Outback Queensland Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

Campdrafters and cowboys from all over descend on the tidy township of Adavale for the Labor Day long week-end. Man and horse pit their skills against crafty cattle in their quest to out manoeuvre each other in the campdrafting held on the Friday and first half of Saturday.

Cowboys will show you what they are made of in the rodeo arena on Saturday night and everyone can display their skills at the Claypan Boogie on Saturday night. Horse and motorbike skills are tested in gymkhana events on the Sunday. There will be a licensed bar and great food available throughout the weekend and this event just gets better and better each year. See you in Adavale.

The fun starts on Friday night at the Birdsville Hotel and continues throughout the weekend. Come and experience the Australian Bronco Branding Championships in Birdsville on Saturday and Sunday.

A rough stock rodeo will be held on Saturday night, followed by light entertainment – food and refreshments available throughout the weekend. Camping facilities will be available.

This will be a great weekend for all involved.

Back to Boulia is held at the Boulia Showgrounds on the third weekend of September 2010 and bi-annual from then on, this is a great family weekend not to be missed.

You can compete in anything from bronco branding, egg and spoon races, horse and motorbike sports, cattle judging, big and little dog races, you name it and it’s probably on!

Friday night starts off the weekend festivities at the Shire Hall in the centre of town. See lots of talented acts on stage for the Back to Boulia Talent Quest.

Saturday begins bright and early to fit in all the events, finishing the day with music and dancing until late.

This weekend the whole family can join in the fun, so come along and get back to Boulia!

The Annual Barcaldine Pastoral, Horticultural and Agricultural Show is a tradition in this community. It includes many events which showcase the rural life style of Western Queensland.

Come along and watch the skills of the Equestrians competing in the horse events, including the famous six- bar jumps. There is a Motorbike Gymkhana, side show alley, fireworks and a clown for the children.

The Pavilion has displays of some of the most beautiful handy craft equal to any you will see in the major capitals. Also housed in the Pavilion are the cooking and the home brew competitions.

Each year there is a Goat Races on the Saturday Night with bar, barbecue and Music until late.

Come along and have some fun at an old fashioned Show.

Join the Bedourie Community at the 2010 Bedourie Camel Races. The day will consist of Camel Racing and novelty events that cater for all with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Come and enjoy the great food, bar, music and dance (at the track). Sky Channel, Bookmaker Facilities, Southern Races and Race Commentary will be at the course.

Join the local characters in Bedourie for a full weekend of outback events at the Bedourie Campdraft and Gymkhana. The heart stopping action will take place all day Saturday. Come along and see some of the outback’s fine horsemanship over two days of events for the whole family. Food and refreshments available all weekend. Great music and entertainment continues long into the night on Friday and Saturday. Everybody is welcome to join in the fun!

Held in conjunction with the Bedourie Races, the 2010 Bedourie Outback Ute Muster is the second to be held. The Ute Muster incorporates many categories, including Best Outback Ute and Best Bullbar Ute along with the new category of Best Wagon. There is in excess of AUD10,000.00 in prize money and trophies up for grabs.

Nominations open during the Friday night rodeo at the Bedourie Race Course. Why not come and enter your ute or wagon and be in the running to win some fantastic prize money! Food and refreshments are available all weekend.

Bedourie is the second race meeting of the famed Simpson Desert Racing Carnival providing great outback racing action. Enjoy an evening rodeo and live entertainment on Friday followed by a great day at the races on Saturday.

Visitors are welcome to join in the fun of a great race program with top betting facilities. Food and refreshments available all day till late. Entertainment all weekend.

The Bedourie Gymkhana and Motorbike Event is a fantastic weekend of events for all the family, including barrel, flag and bending races, plus heaps of novelty events. There will be children’s entertainment and special motorbike events on Sunday. Live entertainment on Saturday evening, food and refreshments are available all day, plenty of camping spots, grab your swag and come along and join in the fun.

Betoota Races are a country race meeting which prides itself on being family oriented. The weekend starts with a dance on Friday night and a race meeting on Saturday. A children’s entertainer keeps the children amused. Also for the children is the hobby horse race. At the end of the days racing an auction is held with proceeds being divided between various charities and the club.

Meals and refreshments start on Friday and go right through until breakfast Sunday. Camping is the only form of accommodation in Betoota (a township with a population of zero!) but there are toilets and hot and cold showers available on course, so grab your swag and come out and enjoy true outback racing at its best.

