FAQ

Where is Charles Darwin Reserve?

Charles Darwin Reserve is in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Approximately 380km North East of Perth. It is situated of Wanarra Rd which is accessible via the Great Norther Hwy or the Mullewa-Wubin Road. Full directions can be found here.

Who are the event organisers?

The Blues for the Bush is co-hosted by the Shire of Perenjori and Bush Heritage Australia. You can learn more about these organisations at their websites www.bushheritage.org.au and www.perenjori.wa.gov.au.

How much does it cost to attend?

The community open day which is held on Saturday 22nd September from 10.00am to 4.00pm is free and all comers are welcome. The Blues for the Bush concert is held on Saturday evening following the Open Day from 4.00– midnight and costs $80 for an adult and $25 for a child to attend (plus ticketing and credit card costs).

Can I camp at Charles Darwin Reserve?

Yes, this in the one time of the year that camping is encouraged at the reserve. All valid ticket holders are welcome to camp for Free at the reserve on Friday and Saturday night. The camp site is open from 12 noon on Friday the 21st September and all campers must have left the Reserve by 12 noon on Sunday the 23rd  September. There are ablutions provided and you do not need to book a camp spot however when you book your tickets you will be asked if you plan to camp, for how long and what you will be camping in (e.g. tent, swag, camper trailer or van). Camp sites are not powered. For more information on camping at CDR please click here.

Can I bring alcohol to the event?

The Blues for the Bush will be fully licensed from 12 noon on Saturday until 12 midnight. No BYO alcohol will be permitted into the event arena from 9am on Saturday morning until the conclusion of the event.

A full bar will be available and drink prices will be kept at a reasonable level. The bar is being run by our local football club as a major fundraiser for them. We ask that you support the community that helps to bring you this festival by adhering to our rules and not attempting to bring your own alcohol to the event on Saturday.

On Friday evening, alcohol may be brought into the camping grounds and consumed at your own campsite. We ask that you consume alcohol responsibly and be mindful that our event is a family friendly one. Anyone who does not comply with these rules or who is overly intoxicated or causing a disturbance may be asked to leave the premise.

Is there mobile reception at Charles Darwin Reserve?

There is patchy 4G service at Charles Darwin Reserve. We will be working with our telecommunications providers to try and boost the signal for the event however we do ask that you do not rely on there being reliable mobile phone coverage.

Will there be EFTPOS at the event?

No, as the internet and phone signal is not very strong we cannot offer EFTPOS facilities at the event. Please bring enough cash with you for the duration of the event. If this changes, an email will be sent to ticket holders prior to the event.

Can I bring my dog to the event or campsite?

No, as a conservation area it is not appropriate for pets of any type to enter Charles Darwin Reserve. This of course does not include guide dogs who, when accompanying their owner, are most welcome. 

I’m not much of a camper, are there other accommodation options available?

Charles Darwin Reserve is approximately 75km from its nearest town, Perenjori. There is some accommodation available at Perenjori for those who would prefer not to camp on site. Visit http://www.perenjori.wa.gov.au/tourism/accommodation/ for information.  Dalwallinu is a slightly bigger town and also hosts a range of accommodation, including a motel, visit http://www.dalwallinu.wa.gov.au/business-directory-accommodation1.aspx for more details.

Will transport to and from the event be available?

We expect most of our out of town visitors to arrive at Charles Darwin Reserve by car and camp for the weekend. For locals or those staying in Perenjori we will be running a free bus to and from the event during the day and once before and after the concert. The bus will leave from outside the post office in the Main Street of Perenjori and drop off and pick up from the dedicated bus stop at the event. You do not need to book, just arrive at the bus stop approximately 10 minutes prior to the set departure time. The trip either to or from Perenjori on the bus will take around 1hr. Bus departure times can be found here.

Do the workshops cost anything to attend?

No, the workshops that are offered as part of the 2018 Blues for the Bush are free to attend and include all necessary materials. There may be some restrictions on number of attendees, in which case bookings may be essential or run on a ‘first in best dressed’ basis.

Do I need to book to attend a Tour of the Reserve?

In 2018, we will not be taking bookings for the tours of Charles Darwin Reserve. We will have 5-6 buses running constantly from the start of the Open Day until around 1.20pm (last departure). Also on Sunday morning tours will be departing from 9.00am. The buses will be taking a 2hr tour of the reserve with the Bush Heritage Staff and Ecologists. Buses depart approx. every 20-30min. If you would like to take a tour, arrive to the dedicated bus stop about 10 minutes prior to the departure time to ensure a seat.

Can I buy food and drink at the event? Can I bring my own?

Yes, a hand selected range of professional food vendors will be on site from Friday evening until Sunday midday. They will be selling a range of wholesome and tasty dishes with prices around the $10 mark for a meal. There will be vegetarian options available.

If you have special dietary needs, or would prefer to cater for your own meals, please feel free to do so. Esky’s will be checked on entry into the event site to ensure no alcohol is being brought in however you are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. The Blues concert lends itself nicely to a picnic hamper of tasty treats!

I am a musician and would love to perform at a future Blues for the Bush. How do I go about this?

We are always on the lookout for new, original blues talent.  We endeavour to support local musicians wherever possible. If you would like to be considered for any future events please send an email (and include a bio and sample of your music if possible) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.