An Outback Spectacle
After rolling into the Broken Hill region, we could feel the buzz. The Mundi Mundi Bash is more than just a festival – it’s a sea of caravans, campers, and smiling faces filling the desert plain beneath the Barrier Ranges. This year’s event was another sell-out. It drew thousands of travellers to dance, sing, and soak up the spirit of the Outback. The road north of Silverton was alive with colour as we joined the convoy of vans heading for the festival site. It is a wide, red-dust amphitheatre where the stage looks out to the endless horizon.
Camp Life & Community
We set up our van among hundreds of like-minded travellers. Each was carving out their own slice of the desert for the next few days. Generators hummed, flags flapped in the breeze, and camp chairs formed circles as strangers became mates. The festival’s organisers have fine-tuned logistics: plenty of toilets and showers, water trucks, and a well-oiled waste-collection system. Even in the middle of nowhere, everything runs smoother than you’d imagine. Daytime is for exploring, socialising, and relaxing in camp. As the sun dips, the red soil glows and the music begins.
The Music & the Moments
It’s hard to beat a backdrop like the Mundi Mundi Plains. With the stage framed by golden hills, it feels like every artist is performing to the heart of Australia itself. This year’s line-up didn’t disappoint. Jimmy Barnes, The Angels, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Daryl Braithwaite had the crowd on their feet. Between sets, festivalgoers joined the Great Aussie Singalong and broke a few world-record attempts. They also lit up the night with LED-covered Akubras. Families, grey nomads, and first-timers danced together under the stars. It’s the kind of unity only an outback music bash can create.
Festival Vibe & Facilities
The Bash is a well-run machine. Everything from the food vendors and merchandise stalls to first-aid tents and shaded chill zones is top-notch. Children had their own entertainment zone, and four-legged festivalgoers strutted through the Doggie Fashion Parade. A nearby viewing hill gave us a panoramic look across the stage and campsite. It appeared as a shimmering silver city by day that turned into a glowing constellation by night.
Beyond the Bash
When the music fades, there’s still plenty to see. Silverton is just down the road, famous for the Mad Max Museum, historic pub, and art galleries. Broken Hill itself offers the Living Desert Sculptures, Line of Lode Miners Memorial, and countless outback photo ops. After the festival, many travellers stay a few extra nights in town to restock, refuel, and relive the experience with new friends.
Practical Notes
Where: Mundi Mundi Plains, 40 km north of Broken Hill, NSW
When: August (annual three-day music festival)
Access: Sealed roads from Broken Hill to Silverton then graded track to site (suitable for caravans and RVs)
Camping: Unpowered festival campsites on red desert surface – BYO everything
Tickets: Pre-purchase only – usually sell out months in advance
Words and Photos: Fireman Ron & Di Sinclair with Matt Williams
