Queensland Country's must-see events
Here are some of the upcoming highlights:
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
When: 18 September – 5 OctoberWhere: Toowoomba (130km west of Brisbane).
Queensland’s most iconic spring celebration returns in full bloom. Across three spectacular weeks, explore award-winning parks and private gardens, enjoy food and wine experiences, and take in street parades, live music, and cultural events in the Garden City at its most vibrant.
Murphys Creek Chilli and Craft Carnival
When: 20 SeptemberWhere: Murphys Creek (20km north-east of Toowoomba)
Celebrate flavour and fire in the lovely Lockyer Valley at Queensland’s best charity Chilli Carnival. Wander between tents tasting, shopping, enjoying the fun family vibe, talking with exhibitors, and hobnobbing with fellow foodies.
Emerald 100
When: 10 OctoberWhere: Emerald (270km west of Rockhampton)
The premier thoroughbred racing event of the Central Queensland Highlands. Head out to Emerald for a big day at the races with fashion on the fields, live entertainment and of course the feature races: Lightning and the Emerald 100.
Warwick Rodeo
When: 19 – 25 OctoberWhere: Warwick (160km south-west of Brisbane)
In traditional country style, “Australia’s Most Famous” rodeo and campdraft celebrates and epitomises the determination and skill of riders. It honours Warwick being home of the Australian Championships since 1928. Watch bull, horse and rider fly out the gate as campdrafting and rodeo merge in a historic high-stakes week-long event.
Australian Camp Oven Festival
When: 3 – 4 October
Where: Millmerran (80km south-west of Toowoomba)
Australia’s biggest camp oven cooking event! Held every second year the Australian Camp Oven Festival is back this October, celebrating the traditions of camp oven cooking and bushcraft. With a packed two-day program including cooking demonstrations, competitions, displays, live entertainment and more.
Stanthorpe Berry Festival
When 14 November Where: Stanthorpe (220km south-west of Brisbane) This is a true strawberry celebration, packed with live cooking demos, jam and chutney competitions, the iconic celebration cake, eating contests, pie throwing, live music, and so much more! Whether you’re here to taste the sweetest berries, jam out to great tunes, or watch all the fun unfold, there’s something for everyone.Chinchilla Melon Festival
When: 18 – 21 February 2027
Where: Chinchilla (164km north-west of Toowoomba)
Known as the ‘Melon Capital’ of Australia, Chinchilla produces a quarter of Australia’s melons and celebrates the fact biennially in February. Join with the locals for some hilarious fun and festivities as events, such as melon skiing, melon iron man, melon bungee, melon bullseye, pip spitting and melon tossing, get into full throw.
Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival
When: 13-14 March 2027
Where: Allora (160km south-west of Brisbane)
A two day celebration of the gentle giants that helped build this great nation.The clydesdale, shire, percheron and draught horses along with gypsy cob, drum horses, donkeys, mules and working bullock teams that helped clear the land, till the soil, plant and harvest the crops and haul the loads. They helped build this great nation and forged a bond that would continue for decades. Join the celebration of the past and showcase of the future of heavy horses. Take the family and experience a weekend their sure to talk about for a long time.
Meatstock Toowoomba
When: 12-13 March 2027
Where: Toowomba
Get the smoker ready, Meatstock Toowoomba is back and bigger than ever. Experience the ultimate country festival and camp right on the grounds. With a dedicated country music lineup. Indulge in all kinds of barbecue from traditional American style to iconic Filipino skewers and much more. Enjoy the country music lineup and look for a bargain at the many market stalls.
Hell of the West
When: 27-28 March 2027
Where: Goondiwindi (200km south-west of Toowoomba)
Described as Queensland's iconic long-course triathlon event, HOTW is one of the toughest (and oldest) triathlons in Queensland, consisting of a 2km swim in the Macintyre River, 80km cycle along the Barwon Highway and 20km run along the Macintyre River. In 2026 the AquaBike was introduced to enhance the Sunday event. It is over the same course and start time but without the run.
Rabbits Eat Lettuce
When: 25-29 March 2027
Where: Texas (185km south of Toowoomba)
Rabbits Eat Lettuce is one of South East Queensland's premier lifestyle events. Each Easter thousands of people gather in Bushland Hideaway in Texas Queensland to celebrate art, music, dance and creativity. The last event was a five-day experience with packed full of adventure and discovery with workshops such as yoga, massage, sound healing and a massive lineup of musicians, bands & DJs spread out over six stages.
King of the Mountain
When: 26 March 2027
Where: Toowoomba
Experience the thrill of the King of the Mountain Horse Race, returning to Clifford Park Toowoomba in 2027. Get ready to witness the ultimate showdown as the finest thoroughbreds compete for supremacy again this year. Prepare for an unforgettable experience with live entertainment throughout the day, generous hospitality, and thrilling activations that will electrify the track.
Toowoomba Royal Show
When: 15-17 April 2027
Where: Toowoomba
The Toowoomba Royal Show is an unrivalled production of the very best in entertainment and agriculture displays on the Darling Downs since 1860. Every year we have new entertainment so bring the whole family and enjoy world class acts, competitions and exhilarating rides in sideshow alley.
Hampton Festival
When: 15-16 May 2027
Where: Hampton (35km north of Toowoomba)
Set in the heart of a unique high country village in South East Queensland, the Hampton Festival is a vibrant celebration of local food, regional artisans, and live music. Held over two days, this food and cultural extravaganza offers an authentic high country experience, showcasing the beauty of the autumn season and the rich diversity of the Hampton region. Enjoy live music, sample regional food and wine, browse the Growers on the Green market stalls and find a spot to relax under the towering blue gums at Chapman Park and enjoy the vibe.
Esk Garden Fair
When: 19 June 2027
Where: Esk (110km west of Brisbane)
The Esk Garden Fair is set in the picturesque Somerset Region, a rural retreat just a short country drive away from major South East Queensland centres. The Esk Garden Fair has quickly become the must-visit gardening event for SEQ, where gardeners can spend hours exploring thousands of plants from dozens of nurseries, hobby, and specialty growers in a delightful atmosphere where country warmth meets garden wonders. Visitors will discover a vast variety of unique garden art not found anywhere else. Enjoy inspirational guest speakers, live entertainment, and interactive demonstrations throughout the day.
Related topics
Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO)). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply.
Any advice provided by RDS and RACQO is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a purchase decision on the product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803, AR No.432492) (RACQ) are authorised representatives of the RACQ Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACQ Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of Tokio Marine. Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available at racq.com or on request from RACQ.