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Revellers covered themselves in glitter and clothed themselves in skimpy, bright outfits as they danced their way into 2019. 

Thousands set up camp in coastal areas like Byron Bay, Lorne, and Glenworth Valley, while others chose to spend the last days of the year regional Victoria, all of them hyped up for international music acts and a vibrant atmosphere. 

But the holiday period wasn't all sunshine and sequins. For some, the festival ground would become a place of mourning.

While friends danced under flashing lights and others downed drinks, drug use led to the loss of two young lives, leaving police infuriated and families heartbroken. 

Revellers partying their way into 2019 opted for bright colours and a lot of skin for this year's festival season (left: Lost Paradise, right: Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Animal prints were a huge hit with attendees, as were face glitter and novelty sunglasses (pictured at Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Many opted to add a metallic or sequin twist to their outfits, while some chose a more sporty look (left: Beyond The Valley, right: Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Others will now spend the first weeks of the New Year preparing for court, with scores of charges laid at festivals around the country for possession or supply of drugs.

At Glenworth Valley, a 22-year-old Queensland man was rushed from the Lost Paradise music festival to hospital after ingesting an unknown substance. 

Josh Tam, from Toowong, had come from interstate with a group of about 20 friends to celebrate the New Year, but instead he died late on Saturday night, with one of his mates given the devastating job of identifying his body. 

On the same day, a 20-year-old man was taken to hospital from the Beyond the Valley festival in Lardner, about 100km east of Melbourne, because of a suspected drug overdose.

He spent the next two days in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, fighting for life, but died on Tuesday morning.

Many others were rushed out of festivals and in to hospitals after ingesting unknown substances, with some still understood to be in a critical condition. 

Others suffered physical injuries, with a man in his 20s hospitalised after falling and hitting his head at a festival.

Joshua Tam, 22, (left and right on right) died from a suspected drug overdose over the weekend after attending the Lost Paradise festival with his friends. The group of about 20 had come to NSW from Queensland for the party, and one of the young man's friends had to identify Mr Tam's body

One group of revellers were seen showing off bright colours, glitter, wigs and even a tiara as they posed together at Lost Paradise. There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Hundreds of festival-goers and their cars were searched by police and drug dogs as they entered campgrounds, with authorities determined to crack down on illicit drug use coming into the new year. 

The searches were so thorough that cops even found drugs in the stuffing of a barbecue chicken.  

Brisbane Water Police District Commander Acting Superintendent Rod Peet said festival-goers were becoming more creative when it came to sneaking drugs into festivals.

'People aren't carrying it in their pockets. They aren't that careless,' he said on Sunday.

With the emphasis on costumes increasing each year, this woman turned heads in a sequinned bikini with chains and colourful hair extensions (pictured at Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

'We have found drugs in aerosol containers and other items. In one instance, the drugs were in a stuffed barbeque chicken.'  

The officer said police would continue to develop their methods of detecting drugs and would not be deterred by new methods of concealment. 

After the death of Mr Tam, Brisbane police sent an extra 12 officers to the campground to help stop drug use, with Acting Supt. Peet telling reporters: 'If they need to search more chickens to find drugs, they’ll be doing that.' 

As the New Year period continued, the drug charges kept coming. 

At Field Day, held on New Year's Day in Sydney, six people were arrested with drug supply offences and 149 for possession.

A 19-year-old man was busted carrying 55 capsules of MDMA, while a 21-year-old man was charged after being caught with 40 capsules. The Kellyville Ridge man was also charged with assaulting police.  

Over the course of the festival, five people were taken to hospital, four for drug-related issues, police said.  

While drug use ruined the holiday period for some, many others were able to let loose and enjoy themselves in some of Australia's most pristine locations, or dance their way into the New Year with internationally renowned artists. 

About 20km from Gosford at Glenworth Valley, revellers danced to PNAU and The Kooks, while taking part in yoga classes and talks on topics like medicinal mushrooms, blockchain and veganism. 

Women covered their faces with diamantes, their skin with glitter and wore beaded, sequinned outfits, while many men went for a more fluorescent look. 

Two women added fans and umbrellas to their outfits, giving the otherwise strong looks a softer touch at Lost Paradise. There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Plenty of skin was on display as partygoers prepared to dance the day away in the sunshine (pictured: heading to Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Others used their barely-there outfits to show off elaborate tattoos as they enjoyed live music and participated in meditation or yoga classes (left: Lost Paradise. right: Falls Festival). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Despite billing the festival as drug free, reports claim nearly a quarter of all attendees were caught with drugs on their person during the course of the festival. 

At Beyond The Valley, held in Lardner about 100km east of Melbourne, bright colours and sequins were still the order of the day, but many attendees chose to spice up their look with animal prints. 

The Victorian festival had a strong Australian presence on its lineup, and festivalgoers could attend dance and meditation classes, make their own doof stick, or have their face painted with ethical glitter.  

Falls Festival was a winner around the country, hosting thousands in Lorne, Byron Bay, Fremantle and Marion Bay. 

The three-day camping festival boasted an international lineup, a massage tent and craft activities for those who were all danced out.  

While the camping festivals prided themselves on a relaxing experience with a sustainable and progressive purpose, Field Day was purely about the music.

With DJ and acoustic sets dazzling revellers, the one-day event had a more sporting look. Many festival-goers, with no campsite to return to, opted for trainers and less elaborate outfits. 

Ominous safety messages were plastered behind the stage during the Lost Paradise Festival encouraging people to look after their mates (pictured)

One of the messages at the Lost Paradise festival was specific to the use of MDMA - the drug which is believed to have caused the death of one young 22-year-old man 

Groups of friends were seen posing together or heading into the festivals, wearing eyecatching clothing and beaming (left: Falls Festival, right: Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Others chose to dress on a theme, with fishnets, bumbags and small sunglasses playing heroes to this group's outfit choices (pictured: heading to Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing

Calls to allow pill testing at festival events have become more prominent following the two tragic deaths, and Falls Festival sent an ominous text to attendees regarding a dangerous 'orange pill'.

'Our medical teams have alerted us to a dangerous orange pill that is currently in circulation across Australia,' the message reads. 

'We want to remind everyone of the potentially fatal risks that come with illicit substances. You do not know what is in them, how your body will react, there is no safe level of consumption.

'One pill can kill.'   

At Lost Paradise, signs reading: 'If you're feeling unwell, seek help before it's too late', and 'toxic substances are often sold as MDMA' flashed up on screens next to the main stages. 

But NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts told reporters in Sydney on Sunday there would be no consideration of pill testing at festivals around the state.  

'The government position is quite clear on pill testing,' he said. 'We oppose the use of illegal drugs at these festivals.' 

'We appeal to you - just enjoy the festival and do it without taking drugs.'

Despite the fesitval being littered with tragedy and court notices, most attendees were able to enjoy themselves responsibly and have a good time with their mates (left: Lost Paradise, right: Falls Festival). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing