$20 million funding to spotlight Outback Queensland as music festival destination.

The Queensland Government 2022-23 Budget has allocated $20 million in Queensland Music Trails over three years with the investment designed to spotlight Outback Queensland as a music festival destination.

A Music Trail pilot last year in Jimbour, Charleville and Quilpie supported 33 jobs and delivered nearly $8.5 million for the Outback visitor economy.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe advised “since the launch of the Queensland Music Trails program local Mayors have been calling in to nominate their region for a place on the trail map. Eight more Outback communities are signalling their enthusiasm to get involved and it’s easy to see why.

“Work has started on the Outback roll-out of Queensland Music Trails from May in Longreach, Winton, Blackall, Roma, and Toowoomba.   

“The Outback leg will feature performing arts experiences that put the region’s amazing landscapes and unique audio environment in the limelight.

“We’re expecting to encourage up to 11,000 music fans and explorers to travel to the Outback for live music experiences that contribute to local visitor economies.”

Last year, Australian music icons Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton played Music for Stargazing at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville.

Murweh Shire Council Mayor Shaun Radnedge is excited about securing a repeat performance and adds “to see young and old community members dancing and singing and being exposed to great musicians is life-changing.

“We are proud supporters of the Outback Music Trail and I personally applaud the Palaszczuk Government for investing in this program – we are absolutely thrilled.”

Queensland Music Festival Chief Executive Joel Edmondson said the feedback they are receiving so far on the Queensland Government’s $20 million investment in the program has been very positive.

“People are thrilled that this investment has been made, seeing it as building the cultural tourism profile of regional Queensland,” Edmondson said.

“It’s a great example of tourism and the arts creating something unique for Queensland.”

Image: Queensland Music Trails at Baldy Top Quilpie 2021