Death Valley Fun Camp

Overview

If ever a dive bar needed its own festival, it's Brisbane's Death Valley. Sinking drinks in the Morningside mainstay's beer garden, chowing down on a meal from Red Robin Supper Truck, tapping your toes to whatever's pumping through the stereo and chilling out with your friends almost feels like hanging out at a festival anyway — but now, the boozy offshoot of Southside Tea Room is about to take that vibe to the next level.

Meet Death Valley Fun Camp, the brand new, must-attend weekend event you're going to want to grab a ticket to as soon as they go on sale. Part festival, part campout, it combines the best of both recreational activities. Think music, food, beverages, activities, marshmallows and sleeping in cabins at Lake Moogerah in the Scenic Rim district south-west of Brissie.

Attendees will try their hand at flag-making, slosh through a mud course, paddle around on a kayak, and learn the art of pickling veggies — and that's just the beginning. When the sun goes down, they'll also help the Southside Tea Room crew and Jacob Knauth from Lucky Egg whip up dinner. A fireside gathering is on the agenda too, so brush up on your spooky stories. Afterwards, Top Shelf Wedding Band will bust out some live tunes, with members of Velociraptor and other Brisbane garage rock alumni — including Southside owners, The Grates' Patience Hodgson and John Patterson, we're betting — strutting their stuff.

Sounds like the kind of weekend getaway that only exists in movies, doesn't it? Stop pinching yourself — it is really happening. Tickets start from $179, and include all meals and activities, a welcome pack complete with a camp t-shirt and a bunk bed for the night. Add an extra $79 for a refillable beer mug — the perfect container for all the Young Henrys beer and cider you can consume — with all food and drink proceeds going to Kids Helpline.

Image: Josh Felise.