Transport options
Getting to Birdsville and out to Bashville, whichever way you choose.
Buy tickets →The drive is part of it
Birdsville sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert, in the heart of the country. It’s a three to five day drive from any capital city – and for most Bashers, that road trip is half the reason they come.
Pick your road trip
Drive your own
The most common way, and the cheapest. Make sure you’ve got a suitable vehicle, and always consider the road conditions.
Hire a 4WD
If you don’t want to put your own car through it, or you want to go further than the festival site, hiring is worth looking at.
Take the bus
Outback specialists Kangaroo Bus Lines run the Rock n’ Roll Road Trip – someone else drives, you look out the window.
Join a tour
Travel in a group with someone who knows the route, by coach or in your own vehicle.
What to know before you set off
It’s three to five days from any capital city, taken at a reasonable pace. Nobody does it in one go, and nobody should.
Make sure you’ve got a suitable vehicle. The roads into Birdsville are unsealed in parts, so always consider the road conditions before you set off, and on the way.
Fuel, water and spare tyres matter more out here than anywhere else you’ve driven. Plan the stops before you leave, not on the way.
How long from your city?
Brisbane
About 17 hours of driving, or 4 days of sightseeing.
Adelaide
About 14 hours of driving, or 5 days of sightseeing.
Sydney
About 26 hours of driving, or 5 days of sightseeing.
Melbourne
About 30 hours of driving, or 5 days of sightseeing.
Darwin
About 25 hours of driving, or 5 days of sightseeing.
Each city has a detailed itinerary you can download. See the Travel guides.
Drive safe
Outback roads can be closed after local rain, then reopen quickly. Have an alternate route up your sleeve and leave a few days spare.
- Be off the road by sunset: roos and cattle wander on
- Take a break every couple of hours
- Don’t overtake in dust, hang back and be patient
Before you leave
The last big town is your last chance to sort the basics.
- Cash: there are no ATMs in Birdsville
- Fuel: two service stations, expect queues
- Water: bring your own. Birdsville’s only approved tap is at the Town Common
Towing a van?
A few basics before you hitch up:
- Keep the loaded van within your tow vehicle’s limits
- Aim for a tow ball weight of about 10% of the van’s weight
- Check tyres (and the spare), lights, brakes and gas
- Leave a 5 to 10 second gap to the vehicle ahead
Towing tips adapted from REDARC’s guide to towing a caravan.
Before you hit the road
The Rock n’ Roll Road Trip
Outback specialists Kangaroo Bus Lines run a coach trip to the Bash. You travel from Brisbane to Birdsville and back on a luxury 65-seat coach, with your tent already standing when you arrive.
The price
From $1,495
Per person, twin share tent. Return coach travel, tent, stretcher, mattress, lantern and camp chair included. Your festival ticket is bought separately.
The trip
Out: leave Brisbane Monday 5 July, arrive Birdsville Tuesday 6 July around 7am.
Home: leave Birdsville Friday 9 July, back in Brisbane Saturday 10 July around 7am.
Join along the way
You can board at any town on the route, and the price is the same wherever you get on. Pay Over Time is available.
Travel with someone who knows the route
Third party tour operators run guided trips to the Bash, by coach or in your own vehicle. If you’d rather travel in a group with someone who knows the route, start here.
Kangaroo Bus Lines
The Rock n’ Roll Road Trip, by luxury coach from Brisbane.
Queensland Bus Adventures
Return travel from Ipswich, tented camping, guided stops and tour leaders.
Karrabee Bus & Coach
A fully escorted 10-day outback adventure through Channel Country.
Great Divide Tag-a-long Tours
Guided tag-along tour via iconic outback locations. Camping, National Park fees and festival tickets included.
4x4 Explore Tag-a-long Tours
A fully guided 13-day self-drive tour from Cunnamulla to Alroy Station.
No car? You can still get there
Fly to Birdsville
Birdsville has an airport with a sealed 1700m runway and an unsealed cross-strip.
Get out to the site
It is 35km from town to Bashville. A privately operated transfer bus runs on concert days.
Sort your bed
Rent a Tent has your tent pitched and waiting, from $605. Or take the coach: the bus package includes a tent.
The last 35km
Collect your vehicle pass and wristbands
Exchange your e-ticket at the Ticketing Office in Birdsville town, outside the Visitor Information Centre, before you drive out. Collection runs 9am to 5pm, Friday 2 to Wednesday 7 July. See Ticket collection.
Head west on Adelaide Street
It becomes Birdsville Simpson Desert National Park Road. Continue for about 35km. Allow at least two hours in busy periods. See Directions to Bashville.
Follow the marshals
Marshals meet you on the main road and direct you into Bashville. Roll in is 7am to 5pm, from the date on your vehicle pass, and the gates close at 5pm sharp. There is no need to queue early: arriving first doesn’t get you a better campsite.
Prefer to stay in town?
Day Parking
Drive out each day with a Day Parking pass ($29), from Monday 5 July. Come and go from 8am to 10pm.
Where to stay
Options are limited and book out fast: the caravan park, or free camping on the Town Common. There is no hotel or cabin accommodation during the Bash.
Transfer bus
A privately operated bus runs between Birdsville and Bashville on concert days. Bring a torch for the trip home.