The music festival was first held two years ago, at the former Woodstock Lodge in the Catlins, and attracted more than 1000 people.
Former Ranfurly man and festival organiser Jock Davidson returned to New Zealand this week to oversee final preparations.
Mr Davidson (33) moved to Australia at age 17, and now owns a roofing company in Cronulla, south Sydney.
He said he began to seriously consider creating a music festival in the South after falling from a roof.
''It was something I always wanted to do - having the accident in 2009 kind of made me reassess things, and I decided to give the festival a shot.
''I have family in the Catlins. It [the area] just screamed music festival to me.''
After two years of investing money and energy in the festival - while working and living in Australia - he watched it become a reality at the former Catlins Woodstock Lodge in Tawanui, about 10km south of Owaka.
Mr Davidson initially thought the festival would be a one-off, as Woodstock was in the process of being sold. But Gary and Adele Dawkins bought it at the end of 2011, and the couple found there was public demand for the festival's return.
Mrs Dawkins' parents, Dianna and Roger Sellars, own an 800ha farm next to the former Woodstock, and Adele had been interested in the lodge for many years.
The couple renamed the lodge RiverRidge Retreat.
Mr Davidson said the Dawkins were great to work with, and he was confident the music festival would be a success.
''It's such a beautiful venue, and we're confident with the line-up. Local talent is of such a high standard.''
Mr Dawkins said he and his wife were excited about the festival.
''Jock has done most of the work and is really great to work with. It should be a really good event.''
This year's event would build on the success of the 2011 inaugural festival, Mr Davidson said.
''The first time I was petrified - there was so much to do. There was a lot of unknown ... this time we know the venue works, and we know we have a good festival.''
If this year's festival went well, he said it might well become an annual event.
''If we build momentum like we are now, then we can build a bit of a following.''
The giant guitar which once greeted visitors at the lodge's entrance has been shifted to the riverside, where the acts will be staged.
Mr Davidson said there were about 55 acts, made up of more than 200 artists. Two stages will be built near the river and two marquees erected.
''We've almost doubled the line-up.''
Acts include Ash Grunwald, Minuit, Left Or Right, Taos, MC Beau, and Dunedin singer Kylie Price.
The 2013 Catlins River Festival runs from March 30 until April 1.
Ticket entry includes camping on site for Saturday and Sunday nights. Gates open at 10am on Saturday and music starts at noon. Entry for children under 13 is $1 for each year of age and the money will go towards Catlins-based community groups.
For festival information and tickets visit www.catlinsriverfestival.co.nz.
