Lost Paradise faces backlash over ‘sustainability’ fee for showers

Multi-day music festival Lost Paradise will charge patrons $5 per shower under new sustainability measures.

Instagram users were unhappy with the move, with one person commenting: “Do I have to pay to use the oxygen?”

The event takes place at Glenworth Valley, in the NSW Central Coast hinterland, from December 28 to January 31, meaning some people will be camped there for five days.

General admission ticket prices range between $400-$500 and include camping access.

However, this year, only the upgraded tickets will include showers.

Lost Paradise organisers announced the change on Instagram.

“All toilets, showers and water for the festival are painstakingly transported to Glenworth Valley ahead of your arrival. To help us better manage water consumption, minimise our environmental footprint and maintain cleanliness, we’re introducing a $5 fee per-shower,” they posted.

“Shower attendants will be present on-site to process payments, maintain cleanliness and manage queues (and showers will be hot!).”

One Reddit user suggested a different approach, “Do it like a car wash. Pay per minute. High pressure rinse, soap suds, spot free rinse, beat the countdown.”

On Instagram, another wrote “does our million dollar ticket not include a f--king shower?”

Lost Paradise is not the first camping festival to charge festivalgoers for showers, with Meredith Festival in Victoria charging $1 per minute in 2025 and other festivals charging for a hot shower while keeping a cold rinse free.

Other Reddit users defended the festival’s decision, with one person writing “if it means the showers are staffed and kept clean the whole time, that’s good. If you’re paying to stand ankle deep in someone else’s mud while the water dribbles out, that’s bad”.

“$5 seems reasonable. Cheaper than a bottle of water at a festival in the 90s!” another user said.

On Instagram someone commented, “I love this festival but charging for basic hygienic amenities is pretty disgraceful imo.”

“I’m having a 60 min shower per day for that price,” wrote another.

“You can stink for free,” said a Reddit user.

Lost Paradise organisers have been contacted for comment.