Australia’s quirkiest festival will be back this September 24th – 28th in the small Queensland town of Winton to celebrate its 25th festival. Coinciding with Queensland 2019’s ‘Year of the Outback Tourism’, there is no better time to travel to Winton for five days of quintessential Australian fun in the heart of Queensland’s outback.
What began as a small town celebration back in 1972 has grown to welcome visitors from around the country every two years for a week of classic outback fun at Australia’s quirkiest festival. Winton is a classic outback town of around a 1,000 souls and is well known as both the Dinosaur Capital of Australia and the home of Waltzing Matilda.
The festival’s preliminary program has now been released online featuring the signature festival events the Quilton Australian Dunny Derby and the Outback Ironman, Ironwoman and Ironjuniors for the toughest of competitors.
Olympic cycling champion Sara Carrigan OAM will be attending the festival’s Century Cycle Challenge, billed as “Australia’s flattest and toughest ride”, encouraging everyone to participate.
Other special guests include well-known chef Matt Golinski, who will cook up a storm for the festival’s sunset dinner extravangaza and during the event will join forces with camp oven cooks to bring a special taste of the outback.
This family friendly event is staged to coincide with the Queensland school holidays, so they have developed a full range of children’s activities including whip cracking, strongman challenges, wool bale rolling and little swaggies activities for the smallest Outback Festival fans.
Headlining the festival is Australian country music star Adam Harvey, one of the industry’s most decorated artists. Following in his steps is up and coming country music star Brad Butcher, 2018 Golden Guitar Awards’ New Talent of The Year.
The 2019 Outback Festival entertainment line-up apart from Adam Harvey includes Brad Butcher, Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde along with the Chantoozies and the Crack Up Sisters plus many more.
To cope with visitors, special Tent City, Caravan and Camping Sites are organised to prepare for some 8,500 visitors to descend on this small outback town. But don’t worry, there’s lots of room, and a traffic jam is something you won’t experience in Winton!
The Club Paterson Tent City is the perfect package for festival goers looking to camp under the stars without losing their creature comforts just a short walk to all the action of the festival!
For the seasoned travellers powered caravan and camping sites are available at the Winton Showgrounds for the duration of the festival, with a shuttle service operating regularly between the show grounds and festival event venues.
Located in central-west outback Queensland on the Landsborough Highway, about 177kms north west of Longreach, Winton is closely located to the townships of Opalton, Corfield and Middleton. Whether you want to take the wheel or sit back and enjoy the ride, there are many ways to get to Winton to join in the festival fun.
Outside of the festival Winton has plenty to offer the RV traveller, in particular don’t miss a visit to both the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum just 24 kms south-east of Winton and also the stunning Waltzing Matilda Centre in town.
This newly finished centre with its award winning architecture tells the story of the famous Aussie song together with the regions outback history. With museum, art gallery, café and exhibition space it’s a must visit, however be advised that the “Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong” song will be in your head for days after….
Those looking for a bit of adventure can plan ahead for the ultimate 2019 Road Trip culminating at Winton’s Outback Festival to celebrate Year of the Outback. A self-drive itinerary is the perfect way to truly experience all that the Aussie outback has to offer. It’s often the road trip to get there that is just as much fun.
Info Details
To encourage travellers to make the most of their motoring holiday, the good folks at the Outback Festival have made it easy with these wonderful itineraries available on their website:
https://outbackfestival.com.au/visitor-info/how-to-get-here/
For Festival program, accommodation and touring information, head to www.outbackfestival.com.au
Leave a Reply