Hidden Camp Closes After Fatal Rhythm of the Wild Festival, All Bookings Cancelled

Hidden Camp, an off-grid farmstay in Glenwood, Queensland, has temporarily closed and cancelled all future bookings as it works through planning and development approval issues.

The shutdown comes about two weeks after 40-year-old New Zealander and father-of-two Trenton Ehrhorn died following a fall from a stage at the Rhythm of the Wild festival held at the property.

The owners say the closure is temporary, but the approval process could take several months. Guests with upcoming stays will have their bookings cancelled and refunded through HipCamp.

Hidden Camp announces temporary shutdown

Hidden Camp is located in bushland between Maryborough and Gympie and promotes an off-grid farm camping experience for visitors looking for a secluded rural stay.

In its closure announcement, the family behind the property said Hidden Camp would remain shut while a planning and development approval process takes place.

The owners described the decision as a major blow, explaining that the property is not only a business but also their home and source of income. They said they had invested significant time, savings and work into Hidden Camp and hoped to reopen once the required approvals were completed.

There is currently no confirmed reopening date. The operators have warned that the process could take several months, meaning travellers should not assume future stays will proceed until the venue officially announces that bookings have resumed.

Festival tragedy remains under police investigation

The closure follows the death of Trenton Ehrhorn during the Rhythm of the Wild festival at Hidden Camp.

Ehrhorn, 40, was a New Zealander and father of two. According to the information released following the incident, he suffered fatal injuries after falling from a stage during the event.

A 33-year-old man from Burpengary was taken into police custody after the incident. Queensland Police later confirmed that no charges had been laid at the latest reported stage and that investigations were continuing.

That means responsibility for the death has not been established. Being taken into custody during an investigation does not prove criminal wrongdoing, and police have not announced a final account of the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.

Fatal incidents can require extended investigation while officers examine witness accounts and other evidence. A separate Sunshine Coast surf lifesaver death investigation also showed how authorities can continue examining circumstances after the initial emergency response.

Following Ehrhorn’s death, Hidden Camp’s operators expressed condolences to his family and friends and acknowledged the impact the tragedy had on neighbours and the wider Glenwood community.

Planning approval process could take months

The owners have specifically attributed Hidden Camp’s shutdown to planning and development issues. That is separate from the police investigation into Ehrhorn’s death.

No information released so far establishes that the fatal incident itself legally forced the farmstay to close. Likewise, the operators have not publicly provided enough detail to determine exactly which planning approval remains outstanding.

The Queensland Government’s development assessment framework explains how proposed development can be assessed under planning rules and local government planning schemes.

The requirements can depend on factors including the way land is used, zoning and the type or scale of development proposed. Rural accommodation and large organised events may therefore involve different approval considerations.

Until the relevant authority or Hidden Camp provides more detail, claims that the property closed because of one particular alleged planning breach should be treated cautiously.

Bookings cancelled as visitors await reopening

For travellers, the most immediate issue is what happens to existing reservations.

Hidden Camp has confirmed that future bookings will be cancelled and full refunds issued through HipCamp. Customers should monitor their HipCamp account, booking email and original payment method for refund updates.

The situation will be familiar to people affected by major event cancellations, where refund information quickly becomes the main practical concern. Similar questions arose after the Park Waves Festival cancellation, when Australian ticket holders needed clear guidance on refunds and future plans.

Anyone considering a new stay at Hidden Camp should wait for an official reopening announcement before arranging travel.

What the closure means for Glenwood

The impact reaches beyond guests with cancelled camping trips.

For the owners, a closure lasting several months could affect both their income and their family home. For the Glenwood community, the festival tragedy and subsequent planning questions have placed unusual attention on a rural area between two major regional centres.

The case also highlights why large gatherings at remote properties can raise broader questions about event approvals, access, land use and emergency planning.

Two separate processes will now shape what happens next. Queensland Police will continue investigating Ehrhorn’s death, while Hidden Camp works through its planning and development requirements.

For now, Hidden Camp remains temporarily closed, every future booking is being cancelled, and no reopening date has been announced. The owners say they intend to return once the approval process is completed.