Outback Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary

Queensland’s Outback Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend in Winton and is anticipated to contributes more than $1 million to the visitor economy.

Outback Festival Coordinator, Robyn Stephens advises “the very first Winton Outback Festival was launched back from small beginnings in 1972, an idea originally conceived by locals out of years of devastating drought with the desire of our local community to put Winton on the map.

“Fast forward to 2022 and our popular biennial event has drawn thousands of visitors from across Australia and overseas to Winton every second year.

“With the celebrations taking place in the school holidays, it’s a great way for families to come explore Queensland’s big backyard and see why Winton has been named Queensland’s Top Tiny Tourism Town in 2022”.

Some of the Festival offerings include:

•  50th Golden Anniversary Gala Dinner Under The Stars

•  Street Party with Live Entertainment

•  Boulder Opal Markets and Opal Trail

•  Bush Poets Recovery Breakfast and Show

•  Children's Workshops and Entertainment

•  Open Air Films

•  Camping

QLD Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe notes “from bush poetry, opal and fossil fossicking to family-friendly events, the Outback Festival celebrates the spirit and wide-open spaces of Queensland’s backyard.

“Organisers have put on a special, 50th anniversary celebration to mark the Outback Festival’s milestone and Winton’s recent win at the Australian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards.

“Events like the Outback Festival give Queenslanders and interstate visitors more opportunities to share our State’s great Outback lifestyle.”         

Winton Mayor Gavin Baskett said the Outback Festival has been an integral part of the community since 1972 and adds “the festival has grown and evolved over the last 50 years and should be a bucket list item for travellers as it’s truly an outback experience.

“Speaking as a previous small business owner, the week of the festival was the busiest time in the shop and it’s a great boost leading into the long off season when tourist numbers are low.

“It’s an extraordinary effort by the committee members, both previous and current, to continue to grow the festival – and it is great to see visitors and the old locals return to Winton to catch up with friends and family.”

Image: Courtesy Outback Festival FB