Your guide to Birdsville's Big Red Bash – the world’s most remote music festival

Event

By Danielle Reckless

Big Red Sunset Concert: 8 - 9 July 2025. Tickets on sale now.

Birdsville Big Red Bash: 7 - 9 July 2026

Queensland’s biggest party is unlike anything you could ever imagine. The dance floor is red dirt. The disco ball is the sparkling Milky Way. The stage is set beneath a magical 40-metre-tall Big Red sand dune, the largest of its kind in the world. The artists? The biggest names in Aussie music.

If you’re looking for the opportunity to explore Outback Queensland, join the thousands of revellers who travel to the edge of the Simpson Desert to let their hair down for Big Red Bash. This music festival delivers an experience like no other - and while it's returning in 2026, those stuck in desert-dreaming have a new reason to head west - the Big Red Sunset Concert, which will light up the sand dunes on 8 and 9 July this year.

Here's everything you need to know about the Big Red Sunset and Big Red Bash - and how to start planning your epic road trip to Queensland's wild west.

The Big Red Sunset Concert

You can’t beat a classic – and this year’s bucket-list Big Red experience takes music lovers back to where it all began in 2013. An intimate concert with Aussie legend John Williamson, atop the iconic sand dune.

Set to bring you back to the magical feeling that created Big Red Bash, there’s already been so much interest in The Big Red Sunset Concert that the ‘one-night-only’ show has expanded to offer two nights – with Williamson playing 8 and 9 July. Only 1,000 tickets are on sale for each night – so be quick. Overnight camping offers the complete Big Red experience under the vast outback sky.

Day parking is also available for those who prefer to head back to Birdsville to spend the night.

What is Big Red Bash?

Band performs on stage at sunset below massive sand dune in the outback — Big Red Bash, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

Since blasting onto the desert stage over a decade ago, Big Red Bash has grown from humble beginnings to become one of Queensland’s most iconic annual events – no small feat given it’s the world’s most remote music festival.

Naturally, Big Red Bash attracts those with a sense of adventure. Those who want to blend a music festival with an unbeatable outback experience – and thousands travel from around Australia to be a part of the community here.

Where is Big Red Bash?

A couple walking on the Big Red sand dunes in Simpson Desert — Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

Big Red Bash and the Big Red Sunset Concert are held at the affectionately named ‘Bashville’, private property on the edge of the Simpson Desert around 35km west of Birdsville. This is about as far west as you can get in Queensland – it gives new meaning to the word ‘remote’.

The nearest town, Birdsville, epitomises the outback spirit. This is the very territory Burke and Wills traversed, after all. Small but full of heart - and a few hundred locals who love to stop and have a yarn - Birdsville offers a range of basic facilities including petrol, a grocery store, a pub, a bakery and a post office. But once you get to the festival, it’s just you, fellow revellers and a whole lot of desert and dunes.

Who’s playing at Big Red Bash this year?

Crowd enjoying the Big Red Bash festival — Big Red Bash, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

2026 line-up TBC

Big Red Bash always nails the music line-up. There's a long list of veteran and new Aussie acts that have taken the stage here, including Tina Arena, Jon Stevens, Ian Moss, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes and so many more.

Best yet, it all takes place on one stage, so you never have to worry about missing a beat – unless you get side-tracked taking in the views from the top of Big Red.

What to expect at Big Red Bash

A crowd watching people surf down sand dunes in Birdsville at sun rise — Big Red, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

It’s not just about the music at this epic festival, which will keep you energised from daylight to dark, and well into the night, too.

The desert really comes alive out here, with a bustling program of activities that range from fulfilling to fun and festive. Be part of breaking the Nutbush World Record yet again, catch thrills sand dune surfing and camel riding, or tune into something deeper during a sunrise yoga class. There are movies on the big screen, outback air guitar competitions, dunny door painting and doggie fashion shows, and the return of the hilariously fun ‘Bashville Drags’ which raises funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

How to get to Birdsville

A female driver leaning out of her car, looking along the Landsborough Highway in Outback Queensland — The Matilda Way, Outback Queensland

To say the journey is as good as the destination is a very big call when the destination is Big Red Bash. But for festival-goers, road-tripping to Queensland’s remote west is a huge drawcard and an experience to remember for a lifetime.

