The Big Red Bash

A trip into the desert married with the primal power of rock and roll: thousands of music lovers head to Birdsville for the Big Red Bash festival.

July 20, 2019 - 12:00AM

Jo Richards, left, from the NSW Central Coast and Ursula Ogilvie from the Sunshine Coast travelled to the world’s most remote music festival at the base of the Big Red sand dune, west of Birdsville, Queensland. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

(L-R) Kylie Nolan, Shae Strong and Jess Meuleners with their kids, all from the Sunshine Coast, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the Big Red Bash. “It’s like you live on another planet ... the energy is great. It’s a beautiful family vibe,” Ms Strong said. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Most people at the three-day festival had travelled from the east coast and, for many, the lack of phone and internet services was a welcome change. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

The Bash has grown from a gathering of 500 people watching John Williamson play atop Big Red in 2013 to become a pop-up town of about 10,000. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian