| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Varies by event – check individual festival websites |
| Location | Multiple locations across Australia – NSW, QLD, NT, SA, WA, TAS |
| Pet Friendly | See Camps App |
| Campfires | See Camps App |
| Facilities | See individual event websites for details |
| Vehicle Access | See Camps App |
| In Camps App | Yes – find campsites near all festival locations |
Outback and country Australia has some very quirky events – world class festivals, rodeos, concerts, regattas and more…
We’ve asked people travelling with the CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App and books to share some of their favourite regional events across this vast land.
Here’s a guide to the best festivals and gatherings – a smorgasbord of music, culture, sport and Aussie icons! Enjoy six months of fun, just waiting to be experienced.
April/May
April 30 – May 3
AUSTRALIAN CELTIC FESTIVAL
Glen Innes, NSW
https://www.
May 1 – 3
FESTIVAL OF OUTBACK SKIES
Hughenden, QLD
https://
May 3
MOONDYNE FESTIVAL
Toodyay, WA
https://moondynefestival.com.
May 3
ST GEORGE SHOW
St George, QLD
https://www.stgeorgeregion.
May 14 – 17
MUSIC IN THE MULGA
Eulo, QLD
www.musicinthemulga.com.au
May 19 – 25
FESTIVAL OF OUTBACK OPERA
Winton and Longreach, QLD
https://www.oq.com.au/whats-
May 22 – 23
THE SHEARERS SHINDIG
Thargomindah, QLD
https://www.explorebulloo.com.
May 27 – June 1
GOOMERI PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Goomeri, QLD
https://
May 30
MULLEWA MUSTER & RODEO
Mullewa, WA
https://www.mullewamuster.com.
May 30 – 31
PINJARRA FESTIVAL
Pinjarra, WA
https://visitmandurah.com/
(Note: Wide Open Space Festival in Alice Springs has been cancelled for 2025 and 2026 dates are yet to be officially confirmed, but typically held in May).
(Note: Ord Valley Muster, Road to Rodeo Mount Isa, and Oodnadatta Gymkhana & Motokhana 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in May).
June
June 4 – 7
NORMANTON RODEO AND CAMPDRAFT
Normanton, QLD
https://www.normantonrodeo.
June 5 – 8
FINKE DESERT RACE
Alice Springs, NT
https://finkedesertrace.com.au
June 12 – 14
THE 37TH COOBER PEDY OPAL FESTIVAL
Coober Pedy, SA
www.opalfestival.com.au
June 13 – October 12
TAMBO SCULPTURES IN THE GRASS
Tambo, QLD
www.grasslandgallery.com.au/sculptures-in-the-grass/
June 14 – 20
RAINBOW BEACH FISHING CLASSIC
Rainbow Beach, QLD
www.
June 14 – 21
YELLOWBELLY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
St George, QLD
https://www.stgeorgeregion.
June 19 – 22
ALICE SPRINGS BEANIE FESTIVAL
Alice Springs, NT
https://beaniefest.org/
June 26 – 28
BIRDSVILLE CAMPDRAFT, RODEO AND BRONCO BRANDING
Birdsville, QLD
https://www.facebook.com/
June 26 – July 5
VISION SPLENDID OUTBACK FILM FESTIVAL
Winton, QLD
http://www.
June 27
ALPHA RACES
Alpha, QLD
https://alphajockeyclub.
June 27
MARREE CAMEL CUP
Marree, SA
https://www.marree.com.au/
June 27 – July 25
BICHENO BEAMS
Bicheno, TAS
https://bichenobeams.com/
June 28
DARWIN LIONS BEER CAN REGATTA
Darwin, NT
https://beercanregatta.org.au
(Note: Red Country Music Festival & Barunga Festival 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in June).
July
July 3 – 4
ALICE SPRINGS SHOW
Alice Springs, NT
https://www.alicespringsshow.com.au/
July 4 – August 3
GREAT NORTHERN DARWIN CUP CARNIVAL
Darwin, NT
https://darwinturfclub.org.au
July 5
MARY POPPINS FESTIVAL
Maryborough, QLD
marypoppinsfestival.com.au
July 7 – 12
CLONCURRY STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE & CAMPDRAFT
Cloncurry, QLD
www.currychallenge.com.au
July 10 – 11
WINTON OPAL FESTIVAL
Winton, QLD
https://qboa.com.au/winton-opal-festival/
July 17 – 19
THE BOULIA CAMEL RACES
Boulia, QLD
bouliacamelraces.com.au
July 18 – 19
CHANNEL COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER
Thargomindah, QLD
https://www.explorebulloo.com.au/events/event/37/channel-country-music-muster-2024
July 23 – 25
WINTERFEST BILOELA
Biloela, QLD
https://www.winterfestbiloela.com.au/
July 24 – 25
HUGHENDEN RUGBY 7S CARNIVAL
Hughenden, QLD
https://hughendenrugby7s.com.au
July 29 – August 1
LIGHTNING RIDGE OPAL AND GEM FESTIVAL
Lightning Ridge, NSW
https://lightningridgeopalfestival.com.au/
July 31 – August 3
GARMA FESTIVAL
Gulkula, Arnhem Land, NT
https://yyf.com.au/garma-festival/
(Note: Big Red Bash in Birdsville has been cancelled for 2026. Willie Smiths Mid-Winter Fest held its final event in 2024. Oodnadatta Bronco Branding and Railfest Quorn 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in July ).
