Bash Reccie 2

The second reccie for the 2025 NT Variety Bash is officially in the books!

Karen Maslin (Pathfinder) and I set sail from Darwin on Friday, 4th April, bound for South Australia to continue mapping and checking the route for this year’s Bash. It was a big journey ahead – and just to make things even more interesting, my niece and nephew were thrown into the mix for the road trip! It added a bit of extra life to the drive (and a lot of rounds of Eye Spy), but trust me, by the end of day one, the novelty had well and truly worn off. Somehow, we survived three full days on the road before offloading the kids to their grandparents upon arrival in the southeast.

After a few days of travel and exploration, Luke flew in from Brisbane, fresh from spending some quality time with his family. From there, it was all systems go! Karen and I had already hit the ground running in the days leading up to Luke’s arrival. We covered a lot of ground, checked out a heap of potential tracks, and locked in some fantastic roads that we know will make this year’s Bash a “goodin’” for all involved.

The route is shaping up beautifully – a great mix of bitumen and dirt, weaving through some stunning countryside, friendly towns, and iconic locations that are sure to leave a lasting impression. We’ve focused on building a track that’s not just scenic but also fun and a little bit challenging – exactly what a Bash should be. Whether it’s the wide-open farmland, rolling hills, or historic outback towns, there’s going to be something for everyone to enjoy along the way.

We timed the reccie to coincide with the Easter weekend, giving us a chance for a bit of R & R with family and friends. After so much time on the road, a few days off to recharge the batteries was well and truly needed. It was great to be able to slow down, catch up with loved ones, and enjoy the perfect South Australian autumn weather – a far cry from the heat we’d left behind in the Territory!

Come mid-week, we were back into it. We left Burra on Wednesday and headed north to finish mapping out the last few days of the Bash route. We clocked up some serious kilometres again, testing different road options, checking conditions, and making sure that everything will flow smoothly for the event. The Bash is always about the journey as much as the destination, so we’ve worked hard to ensure every day has its own highlights, whether it’s a great morning tea stop, a fun dirt track, or a brilliant overnight stay.

We finally rolled back into Darwin late Friday afternoon, tired but happy with everything we’d achieved. Although technically I was on annual leave, it didn’t feel much like a holiday – but to be honest, it was too good a trip to complain about. Getting away from the build-up heat and enjoying beautiful cool days (and even a few chilly mornings!) was an absolute treat.

All up, Reccie #2 was a huge success. The Bash track is now very close to finalised, and we are confident it’s going to be one of the best yet. There’s a great mix of classic Bash elements and a few new twists to keep things exciting. A big thank you to Karen and Luke for their endless energy, ideas, and patience – a huge amount of work goes into planning these events behind the scenes, and it really is a team effort.

From here, it’s onto the final pieces of the puzzle – final permits, catering, accommodation, and a few other important logistics. The next few months will fly by, and before we know it, Bash day will be here!

Can’t wait to see you all on the track!