The Birdsville Gymkhana and Motorbike Event is a fantastic weekend of events for all the family, including barrel, flag and bending races, plus heaps of novelty events. Food and refreshments available all weekend with great music and entertainment in the evening. Come and show your skills or watch the amazing skills and talents of the competitors.

Described as the Melbourne Cup of the outback Birdsville gets set to hold its annual race meeting. The 12 race program features top horses from all over Australia competing for the coveted XXXX Gold Birdsville Cup, and in excess of AUD100,000.00 in prize monies. Street stalls, Fred Trophy’s boxing. Arrive early to secure a good campsite and enjoy all the entertainment in the lead up to the big weekend. The races culminate with a giant auction on the Saturday night raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Attracting between 5,000 and 6,000 visitors from all over the world, the Birdsville Races is an event that you’ll be talking about for years to come.

The Heartland Festival is a dynamic and diverse collection of events presenting a range of arts and cultural activities based around the central theme of 'Art, Food and Fibre'. The Blackall Heartland Festival is a celebration of art and cultural expressions from the communities heart using art in the land they live in. It is a unique festival which aims to maximise community spirit and involvement.

In 2010 the theme is 'Beyond the Black Stump' and all art and craft workshops as well as entertainment events will be aimed to be black and white orientation.

The Blackall Horse Races creates an exciting social environment, a place where people from all walks of life can enjoy a day of fun. Meet the locals and participate in Fashions of the Field’s and community raffles.

There will be food and beverages available throughout the day. So bring the family along for this day out at the Blackall Racecourse.

Come and enjoy the fantastic Aussie Bush Dinners at the Blackall Woolscour. Consisting of roast meals, camp oven vegetables and old style desserts such as bread and butter pudding – why would you miss it?

A tour of the Blackall Woolscour is included and commences at 6.00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7.00 p.m. and local entertainment, country music and campfire stories.

The famous Boulia Camel Races, held annually on the third weekend in July, attracts people from all over the world to the township of Boulia. It is not unusual for the town’s population of 300 to swell to 3,000 for the three day carnival. Friday evening starts the weekend with live entertainment till late.

The racing action starts in earnest on Saturday morning and there is plenty of trackside entertainment to keep you occupied. Saturday night comes alive with food and dancing till late and a fireworks spectacular that has adults and children mesmerised.

Jockeys and camels combine once more on the track on Sunday morning, and race to the finish line for the prestigious Boulia Camel Cup. So come along, join the fun and see camel racing at its best in Boulia.

The Boulia Rodeo, Races and Campdraft is held every Easter, and is an Outback spectacle not to be missed!

Rodeo riders from across Queensland compete on the outstanding bucking stock supplied from local Stations for some of the biggest prize money in the region and shiny Montana buckles to boot! A full rodeo program including all time events and the famous and hugely competitive AUD2,000.00 Ladies Barrel Race is also a major part of the action.

Hundreds of Campdrafters try for the best score in the Camp and punters try their luck to pick the fastest horses on the track. The Ladies pull that old favourite from the wardrobe or splash out for the Fashions of the Field, which is as hotly contended as the races.

This event is not to be missed!

The Cloncurry Merry Muster Festival promises an action packed weekend full of extreme sports and entertainment. The list of events includes Cowboys versus Locals Indoor Cricket Match, Mardi Gras Street Parade with Street Stalls, Bushman’s Bash where the Sexiest Single Cowboy / Cowgirl in the West will be announced, a race day to rival the best in the country and the thrills and spills of over 400 competitors battling it out in the arena for prize money and coveted titles. True to its name the Muster is more than just bull riding, it’s a celebration of community with plans for future growth. The Festival also incorporates the Charity Ambassador Quest, this Quest involves participants from as young as five raising money for local charities and promoting the Festival.

The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is a prestigious event, that is recognized Australia wide. Competitors travel from all states of Australia for this three day event. This is a great weekend for the family and is free entry. Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is also on the Q150 List of the things to do in Queensland. So come along to this great event!

The Cunnamulla and District Diggers Race Calendar commences in April for the Anzac Day Race Meeting. Join locals for country hospitality with all the facilities of City Racing.

Racing starts at 12 noon and services available throughout the day include Sky channel, bookmakers, stables, canteen and bar facilities. Take part in Fashions on the Field for both men and women and join them in Cunnamulla for all the fun of the Spring Racing Carnival.

