Thieves, Invercargill band Rhythmonyx and Queenstown-based acts The Station Agents, DubSide, Getto Blaster and The Fletcherz.
