Transport options
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. Bashville is reachable in a 2WD — you only need a 4WD if you want to head into the desert itself.
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.
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.
A 2WD gets you there. The roads into Birdsville are unsealed in parts but passable. You only need a 4WD if you plan to go into the Simpson Desert itself.
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.
The Rock n' Roll Road Trip
Outback specialists Kangaroo Bus Lines run a coach trip to the Bash. Dates, pick-up points and pricing for 2027 will be confirmed closer to the event.
More operators coming soon
Third party tour operators and tag-along tours will be listed here as they're confirmed for 2027. If you'd rather travel in a group with someone who knows the route, this is the page to watch.
Get the news first →Birdsville is located in the heart of Australia, on the edge of the famous Simpson desert. It is not a leisurely 2-3 hours drive from the capital city, but that’s the beauty… It’s in the middle of bloody nowhere!
We know that you may find getting to Birdsville a little bit daunting if you have never been before, but there are a number of travel options available to those coming to Big Red Bash.
It’s a long way to go, but the road trip (if this is how you choose to travel) is all part of the adventure!
Let’s run through your main transport options below.
By Car
DRIVE YOUR OWN
Birdsville is approximately a 3-5 day leisurely drive from all Australian capital cities. It is accessible by 2WD, however if you want to venture into the desert itself at some stage you will require a 4WD vehicle.
So, you can make a bee line to Birdsville or alternatively you can take your time and do some outback touring and sightseeing on the way! To plan your car journey, see our Big Red Bash Travel Guides.
4WD Hire
If you don’t have your own 4WD, you might consider hiring one. This is a fun way to explore the desert and take you further than a regular 2WD.
Travel Packages
BUS TOUR
Take the stress out of getting out and back to the Big Red Bash with our fantastic Rock n’ Roll Road Trip, hosted by outback specialists Kangaroo Bus Lines.
THIRD PARTY OPERATORS
All third party tour operators and tag a long tours will be posted here as they become available.