Words Editorial Team Pics Matt Williams
• The 7–9 July Birdsville Big Red Bash event will not proceed in 2026
• Event confirmed for 2027
• Majority of 2026 artist line-up committed for next year
Organisers of the Birdsville Big Red Bash announced on 27 March 2026 that they have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2026 edition of the iconic outback music festival.
The experienced and dedicated festival team had been working tirelessly on relocation options since learning the festival could not proceed at the Big Red site this year due to rain and water that will not dry before July.
“After careful consideration of the available options, we decided that relocating the Birdsville Big Red Bash was not feasible for 2026. We surveyed our patrons to fully understand their feelings about a relocated festival and their attendance intentions. The survey achieved an incredible 95 per cent response rate, which provided comprehensive insight into their thoughts and opinions. The decision to cancel this year’s event, while difficult, is based on what we believe is in the best interest of the event and patrons,” said event founder/owner and managing director of the Outback Music Festival Group Greg Donovan.
Ticket holders will be given three options for their tickets that will be available until 19 June 2026.
- Request a refund — that will be processed immediately by Oztix
- Transfer your tickets to the 2027 Birdsville Big Red Bash (6–8 July2027) (no action required)
- Transfer your tickets to the 2026 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (20–22 August 2026)
Stuart Field, Oztix co-founder & managing director said, “This is an incredibly tough call for Greg Donovan and the Big Red Bash team, particularly with the event 90 per cent sold out.
“The way Greg and his team have engaged directly with patrons and made this decision in their best interest, is a testament to the integrity and reputation they’ve built over many years. He is one of the most trusted and respected promoters in the country, always doing the right thing by his Bash community.
Having partnered with the Big Red Bash for more than 10 years, we’ve seen first-hand the significant economic impact the event delivers to communities across outback Queensland, and our thoughts are with the local businesses, suppliers and communities who are also affected by the weather events.
We’ll be doing our part to ensure customer refunds are processed efficiently and importantly supporting Greg and the team to bring the Bash back next year.
Its significance on the Australian events calendar is unmatched — as one of the most unique and remote festivals in the world.”
Event organisers have also promised current volunteers they will have first option on roles for next year’s Big Red Bash event. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Bash events and do a phenomenal job. We appreciate their support and continued commitment to our events. Many have worked alongside us for several years — some for the entirety of the event history. And some have become valued staff. We know there will be disappointment that the Big Red Bash isn’t going ahead so will ensure they have priority for the next event,” said Greg Donovan.
For more than a decade, the foot of Big Red has served as the sprawling temporary township known as Bashville for the three-day desert concert — that typically draws just over 10,000 campers to the edge of the Simpson Desert.
“We fully understand and appreciate the planning, excitement and anticipation all our adventurous patrons have when they buy tickets and lock in plans to head into the great Australian outback for the Bash. We also know our own team’s excitement and passion for delivering the festival in this unique and amazing location. It’s a very special and spiritual place,” said Greg Donovan
“Mother Nature is the highest authority; this year she has spoken and we have heard the message. We can’t express our gratitude enough to everyone who put their faith in us and purchased tickets to this year’s Bash, and we sincerely regret the disappointment the cancellation will cause for so many people. Prior to the rain event, tickets were more than 90 per cent sold and we were so much looking forward to a fantastic year with another great line-up of Australian artists.”
The 2026 line-up was set to showcase a sweeping cross-section of Australian music legends including Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Teskey Brothers, The Living End, Birds of Tokyo, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, The Whitlams, Tim Finn, Troy Cassar-Daley, Chocolate Starfish, Ross Wilson, Furnace and the Fundamentals, Shane Howard, Wes Carr, Jem Cassar-Daley, Tom Busby and Gypsy Lee.
“A huge thank you to all of the artists who have shown their support during this challenging time. Their commitment to returning to Big Red on the edge of the Simpson Desert in 2027 means a great deal to us and to the future of the Bash.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Diamantina Shire Council, local stakeholders, the community and partners for their support, input and collaboration throughout this process. Their commitment to the event and the wider Birdsville and outback region has been invaluable as we worked through the many considerations involved,” added Greg Donovan.
Despite the cancellation, Donovan urged travellers not to abandon plans to visit outback Queensland.