The annual Cunnamulla and District Show is another great opportunity for visitors to meet and celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of the Paroo Shire. Meet local producers who showcase their produce in the form of wool, sheep, and cattle, and others who demonstrate their dog handling skills during the sheep dog trials, or their ability at riding a goat in the feral billy goat races.

All the fun of the fair including side show alley, rides and food stalls, art and craft exhibitions will entertain all ages. Check out the motorbike gymkhana and the sheep shearing competition during the day or enjoy full bar and food facilities. Once the sun goes down you have the chance to grab yourself a bargain with a number of auctions taking place for the local produce on display. Dance the night away with night-time entertainment until late.

Cunnamulla will be the hub of South-west Queensland from 12 to 14 November, where great family entertainment, friendly hospitality and a jam packed program for its annual Cunnamulla Fella Festival which concludes with the PBR Challenger Series Bull Ride.

The Cunnamulla Fella Festival includes live Country Music at most of the events over the festival and a free concert on Friday night that sets a carnival atmosphere for the weekend.

Some of the action to be seized includes, cultural acts and workshops for school students, an Art Gallery opening of new art exhibits, morning teas, breakfast in the Park, Poetry Competitions, and Motorbike sports. The PBR Challenger Series Bull Ride has an AUD8000.00 purse and the only Opal Buckle, on their circuit for the winner.

The festival begins Cunnamulla’s heritage and cultural weekend to show other people, in and around Australia, how lucky they are in Cunnamulla.

Find yourself in Cunnamulla for the “toughest sport on dirt” - the PBR Challenger Series Bull Ride. Riders come from all over the world to participate in the professional bull riding circuit. You can experience the thrills and spills as the fella’s of the rodeo circuit keep you on the edge of your seat as you witness the chaos, courage and commitment required to ride bulls professionally.

There will be a full bar and catering throughout the evening with entertainment from 10.00 a.m. until midnight. Enjoy side show alley rides and games for the kids. This event caters to every age group, so join them for a memorable Saturday night in Cunnamulla for the whole family.

Curry Day it’s about the community – all community, charity and sporting organisations are invited to take part in Curry Day to have a stall and / or a display to inform the community what is available in Cloncurry.

Curry Day is an exciting opportunity for your Club or Group to do a membership drive or fundraising, or just come along for a wee bit of fun. Please bring pamphlets, handouts, homemade crafts fundraising ideas and your positive enthusiasm to make this day successful.

Activities planned for Curry Day at Mary Kathleen Park include: the community barbecue, games and prizes, music, displays, market stalls, afternoon tea and drinks, fun for all the family, best dressed girls and boys and a Saint Patricks Costume Parade.

So why not get behind this community event, to keep it a success.

Bring your swags along to the annual Eromanga Rodeo and Gymkhana for what promises to be a fun-filled weekend. The action starts on Friday, with campdrafting. Campdrafting continues on Saturday, followed by the rodeo in the afternoon. There is a licensed bar till late and overnight camping, Saturday and Sunday Breakfast, food available all day, dinner Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Harry Redford Cattle Drive is an authentic Australian Cattle Drive, based in Barcaldine Regional Council, where the west began. Spend days in the saddle and nights under stars in this real outback droving experience. Follow in the footsteps of Harry Redford (aka Captain Starlight.) Throughout the duration of the Cattle Drive, the Shire's two towns of Aramac and Muttaburra host special events which are indicative of the outback way of life, spirit and hospitality.

Eat traditional camp-oven cooked meals; enjoy the campfire camaraderie nightly; celebrate their droving past with the locals at events and festivities held in conjunction with the drive. Spend a day, a week or the entire three weeks on the drive, the length of the adventure is up to you.

The Hughenden Country Music Festival attracts contestants from all over Queensland, so if you want to compete or just be part of the audience come and join the locals at the Festival. The Festival and the talent quest commence on Friday night 2 April 2010 with a meet and greet dinner for contestants, sponsors and audience.

Presentations of trophies and prize money will be made on Easter Sunday.

Bring your line, your friends and family for a great weekend of fishing, yes it’s a competition to catch the longest yellowbelly but you don't even have to catch a fish to go in the major draw to win great cash. Oma waterhole is a place you will never forget, you will have a good time. It is known by all its competitors.

