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Big Red Bash

August 5, 2016 By EatWellTravelOften 10 Comments

My friend Ben decided to take a 4 tone converted ambulance into one of the world’s biggest sand dunes…driving all the way from Brisbane to Birdsville for this year’s iconic event, the Big Red Bash – a music festival in the middle of the Australian outback that attracts thousands of people from all over the country.

Birdsville is one of Queensland’s most renowned and remote towns, famous for a tradition of outback adventure and old pioneering spirit. It is literally in the middle of nowhere.

With a resident population of 115 the small town hosts a pub, bakery, caravan park, two service stations, general store, and not much else.

While it’s possible to catch a small plane to Birdsville, for most the fun part is the adventure getting there – it’s a 3 day drive from Brisbane to the Simpson Desert.

‘Big Red’ is the 40 metre high sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert. Festival camping usually takes place on the dry lake bed to the east of Big Red – but recent desert precipitation(!) meant festival goers had to set up in town this year. This meant luxuries like fresh bread and cold beer were easily accessible (happy Ben).

Campers have to bring everything – water, firewood and food – so travelling light isn’t really an option.

7000 people made the journey to the 2016 Big Red Bash, rocking-out to some great Aussie bands including Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar-Daley and The Angels.

Taking the opportunity to visit the far corners of Queensland – Hadden, Poeppel and Cameron Corners – Ben and his mates Nick, Andrew and Stewart drove 5600kms over 18 days.

The recent rain meant Lake Eyre was high on their list and they took a scenic flight to see it in all its green glory (it floods every 10 years or so, and only fills four times a century).

Ben had read about the very exclusive membership of Lake Eyre Yacht Club which is only awarded to those who have ‘truly faced the challenge of the Lake’ (paddled or sailed a vessel). Needless to say his mission to get an inflatable boat onto the lake was aborted after a long, hot and very muddy trek to try and reach the water.

I thought Ben’s photos were awesome so I asked if I could share them with you…

This adventure has been added to my bucket list – for now let’s enjoy these stunning photos 🙂

Birdsville Big Red Bash takes place 4-6 July in 2017 – do you want to go now? Leave me a comment!

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Eat Well Travel Often my friend!    Shannon    #travelandnoms

ambulancedesert
The converted ambulance made it through the desert. All images thanks to Ben Burford.
ambulence
Desert sunset
benbigredbash2016
My friend Ben on the way to the Big Red Bash
bigredbash
Ben, Stewart, Andrew and Nick had an epic desert adventure
birdsville bakery
Birdsville has a bakery, but not much else. I hear the camel pies are good
birdsvillebash
7000 people went to the Birdsville Big Red Bash this year
bogged
Bogged in the Simpson Desert (which is basically a giant sand dune)
breakfast
Nothing beats breakfast on the fire
campfire1
How good are camp fires?
camping
Outback adventures
concert
Lots of top Aussie bands play at the Big Red Bash
cornersofqld
The corners of Queensland
desertdunny
Close the door mate!
desertdust
Makin’ tracks
desertqueensland
Amazing desert scenery
desertrain
Dry as a desert
dessert in the desert
Damper with Nutella

drydesert

dusk
Desert sunsets are pretty special
dustydesert
A little bit dusty
expedition
Road trip!
greendesert
Lake Eyre from the air
lakecolours
The colours of Lake Eyre
lakeeyre
A special sight, water in Lake Eyre
landscapedesert
Iconic desert shot
outback
Taking in the view
outbackoz
Red earth in the outback
outbacksaltflat
Has anyone seen a lake around here?
paddleboatlakeeyre
Are we there yet?
paddlelakeeyre
Paddling on Lake Eyre?
roadsign
The road of many miles
roadclosed
Burke and Wills county
greendesertview
The colours of Lake Eyre
wayoutback
An epic outback adventure

Filed Under: All, Home Page, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 4WD, adventure, Australia, Big Red Bash, Birdsville, Birdsville Big Red Bash, Lake Eyre, outback, outback Australia, Simpson Desert, travel, travel Australia

Comments

  1. Ben Burford says

    August 6, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Cool thanks for the write up, the lads will be very pleased to see they are famous 🙂

    Reply
    • EatWellTravelOften says

      August 6, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Your photos inspired this blog post, thanks for sharing them. Would love to get to the Big Red Bash next year! I wonder where I can get an old ambulance…

      Reply
  2. Vaughan Hatcher says

    August 6, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    awesome trip guys

    well done shan!

    Reply
  3. Ian Clarke says

    August 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I did see that old ambulance at the Birdsville Hotel at the Bash, simply an awesome trip, we came back across the Simpson after the event to Mt Dare & Alice Springs.

    Reply
    • EatWellTravelOften says

      August 8, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      The old ambo did pretty well, though limped back into Brisbane a bit worse for wear! Thanks for leaving your comment Ian, got my fingers crossed I can go next year 🙂
      Cheers, Shannon

      Reply
  4. Bruce Wade says

    August 8, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    The Big Red Bash was awesome.
    Made it there & back to southern NSW in 3 weeks. Vehicle is still covered in red mud . Great adventure.

    Reply
    • EatWellTravelOften says

      August 8, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      That red dust gets everywhere! Top effort on your adventure Bruce, sounds like everyone had a great time 🙂
      Shannon

      Reply
      • wayne says

        January 6, 2017 at 10:27 am

        Hey guys, great adventure.
        I’m heading to Mt dare via the big bash in 2017.
        Anyone keen to do the same.
        Regards
        Wayne

        Reply
  5. Trev and Vicki says

    August 8, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Nice DMax in the back ground when old ambulance was bogged….it is mine ? was watching ambulance being dug/pulled out …can’t wait till next years Bash

    Reply
    • EatWellTravelOften says

      August 9, 2016 at 9:37 am

      Ha! Well spotted! I think it was inevitable the old ambo ended up in the sand, but I think that’s all part of the fun (with mates on hand to help pull you out). Thanks for saying hi
      Shannon

      Reply

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Are you a food tourist? Then you’re in the right place…welcome to my blog

I'm Shannon, a not-so-flightless Kiwi, living in Australia. I'm busy makin memories... and doing my bit for regional food tourism. Last year I converted a Toyota Estima for a taste of vanlife (I call her Geisha). I share my adventures and the special moments I capture with my camera. And I host most excellent gatherings for fabulous ladies who like to wine and dine. Make yourself comfortable and have a read... Eat Well Travel Often my friend Read more

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