They’re beginning to arrive – Australia converges on Sydney for #ACYF17

Hearts are aflutter in Sydney today as the organisers of #ACYF17 begin to welcome some of the more than 19,000 young people who will converge on Sydney Olympic Park tomorrow.

Transport NSW has announced public transport arrangements to meet the additional demand – both for the festival itself and for the final public Mass at The Domain on Saturday.

And xt3.com have announced that they will be livestreaming the entirety of proceedings for people who can’t attend and for participants’ families back home.

Catholic groups and individuals from as a far afield as Perth are announcing their arrival on social media, utilising the festival’s official hashtags #ACYF17, #NewHorizons and #SpreadingJoy.

Roadtrip locked and loaded ACYF here we come ft. old mate don busco ???????????? #acyf17 #weareSYM #salesian #rocketship #blastoff #melb2syd #salesianyouth #nofilter #prayforus #honkifyoulovejesus #napwhereyoucan

A post shared by SYM Australia – Pacific (@sym_australiapacific) on Dec 5, 2017 at 12:36pm PST

AND WE ARE OFF – let the ACYF journey begin with 50 students from SJPC, we can’t wait to see what the next few days will entail. ⛪️???????? #basiclove17 #proclaimyourflame #acyf17

A post shared by BASICGIFT COFFS HARBOUR. (@basicgift.coffs) on Dec 5, 2017 at 3:25pm PST

We’re on our way #ACYF17 #Sydney

A post shared by Emma Ingram (@empower90) on Dec 5, 2017 at 5:03pm PST

Wish you were here #acyf #acyf17 #sydney #youthfestival #catholicyouthministry

A post shared by Catholic Youth Ministry Perth (@cym_perth) on Dec 4, 2017 at 9:54pm PST

Pretty awesome group of year 10 students today at Casimir College Sydney. Beautiful church too! See you at #acyf17

A post shared by Real Talk (@realtalkaus) on Dec 5, 2017 at 3:55pm PST

One day to go!
Jaymie and Max from St Patrick’s College Sutherland will join 8395 #SCS students at #ACYF17! pic.twitter.com/yTCaEtDG2c

— AboutCatholicSchools (@AboutCS) December 6, 2017

IT’S BUMP IN DAY!!!! Up before the crack of dawn today to pick up some of these beauties for ACYF worship Centre. A little native beauty for our space. #acyf #spreadingjoy

A post shared by Kelly Paget (@kelly_paget_ym) on Dec 5, 2017 at 10:35am PST

Excited and ready for ACYF!! It’s going to be a huge few days! #ACYF17

A post shared by Project Hatch (@project_hatch) on Dec 5, 2017 at 2:14pm PST

Solitude at Qudos Bank Arena before the 18,000 people turn up tomorrow! #ACYF17

A post shared by Ashleigh Green (@ashleigh.green91) on Dec 5, 2017 at 4:45pm PST

Finally en route to Sydney! Follow us at @genbryantofficial ????????#Repost @genbryantofficial (@get_repost) ・・・ The day is finally here! On our way to Sydney – don’t forget to follow our journey on social media over the next few days! #ACYF here we come! #spreadjoy #yearofyouth #genbryantband

A post shared by Alyssa Agius (@alyssacomitoagius) on Dec 5, 2017 at 4:50pm PST

Festival headliners are also readying themselves for what will be the largest Catholic event held in Australia since WYD Sydney in 2008:

“The Adventure Begins: Episode One!!” 🙂 Join me in praying for the nearly 20 THOUSAND young people headed to Sydney! And I’m also looking forward to ministering with my friends @emwilss @frrobgalea and @mattmahermusic. ACYF Here We Come! acyfsyd17 #acyf17

A post shared by Steve Angrisano (@steveangrisano) on Dec 5, 2017 at 3:46pm PST

A post shared by Matt Maher (@mattmahermusic) on Dec 4, 2017 at 1:17pm PST

I never imagined I would ever get to this spot in the world…what a miraculous day at the Sydney harbor! I waltzed around the city by myself all afternoon and had the time of my life…pretty much just exclaimed “Wow! Wow! Wow!” all afternoon. What a gift.

A post shared by Emily Wilson (@emwilss) on Dec 5, 2017 at 4:29am PST