Flooding bars 5,000 ticket holders from Mundi Mundi Bash festival
Five thousand ticket holders were denied entry to the Mundi Mundi Bash music festival in the Australian outback due to partial flooding of the site after heavy rains uncharacteristic for the season. According to ABC News Australia, around 10,000 visitors were able to reach the venue, located 38 kilometres northwest of Broken Hill.
The rains flooded about 30% of the festival grounds, including part of the campsite. Organisers restricted access on the day guests were due to arrive at the event.
The decision was described as painful
Organiser Laura Impey said that she and her father, festival founder Greg Donovan, were saddened by the need to turn away so many people. According to her, the team understood how much effort guests had put into the long journey.
Jenny McFarland, who was denied entry after a 12-hour trip, stayed in Broken Hill with friends. Some of the festival performers gave free concerts there. Another ticket holder, Graham Tainton from Melbourne, said he understood the reasons for the decision because of the bad weather.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The festival grew despite difficulties
Mundi Mundi Bash is being held for the fifth time. Since the first festival in 2022, which was attended by around 9,500 people, the event has grown to 15,000 participants this year and sold out completely. The announced headliners included The Teskey Brothers, John Butler and Jessica Mauboy.
Donovan linked the festival's resilience to its format: guests are attracted not only by the concerts, but also by the road trip, camping and the remote location. At the same time, some participants spoke about high fuel prices and the rising cost of living. Some guests choose to travel in caravans, as this allows them to cook for themselves and avoid accommodation costs.
Last month, the related Big Red Bash festival in Birdsville was cancelled. The main reason was flooding at the venue, while uncertainty over fuel prices and availability also influenced the decision.
