Overview
Among the many things we've all been missing over the past year or so, big events and venturing far and wide both rank high on the list. Large-scale music festivals have only just started making a comeback around the country, and being allowed to leave the country to holiday in New Zealand is still a relatively new development. But if you'd like to an excuse to explore Queensland — and to enjoy a heap of live tunes while you're doing so — Queensland Music Trails is here to take you on a statewide road trip.
A new event from the team at QMF (formerly Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is hosting an array of gigs and shows across the state, all as part of set trails. Kicking off on Friday, June 25, it's heading to the state's southern outback region first up. Until Thursday, July 8, everywhere from Jimbour to Charleville — and Quilpie, Windorah and Birdsville, too — will host different parts of the program, spanning opera shows in a homestead, chamber music under the stars, a blend of puppetry and tunes against a scenic backdrop, and more.
If Opera at Jimbour sounds familiar, that's because it has happened before. This time, Jimbour House in the Western Downs will host two galas — and camping over four nights, if you want to turn your visit into a proper getaway. Or, for those keen on a stint of peering at the sky, you'll be able to do just that at Music for Stargazing at the Charleville Cosmos Centre — with Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton leading the lineup.
At Baldy Top in Quilpie the southwest, Topology and Dead Puppet Society are joining forces to pair the former's sounds and the latter's visual theatre — and in Rabig Park in Windorah, blues, roots and acoustic artists such as Karl S Williams, Emily Wurramara and Hussy Hicks will treat your ears. Also on the bill is Birdsville's Big Red Bash; however, it has already sold out.
Tourism and Events Queensland
If you can't make the outback trip this winter, future trails are planned for the far north, southeast and east coast (spanning from Mackay to the Sunshine Coast). You'll also be able to head to the cape (from Townsville to Bamaga) and gemfields (Emerald to
Middlemount) regions, and go coast to coast from Yarrabah to Burketown. Just when those other trails will pop up is yet to be revealed, with the touring festival planning to gradually ramp up its operations over the next five years. Eventually, it's hoped that Queensland Music Trails will run across the state year-round.
Queensland Music Trails' Outback Trail runs between Friday, June 25–Thursday, July 8. For further details, head to the event's website.