Somewhere between a dreamy ocean and an endless green valley lies Austinville, the village where every visitor blinks twice. One of the Gold Coast’s oldest suburbs, Austinville was established following the worst years of the Great Depression. Originally a banana farming area intended to relieve unemployment, the area now contains a section of the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park.
Now, locals live in a secluded village nestled between balmy Mudgeeraba and the lush green surrounds of Springbrook. Local and visitors alike are spoilt for choice when feeling leisurely – hiking under waterfalls, picnicking on the mountain side, exploring rock pools or gazing up at the suddenly-multiplied stars are all options in this mountain retreat.
Population: 361
Festival of Small Halls rolls into Austinville on Wednesday, 20 November with Blair Dunlop (ENG) and Hatz Fitz and Cara (AUS)
Festival of Small Halls Austinville will be supported by Harry J Hart.
With guitar licks that melt faces and a voice that melts hearts, 17 year old Harry J Hart is what you didn’t know you’ve been waiting for. The 2018 Bluesfest Busking Comp Best Overall Guitarist and Queensland Music Awards Finalist is bringing a contemporary twist to grungy, blues rock. Keen to develop his craft, Harry is headed to LA in January to train under Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), John 5 and a number of other guitar royalty. The last two years have also seen Harry travel to Boston to study guitar at Berklee College of Music’s Summer School. Along with the chance to grow as a musician it has also provided crazy travel experiences like having to spend $2000 on an Uber from New York to Boston to make it to his audition on time after his flight was cancelled.
Having shared the bill with Tones and I, Casey Barnes, Rick Price, Adam Brand and Daniel Champagne, Harry J Hart is turning heads whenever and wherever he takes the stage. Having scored a spot a Bluesfest both this year and last, JBeavis of Starving Kids wrote, “Harry J Hart is a young fella but has some serious singing and guitar chops. Whether he plays with a full band and cuts sick or by himself, you need to check him out.”
Tickets available online here
Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
No need to bring chair.
Event is being held indoors.
No drinks for sale, so BYO if you want a drink.
Well dressed snag sangers ($2) and hamburgers ($4) available hot off the BarB.
Mt Nimmel Hall is located at 237 Austinville Road, Austinville.
