The iconic Variety Bash is on again

For the ultimate bucket-list travel experience, how about putting the iconic Variety Bash on your calendar for 2022?
You can kick off in Winton, Hyden, Tassie’s wild west coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide, or the Northern Territory for the adventure of a lifetime.
The first Variety Bash was held in 1985 following an idea by Dick Smith, in which he invited his mates “for a drive in the bush” and raised $250,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity, to help kids living with disability, disadvantage or illness.
This inaugural event travelled from Bourke (NSW) to Burketown (QLD) and was such a success that many more Bashes have been held since then across all of Australia, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for Variety kids.
The original concept continues today, whereby hundreds of Australians annually grab an old car, rally their friends to join in, all the while fundraising together to raise more than $7 million nationally in funds to help kids.
There are eight Variety Bashes which are organised annually throughout Australia, most of which are 10 days long.
In addition, there’s a myriad of other Variety touring events such as jet ski and motorbike journeys to choose from. What they all have in common is a chance to experience the roads less travelled.

“It’s a great way to experience the outback while making new friends and you’ve got the security of knowing you have a full support group including mechanics and first aid crews,” Variety Australia General Manager David Small, said, speaking for all the states and territories that manage and stage the eight Variety Bash events nationally.
“Not only do we help kids via the funds raised, but we bring important economic impact to the regional towns we visit.”
Studies have shown that larger Bashes leave around $40,000 to $60,000 in towns they visit.
Another advantage of the Bash is the usually “unobtainable experience” – the opportunity to tour on private roads and perhaps stay at places only exclusively available to the Bash, or even meet a famous face or two.
For example, last year the Queensland Bash stayed overnight at RM Williams’ property where James Blundell performed some of his country music hits, while on last year’s NSW Bash singer John Williamson took part in the Bash and Dave Gleeson of Screaming Jets performed a surprise gig in Lightning Ridge.
The 2022 Variety Bashes cover many different routes all over Australia, so there will be a trip to suit everyone.

To register your interest or to find out more, go to www.variety.org.au/state-events