Neil Young has announced the cancellation of his 2017 Bluesfest appearance.

The event is scheduled to take place in Australia next year and news of the cancellation comes shortly after Young's agent announced the cancellation of his entire tour in the region.

"Although I have been aware of this as a possibility for a couple of weeks now, I have been appealing to Neil's management for him to play the confirmed concert.

Unfortunately, this is now not going to happen," the event's booker Peter Noble said.

"Whilst details for the cancellation remain sketchy, from what I can gather Neil has decided to take 2017 off from touring.

I have no reason to believe this is due to any illness, I have been advised he is tired from recent touring, and I surmise wants to have some down time."