Barcaldine Events

Friday, May 4, 2012

The Tree of Knowledge Festival (Outback Festivals)

Celebrating Barcaldine’s colourful past and the beautiful town it is today are several events and activities that together make up The Barcaldine Tree Of Knowledge Festival.

Barcaldine’s settlement began when a descendant of the Campbell’s of Barcaldine Castle in Scotland took up land on the Alice River and a railway line was constructed to the area in 1864.

Barcaldine’s fame arrived in 1891 when the Great Shearers Strike (marching under the “Eureka” flag), was held under the boughs of The Tree Of Knowledge, heralding the formation of the political movement we now know as the Australian Labor Party.

Offering something to enthral every member of the family, the Tree Of Knowledge Festival kicks off on Friday night with The Sports Dinner and an Under 18’s Disco but the real action starts Saturday with:

• ‘The Run’ shearing shed working display and smoko
• Main Street Market Stalls
• Barcaldine Race Club’s Tree of Knowledge Cup
• Revfest Street Cruize and Show and Shine
• Saturday Night Street Party featuring Live Bands

And on Sunday

• The rubber-burning  Barcy Rev Fest Drag Racing
• Ecumenical Service at Town Hall Park
• Music in the park
• Junior and Senior Rugby League action including
• The Converted Tree Of Knowledge Shield

Culminating Monday with

• May Day Street Parade
• May Day Market Stalls
• activities and novelty events
• Tree of Knowledge Goat Races and John de Groot Cup

When the festivities draw to a close why not spend a few days exploring this history-rich town in outback Queensland, home to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Between the Bougainvillea’s Heritage Trail and it’s dozens of beautifully restored buildings.