The original Outback Now events calendar listed hundreds of these events, from St Patrick's Race Day in Broken Hill to the Normanton Show, Campdraft and Rodeo, the Croydon Poddy Dodgers Music Festival, the Australian Camp Oven Festival in Millmerran, the Kootingal Pumpkin Festival and a Longreach drovers' reunion. Dates and organisers change, so this guide explains the main event types with examples — always check the official organiser for the current year.
Bush race days
Outback race clubs stage one or two meetings a year that bring entire districts together. The best known is the Birdsville Races in early September, which raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Other popular meetings include race days in Broken Hill (including St Patrick's Day races), Bedourie, Betoota (in some years), Louth and many more. Expect dusty tracks, fashions on the field, bookies and a big night afterwards.
Rodeos
Rodeos feature bull riding, saddle and bareback bronc riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling. The Mount Isa Rodeo in August is one of the largest in Australia, and many towns, including Normanton, hold annual rodeos.
Campdrafts and bronco branding
Campdrafting — guiding a single beast around a course — is a uniquely Australian sport with deep pastoral roots. Bronco branding, a traditional method of roping and branding calves, is staged as a competition at some events, including in Birdsville in past years.
Drovers' reunions and heritage festivals
Events honouring the drovers and stockmen who moved cattle along the stock routes — such as drovers' reunions in Longreach and Camooweal — combine storytelling, bush poetry and heritage displays.
Food festivals
The Australian Camp Oven Festival at Millmerran on the Darling Downs has celebrated camp-oven cooking, bush poetry and music in past years. Smaller towns hold pumpkin, beef and bush food festivals.
Music festivals
Country and bush music festivals — from the Croydon Poddy Dodgers in the Gulf to large modern events such as the Big Red Bash near Birdsville and the Mundi Mundi Bash near Silverton — draw crowds into remote country. Check official sites for dates, ticketing and camping rules.
Planning tips
- Book accommodation or camping as soon as dates are announced.
- Bring warm clothes — desert nights are cold even when days are warm.
- Allow extra time on the road; event weekends bring heavy traffic to remote roads.
- Follow the event's rules about alcohol, glass, drones and dogs.
Agricultural shows
Many outback towns hold an annual show, organised by a local show society. Shows are a showcase of rural life: livestock judging, horse events, pavilion displays of cooking, crafts and produce, sideshow alley, wood chopping and evening fireworks. They are a good way to meet locals and see the district at its most social. Most outback shows are held in the cooler months between April and September. Queensland shows are coordinated through the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies, and NSW shows through the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW; both publish show calendars.
Music and arts festivals
Music festivals in the outback range from country music weekends to large events in remote locations. The Big Red Bash, held near Birdsville beside the Simpson Desert's Big Red dune, became one of the outback's best-known music events, attracting thousands of campers. The organisers say the 2026 Big Red Bash was cancelled after floodwater inundated the site, and the 2027 event (6–8 July 2027) will be the final one. Smaller festivals in towns such as Croydon and Winton mix music with bush poetry and heritage. Winton's long-running Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival has been held in winter in recent years.
Arts festivals and exhibitions, such as Desert Mob in Alice Springs, celebrate Aboriginal art; see Buying Aboriginal art ethically.
Motor sport and endurance events
The Finke Desert Race, a two-day off-road race for motorbikes, cars and buggies from Alice Springs to the community of Aputula (Finke) and back, is held over the King's Birthday long weekend in June. Spectators camp along the track. Other outback motor sport events include rally sprints and off-road races in Queensland and South Australia. These events draw big crowds and require careful planning; follow the organisers' rules for spectator areas.
Food and community festivals
Food events like the Australian Camp Oven Festival and Easter in the Country in Roma showcase bush cooking, local produce and community spirit. Many towns also run Christmas, Australia Day and NAIDOC Week celebrations. Small towns host quirky events too, such as the Windorah yabby races.
How to find current events
Event dates change every year, and some events are cancelled or moved because of weather, drought, flooding or other factors. Before planning a trip around an event:
- Check the official event website or social media.
- Contact the local visitor information centre or shire council.
- Check state tourism websites such as Tourism and Events Queensland, Destination NSW, Tourism NT, South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism WA, which list major events.
Planning tips for event travel
- Book early. Accommodation in small towns is very limited; most visitors at big events camp.
- Be self-sufficient. Bring water, food, shade and a way to manage rubbish, and be prepared for basic facilities.
- Check roads. Many event towns are reached by unsealed roads that can close after rain. Check state road reports before leaving.
- Plan fuel. Demand spikes during events; fill up wherever you can.
- Stay safe. Avoid driving at night, look after your mates and follow the event's alcohol rules.
Supporting communities
Outback events are usually organised by volunteers and raise money for local schools, sports clubs, hospitals and services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Buying tickets, food and merchandise at the event, shopping in town and respecting camping rules all help keep these events going. See our seasonal calendar for timing.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
What is a campdraft?
An Australian horse sport in which a rider separates a beast from a mob in a "camp", then guides it around a course of pegs in the arena. Campdrafts are held across rural and outback Australia.
When is the Birdsville Races?
The Birdsville Races are held over a weekend in early September. Check the race club's website for the current year.
Are outback race days family friendly?
Most bush race days and rodeos welcome families, with children's activities and food stalls, though evenings can be lively. Check each event's rules about alcohol and camping.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Birdsville Races — Birdsville Race Club
- Mount Isa Mines Rodeo — Mount Isa Rodeo
- Australian Campdraft Association — Australian Campdraft Association
- The Final Big Red Bash — Outback Music Festival Group
