Event guides
North Queensland country events
From the Gulf to the Whitsundays, the north has a big country event on just about every weekend of the dry season. We've put together guides to the rodeos, campdrafts, country music festivals and agricultural shows, with history, dates and official links. A few of them we've had the pleasure of playing.
The guides
Four guides, one dry season
Event guideRodeosMount Isa, Warwick, PBR and every NQ bush rodeo worth the drive.
Event guideCampdraftsThe Warwick Gold Cup, Paradise Lagoons and the bush drafts of the north.
Event guideCountry music festivalsSavannah, Charters Towers, Gympie, CMC Rocks and Tamworth.
Event guideAgricultural showsThe NQ show run from Hughenden to Cairns, with show holiday dates.
Event guideLocal legend pubsThe Herbert, Bohle Barn and North Shore: the Townsville pubs we play.
Looking to book live music? Hire the band or see prices.
The NQ year at a glance
April to November, month by month
The usual months, drawn from the guides. Shows are listed by their 2026 show holiday. Tap any event for dates, history and the official link.
April
- Country Fest Queensland, Townsville16–17 Apr 2027
May
- Charters Towers Country Music FestivalMay Day long weekend
- Mt Garnet Races & RodeoMay Day weekend
- Hughenden Festival of Outback SkiesEarly May
- Ingham Sugar City RodeoMay in 2026
- Julia Creek Dirt n DustMay in 2026
- Burdekin Growers Race Day, Home HillMay
- Greenvale Campdraft & Stockman's ChallengeEarly May
- Gold City CampdraftLate May
- Hughenden ShowLate May
June
- Bowen River Rodeo & CampdraftEarly June
- Normanton Rodeo & CampdraftEarly June
- Laura Rodeo & CampdraftLast weekend
- Nebo Slouch Hat CampdraftLate June
- Cloncurry, Mackay, Mount Isa, Whitsunday, Bowen, Burdekin, Ingham and Atherton showsShow holidays
July
August
- Mount Isa Mines Rodeo & Mailman ExpressAugust
- NQ Elite Rodeo, Hervey RangeAugust
- Hughenden CampdraftLate August
October
November
- PBR Australia Grand Finals, Townsville13–14 Nov 2026
- Collinsville ShowShow holiday
Not in the guides
Other places we've played
Plus our rodeo nights at Mount Isa, Laura, Charters Towers, Ingham and Bowen River, which are in the rodeo guide.
Real photo
No. 01BurdekinMay
Burdekin Growers Race DayHome Hill
- Where
- Burdekin Race Club, Bruce Highway, Home Hill · Burdekin
- When
- May. 2026: Saturday 16 May, 11am – 9pm.
The Burdekin's premier 18+ social event: a six-race card at the Home Hill Race Club, Fashions on the Field, a produce challenge for local growers, and live entertainment from 5.30pm till late. Every patron goes home with a free box of locally grown fruit and veg. About 3,000 racegoers turned out in 2026.
Sources
- burdekinlife.com/article/burdekin-growers-race-day-a-spectacular-celebration-of-racing-fashion-fresh-produce
- visitburdekin.com.au/Whats-On/Burdekin-Growers-Race-Day
- burdekinlife.com/article/high-fashion-higher-stakes-burdekin-growers-race-day-returns-to-home-hill
- visitburdekin.com.au/Whats-On/Burdekin-Growers-Race-Day"
Real photo
No. 02Townsville CBD
Herbert Hotel Cold Beer & Country Music ShowTownsville
- Where
- Herbert Hotel, 102 Sturt Street, Townsville CBD
Our hometown country night in the heart of Townsville, and home of our one-off Cold Beer & Country Music Show on Saturday 1 August 2026.
Real photo
No. 03Whitsunday hinterland
The Creek WhitsundaysKelsey Creek
- Where
- Valmadre Road, Kelsey Creek (Whitsunday hinterland)
A Whitsunday hinterland property that opens its gates a few times a year for community nights such as Ladies Day and the Barn Dinner, where "we crank up the fires, the band and the atmosphere".
Real photoNo. 04Townsville
Bohle Barn TavernBohle, Townsville
- Where
- Bruce Highway, corner of Shaw Road, Bohle, on Townsville's northern edge
A Townsville tavern on the Bruce Highway with a bistro, bar, bottle shop and motel rooms, and a handy spot for a country night on the northern side of town.
Real photoNo. 05TownsvilleNovemberComing up
PBR Grand Finals official after-partyTownsville
- When
- Saturday 14 November 2026 from 10pm, The Pavilion (PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals weekend, 13–14 Nov 2026).
FAQ
Event questions, answered
What's on in North Queensland in winter?
The dry season is peak country-event time: the NQ show run (Hughenden in late May through to Charters Towers in late July), rodeos and campdrafts like Bowen River, Normanton and Laura in June, Mareeba and Charters Towers in July, and the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in August.
When is the Mount Isa Rodeo?
In August each year. 2027 is 6 – 8 August.
What is the biggest rodeo in Australia?
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo calls itself Australia's biggest rodeo, and around 18,000 people came through the gates in 2025.
When is the Townsville Show?
In early July. The 2027 Townsville Show runs 2 – 5 July.
Are there country music festivals in Townsville?
Yes. Country Fest Queensland returns 16 – 17 April 2027, and the Charters Towers Country Music Festival runs inland on the May Day long weekend (30 April – 2 May 2027).
Where can I find show holiday dates in Queensland?
On the Queensland Government's show holiday page, which lists every district's holiday each year.
Can we hire a country band for a rodeo, campdraft, show or B&S ball in North Queensland?
Yes. The Barnyard Band is a Townsville-based five-piece with its own 18,000 W PA, lights and video, and we've played the Mount Isa, Laura, Charters Towers, Ingham and Bowen River rodeos. Get an instant estimate with our homepage price tool.
Booking a band for your event?
Rodeos, campdrafts, shows, B&S balls and festivals across the north and beyond. We bring the band, the 18,000 W PA, lights and video. Pick your date and venue for an instant estimate.