Camping at Bashville

Camping Overview

Bashville is located on private property, the organic cattle station Adria Downs. Camping is not usually permitted and we’re privileged to have the land-owner’s permission to hold the Big Red Bash on this beautiful patch of desert.

The camping arrangements and rules outlined on this page, as well in the Bashville Site Rules, ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on site, and also help us take care of this special, organic property.

Camping is included in the cost of your ticket and is permitted for four nights: Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th (depart by midday Saturday 11th).

Entry & Exit Times

Your ticket determines the dates & times that you can come and go from the Bashville campground. To find out what is allowed for your ticket, check the information below.

Please note, this is the 2019 table, 2020 table will be available soon.

Arrival at Bashville

You’ll only be allowed to enter the campground during the permitted “roll in” dates & times. (see above). If you arrive at the gate on the wrong day, or outside of the permitted time, you won’t be allowed in.

During busy times allow at least 2 hours to drive between Birdsville and Bashville. Make sure you’ve picked up your vehicle pass and wristbands from Birdsville town before you drive to Bashville.

Campsites

In 2020, campsite boundaries will be marked out, similar to a caravan park. You’ll receive a minimum of approx. 100sqm per vehicle. Shapes of campsites will vary, but most will be around 13.5m x 6.75m.

To prevent the risk of a fire spreading, you must place all structures at least 1 metre from the back and side boundaries of your campsite, and guy ropes can protrude another 40cm. Marshals will enforce this rule

You’ll be camping on the dry, level lake bed east of Big Red. The campground is suitable for most vehicles including motorhomes & caravans. Caravans with some off road capability are best suited, however if you’ve made it Birdsville, your vehicle will be okay in the campground.

For more info on the changes to camping, see the FAQ page

Group Camping

If you’d like to camp as a group with other vehicles, you’ll need to arrive at the Big Red Bash site together. You won’t be able to save a spot for a later arrival.

See the diagram above for more details on group campsite layout.

Bashville Site Rules

Everyone on site, including campers, must follow the Bashville Site Rules. Make sure you’re familiar with these - some require planning before you leave home.

Departing Bashville

Roll out goes from 7am Friday 10th July, until midday Saturday 11th July. Those rolling out on Saturday can camp at Bashville on Friday night at no extra charge.

For those staying on Friday night: toilets & grey water disposal will be available until midday Saturday 11th, however all other facilities, including food vendors, and Bashville medical centre, will no longer be available. Food vendors will stop serving after breakfast on Friday morning.

Avoiding Roll Out Queues

During the busiest period of roll out we clear about 1 vehicle every 8 seconds. That’s an impressive feat of logistics by our awesome team of volunteer marshals! However with over 3000 vehicles, if everyone tried to leave at once it would still take over 7 hours! That’s why we have a long roll out period from Friday morning until midday Saturday.

Those leaving on Friday morning should expect a wait of at least two or three hours. So, if you don’t want to wait in line, your best option is to plan your departure for Friday afternoon after about 1pm, or Saturday morning. If this doesn’t suit, you could purchase an Early Exit Pass, allowing you to roll out Thursday afternoon and camp the night in Birdsville.

Shuttle Bus

There will be a privately operated shuttle bus service to and from Birdsville at a cost of $10 each way for the 35km round trip. This is a great option if you’d like to take a trip to town during the event.

Early Entry Camping Pass

You can purchase an Early Entry Camping Pass if you want to roll in and camp at Bashville earlier than general ticket holders (see the above table). Click here for more details.

Early Exit Pass

You can purchase an Early Exit Pass, which allows you to pack up and leave the Bashville campground earlier than general ticket holders (see the above table). 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of Early Exit Passes are donated to RFDS and there’s a limited amount available. For full details click here.