Not many Aussie icons have survived bushfires, floods, bad weather, and worse parking — but Priscilla has always been tougher than she looks. Yes, that Priscilla, the big old bus that dragged Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp across the outback with a silver stiletto glued to the roof like a crown.
She might be a little worse for wear these days, but thanks to South Australians who know a queen when they see one, she’s about to get the glow-up she deserves.
If you thought Priscilla was just another prop from some 90s cult flick, think again. The bus wasn’t just the backdrop for the road trip in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. She was the trip. She rattled her way through some of the wildest and dustiest parts of Australia, becoming a character all of her own.
But things haven’t exactly been fabulous since the credits rolled.
Priscilla spent years tucked away in a paddock in New South Wales, where the sun, rain, and bushfire season were anything but kind. Faded paint, rust patches, and a general air of ‘retired diva’ became her everyday look.
That was until the History Trust of South Australia stepped in, proving once and for all that we don’t just care about Holden Monaros and vintage farm utes. When an icon needs saving, we show up.
With a solid kickstart from the State Government, who threw in $100,000, and the launch of the very appropriately named Save The Queen campaign, the plan is now to get Priscilla looking her best again.
But this isn’t just about a new paint job or fixing a few loose bolts. This is about honouring a story that, whether you saw it back in 1994 or caught it last week on a streaming service, left a mark. The film wasn’t just funny and fabulous; it said something.
It wasn’t just about wigs, drag, and disco. It was about finding acceptance, about friendship, and about love — messages that still hit home nearly three decades later.
Even Stephan Elliott, Writer and Director, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is still amazed by the legacy.
“When I put pen to paper to write The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert 30 years ago, I never dreamed it would come to mean so much, to so many people.”
“But the film resonates because under all the sequins, gags and music, it’s a story about togetherness and unconditional love. I hope everyone gets involved in supporting this fabulous project. I can’t wait for Priscilla’s next chapter to begin.”
For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, it was the first time they saw their stories on screen without apology or tragedy. Just three people (and a very camp bus) making their way through the outback with charm, grit, and a truckload of sequins.
And that’s exactly why this project is striking a chord all over again. Once she’s restored, Priscilla won’t just be parked behind glass. She’s bound for the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, which already has a reputation for showing off vehicles with stories, not just specs. Only this time, expect less about horsepower and more about fabulousness per litre.
It’s fitting really, because alongside the usual petrol-heads and families who visit the museum every year, Priscilla will attract a whole new crowd of movie buffs, curious tourists, and plenty from the queer community who remember how much that silver-heeled bus meant the first time they saw it.
Among those working hard behind the scenes is Glam Adelaide’s Founder & Editor-In-Chief, Kelly Noble, who is proudly serving on the board for the History Trust of South Australia’s Save the Queen campaign. A long-time supporter of the arts and passionate about preserving this iconic piece of Australian film history, Kelly is helping ensure Priscilla’s next chapter is as fabulous as the first.
“This is more than a makeover. It’s about giving an old queen the stage she deserves,” said Kelly.
Remember rust fades, glitter lasts forever.
With $205,488 already raised toward the ambitious $2.2 million goal, the Save the Queen campaign is well on its way, but there’s still plenty of road ahead to get Priscilla looking her dazzling best.
How to donate and to find out more >> click here.
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