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.
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
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
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
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