The Variety Bash was founded in 1985 by Dick Smith, who led a group of friends on a journey known as the “Bourke to Burketown Bash”.

Built around the idea of having fun while raising funds for kids in need, the event quickly captured the hearts of Australians across the country.

The Bash is an eight day drive in the country with your mates. It is NOT a race or rally, it is a madcap eveånt designed to put the fun into fundraising. Vehicles must be in standard condition and shall be models with a minimum age of 25 years. The drivers and crews, however, are anything but standard issue, with most Bashers following the one major rule – don’t takeit seriously and have fun!

The Bash today has not changed from its original concept. It began in NT in 1992 and has seen Bashers travel through much of our beautiful country during this time.

The NT Variety Bash route and destination change each year. The Variety Bash has an exemplary safety record. All cars are tracked during the day by officials, who
are in contact via radio and Starlink. The Variety Bash has its own team of medics and has full contact with hospitals, motor workshops and local authorities. In addition, all cars are checked over prior to the event, and a team of Mobile Workshop mechanics attend the event to assist entrants with car problems.

The NT Bash family have contributed in many ways to the sustainability of our organisation 3 decades. Bash devotees have not only fundraised year after year for NT kids, but many have volunteered to support our fundraising event calendar and held Board and Committee positions voluntarily to help carry the load.

Want in? Sign up, do up a 25+ year-old car, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN…

The Bash brings economic benefit to small remote communities and mech cheer to children through school visits.

1992 – Heart to Heart – Darwin to Ayers Rock. First National Bash. 12 cars, 4400km – Chair, Trevor Smith

1993 – Finke to Fannie Bay – 18 cars, 2662km – Chair, Trevor Smith

1994 – Tindal to Tennant Creek – 23 cars, 2400km – Chair, Trevor Smith & Peter Herden

1995 – Casuarina to Cable Beach – 50 cars, 1905km – Chair, Trevor Smith & Peter Herden

1996 – Rock to Croc. National Bash. Ayers Rock to Darwin – 50 cars, 1850km – Chair, Trevor Smith & Peter Herden

1997 – Magical Mystery Bash – Darwin to Darwin – 22 cars, 1400km – Chair John Udy

1998 – Katherine to Kuranda – 30 cars, 2500km – Chair, Max Innes

1999 – Leichhardt to Lasseters – Desert Star Trek – 24 cars, 1693km – Chair, Russell Naismith

2000 – The Bay to Birdsville – 28 cars, 1638km – National Bash – Chair, Bruce Caterer

2001 – Great Crossing to the Gold Coast, Federation Bash – 26 cars, 1993km – Chair, Trevor Bleakley

2002 – Outback to Ocean – Katherine to Broome – 26 cars, 1941km – Chair, Trevor Smith

2003 – Ayer to Eyre – Alice Springs to Smokey Bay – 21 cars, 2266km – Chair, Helen Galton

2004 – Kids on Mindil to Kakadu – 22 cars, 1373km – Chair, Damien Gray

2005 – Alice to Adelaide – 16 cars, 1865km – Chair, Trevor Smith

2006 – Port Darwin to Port Douglas – 22 cars, 2523km – Chair, Damien Gray

2007 – Airport to Airport – Alice Springs to Darwin – 32 cars (+1 Cessna airplane!) 1759km – Chair, Helen Galton

2008 – Darwin to Diamonds – Darwin to Kununurra – 23 cars, 1504km – Chair, Peter Grigg

2009 – A Legendary Journey – Alice Springs to Alice Springs – National Bash – 23 cars, 1209km – Chair, Sharon Winks

2010 – A Beach Party – Dundee to Daliwuy – 28 cars, 1653km – Chair, Sharon Winks

2011 – The Pioneering Way – Buffaloes to Brahman – 22 cars, 2471km – Chair, Michelle Meldrum

2012 – Kurranda to Katherine – 29 cars, 2520km – Chair, John Ceiley

2013 – Wine to Vine – Tanunda to Ti-Tree – 32 cars, 2300km – Chair, Ash Winks

2014 – Pennant to Tennant – Tri State/National Bash – 24 cars, 3529km – Chair, Michelle Pedersen

2015 – Annaburroo to Annaburroo – 19 cars, 1841km – Chair, Jimmy Doyle

2016 – Surf to Sunset – Broome to Lake Argyle – 25th Bash Anniversary – 30 cars, 2400km – Chair, Mel Fleming & Patrick Gray

2017 – Variety of Rivers – Mataranka to Katherine – 12 cars, 1584km- Chair, Peter Duffy

2018 – TnT – Tennant Creek to Townsville – 21 cars, 2417km – Chair, Damien Pedersen

2019 – Gumtree to Gemtree – Alice Springs to Gemtree – 22 cars, 1902km – Chair, Peter Bourne

2020 – Noony to Nhuly – Noonamah to Nhulunbuy – Cancelled due to COVID 19 worldwide pandemic

2021 – Noony to Nowhere (take 2) – Chair, Aaron Brooks – 20 cars

2022 – Macdonnell to Mindil, 30th Anniversary Bash – Alice Springs to Darwin – Chair, Pete Grigg

2023 – Desert to Dunes – Erldunda to Wallaroo – 20 cars – Chair, Peter Bourne

2024 – Top End Trek – Crab Claw Island to Lake Bennett via Nhulunbuy – 20 cars – Chair, Laura Campbell/Aaron Brooks

2025 – NATIONAL BASH! – Coonawarra (SA) to Burra (SA) – Chairs, Aaron Brooks & Luke Nadels

The history of the Variety Bash in NT

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN…

The Bash brings economic benefit to small remote communities and mech cheer to children through school visits.

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