Road trip your way from Brisbane to the Big Red Bash
Road Trip
By Sarah Bristow
Satisfy your hunger for adventure with a journey to one of the most unique events the state (if not the world) has to offer. In the midst of the Queensland Outback’s vibrant red desert is where you’ll find the world’s most remote music festival. The Big Red Bash (as it’s been named) is an annual rock concert hosted on the sand dunes on the edge of the Simpson Desert in Birdsville.
Getting there is all a part of the adventure. After all, you’ll be traversing 2096 kilometres from the Queensland capital to get there. So take your time, and enjoy the ride, taking the chance to stop in some of the most historic and intriguing towns along the way, as you make your way from Brisbane to the Big Red Bash via road trip.
Brisbane Region
Destination
Mitchell
Destination
Longreach
Destination
Winton
Destination
Boulia
Destination
Birdsville
Destination
Day 1: Brisbane to Mitchell (566km)
Morning: Toowoomba
Photo by @this_little_journey_
Hit the road nice and early - you’re on your way to Toowoomba. Sitting about two hours from Brisbane, this place has been dubbed the Garden City for good reason considering its many green spaces. But there’s plenty more to do, from wandering the burgeoning street art scene, to making the most of the quality brunch on offer - Ground Up Espresso Bar and The Finch are popular places for a caffeine fix. Still have some time up your sleeve? Use this 48-hour guide to craft your itinerary.
Afternoon: Mitchell
Prepare yourself for a lengthy drive this afternoon, when you’ll head for Mitchell, five hours from Toowoomba. Don’t worry, this stretch is made a great deal more agreeable thanks to the quaint country towns that line the way. It’s here you can stop for a stretch and a cuppa (or a beer if you’re that way inclined) in Dalby, Chinchilla and Roma. Though the real relaxation will begin upon your arrival in Mitchell - it’s here that the Great Artesian Spa resides. Picture a therapeutic watering hole at Mitchell’s aquatic centre where you can soak in naturally sourced water from the Great Artesian Basin.
Day 2: Mitchell to Longreach (611km)
Morning: Barcaldine
Hope you’re feeling well-rested - today is the most demanding of your Brisbane to Big Red Bash road trip. Head north-west on the Landsborough Highway in the direction of Longreach. You’ll be making plenty of stops along the way, starting with Tambo, the oldest town in Western Queensland. After a short stop continue on to Barcaldine, a regional centre as rich in history as it is in pubs. But Barcaldine is best known as the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party, hosting the unsuccessful shearers strike in 1891 with an amazing art installation in ode to the occasion.
Afternoon: Longreach
Post-pub lunch continue your journey on to Longreach. There’s plenty to see and do at this town which demands a pit-stop while on your Brisbane to Big Red Bash road trip. But while you’re in town, don’t forget to take advantage of the views of the Captain Starlight’s lookout just outside of town, particularly at sunset. Take a break tonight from the campsites, resting your head at the rather suave Saltbush Retreat, which comes complete with clawfoot outdoor baths.
Day 3: Longreach to Winton (180km)
Morning: Longreach
You’ll find plenty of activities at your disposal during your time in Longreach. This is the home of QANTAS after all, which means that a visit to the Qantas Founders Museum is a non-negotiable. As is a meander down the Thomson River if you have the time - join Outback Pioneers for the Starlight’s Cruise Experience on the only paddlewheeler west of the Great Divide followed by a stockman’s campfire dinner. Or make your Longreach experience an educational one, delving into 40,000 years of Aboriginal and regional history at The Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre.
Afternoon: Winton
If you prefer not to dawdle, this afternoon you’ll arrive in Winton. This is where Banjo Paterson penned his iconic ballad, Waltzing Matilda at the North Gregory Hotel back in 1895, a place that is still worth a visit (and a drink). But that’s not the only pub in these parts, with Tattersalls Hotel another local favourite. Of course it’s not just drinking to be had here. In town on a Wednesday eve? Take a gander at the Royal Open Air Theatre, home of The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, to watch a film under the stars.
Day 4: Winton to Boulia (362km)
Morning: Winton
Winton isn’t just famous for its Australian history, but its dinosaurs. Before you continue your journey on this Brisbane to Big Red Bash road trip, make a visit to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils, this much-loved tourist attraction is spread across 1,800 hectares of mesa plateau. It’s here that you can learn how to prepare real dinosaur fossils for display, and join an expedition to dig.
Afternoon: Boulia
The dinosaur theme continues with your journey onwards to Boulia. More than 100 million years ago, Boulia lay on the western edge of the vast inland Eromanga Sea which has made the town a gold mine for fossils. Many of these now form the extensive Marine Reptile Fossil Display at the Stonehouse, alongside historical artefacts from early settlers, including machinery, saddlery and hospital instruments. But Boulia isn’t just bones - the town is home to the annual Boulia Camel Races every July.
Day 5: Boulia to Birdsville (381km)
Morning: Bedourie
You can taste it. You can smell it in the air. You’re only 381km away. From Boulia you’ll head to Bedourie (population: 120) before your final stop of Birdsville. They like towns that start with B out here. The Royal Hotel in Bedourie has withstood the rigours of desert life since 1886 and has barely changed since that first beer was poured. It’s also the best place to fill up before your final stretch to the Big Red Bash.
Afternoon: Birdsville
Next stop, Birdsville. During the Big Red Bash, the desert town transforms with its population swelling from 100 residents to 6000 for the weekend. Strap yourself in for three days of international musical acts, and stunning sunsets among the sand dunes, including the 40-metre-high Big Red. Spend your days here dancing, and your nights resting and recuperating at The Birdsville Hotel. Built in 1884, this iconic building has welcomed travellers for more than 130 years and is a must-visit for any visitor to the region.
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