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Queensland Country Shows 2014

Home > Sunshine Coast > Community Events | Escape the City | School Holiday Activities
by Carolyn Hopping (subscribe)
I'm a freelance writer based in Perth, Western Australia, who enjoys writing about the things I love: travel, nature-based activities, the arts, spirituality and creative, fun activities for children.
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Enjoy the taste of country life this weekend
Insanely noisy and hair-raising carnival rides, laden with shrieking teenagers. Sideshow alley, with its endless parade of laughing clowns, fairy floss, shooting galleries and tacky, garishly-coloured prizes. Prize-winning livestock adorned with colourful sashes; little children on Shetland ponies; elderly farmers with wrinkled faces, and glass cabinets filled with mouth-watering goodies such as Anzac biscuits, pumpkin scones and homemade jams, cooked by expert country housewives. One of the most iconic of Australian traditions, Show-time means something different to each of us, and we all have fond childhood memories that encapsulate our first encounter with one.

Show rides are always a hit with the kids
Kids always love visiting a country show


Agricultural shows have been part of Queensland's cultural milieu since 1876, when the first one was held in Brisbane. Originating in England, where country fairs were an established part of life on the land, the tradition quickly took hold in the colonies, and as European settlement spread, the establishment of local agricultural societies was quick to follow. By the early twentieth century country shows were being held in every part of Queensland, from the tropical far north to the arid outback and densely-populated south-east.

This image is from the Malanda Show website.
This image is from the Malanda Show website


These days, the tradition is still going strong and every year dozens of country shows are held throughout the state. A social highlight for isolated rural communities, agricultural shows also offer city people a taste of country life, and every year thousands of families escape the Big Smoke for a day, or weekend, to avail themselves of the opportunity. From tiny shows in remote outback communities to larger events in bustling regional centres, sometimes incorporating special attractions like a rodeo or fireworks, each is unique and therefore worth a visit. Gather the kids, pack the car and leave the city far behind, to experience the down-to-earth charm and fun of one of Australia's favourite family events.

This image is by AlejandroLinaresGarcia, at Wikimedia Commons
This image is by AlejandroLinaresGarcia at Wikimedia Commons


Following is a list of the country shows that will be held throughout Queensland over the remainder of the year. For more information, take a look at the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies website.

This image is from the Malanda Show website
This image is from the Malanda Show website


April 11 - April 12: Dalby & District Agricultural Show; Nanango Agricultural Show

April 12: Dirranbandi Agricultural Show; Gayndah Agricultural Show; Marlborough Agricultural Show

April 14 - April 15: Wandoan Agricultural Show

April 19: Mt Perry & District Agricultural Show

April 26: Tambo Stock Show

April 26 - April 27: Monto & District Agricultural Show

April 27: The Caves Agricultural Show

May 2 - May 3: Goondiwindi Agricultural Show; Marburg Agricultural Show; Wallumbilla Agricultural Show

May 3 - May 4: Barcoo Agricultural Show; South Burnett (Kingaroy) Agricultural Show

May 4: Eidsvold Agricultural Show; St George Agricultural Show

May 5 - May 6: Taroom Agricultural Show

May 8 - May 10: Roma Agricultural Show

May 9 - May 10: Barcaldine Agricultural Show; Kilcoy Agricultural Show; Mundubbera Agricultural Show

May 10: Baralaba Agricultural Show; Crow's Nest Agricultural Show

May 12 - May 13: Mitchell Agricultural Show; Theodore Agricultural Show

May 15 - May 17: Charleville Agricultural Show; Gympie Agricultural Show

May 16 - May 17: Boonah Agricultural Show; Callide Valley Agricultural Show; Longreach Agricultural Show

May 16 - May 18: Brookfield Agricultural Show; Ipswich Agricultural Show

May 17: Blackbutt Agricultural Show

May 17 - May 18: Biggenden Agricultural Show

May 20 - May 22: Alpha Agricultural Show; Miles Agricultural Show

May 22 - May 23: Fraser Coast (Maryborough) Show

May 23 - May 24: Capella & District Agricultural Show; Chinchilla Agricultural Show; Esk Agricultural Show

May 24: Cunnamulla & District Agricultural Show; Isis District Show; Isisford Sheep & Wool Show

May 27 - May 28: Clermont Agricultural Show

May 28 - May 30: Bundaberg Agricultural Show

May 30 - May 31: Lowood Agricultural Show; Maleny Agricultural Show; Springsure Agricultural Show

May 30 - June 1: Hughenden Agricultural Show

May 31: Landsborough Flock Ewe Show; Ridgelands & District Agricultural Show

May 31 - June 1: Gin Gin Agricultural Show

June 3 - June 4: Emerald Agricultural Show

June 5: Rocklea Agricultural Show

June 5 - June 7: Rockhampton Agricultural Show

June 6 - June 7: Toogoolawah Agricultural Show

June 6 - June 8: Caboolture & District Agricultural Show

June 7 - June 8: Yeppoon & District Agricultural Show

June 7 - June 9: Winton Agricultural Show

June 13 - June 14: Kalbar & District Agricultural Show

June 13 - June 15: Cloncurry & District Agricultural Show; Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show

June 14: Teebar Agricultural Show

June 15: Pioneer Valley Agricultural Show

June 17 - June 19: Mackay Agricultural Show

June 20 - June 21: Proserpine Agricultural Show; Woodford Agricultural Show

June 20 - June 22: Mt Isa Agricultural Show; Rosewood Agricultural Show

June 21 - June 22: Mt Larcom & District Agricultural Show

June 23 - June 24: Bowen Agricultural Show

June 25: Ayr Agricultural Show

July 26 - July 27: Texas Agricultural Show

June 27 - June 29: Redcliffe Show

June 28 - June 29: Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show

July 3 - July 4: Ingham Agricultural Show

July 4 - July 6: Malanda Agricultural Show

July 5 - July 6: Dayboro Agricultural Show; Laidley Agricultural Show

July 7 - July 8: Atherton Agricultural Show

July 10 - July 11: Innisfail & District Agricultural Show

July 12 - July 13: Mareeba Rodeo & Show; Samford & District Agricultural Show

July 16 - July 18: Cairns Agricultural Show

July 18 - July 19: Gatton Agricultural Show

July 20 - July 21: Mossman & District Agricultural Show

July 25 - July 26: Tully & District Agricultural Show

July 26 - July 27: Mt Gravatt Agricultural Show

July 27 - July 29: Charters Towers Agricultural Show

August 1 - August 2: Cooktown Agricultural Show

August 1 - August 3: Pine Rivers Agricultural Show

August 2 - August 3: Sarina Agricultural Show

August 6: Gladstone Agricultural Show

August 9: Mt Morgan Agricultural Show

August 9 - August 18: Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)

August 16: Wowan Agricultural Show

August 23: Canungra & District Agricultural Show; Mary Valley Agricultural Show

August 29 - August 30: Gold Coast Show; Wondai Agricultural Show

September 5 - September 6: Beaudesert Agricultural Show

September 12 - September 13: Beenleigh Agricultural Show; Noosa Show

September 13: Giru Agricultural Show; Quilpie District Agricultural Show

September 20: Kenilworth Agricultural Show & Rodeo; Tambourine Mountain Agricultural Show

September 20 - September 21: Comet Agricultural Show

September 27: Eumundi Agricultural Show
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Why? Country shows are loads of fun, and a fraction of the cost of larger city events.
When: Throughout the year
Where: In almost every part of Queensland
Cost: It varies
Your Comment
Redlands Show ( referred to as RedFest) is held every year and is a very large regional event offering a fun day out, . Why wasn't it on your list? It's held in September. Contact Redlands City Council for more details
by Natalie (score: 0|6) 3343 days ago
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