Inside the pop up tunnel raves held in Sunshine Coast hinterland

A Sunshine Coast DJ who created pop-up raves in tunnels across the hinterland claims the events aren’t breaking any laws, after a video of police shutting down a gathering surfaced online.

A Sunshine Coast DJ and music producer gaining traction online for hosting hinterland raves in tunnels says partygoers are not breaking any laws after video surfaced of police shutting down one of their gatherings.

The pop-up raves, started by 26-year-old Alexandra Headland woman Gabriella Lowik — better known by her stage name, Gabriella — are completely independent and free, but also conducted without the help or support of any authorities, she said.

Ms Lowik said they are held away from residences so not to disturb the community, and have no association with “bush doofs” that are also often held in the hinterland area.

She claims the pop-up raves showcase DJs and performers, not just Ms Lowik, in an effort to promote underground artists.

Invitations are usually spread by word of mouth and social media particularly Ms Lowik’s TikTok account.

Pop up Sunshine Coast raves. Photos: TikTok (@the.gabriella.project)

One video, sharing her first pop-up rave on the Sunshine Coast, had amassed almost 12,000 views at the time of publishing.

Another video shared on December 16, 2023 showed police breaking up one of the pop-up events.

Ms Lowik said this was the first and only time it had happened.

She claimed police stumbled across the rave while looking for an alleged stolen car.

“They found us and sort of asked that we don’t block the road we were on,” she said.

She said the events were community-minded, with partygoers helping clean up after the pop-ups were over.

“As far as the authorities go, I feel like they definitely know a thing or two about it, but because we clean up after ourselves and we are as respectful as we can be ... they’re not going to interrupt it too much,” she said.

Gabriella Lowik. Photos: Warwick Gow

“As long as we’re not blocking something important, or being disruptive, I don’t believe there’s any laws we are necessarily breaking.”

She likened the pop-ups to a house party, saying if something went wrong or someone got hurt, they could deal with the situation.

“When we weigh up what we could get out of what we do ... the positives that could come out of it as opposed to the possibility of what could go wrong ... the biggest risk is to take no risk,” she said.

“We’re never somewhere that’s out of reception, we’re never somewhere that’s a long way away from everything ... if anything ever happened to anyone, someone there would have some medical experience and then we just assess the situation and call an ambulance,” she said.

She said the crowd is often filled with sober partygoers, but a table is always set up with free water, insect repellent and bins.

Pop up Sunshine Coast raves. Photos: Tik Tok (@the.gabriella.project)

Ms Lowik said the pop-up raves were free and she intended to keep it that way, though she hoped to eventually start a music label signing select artists who performed at her events.

“In 10 years time we’ll still hold free pop-ups as a platform for smaller artists, but hold ticketed club takeovers for our established artists.

“I do it purely for the love, not for the party.”

Noosa Police Sergeant Jason Fogg said police were unaware of tunnel raves happening in the Noosa area.

He said, in the past, backpackers had organised casual gatherings on Sunshine Beach that may move to a walkway tunnel under the David Low Way but it was not a recent occurrence.

He said police acted when they were made aware of gatherings.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police may become involved if illegal behaviour such as public disturbance, trespassing or dangerous substance abuse, is reported at the raves.

“Police may also accompany the landowner, like forestry or local council rangers, when visiting the site of a rave for safety reasons,” she said.

“As with any situation, anyone with information relating to illegal behaviour is encouraged to contact police.”

Originally published as Inside the pop up tunnel raves held in Sunshine Coast hinterland