Mundi Mundi Bash still ultimate outback adventure, festival goers say

The Mundi Mundi Bash, an annual music festival held near Broken Hill, experienced significant disruption this year as unseasonably heavy rain flooded 30 percent of the festival grounds. This forced organizers into a "gut-wrenching" decision to turn away 5,000 ticketholders who were unable to access the site.

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We don't take it lightly, the journey and the effort people put in to get here, so to have to make this call is beyond devastating.

Event organizer Laura Impey described the situation as "beyond devastating," acknowledging the considerable effort attendees put into reaching the remote outback venue. "We don't take it lightly, the journey and the effort people put in to get here," she stated. Graham Tainton, a ticketholder from Melbourne, expressed disappointment but understood the necessity of the decision, remarking, "We can't help what Mother Nature is going to do."

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We can't help what Mother Nature is going to do.

Despite being turned away after a 12-hour drive, some ticketholders, like Jenny McFarland, found ways to salvage their trip by attending free concerts by festival acts in Broken Hill. Ms. McFarland, who had been looking forward to her first Mundi Bash, plans to return in a future year. Sharyn Cunningham, a fourth-year attendee, noted the impact of both the rain and cost-of-living pressures on the festival atmosphere, observing reduced vendor activity and people staying closer to their accommodations.

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This was going to be my first Mundi, but we'll come back another year.

The Mundi Mundi Bash has seen steady growth since its inception in 2022, attracting 15,000 attendees to this year's sold-out event. Its survival is contrasted with numerous other festivals that have been scaled back or canceled due to escalating production costs and economic pressures affecting ticket sales. The festival's sister event, the Big Red Bash, was canceled last month, partly due to flooding and partly due to concerns over fuel prices and availability. However, Mundi founder Greg Donovan attributes the Bash's success to its unique combination of music, remote location, and strong sense of community, which draws attendees beyond just the musical acts.

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I've noticed a difference. People are not using many vendors as much as normal. I think everyone is doing it a little bit tougher, I can see that and also with the humungous puddles out front.