The Big Red Kidney Bus makes it possible for people on haemodialysis to enjoy a much-needed holiday. Find out if you’re eligible and how to book.
Kidney Health Australia are excited to announce that the Big Red Kidney Bus is planned to resume operations in Victoria in 2021. We will be working with Monash Health to enact a COVID safe plan to ensure the safety of staff and users.
The situation will be continuously monitored and we will not hesitate to cancel locations should the situation change.
Unfortunately, at this stage, the New South Wales Bus will not be in operation for the first half of 2021.
We will continue to work with our partners at Royal North Shore Hospital and advise if and when the service can resume in New South Wales.
The bookings for the Big Red Kidney Bus will open Monday 18 January 2021 for the locations and dates listed below.
Ballarat 1 March to 3 April
Big4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park
108 Clayton Street, Ballarat, 3350
Porepunkah 19 April to 23 May
Mount Buffalo Caravan Park
Harrison Lane, Porepunkah, VIC, 3740
Mildura 31 May to 10 July
BIG4 Mildura Getaway Holiday Park
472-486 Deakin Ave, Mildura VIC 3500
Holidays away can be out of reach if you're on dialysis. Thanks to our generous supporters, Kidney Health Australia offers free dialysis services to holiday-makers impacted by kidney disease, thanks to the Big Red Kidney Bus.
The Bus makes it possible for many people on haemodialysis, anywhere in Australia, to enjoy much-needed time away with family and friends in beautiful locations in Victoria and New South Wales.
To check if you’re eligible, you can view our admission criteria online.
The Big Red Kidney Bus features three comfortable chairs – each fully equipped with dialysis machines. It travels to different locations in Victoria and New South Wales each year, staying for up to six weeks at a time, allowing people to book short or long holidays without having to worry about missing dialysis treatments. There are up to six sessions available per day, and you can book as many as required throughout the duration of your holiday.
The Bus itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for your own holiday accommodation and travel. Thanks to the generous support of Monash Health (Victoria) and Royal North Shore Hospital (New South Wales), you’ll be cared for by highly experienced and caring dialysis nurses when on board.
Please call our Kidney Helpline on 1800 454 363 or email bigredkidneybus@kidney.org.au for any enquiries regarding this service.
You need to book your Big Red Kidney Bus at least two weeks in advance. Some of our more popular locations get booked up even faster than that, so be sure to check ahead if you have your heart set on a certain holiday destination.
CLICK HERE to make a booking!
“The Bus is terrific,” says Barry. “We’ve followed the bus to Milton’s Bay, Halls Gap, Torquay and Warrnambool. It’s great to have a service that gives us a break from the routine and allows us to take the holidays we always dreamed of.”
“Planning is a big part of travelling whilst on dialysis and using the Big Red Kidney Bus makes planning for trips so much easier. It is so simple to go online to see the bus locations and to book through the Kidney Health Australia website. I can’t express enough how great this facility is! The staff are excellent and go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and even introduce you to fellow Bus users." - Stephen
