Big Red Bash

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