A weekend of fishing for the whole family and keen fishing enthusiasts. Cash prizes and random draws. Camping, Entertainment, novelty events. Adult and Junior sections - Categories Longest Yellowbelly, Longest Black Bream, Longest Catfish, Mystery Length. A great weekend by all especially those who want to catch up, great place and a lovely spot to a bit of fishing.

The Julia Creek Dirt and Dust festival is three jam-packed days of fun and entertainment staged in Julia Creek, North West Queensland. Activities and events include a senior and junior triathlon, horse races, Pro Bull Riding Challenger Series (bull riding) live concerts, Australia’s Best Butt competition and novelty events.

Come along and check out the many colourful characters in our part of the world. For the full outback experience, participate in an event or just enjoy being a spectator. The Dirt n Dust festival is a must do in 2010!

The Julia Creek Races are always a great experience. It's where the locals kick back, and enjoy. You can dress up or dress down, it's a great day out and you get to meet the locals.

Big hats and glamour are the order of the day. Food and beverages will be available throughout the day. Bring the family along for this great day out.

Get away from the grind of the week and come along to the Longreach Races for some relaxation. The Local Longreach Horse Races include family entertainment, children’s playground, TAB, Sky Channel, bookmakers and a bar operating throughout the day.

A great day out for the whole family, the Races are the place to spend your Saturdays while in Longreach.

You won’t be disappointed when you make the journey to Noorama Station 100 kilometres south of Cunnamulla along the Jobs Gate road for the annual Noorama Picnic Race Meeting.

The annual Noorama Picnic Race meeting offers a great day of horse racing in the true tradition of bush picnic racing.

Mingle with locals and visitors while enjoying a five-race program. Dress up in your glad rags for fashions on the field. Bring a plate and join the committee for a picnic lunch. Full catering and bar facilities available, oncourse bookmakers and Sky television.

Bring the whole family; free children’s entry and free children’s entertainment. End the day dancing on the claypan under their beautiful night sky. Camp bush style and stay on for the free barbecue breakfast on Sunday morning.

The Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge is an eight kilometre run/walk through the Porcupine Gorge National Park, approximately 65 kilometres north of Hughenden. This event has categories for Open Men/ Women, Under 16 Boys/Girls and Under 12 Boys/Girls as well as participation walks. Total Prize Pool is over AUD2,000.00 with placing from first to fourth in the Open sections, all winners receive trophies and Open Overall Winner, Ladies and fist Flinders Shire Resident win a perpetual trophy. All participants receive a free promotional singlet as part of their registration fee.

2010 will see the introduction of the Dash for Cash at Mount Walker to be held on the Sunday 12 June, 10 kilometres south of Hughenden. More details on this as the event gets closer.

The Quilpie Diggers Race Club proudly presents the 2010 Station Challenge ‘Pride of the West’ Race Day. Come along to Bulloo Park, mix with the locals and frock up for Fashions of the Field. Witness the excitement of station horses and their riders thundering down the track in the five-400 metre Flutters, with over AUD6000.00 in prize money to compete for.

A local tote, calcuttas and Sky Channel Betting, canteen and bar available throughout the day. Bulloo Park offers excellent camping and stabling, for nomination forms contact the operator.

There is plenty to keep the family amused at the annual Quamby Rodeo! Bull riding, saddle bronc, mutton busters, greasy pig, foot races, lolly man and the original Donkey race!

The Quamby Rodeo sees over 100 competitors compete across the range of events while spectators can sit back and watch these highly skilled horsemen and women in action.

There is plenty of food and drinks available including bar facilities, hot showers for camping! After a day of rodeo action why not head to the historic Quamby Hotel for a night time filled with events.

The Quilpie Show is a day out for the whole family! Sideshows, stalls, children’s entertainment, trade displays and pavilion exhibition will delight patrons of all ages. And do not forget the Camel Races! Fun for all as spectators watch local identities test their riding skills as they jockey their mount to the finish line in attempt to secure a barrier in the final race of the day.

In the early evening, see the presentation of a fireworks spectacular display, which rivals any seen in eastern parts! Patrons can then dance the night away to live music. Bar and canteen will be available all day. A barbecue dinner will be available from 5.00 p.m.

The Quilpie Digger’s ‘Darling Mums of May’ Race Day is a celebration for the women of the bush. Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives and mistresses love the chance to leave the dusty paddocks behind and make merry with mad hats and mayhem trackside.

