Craig Walker

Where we're going

We kick off the 2026 Variety NSW Bash with the annual Family Fun Day in Newcastle on Sunday 17 May, including a fabulous Bash Car Display. This is a fantastic way to build excitement and celebrate with the local Variety community before we officially cross the start line and hit the road! 

On Day 1, we head offroad through the mountains of the Great Dividing Range towards Port Macquarie to settle in for the night.  

Day 2 sees us heading inland through scenic country roads, with breakfast at a local school and a community lunch in Nowendoc, before overnighting in historic Armidale. 

On Day 3, we’ll wind our way through the scenic back roads of the NSW North West Slopes, stopping at two small schools for breakfast and lunch. Moree, known as the Artesian Spa Capital of Australia, is home to a range of natural hot springs - the perfect place to relax and recharge after three days on the road in your Bash car. 

We kick off Day 4 with breakfast at Garah Public School, whose cardboard Bash Car parade in 2024 stole our hearts.  For lunch, we’re planning a full school visit at Dirranbandi to keep the joy flowing. Finishing the day in the legendary opal town of Lightning Ridge, known for its abundance of opals (and opal shops!), incredible outback art and famous landmarks. 

On Day 5, it's off to Walgett for an extra special visit with a proud and resilient community not only rich in Indigenous culture and outback heritage – it’s also one of the key locations for Variety’s Flying Start program. Variety are very proud of our unique program which brings paediatric specialists into remote areas by plane to provide life-changing health support for children who would otherwise go without. 

We'll get to see firsthand the impact Variety has here, meet some of the locals, and be part of the connection between the Bash and our on-the-ground programs that make such a difference year-round. Leaving Walgett, we trade red dust for green treetops as we pass into the Pilliga Forest, a striking change of scenery on the road to Narrabri. 

Our final day begins in Narrabri, where we’ll stop at the local public school – who have just recently received a new Variety Sunshine Coach – a fitting reminder of the impact you help make possible on the road.

Thank you!