August
August 6 – 9
CARDWELL UFO FESTIVAL
Cardwell, QLD
https://australianufofestival.com.au/
August 7 – 9
MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO
Mount Isa, QLD
https://www.isarodeo.com.au/
August 7 – 9
MUNGINDI SHOW
Mungindi, NSW
https://www.agshowsnsw.org.au/
August 7 – 9
GEMFIELDS FESTIVAL
Sapphire, QLD
https://www.gemfieldsrocks.
August 14 – 16
STONEHENGE BUSHMANS CARNIVAL
Stonehenge, QLD
https://www.
August 14 – 16
COBB & CO FESTIVAL
Surat – Yuleba, QLD
https://www.cobbandcofestival.
August 15
THE HENLEY-ON-TODD REGATTA
Alice Springs, NT
henleyontodd.com.au
August 15 – 22
HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK
Hamilton Island, QLD
https://www.
August 20 – 22
MUNDI MUNDI BASH
Broken Hill, NSW
https://mundimundibash.com.au/
August 21 – 22
MOURA COUNTRY & COAL FESTIVAL
Moura, QLD
https://
August 21 – September 6
SHINJU MATSURI
Broome, WA
https://shinjumatsuri.com.au/
August 28 – 30
THOMSON RIVER FESTIVAL
Longreach, QLD
https://experiencelongreach.
(Note: Darwin Festival, The Gympie Muster, and Innamincka Races 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in August. Better in Blackall Festival is next scheduled for 2027
September
September 4 – 5
THE BIRDSVILLE RACES
Birdsville, QLD
birdsvilleraces.com
September 11 – 14
BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL
Broken Hill, NSW
www.bhfestival.com
September 12
CUNNAMULLA FELLA ROUND UP
Cunnamulla, QLD
https://cunnamullatourism.com.
September 12 – 13
NINDIGULLY CAMPDRAFT
Thallon, QLD
https://www.stgeorgeregion.
September 12 – 13
WINGS ON THE WARREGO
Charleville, QLD
https://www.
September 12 – October 10
TULIP FESTIVAL WYNYARD
Wynyard, TAS
www.wynyardtulipfestival.com.
September 26 – 27
OUTBACK BY THE SEA FILM FESTIVAL (formerly Ocean & Outback Film Festival )
Gulf of Carpentaria, QLD
https://www.outbackqueensland.
(Note: Floriade and Desert Festival 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in September.
Winton Outback Festival and Dunny Derby is next scheduled for September 2027 ).
October
October 2 – 3
THE DENILIQUIN UTE MUSTER
Deniliquin, NSW
deniutemuster.com.au
October 2 – 4
BOOROWA IRISH WOOLFEST & RUNNING OF THE SHEEP
Boorowa, NSW
http://irishwoolfest.com.au/
October 3 – 4
AUSTRALIAN CAMP OVEN FESTIVAL
Millmerran, QLD
https://acof.com.au/
October 8 – 11
BATHURST 1000
Bathurst, NSW
https://www.supercars.com/
October 10
DOLLY PARTON FESTIVAL
Narromine, NSW
https://www.
(Note: Hungerford Horse & Motorbike Gymkhana 2026 dates are to be confirmed, typically held in October ).
If you need campsites or caravan parks to go with these wonderful events, please check out the CAMPS App and travel guides. Called the “Traveller’s Bible”, they hold more than 25 years of camping history – the CAMPS App is updated every day!
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see outback events in 2026?
Top picks include the Finke Desert Race (June 5-8, Alice Springs), Birdsville Races (September 4-5), Henley-on-Todd Regatta (August 15, Alice Springs), Deniliquin Ute Muster (October 2-3), and the Coober Pedy Opal Festival (June 12-14). Each offers unique Aussie outback experiences.
Where can I find camping near these outback festivals?
Use the Camps Australia Wide App to find verified campsites and caravan parks near all festival locations. The app is updated daily with over 15,500 sites and includes facilities, access information, and costs.
Which events are held in Queensland’s outback?
Queensland hosts numerous events including Music in the Mulga (Eulo, May 14-17), Festival of Outback Opera (Winton/Longreach, May 19-25), Normanton Rodeo (June 4-7), Birdsville Campdraft (June 26-28), Mount Isa Mines Rodeo (August 7-9), and the famous Birdsville Races (September 4-5).
Are there any Northern Territory festivals worth attending?
Yes! The NT offers the Finke Desert Race (June 5-8), Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta (June 28), Alice Springs Beanie Festival (June 19-22), Alice Springs Show (July 3-4), Great Northern Darwin Cup Carnival (July 4-August 3), and Garma Festival in Arnhem Land (July 31-August 3).
What unique festivals happen in April and May 2026?
Highlights include the Australian Celtic Festival (Glen Innes, April 30-May 3), Festival of Outback Skies (Hughenden, May 1-3), Moondyne Festival (Toodyay, May 3), and the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival (May 27-June 1).
Which events have been cancelled for 2026?
Wide Open Space Festival in Alice Springs and Big Red Bash in Birdsville have been cancelled for 2026. Willie Smiths Mid-Winter Fest held its final event in 2024. Several other events have dates to be confirmed.
What winter events are happening in July and August?
Winter highlights include Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge (July 7-12), Boulia Camel Races (July 17-19), Lightning Ridge Opal Festival (July 29-August 1), Cardwell UFO Festival (August 6-9), and the Henley-on-Todd Regatta (August 15).
Are there any music festivals in the outback during 2026?
Yes! Music lovers can enjoy Music in the Mulga (Eulo, May 14-17), Yellowbelly Country Music Festival (St George, June 14-21), Channel Country Music Muster (Thargomindah, July 18-19), and Mundi Mundi Bash (Broken Hill, August 20-22).
