September 3, 2026

When the Outback Turned to Mud: Weather at Mundi Mundi

We went to Mundi Mundi expecting red dirt, big skies and plenty of dust. The outback had another idea.

The sky began to darken over the Mundi Mundi Bash and the red earth quickly told us what happens when rain meets outback dust. Puddles spread across the grounds, tracks turned slippery and every walk became a careful search for the least muddy route.

Camp versus the weather

Back at camp, the rooftop tent and annex earned their keep. Everything was tied down, covered up and given its best chance against the changing conditions. Camping always asks you to adapt, but wet outback camping turns the smallest jobs into a proper operation.

For someone living with Parkinson’s, cold, wet and uneven ground can add another layer to the challenge. Moving carefully, pacing yourself and accepting help when it is needed become part of the plan. The weather did not stop the experience — it simply changed how we approached it.

Rockin’ the puddles

The Bash grounds looked completely different under heavy cloud. The famous sign stood above wet red dirt, people crossed the open spaces in jackets and ponchos, and reflections appeared where the dust had been. Shaky Wheels had temporarily become slightly soggy wheels.

Sunshine, eventually

Then the clouds moved on and the sun came back. It did not magically remove the mud, but it lifted the mood and made the whole landscape shine. Boots still collected half the paddock and the puddles still had to be negotiated, but blue sky felt like a win.

The weather became another memorable part of the adventure. It was messy, unpredictable and occasionally uncomfortable — but that is the reality of a proper road trip. You prepare as well as you can, meet the conditions in front of you and keep moving.

That is also what Shaky Wheels is about. Parkinson’s brings its own changing conditions, and not every day goes to plan. We adjust, find a way through and make the most of the road we have.