The Quilpie Digger’s Race Club invites you to join these marvellous mares and flash fillies for a great day of outback racing.

The Quilpie Street party kicks off at 6.00 p.m. Tuesday, 31st August and is the start of the parties for the Birdsville bound Race goers and an annual event for the Quilpie community. The street party entertains visitors and local with music, stalls, wool bale races and a variety of other races and is enjoyed by all.

It's once again time for the annual Richmond Fishing Competition.

The Richmond Fish Stocking Association in conjunction with the Richmond Shire Council invites you to attend this year's Fishing Classic held at Lake Fred Tritton.

The competition gets underway at 8.00 a.m. Saturday and finishes at 12 noon Sunday. There will be a barbecue dinner Saturday night and also a barbecue lunch on the Sunday at the Lake .

The Richmond Fossil Festival is a community festival coordinated by Kronosaurus Korner which reflects Richmond’s reputation as a leading centre for the understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Kronosaurus Korner founded in 1992 is striving to increase knowledge of the geology and palaeontology of an area that was once part of an Ancient Inland Sea.

To celebrate and showcase the unique heritage of Richmond, the community comes together to host the biennial Fossil Festival, which is now in its 10th year.

This fun-filled weekend has heaps of activities for the whole family, including a concert presented by the Richmond State School, an action packed rodeo, camel races at the Richmond Race Course, followed by live entertainment and much more.

The Rockhana Gem and Mineral Festival is a unique event showcasing local fossicking sites and gemstones to be found in the Cloncurry Shire. Cloncurry is presently experiencing a mineral boom and the Rockhana is a celebration of the importance of mining to the town.

The minerals of the area are a significant factor in defining the nature of Cloncurry and the Great North West of Queensland, since Ernest Henry first discovered copper and developed the Great Australia Mine.

The Rockhana is a partnership between the Cloncurry Shire Council, Ernest Henry Mine and the Cloncurry and District Historical Society. Local clubs and businesses as well as visitors are encouraged to participate during the two day Gem and Mineral Festival and a variety of wares are offered to the public including tailgaters from gemfests, food stalls, children’s activities and the Strike it rich competition to name a few.

Qantas Founders Museum Hosts Summer Jazz Sounds 2009.

Starring Internationally renowned Jazz Singer, Catherine Lambert and Mc Comedian Joshua Mapleston. This will be a night of great music, food and drinks.
Summer Jazz Sounds will commence at 6.30pm bar open. Valid ID will be required on the night. Your pre purchased ticket will included selected beer, wine and great food.

So put on your dancing shoes and come on up to Longreach for night of great company. This event is sponsored by QantasLink and Fosters.

Witness the explosive action as shearing greats pour it on, in this fast and furious shearing competition, Toompine’s Queensland Quick Shear Championships.

Watch the incredible speed these men can blow the wool of these wethers, it’s fast, it’s exciting and it’s at Toompine. Join in and have a go in the Quick Throw, then dance the night away.

Fun for the whole family and includes a free barbecue.

The Tree of Knowledge Festival is a great time to come and visit Barcaldine, it is an action packed weekend. It starts on Friday night with the sportsmen’s dinner, which is hosted by different sporting personalities each year.

On Saturday there are markets, art displays, movies in the Radio Theatre and various sporting events. Saturday Night Oak Street is closed and various events are held including a procession of the Drag Racing Cars.

On Sunday there is a Revfest held at the airport which consists of drag racing and show and shine motor show. There is Rugby League Football held at the Showgrounds on Sunday Night.

Monday starts with markets and the May Day procession with floats and displays made by the local business and community groups. Monday afternoon there is the world’s richest goat races held at the showgrounds.

It is a gem of a place this little four block town in Outback Queensland, and they celebrate their uniqueness with an annual festival - The Yowah Opal Festival. Yowah's opal celebration occurs on the third weekend of the month of July each year. Located two hour’s drive from Cunnamulla on a sealed road. World class museum specimens of Yowah Nut Opal, Ironstone Matrix Opal, Opalized Wood Opal, and Boulder Opal are on display. This is a great opportunity to meet the miners who dig the opal. There are numerous stalls with opal for sale, both cut and polished and rough opal.

The festival is fully catered and licensed for the week-end. Music and dancing is part of the festivities. For a true friendly outback experience why not join them and enjoy the warmth of the miners and the huge community campfire each night.