The Variety Bash is not a race or a rally – instead it’s a journey through the bush with a bunch of mates raising money for the kids of Queensland!
Each year, thousands of children from across the state who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability receive life-changing support thanks to Variety – the Children’s Charity.
This is through the form of a grant, which can contain either equipment and services, scholarships, programs or experiences… and by joining the Bash, you get to see first-hand the difference your fundraising has made by visiting schools along the way!
All you need is a two-wheel drive, that’s older than 30 years, plus commit to raising $8,500 with your team! Then it’s 10 epic days on the road with a few hundred folks. Here’s what the 2022 Bash route looked like…
We started our engines in Winton, alongside more than 140 teams, and made our way through Kynuna, Cloncurry, Boulia, and Bedourie before reaching the half way point in Birdsville for the races!
Along the way, we were able to visit Julia Creek State School, a town known as the ‘Gateway to the Gulf’. Variety is all about supporting kids regardless of their postcode – and on this trip – the Bashers had raised enough to grant the school their very own mini bus – worth over $47,000.
From there, we headed further west – to an extremely remote town, called Dajarra – near the NT/QLD border. Earlier in the year, this school of 15 were delivered a brand-new playground – so this was the Basher’s chance to see it in person.
Given the rugged Outback roads we were travelling, you can imagine the level of maintenance that was required for these hardy old vehicles along the way! Plus, chuck in a bit of mud – and we almost didn’t make it to Birdsville. But as they say, “that’s Bash’n!” … and in the end, we indeed got there.
Birdsville Races are like the Melbourne Cup of the Outback – and after three years of trying to get there, we finally did! It was a reward for the Bashers and to celebrate all their hard work.
But, of course, a journey this big is too hard to show and tell in only one episode. So, join us for Part 2 of the Bash on a very special episode of WEEKENDER, as we depart Birdsville and head for the finish line in Yeppoon!
WEEKENDER – Sundays at 5.30pm on Channel 7.
Can’t wait? Sign up to the 2023 Variety Bash now, heading from Toowoomba to Cairns via NQ Rock’n Country Music Festival in Mackay from August 15-24.
Head to the Variety Bash website to get 50% off your registration fee before the end of November. We hope to see you there!
