The low rumble of motorcycle engines signalled the arrival of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang in Canberra on Saturday, November 15, 2025. A heavily policed event saw members from across the country gather in the capital for a show-of-force ride, marking a significant and visible bikie presence in the territory.
Police Checkpoints and a Cooperative Atmosphere
A substantial police contingent was deployed to manage the gathering, setting up a checkpoint on Dairy Road in the industrial suburb of Fyshwick. Officers conducted breath and drug tests on riders and inspected their motorcycles for roadworthiness. A paddy wagon was stationed nearby, ready to process any individuals found breaking the law.
Despite the heavy police presence, the interaction between the two groups was reported as largely cooperative. Gang members proceeded through the checkpoint without major incident. At one point, a bikie waved to media before revving his Harley-Davidson's engine and departing, leaving exhaust fumes in the air.
Businesses Caught Off Guard by Bikie Book Club
Local tenants on Dairy Road had been notified about an event causing temporary traffic disruptions, but they were reportedly unaware it involved an outlaw motorcycle gang. One tenant told The Canberra Times on Friday, "We had no idea it was going to be a bikie gang." The event was organised in consultation with police and was expected to draw around 250 attendees on motorcycles.
The gathering was potentially linked to the recent release of a book by Bandidos national president Australasia, 'Big Tony' Vartiainen. The book, titled Bandidos MC: Past, Present and Future, is described as an authorised history of the club. While it was unclear if the Canberra event was an official launch, journalists seeking comment were asked by a club member to "go that way."
A Resurgence of Bikie Activity in the ACT
This event marks the seventh large-scale outlaw motorcycle gang gathering held in the ACT since January 2024, following police warnings of a recent "resurgence" in bikie activity. The situation in the Australian Capital Territory is unique, as unlike other jurisdictions, the ACT does not have laws that criminalise OMCGs wearing club insignia and gathering in public.
This appears to be the first public gathering of the Bandidos in Canberra, a club whose website does not list an ACT chapter. The gang has a violent history in Australia, being one of two rival clubs involved in the 1984 Milperra Massacre, a deadly turf war that resulted in seven deaths, including a teenage girl.
By Saturday, dozens of police officers had secured the area, directing both gang members and the public, ensuring the event concluded without the violence that has historically been associated with such clubs.