“Although attending the Big Red Bash sadly won’t be possible this year, the outback will be wide open and looking forward to welcoming travellers with true outback hospitality,” he said.
“After the recent rains, the greenery and wildflowers will be stunning. It will be a fantastic year to get out there, so we urge our patrons not to cancel travel plans and to head out to enjoy everything our beautiful outback offers. For those still planning to travel to the outback your support of local businesses will hopefully offset some of the $20m spending boost the Big Red Bash normally delivers to outback Queensland each year. And if they want a Bash experience, we’d love them to join us at the Mundi Mundi Bash in August,” added Donovan.
After a breather in 2025, the Birdsville Big Red Bash is roaring back to life next July, joined by the ever-growing Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash in August. Together, they’re promising three days of dust, dancing and desert sunsets like nowhere else on earth.
Birdsville Big Red Bash
Two stages. Two deserts. Thousands of campers. One giant Aussie soundtrack.
This is the comeback tour of the outback. There’s something magical about music echoing across red sand and open sky.
The Birdsville Big Red Bash (7–9 July 2026) returns to the foot of the mighty 40-metre-high Big Red dune, while the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (20–22 August 2026) will once again light up the legendary plains north of Silverton.
Expect the kind of line-up that makes even the Galahs and Little Corellas sing…
Missy Higgins, The Teskey Brothers, Hoodoo Gurus, The Living End, Birds of Tokyo, Jessica Mauboy, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kate Ceberano, Tim Finn, The Whitlams, Chocolate Starfish, Ross Wilson and many more.
For the first time, two next-gen artists will share stage with their famous parents at the Big Red Bash — Gypsy Lee with mum Kate Ceberano, and Jem Cassar-Daley alongside dad Troy. Talk about keeping it in the family.
Over at the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash, you’ll catch Jon Stevens, John Butler, Boy & Bear, Baby Animals, Leo Sayer, Wendy Matthews, Richard Clapton, Fanny Lumsden and a few surprise favourites still to come.
Hoodoo Gurus
More than music
Birdsville Big Red Bash founder Greg Donovan says it best:
“Watching families dance in the shadow of the 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune as the sun sets behind it, or seeing thousands on the Mundi Mundi Plains under that endless sky with the Barrier Ranges behind them is pure magic.”
Both festivals are all-ages, dog-friendly and BYO, welcoming everyone from first-timers to grey nomads. Expect three days of live music, world record attempts, comedy, camel rides and outdoor film nights, all set against two of the most breathtaking backdrops in Australia.
New activities will debut in 2026, replacing the famous Nutbush dance-offs — but organisers are keeping details under wraps (for now).
Outback travel meets festival freedom
Getting there is half the fun.
Birdsville Big Red Bash sits 35km west of Birdsville, with sealed road access right to town and a short, graded stretch to the festival site.
Mundi Mundi Bash takes place on Belmont Station, just 9km north of Silverton — and yes, the road is fully sealed all the way in.
Whether you’re towing a camper, offroad caravan, driving solo or joining a tag-along convoy, this is outback touring with a musical twist.
Bus tours, train connections and charter flights are available, but most festivalgoers prefer to drive themselves and soak up the desert scenery en route.
Missy Higgins
Tickets and travel info for Birdsville Big Red Bash
When: 7–9 July 2026
Where: Big Red sand dune, 35km west of Birdsville, Qld
Tickets: On sale 10am AEDT, 23 October 2025
Click here for more information.
Tickets and travel info for Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
When: 20–22 August 2026
Where: Belmont Station, Mundi Mundi Plains, NSW
Tickets: On sale 10am AEDT, 24 October 2025
Click here for more information.
Volunteer applications open 18–22 October (early access for past volunteers first).
Kids under 18 score heavily discounted tickets, and a village of food vendors will keep everyone fuelled with everything from flat whites to festival burgers.
Why go?
Because where else can you watch Missy Higgins sing under a billion stars, or hear Jon Stevens roar across a red horizon?
No water parks. No traffic lights. Just the open road, your swag, rooftop camper or caravan and the biggest outback party in Australia.
So pack the esky, grab your broad-brimmed hat and make 2026 the year you dance in the desert.
Plan your route with Hema Maps and turn your festival into a full-blown adventure.
