Tasmania's Uncomformity festival kicks off this weekend celebrating the arts

Tasmania's rugged west is being recognised for its vibrant arts community, as the Unconformity festival makes its long-awaited return.

Transcript

00:00 A rugged landscape with a strong industrial past, inspiring something beautiful.

00:07 This soundscape, recorded within Mount Lyell Mine, is just one offering from the long-awaited

00:15 return of the Unconformity Festival.

00:18 It feels like the whole town has been preparing for years, in a way, to be on the cusp of

00:22 presenting the festival.

00:23 Given what it does for the West Coast, it feels really gratifying.

00:27 From light projections on the remnants of a historic hotel, to a kayak orchestra, everything

00:34 on show is inspired by the region's wild environment and strong mining history.

00:40 I think having a festival that respects that and perpetuates it through showing Queenstown

00:46 through the eyes of artists is a really special drawcard.

00:50 The Contemporary Arts Festival has faced a few bumpy years due to the pandemic, but with

00:55 final touches complete, locals are ready for an influx of visitors.

01:00 We're all really thrilled that it's going ahead this year.

01:02 There's a palpable energy about it.

01:05 The festival will wrap up on Sunday, right here on Queenstown's iconic gravel oval.

01:10 The West will take on the rest for the Unconformity Cup, the footy showdown set to be a crowd

01:15 pleaser.

01:16 No questions in some minds as to who will walk away victorious.

01:20 The West always wins.

01:20 [no dialogue]