Up to 10,000 travellers are descending on the Simpson Desert for the world's most remote music festival.
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Despite all the COVID restrictions and lockdowns the Birdsville Big Red Bash will start as scheduled on Tuesday and go for the next three days with headline act Paul Kelly and a swag of other great Australian artists on the bill, 30km west of Birdsville.
A few weeks ago it was the Melbourne outbreak causing concern then a major outbreak in Sydney, though issues in the NT and Brisbane also caused concern but the show has gone on at the end of the day.
Organiser Greg Donovan said it was an enormous job to get it up and running after missing out in 2020.
"We had to replace artists and crew and there were many other challenges," Mr Donovan said.
"The campground is pretty much chockers. Looking at the crowd we'll be up around 10,000."
Surprisingly that means a likely full house with many caught up in lockdowns able to onsell their tickets to others who could attend.
However Diamantina Shire Council said that many of the street vendors they hoped to have in Birdsville could not attend due to restrictions.
The event is going ahead with a COVID plan and there is a rapid COVID test available on site with results available in one hour.
"We encourage patrons with any symptoms to use that facility," Mr Donovan said.
The Bash said they were aware many from newly declared hotspots were already on the road and are transiting through safe zones and will be permitted entry to Queensland.
"We want to reassure you that if you have been approved to enter the state via the Queensland Border Declaration Pass, you will not be denied festival entry," they said.
They will provide replacement tickets to the 2022 Big Red Bash to ticket holders from any hotspots who are directly impacted.
"As the event is going ahead and the restrictions and border closures are outside of our control, we are unable to provide ticket refunds," they said.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