If you’re up for the adventure, let us guide you from Brisbane to Birdsville Big Red Bash with this tailor-made itinerary. You’ll want a minimum of three to five days to do it justice, and a 4WD will give you the most freedom to explore.

Want someone else to take the wheel? Jump on a bus instead! Big Red Bash partners with Kangaroo Bus Lines for the ‘Rock n Roll road trip’, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the views from the luxury coach as you make the drive out west. Be sure to secure your spot well in advance.

Limited commercial flights from Brisbane to Birdsville are also available with REX Airlines.

Where to stay during Big Red Bash

Campers getting ready for the day outside their tent at Big Red Bash — Big Red Bash, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

The very best place to stay during Big Red Bash is right here on the festival grounds. Pitch your tent, park your caravan, and get ready to bond with your fellow campers as you cook out, sip happy hour, warm up by a campfire, and enjoy the best of outback life together.

Your festival ticket includes on-site camping, and you can also purchase early camping entry if you plan to arrive a day or two before the event.

If you’re flying into Birdsville or don’t want to lug your camping gear all the way here, the crew has you covered with a ‘rent a tent’ option – just show up, and your spot will be set up for you.

Looking for alternative Birdsville accommodation? The tiny 300-population town swells to about 10,000 during Big Red Bash, so accommodation options are very limited and book out well in advance. Your best option will be Birdsville Tourist Park.

There is also limited free camping available at an area south of town called The Common, but you’ll need to be self-contained as there are no facilities.

For those staying outside the festival grounds, day parking is available or you can get the privately operated transfer bus that runs to and from Birdsville to Big Red Bash each day.

What to do while you’re in Birdsville

A couple sitting on stools at a bar enjoying drinks at Birdsville Hotel — Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

The huge music line-up and endless activities at Big Red Bash will keep you occupied during the festival, but there’s something really special about this neck of the woods. If you have time before or after you leave Bashville, be sure to spend a little time getting to know the town of Birdsville.

Grab a beer at The Birdsville Hotel and have a yarn to a local. This is the last pub before you reach the Northern Territory and one of the most iconic outback pubs in Australia.
Try the local Birdsville Bakery’s famous curried camel pie
Go for a paddle at Birdsville Billabong, a hotspot for swimming, fishing, canoeing and bird-watching
Cool off in the Diamantina River
Serious 4WDrs should tackle the historic Birdsville Track

Here are a few more things to do in the area.

Tips for first-timers to Big Red Bash

People sitting at the top of a sand dune at sun set in Birdsville — Big Red Bash, Birdsville, Outback Queensland

Heading to Big Red Bash for the first time? You’re not alone – but there are a few things you should know to prepare yourself for this outback festival.

This is winter in the outback – so while days can be mild and sometimes even reach 30°C, it will get pretty cold at night. Pack layers, including thermals, but don’t forget a sunhat and lighter clothes during the day.
If you’re driving, brush up on these outback driving tips to stay safe.
You can reach Birdsville and the Big Red Bash with a 2WD, but a 4WD is best if you want to sightsee en route or explore the desert.
Facilities here are limited. Bring enough water (around 3L per person, per day), plenty of food and snacks (only basic groceries would be available in Birdsville), and camp kitchen supplies to last you through the event.
There is no electricity, mobile phone reception or water at Big Red Bash.
Big Red Bash is a dog-friendly event, with separated dog-friendly camping and concert areas. Register your dog when you buy your ticket.
Campsites are assigned on arrival – so if you're coming with a group in separate vehicles be sure to roll in together to be allocated adjoining campsites.
This is a BYO event, so stock up on any drinks you want before you arrive. The Birdsville Hotel is the closest place to buy takeaway alcohol.
Bring your own firewood as campfires are permitted, but collecting firewood on the property is not.
Be sure to take in the sunset from the top of Big Red on one of your nights here. It’s a moment you’ll remember long after you pack up camp and roll out onto the outback highway.

Most of all, be prepared to get dusty: it’s all part of the experience.

Ready to go? Let us help you with the planning. And if Big Red Bash inspires you to see more of Outback Queensland, check out these incredible road trips.