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Do you own a VW Kombi? Or just love these iconic vehicles! Well, this event is for you! If you do own a Kombi this is the place to show off your vehicle in style. And if you don’t have one, this is the best place to get up close and personal with them. Old Bar Beach Festival – is the best Kombi event, said to be the biggest congregation of Kombis to gather in one place!
What’s the festival all about?
Kombis of course! But it’s also about the community, the festival, the town, the markets, and the Kombi convoy (also known as the “The Kombi Cruise” and the “Kombi Parade”) – which turns this event into one fun Kombi festival.
Where do you stay?
Lani’s on the Beach Campground. This site is adjacent to the fair, markets and the beach. It’s the perfect location for this festival, especially if you’re travelling in a Kombi, as the majority of Kombis camp here for the festival. And if you’re not keen on staying in a vehicle, book one of the campground’s self-contained cabins.
What do you do?
Stay for the weekend, and wake up Saturday morning and walk to the fair or markets, or town, or all three places. Don’t miss the Kombi convoy – which this year, started at 4 pm, this is the main event! The Kombi convoy is an amazing moment, it seems the whole town gets together and gathers to watch the hundreds of colourful and unique Kombis that travel along Old Beach Bar Road.
While the public wait for the Kombi convoy, the vehicles assemble on the Old Bar Air Strip and prepare to meet their audience! Once on the main road adults and children excitedly cheer and wave at each passing Kombi as their drivers and passengers obligingly way back!
On Sunday, enjoy a more mellow day and view the hundreds of Kombis that line the field, here you can take a closer look at them. Talk to the owners about their prized possession, take a photo or two, or just have a pleasant stroll around.
With most locations neighbouring each other; the campground, the beach, fairground, markets, and town (10-minute walk to restaurants, cafes and a supermarket), makes everything easy, as it’s all in walking distance. Families can keep their little ones busy for hours at the fairground, which includes an assortment of rides and fun carnival games.
There are a variety of products for sale, from hats, clothes, Kombi items such as paintings, and a variety of food stalls. And enjoy entertainment such as live bands and fireworks.
If you’re travelling solo, or with your partner, or the family – and would like to meet some like-minded others, this is an easy place to start a conversation and meet a variety of people.
Where can you go?
If you camp at Lani’s on the Beach, head to the beach – it’s at your doorstep. Feel like a drink head to Old Bar Tavern – many who visit for the weekend take bicycles with them and cycle to the pub from the campground.
Or prefer to walk and have a meal and drink – head to Sai Thai Table and Tea, a lovely Thai restaurant which holds a prominent place in the community, while offering quality fresh meals, provides a wide range of charity events too! If you’re thinking of visiting, you may like to make a booking, especially on this busy weekend!
This is an event full of fun and laughter, and if it had been around during the popular production years of the Kombis; the 60s and 70s, it probably would have been called the festival of peace, love and happiness!
Start preparing for 2020. Love to be a part of this groovy festival, but don’t have a vehicle, be the first to book the Hippie Drift hire van, or any other campervan if you miss out on the Hippie Drift – in the search bar below. Write to us and let us know you’ve booked your vehicle and we will throw in a large VW Kombi tote bag for free! (Only while stocks last.)
Create your own adventure! Fun holiday guides with car hire!
Shelley has published a variety of online articles. With a Master’s Degree in Special Education, this has allowed her to write in the area of Education, through platforms such as the Huffington Post. Being an outdoor enthusiast, she is currently writing for the Weekender Travel and Kombi Lifestyle. She is keen to share her knowledge and enjoys writing informative articles that help the discerning traveller prepare for road travel and holidays in Australia. Shelley is the founder and editor in chief of Kombi Lifestyle.