{"id":558139,"date":"2026-03-23T02:06:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T02:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/558139\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T02:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T02:06:12","slug":"underground-bush-doofs-get-legal-makeover-in-was-south-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/558139\/","title":{"rendered":"Underground ‘bush doofs’ get legal makeover in WA’s South West"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deep in bushland in Western Australia’s South West, a dancefloor and DJ decks are set up in a clearing.<\/p>\n

About 70 kilometres inland from Margaret River, itself about 270km south of Perth, the set-up is the centrepiece of the launch party for a new venture \u2014 a bid by a local to create a legal alternative to so-called “bush doofs”.<\/p>\n

The somewhat loaded term is used to describe outdoor raves held in an isolated setting.<\/p>\n

While popular, they have drawn the ire of local authorities and complaints from neighbours over noise and public safety risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In February, authorities criticised an illegal rave held at Redgate in the South West<\/a>, which took place as local brigades were fighting a nearby bushfire.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The group’s first event was held with limited capacity. (Supplied: Alchemy)<\/p>\n

In WA’s north last year, backpackers in Broome started a petition for fewer restrictions<\/a> on the parties after a crackdown by authorities.<\/p>\n

A legal alternative<\/p>\n

While advertised online as a “legal bush doof”, promoter and Margaret River resident Muso Kami said his new venture was a bit different in practice.<\/p>\n

He describes it as bringing the nightclub to the forest.<\/p>\n

“We weren’t quite sure what the reception would be because this isn’t your usual doof type of event,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I’m coming at it with all the red tape and legalities.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Muso Kami says he plans to host bigger events.\u00a0 (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)<\/p>\n

The event had limited capacity and was classified as a private party, but Mr Kami still provided security and medics on-site.<\/p>\n

He now plans to hold larger and more frequent events.<\/p>\n

“Let’s get the doof community into a legal space where we can actually show everybody what is happening as opposed to it being misinterpreted,” he said.Changing impressions<\/p>\n

Amy Furness attended the group’s initial event, held just over a week ago.<\/p>\n

She said bush doofs were a chance to meet like-minded people without the “social expectation of outfits that need to be worn or beauty standards”.<\/p>\n

“I need a dance and dancing under the stars with bare feet is very, very much a happy place for me,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Amy Furness says the events are a chance to meet like-minded people. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)<\/p>\n

“This is a place for complete freedom of expression.”<\/p>\n

Frenchman Theo Mahoudo has found meeting people at country events much easier than in town.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Theo Mahoudo says the events are a way to make connections. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)<\/p>\n

“Even when you go to bars, trying to speak with Australians, it’s not really the same,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Because they’re just like with their friend group they’ve known for a long time.<\/p>\n

“It’s completely different when you meet Aussies down here.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Glenn Ossy-Orley says he is happy to host live music events on the property.\u00a0 (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)<\/p>\n

Property owner Glenn Ossy-Orley was more than happy to host the event on his 66 hectares of land.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Over here, it’s a licensed venue, so if you come as a party or a group, you’re more than welcome,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The South West is such a wonderful place, blessed with musicians, artists of all descriptions.<\/p>\n

“What I’m having here is them coming to enjoy themselves.”<\/p>\n

Lack of options<\/p>\n

Robert Gent has helped organise multiple South West music festivals, including Smashed Avo and Meliora.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said the Smashed Avo festival’s first iteration, held in Donnybrook, was attended by thousands of people.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Smashed Avo festival was held in Donnybrook. (Supplied: Sasha Baker)<\/p>\n

He said costs involved in hosting events included DJs, medics and insurance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’re spending a minimum of $400,000 in the hope that you’re going to sell enough tickets to break even,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Kami is hopeful his first event will provide a blueprint for others to come and an alternative for locals and visitors keen for entertainment.<\/p>\n

“The answer I get repeatedly is go to Perth if you want a nightlife,” he said.<\/p>\n

“So of course people are going to try and find an alternative.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Deep in bushland in Western Australia’s South West, a dancefloor and DJ decks are set up in a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":558140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[64,63,67770,64377,275493,129407,275497,275496,238336,275498,67003,275499,275494,275495,41844,85,45],"class_list":["post-558139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-bunbury-news","tag-bush-doof","tag-bush-doof-margaret-river","tag-dj","tag-doof","tag-electronic-music","tag-margs-bush-doof","tag-margs-party","tag-music-festivals","tag-raves","tag-regional-music","tag-regional-wa-events","tag-south-west-news","tag-sports","tag-wa-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/558139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=558139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/558139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/558140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=558139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=558139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=558139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}