Festivals & Events

Winton is renowned for its vibrant and unique festivals that celebrate the culture, history, and spirit of the Australian outback.

Winton 150 Year Celebrations

This celebration in April 2025 will honour the town’s rich heritage while embracing its vibrant future with a packed weekend of events for all ages, including markets, music, gala ball, fireworks and an old-school sports day!

Facebook

Way Out West Festival

This event is typically held in March each year and showcases a mix of different entertainment. Past events have included live music, thrilling motorcross performances, bull riding and activities on the main street.

Website

Festival of Outback Opera

A 4-5 day annual May celebration where you can sing along with a drink, test your wits with trivia, and end the week surrounded by dinosaurs under the stars for the breathtaking Dark Sky Serenade!

Website

Outback Writers’ Festival

This annual June festival encourages writers of all experiences to capture the essence of the outback in a short story. Winners and indeed many other entrant’s stories are then compiled into a book of short stories called ‘The Outback’.

Website

Vision Splendid Film Festival

This annual June festival celebrates Winton’s connection to the Australian film industry. This unique event attracts film students and tourists to town each year, showcasing student-made films and Australian cinema in the town’s very own open-air theater.

Website

Winton Opal Festival

A two-day annual event in July celebrating boulder opal and other fabulous gems, where sellers from everywhere come with their vibrant street stalls and local treasures – cut stones, rough parcels, jewellery, carvings and more!

Website

Winton Outback Festival

A bi-annual event in September with quirky events like the Dunny Derby, Outback Iron Man, Cow-pat frisbee and other iconic Aussie challenges you just don’t see anywhere else!

Website

Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Festival

This annual September festival celebrates Australia’s bush poetry heritage with competitions and performances for junior school students. Participants include local students and students from all over Qld, preserving this unique literary tradition.

Website

New Festivals

Winton thrives on community spirit and celebrates the essence of the outback through its vibrant festivals and events. Not doubt there will be more unique festivals and events created that highlight the heart and heritage of the outback!

Winton Events

Winton, like most small towns in the outback, has a number of wonderful local events through the year.

Races

Horse Races – The North Gregory Turf Club hosts two annual race meets a year in April and September;

Drag Races -The Winton Motorsports Association hosts drag races in June

Camel Races – The Winton Camel Races are held in July each year

Sports Competitions

Winton Golf – the Winton Golf Club Opens are typically part of the Outback Queensland Masters series in June/July.

Rugby League – The Winton Diamantina Devils are well supported in the town and are known for their competitive spirit.

For Australia and its Citizens

If you are in town during any of the dedicated days of the year, come and celebrate the wonderful people of Australia and appreciate the land we live on together.

Australia Day

Anzac Day

International

Women’s Day

International Men’s Day

Clean Up Australia Day

Holiday Vacation Programs

A number of fun family activities are offered around town to keep the kids occupied for the holiday seasons.

Easter Holidays

Christmas Holidays

Stockwork and Shows

Gem of the West Winton Campdraft (May)

Winton Pastoral & Agricultural Show (June)

Celebrating the Arts

Bronze Swagman Awards – Australian Bush Poetry Competition (annual)

Waltzing Matilda Centre Art Gallery

‘Queen of Gems’ Jewelry Design Awards by QBOA (July)

Calendar of Events

The Winton Calendar is packed full of things to see and do for all visitors, particularly in the cooler months.

Plan Your Stay

We encourage visitors to stay a while to discover all the wonders that Winton can offer. Below is a calendar of things to see and do around Winton from large popular events to sunset photo opportunities. Follow the steps to fill your calendar with all the opportunities while you are in town.

♦ 1. Select the month at the top of the calendar to find the first day of your visit

♦ 2. Select the calendar symbol to pick the attractions you are interested in

♦ 3. Select the events for more info

♦ 4. Select ‘Copy to my calendar’ below the details to fill your holiday calendar!

What’s Missing?

Add new events from your own calendar as below

♦ Open/create the new event in your calendar

♦ Invite guest ‘[email protected]’

♦ It will soon show on the ‘Recently Added/Updated’ calendar

– o –

NOTE: Once processed the invite will show ‘declined’. This mean they are removed from the ‘Recently Added/Updated’ calendar and copied to the correct Winton calendar. Ignore prompts to reschedule and leave ‘[email protected]’ as a guest for future changes.

– o –

TO CANCEL or remove events – change event name to ‘CANCELLED eventname’ and send to guests. If you simply delete it from your calendar it will STAY online.