The iconic Outback music festival won’t go ahead in 2026.
In devastating news for the Birdsville Big Red Bash and its loyal festivalgoers, one of the most anticipated music events on the Australian calendar has been cancelled due to widespread flooding across the Australian outback in late February and early March. “This is an incredibly tough call for Greg Donovan and the Big Red Bash team, particularly with the event 90% sold out," said Stuart Field, Oztix Co-Founder & Managing Director.
The iconic festival was scheduled for July. (Credit: Matt Williams)
The three-day, family-friendly outback music festival, which is held annually in July on the Big Red sand dune near Birdsville, Queensland, was scheduled to take place July 7–9, 2026, with Australian music legends Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Teskey Brothers, The Living End, Birds of Tokyo and Jessica Mauboy set to take to the stage.
The festival is set to return in 2027. (Credit: Matt Williams)
Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group, Greg Donovan, said hosting the festival in another location wasn’t on the cards. “After careful consideration of the available options, we decided that relocating the Birdsville Big Red Bash was not feasible for 2026," he shared. “We surveyed our patrons to fully understand their feelings about a relocated festival and their attendance intentions." The survey received a 95 per cent response rate, and the festival team based their decision on what they believed was in the best interest of the event and patrons.
So what’s next?
Ticketholders can receive refunds. (Credit: Matt Williams)
Ticket holders will have until June 19, 2026, to take action on one of the following:
Request a refund that will be processed immediately by Oztix
Transfer your tickets to the 2027 Birdsville Big Red Bash (6-8 July 2027) (no action required)
Transfer your tickets to the 2026 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (20–22 August 2026)
“We’ll be doing our part to ensure customer refunds are processed efficiently and, importantly, supporting Greg and the team to bring the Bash back next year," said Field. The majority of the 2026 artist line-up is committed to the 2027 edition of the festival.
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Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
From coast to coast and everywhere in between, our collective backyard offers unforgettable nature experiences for every kind of traveller.
Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or prefer to while away the day at the beach, Australia has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world (and some epic Hilton stays to return to after each day of exploring). Slow down, breathe in, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, and these destinations are perfect for a nature escape.
1. Albany, WA
Climb the Granite Skywalk fora unique nature experience. (Credit: Tourism WA)
Albany, in regional Western Australia, is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its dramatic, rocky coastline and endless swathes of white-sand beaches. Explore it all from Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with a gorgeous waterfront location and close proximity to some of the most iconic natural landscapes.
Head to Torndirrup National Park, where you can venture out onto a see-through platform to watch the waves batter the shoreline below – if you dare. Further north, marvel at Porongurup National Park’s Castle Rock, an imposing granite range over a million years old that you can scale via the Granite Skywalk.
Between May and December, Albany becomes a whale watchers’ paradise as humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales journey north towards the Kimberley. Pack your binoculars; there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the shore.
2. Alice Springs, NT
Return from your explorations to enjoy views of the MacDonnell Ranges.
Surrounded by dusty red desert, rolling spinifex dunes, and eerie ghost gums, Alice Springs sits upon a landscape so unique it’s otherworldly. From here, plan a day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can take in the unrivalled majesty of Uluru. While there, check out The Olgas, a cluster of 36 impressive rock formations perfect for hiking. Walking trails offer a mix of easy strolls and trickier hikes that wind through gorges and creek beds.
Other bucket-list-worthy experiences in the area include Stanley Chasm Angkerle Antwatye in the MacDonnell Ranges, best seen at midday for a spectacular view of the sun passing through its crevice, and the rim walk at King’s Canyon, which will leave you feeling breathless as you take in views of the desert from the top of 300m high sandstone walls.
Nestled on the banks of the Todd River with views of the MacDonnell Ranges, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs offers the ideal spot to relax and recharge after a day of adventuring.
3. Busselton, WA
Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)
For a deeply relaxing nature getaway, look no further than Busselton. This charming seaside city is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, where you’ll find no shortage of lush greenery, winding coastlines and unique marine life. Start the day with a stroll and a swim at Busselton or Dunsborough beach, and plan for a sunset walk along the Geographe Bay Foreshore to drink in the changing light. How’s the serenity?
If you’re visiting Busselton in Spring, don’t skip a nature walk through Ambergate Nature Reserve, which is bursting with wildflowers of every colour once the weather begins to warm.
A stay at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts the Margaret River region on your doorstep. Sitting on the pristine shores of Geographe Bay, it’s just a handful of steps from Busselton Jetty and underwater observatory, where you can see the vibrant marine life up close without getting wet.
4. Cairns, Qld
Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.
There’s no shortage of natural wonders to marvel at from Cairns. Get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife by diving or snorkelling through Australia’s underwater playground, the world-heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Head away from the shore to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving rainforest and home to iconic fauna like the cassowary, as well as infamous plants like the Stinging Tree.
Wherever you go, Hilton Cairns or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns make the perfect home base for a Cairns adventure. Both sit so close to the ferry terminal to get out on the reef, and offer easy access to dining and bar options to top off an amazing day.
Australia’s northernmost city has plenty to offer nature lovers. Day trip to Litchfield National Park and hear the thunderous roar of Florence Falls, take in the mangroves at Charles Darwin National Park, or head to Mary River Wetlands to marvel at the rare birdlife that call the wetlands home.
It might be known for being a literal paradise for surfers – it’s in the name, after all – but there’s more to the Gold Coast than initially meets the eye. Check into Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences to take advantage of direct access to iconic beaches, coastal wildlife and the best of Surfers Paradise.
But the hotel is also an easy drive away from the world-heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, a hinterland treasure teeming with walking trails. Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the local food producers that abound in the Gold Coast hinterland.
