THERE is so much to experience at the Big Red Bash in Birdsville.

This is huge. Yes, thousands have travelled for days or weeks to get there – but the journey is all part of the experience. Small outback towns along the way prepare for the crowds that will travel through – many putting on live music or events to entertain those staying.

This year’s Big Red Bash, in July, attracted a crowd of more than 11,000 (the biggest yet) very resilient music lovers to ‘Big Red’ on the edge of the Simpson Desert. Headline acts included Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Dragon, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Richard Clapton, Kate Ceberano, Chocolate Starfish and many more.

What really blew me away, was the logistics and planning involved in setting up – not just a huge concert stage, but laying out an entire village on what is an organic cattle station – Adria Downs. The logistics of transporting all the fencing, marquees, toilet blocks to such a remote location is quite extraordinary.

How did the Big Red Bash begin?

In 2012, the founder of the Birdsville Big Red Bash – Greg Donovan took on a global desert running challenge to raise funds for Type 1 Diabetes research.

To challenge himself further, Greg wanted to do a fifth run in Australia. The first run took place in 2013 out of Birdsville. To celebrate the first Big Red Run, John Williamson performed a sunset concert on top of Big Red. Word was out on the bush telegraph – so it was decided to sell some tickets.

A crowd of 600 people gathered for what was quite a unique experience in a stunning location.

Plans were put in place for a two-day festival in 2014. Around 1200 people attended that year – well short of the numbers to cover costs. After careful consideration, the organisers decided to increase investment for 2015 and hope the crowds would come.

Jimmy Barnes, Australia’s most iconic rocker came on board as the headline artist and word quickly spread.  The weather was perfect and more than 3000 people attended – now, word about the Big Red Bash was spreading further.

In 2016, crowds swelled to 7000 – and the introduction of the ‘Bashville Drags and Fashion in the Desert’ encouraged festival goers to dress in ‘Queen of the Desert’ attire. This event continues and raises thousands of dollars for The Royal Flying Doctors Service.

In 2016, significant pre-event rain forced the event to be held on the main oval in Birdsville. Campers were spread out on all sides of the town.

In 2017, the concert site became known as ‘Bashville,’ the arc-shaped village set-out with roads, walkways and a large plaza of food vans and market stalls.

In 2019, a crowd of more than 9000 travelled a combined distance of over 40 million kilometres from all over Australia and overseas, and spent a staggering $11million on their journeys. This was the year of the inaugural Nutbush Dance World Record Attempt – which has been broken at the Big Red Bash, every year since.

Obviously, the event was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid.

The event did proceed in 2021, although organisers faced enormous challenges with some performers, crew volunteers and patrons being locked down.

Then, welcome 2022 – the enthusiasm of festival goers was palpable. The line-up of Australian music talent was brilliant. The atmosphere was electric and the scenery (particularly at sunset) was awe inspiring – and more than 11,000 people got to enjoy it.

Adria Downs Station (8700 square kms) is situated west and north-west of Birdsville and borders the Munga-Thirri National Park (the Queensland section of the Simpson Desert National Park) to the west. Adria Downs is an organic accredited property and operates to the Organic Food Chain Standards.

Some fun facts:

What does it take to venture to the Big Red Bash? Definitely a love of music and camping but also a great sense of humour and some resilience.

Our group got an early and late pass – so we were allowed access to our campsite two days before the concert began and got to stay two days afterwards. Groups must arrive at Bashville in a line of vehicles in order to allocate appropriate space for the size of each group.

Arriving early allows time to set up and settle in, and also take some time to enjoy the environment. There was every sort of camper imaginable. Everything from a fifth wheeler to horse floats, vans, tents and trailers.

Some things I must mention. Be prepared for the dust! Everything gets dusty – no matter how much time you take taping caravan vents; it gets everywhere.

Also, the water that you carry with you, is the only water (except buying a bottle of water) that you have access to. So, washing dishes, or indeed washing/showering yourself is quite restricted (take lots of wet wipes).

Grey water must be contained and emptied into the tanks at each of the toilet blocks – it is a certified organic farm, and compliance is the only way the festival gets to continue.

Now the toilets – there is no delicate way to put this – they are environmentally friendly and similar to a ‘long drop.’ The toilets are set up-in raised unisex blocks – you are required to take a cup full of sawdust (provided at the toilet blocks) in with you to tip in at the completion of the job.

The ‘effluent’ (I am such a farmer) is contained in wheely bins. These bins are removed at the end of the festival, the lids are secured with screws and they are left to biodegrade and emptied elsewhere approximately 10 months later. Compost!

We were in Bashville for seven days. It was a time for winding down a bit and enjoying the company of friends. Sitting back in a chair and letting the music fill our heads with many classic rock anthems.

I have always been a huge Jimmy Barnes fan and he did not disappoint, but I now also own a Chocolate Starfish T-shirt, signed by Adam Thompson!

Over $100,000 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctors Service at this year’s Big Red Bash – such a vital service to those in the outback.

One thing I will say, the Big Red Bash is very popular with farmers – you can pick them! Are you up for the challenge?

Would I do it again?  In a heart-beat!