As we joyfully celebrate the Jubilee Year, the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Bishops of Australia are eagerly preparing to welcome 10,000 young Catholics from across the country for a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, at the 2025 Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF).

It has been almost five years since the previous Festival was held and this provides an exciting opportunity to welcome a new legion of young people to experience it for the first time.

Alongside Bishop Michael Kennedy we plan to lead 100 young people from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle on this very special Jubilee Year pilgrimage.

Dates: Saturday 29 November – Wednesday 3 December (return flights from Newcastle)

Cost: $950.00 pp (includes flights, registration, ground transport, diocesan shirt)

Accommodation: Mercure Welcome Hotel (twin-share) with breakfast. Lodging is fully sponsored by the Diocese

Parishes and Schools may choose to subsidise their young people and/or encourage fundraising to make the cost even more achievable.

All young people who attend the Festival with our Diocese will be led through a face-to-face formation program over a number of months and be commissioned for the journey on Christ the King Sunday (Local World Youth Day) before our departure the following week.

School students – liaise with your Ministry Coordinator now.

Parishioners – contact our Mission & Evangelisation Partner – Youth Ministry Dominic Drumore on [email protected]

After first contact we will issue all potential pilgrims with a unique website link to formally register with our Travel Company – Harvest Journeys and pay your deposit.

Registrations close August 29.

For more information generally about the festival, including to view a promotional video visit – Home – Australian Catholic Youth Festival Melbourne 2025