Queensland bus taken over by DJ’s and party-goers

A Queensland route bus was taken over by advertising company GoTransit this week, joining forces with beverage brand Hard FIZZ to deliver a unique bus activation that offered a preview of the Out 2 Lunch Festival to the streets of the Gold Coast.

The specially wrapped bus offered 40 VIP guests a one-of-a-kind experience, with rising stars Rich Penny and Nick Atkins spinning the decks onboard.

• Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry
• Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine

Alongside the music, guests were provided immersive visuals, and stops at some of the Coast’s most iconic locations.

“The bus was fully wrapped by our crew with the eye-catching artwork that our design team created. Inside, the passengers enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere with lighting, an immersive sound system and a built-in DJ booth,” GoTransit marketing lead Brooke Hindmarsh says.

“We definitely turned some heads as we travelled around! You’ll often see lively buses making their way through that part of town, but not during the day.”

Hard FIZZ head of marketing Joel Scott says the activation was a standout moment for the brand, noting the impact it had both on passengers and the public.

“It was a great activation. It’s no easy feat to drive through Surfers Paradise and have people say, ‘that’s not something you see every day’,” Scott says.

“Our aim was to promote Hard FIZZ and the festival, while also raising some eyebrows, and I’d say we were successful in doing exactly that.”

Hindmarsh says the Hard FIZZ activation reflects a broader industry shift toward more experiential brand moments and highlights how transit advertising can play a central role in that evolution.

“This is the kind of activation we believe represents the future of out-of-home – immersive and designed to leave a lasting impression,” she says.

“Brands are increasingly looking for ways to connect with audiences. They want to create moments that are felt, shared, and remembered.

“At GoTransit, we’re leaning into that by delivering creative, dynamic experiences that take our clients’ campaigns beyond traditional placements and into real-world engagement.”