'Untenable': rising fuel costs and scarcity force 2026 charity car event cancellation

Another event promoting travel to regional Australia has been cancelled among rising costs.

Variety Bash cars in Ballarat at a previous Bash in Victoria. Picture by ACM

By Sarah Falson

Updated April 10 2026 - 10:01am, first published 9:55am

Another event promoting travel to regional Australia has been cancelled among rising costs.

The Variety NSW Bash will not go ahead in May 2026 due to high fuel prices and fuel scarcity in remote areas.

Organisers called the six-day regional motoring event "untenable".

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The Variety NSW Bash is an iconic annual charity motoring event where participants drive pre-1998 vehicles across regional and outback NSW to raise funds for Variety - the Children's Charity.

Adventurer and philanthropist, Dick Smith, organised and ran the first Bash, leaving the Sydney Opera House steps on June 1, 1985.

The Bash now runs in other states, including Victoria.

The 2026 Bash was scheduled to leave from Newcastle and stop in Port Macquarie, Armidale, Moree, Lightning Ridge, Narrabri and Tamworth from May 17 to 22.

While the Bash itself won't go ahead, organisers are encouraging participants to register for the Move In May Challenge.

They hope to raise $1 million for programs and scholarships for children and families in need in NSW and ACT.

Variety Bash cars in Ballarat at a previous Bash in Victoria. Picture by ACM

Tony Warner, CEO of Variety NSW/ACT, said: "While the NSW Bash cars won't be on the road this year, the need hasn't stopped."

The Variety NSW Bash is the latest in a string of outback events cancelled this year.

The Birdsville Big Red Bash was cancelled in March due to flooding, a blow for regional Australian festivals and the travel circuit.

The outback music festival was set to takes place on the red dirt of the Queensland outback in Birdsville, bordering the Simpson Desert, from July 7-9, 2026.

Organisers of the festival said the site would not be dry in time for the event.

The Big Red Bash was the second regional music festival to be cancelled in March after organisers of Bluesfest announced the Byron Bay festival would not go ahead over the Easter weekend.

Organisers blamed poor ticket sales and rising production costs for the cancellation of one of Australia's largest festivals.

A liquidator was appointed to manage financial matters.

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.