Jimmy Barnes and Kasey Chambers were meant to be the highlights of this year's Big Red Bash but a loved-up couple from Victoria may have stolen the spotlight.
Karen and Anthony Maximui from Gippsland ditched the traditional wedding and instead climbed the Simpson Desert's highest sand dune to exchange vows in front of a sprawling crowd.
The loved-up pair said getting married at the isolated festival, 38 kilometres from Birdsville, was always part of the plan but there was an element of adventure to it.
"[It felt] spontaneous," Ms Maximui said.
"He turned around and said 'you do it and I'll turn up'. Typical male."
Hiking up the 40-metre Big Red sand dune in Munga-Thirri National Park was as much a physical challenge as it was emotional for the couple, who also towed their two tiny dogs to the event.
Flower girls Helen Haidle, Lyneece Vansaane and Toni Somerville were overjoyed to be part of the romantic affair, despite only meeting the bride and groom the day before.
"They had a sign on their caravan saying they're getting married tomorrow so me being a sticky beak I asked what do you need, I've never been a flower girl — they said you're it," Ms Haidle said.
"We've all got tissues, so we all got a bit teary and it was like renewing our vows," Ms Haidle said.
The ceremony was overseen by celebrant Janice Bradley, who has officiated several weddings at the bash.
"I was contacted by Anthony and Karen to ask if I could do their wedding. I was already coming here so I said I'd love to," Ms Bradley said.
Highlights of the bush
A record number of 11,000 campers and caravaners have flocked to one of the most remote parts of Australia for the three-day music festival.
It is a massive undertaking to travel to the site, with campers planning the days-long trek months — sometimes years — in advance.
Yet, for a small few such as John and Chrissy Hunt from Wyalla in South Australia, the journey was a snap decision.
The entertainment line-up featured big-name Aussie artists such as Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers and Jimmy Barnes, but it was the camel rides and sand-dune boogie boarding that kept everyone of all ages entertained.
"I really enjoy going on the camels," 11-year-old Piper Daniel from Brisbane said.
"And probably the sand dunes," 13-year-old Chloe Jonestone added.
"Puffed out. I've gone up this hill about 10 times," Tyler Ackerman from Noosa said.
The remoteness of the festival, which is held on a 1.3 million-hectare organic cattle station, is a drawcard for many who come with caravans decked out with thousands of dollars worth of gear.
Desert journey a 'pilgrimage'
The event had its beginnings nine years ago after organiser Greg Donovan hosted a 250-kilometre running event in the desert to raise money for type 1 diabetes, a condition his son lives with.
"We invited John Williamson out here to play and that kicked off the thought about a bit of music in the desert," Mr Donovan said.
Mr Donovan said the logistics of organising a large-scale event in a remote area were challenging.
"It takes us about two weeks to set everything up and we've got a crew of about 70 to 80 people plus 500 volunteers," he said.
"Everything has to be set up from scratch. It's an organic cattle property so we leave it untouched when we leave."
Mr Donovan said the journey out to the desert was a "pilgrimage" for festival-goers.
"Getting to Birdsville is an achievement in itself."
Businesses run short on supplies
The Big Red Bash pours millions of dollars into the local economy every year and transforms the sleepy town of Birdsville, which has one police officer, three school students and no grocery store, into a bustling hub.
The influx of tourists, can however, put a strain on some businesses.
This year, the Birdsville Bakery was forced to order in 3,000 loaves of bread after falling short, then ran into even more difficulty when the emergency delivery truck broke down.
"Unfortunately, the truck's broken down … and it's a day late," bakery owner Courtney Ellis said.
Birdsville Hotel publican Ben Fullagar said despite the crowd's best efforts, the pub wouldn't be running out of beer anytime soon.
"If we run out of beer with this many kegs, I'll put my hands up and say I don't know what else I could have done," he said.
Additional reporting by Erin Semmler
