Whether we're city-slickers or country bumpkins, for most Australians, old and young, Show Time means fun time. Its carnival atmosphere, glitzy glamour and plethora of things to see and do almost inevitably unleashes our inner child, and we become illogically eager to spend exorbitant amounts of money on crazy rides, overpriced show-bags and silly trinkets. However, agricultural shows haven't always been extravagant playgrounds for over-sized kids. Dating back to the earliest days of colonial settlement in Australia, they were originally modelled after the country fairs of old England, where farmers would display their prized livestock and produce, and fraternise with others of the same profession. Even now, beyond Australia's big cities, they serve this purpose and a visit to a country show is a special experience, quite different from a Big City event.
This image is from the Longreach Agricultural Show website.
This image is from the Townsville Show website.
In Queensland, the first agricultural show was held in Clermont in 1868, with the Beenleigh Show held just one year later. As settlers moved further afield, other shows were established throughout the state, and these days, the tradition is still going strong with dozens of shows held annually, from the state's south, to out on the western plains and the tropical far north. In contrast to their larger city kin, country shows have a magic and sweetness that evokes images of a days gone by, when life was simpler and lives of many Australians were dependent upon the land. A celebration of country life and community values, they're also heaps of fun with lots of cool rides and sideshow entertainment that will keep the whole family entertained.
Following, is a list of the shows that will be held throughout Queensland over 2013. For a fun, affordable outing that the whole family will enjoy, you really can't beat a visit to a country show. To find out more, go to the
Queensland Shows website.
This image is from the Roma Show website.
This image is from the Gympie Show website.
: Warwick Show
6 April 2013: Dirranbandi Show
11 - 13 April 2013: Toowoomba Show
13 April 2013: Gayndah Show
19 - 20 April 2013: Nanango Show; Dalby Show; Kilcoy Show
20 April 2013: Mt Perry Show; Marlborough Show
22 - 23 April 2013: Wandoan Show
26 - 27 April 2013: Marburg Show
26 - 28 April 2013: Monto Show
27 April 2013: Tambo Show; Goombungee - Haden Show; Blackbutt Show
28 April 2013: The Caves Show
3 - 4 May 2013: Goondiwindi Show; Wallumbilla Show
4 - 5 May 2013: Barcoo (Blackall) Show; Kingaroy Show; Rocklea Show
5 May 2013: Eidsvold Show; St George Show
6 - 7 May 2013: Taroom Show
9 - 11 May 2013: Roma Show
10 - 11 May 2013: Mundubbera Show; Barcaldine Show
11 May 2013: Baralaba Show; Crow's Nest Show
13 - 14 May 2013: Mitchell Show; Theodore Show
16 - 18 May 2013: Gympie Show; Charleville Show
This image is from the Gympie Show website.
: Longreach Show; Callide Valley (Biloela) Show; Boonah Show
17 - 19 May 2013: Brookfield Show; Ipswich Show
This image is from the Ipswich Show website.
: Biggenden Show
21 - 22 May 2013: Alpha Show
21 May 2013: Miles Show
24 - 25 May 2013: Fraser Coast (Maryborough)Show; Capella Show; Chinchilla Show; Esk Show
25 May 2013: Cunnamulla Show; Isis District (Childers) Show; Isisford Show
28 -29 May 2013: Clermont Show
29 - 31 May 2013: Bundaberg Show
31 May - 1 June 2013: Lowood Show; Maleny Show; Springsure Show
31 May - 2 June 2013: Hughenden Show
1 - 2 June 2013: Gin Gin Show
1 June 2013: Ridgelands Show; Landsborough (Muttaburra) Show
4 - 5 June 2013: Emerald Show
7 - 8 June 2013: Toogoolawah Show
7 - 9 June 2013: Rockhampton Show; Caboolture Show; Yeppoon Show
8 -10 June 2013: Winton Show
14 - 15 June 2013: Kalbar Show
14 - 16 June 2013: Cloncurry Show; Sunshine Coast (Nambour) Show
15 June 2013: Tee Bar Show
16 June 2013: Pioneer Valley Show
18 - 20 June 2013: Mackay Show
21 - 22 June 2013: Proserpine Show; Woodford Show
21 - 23 June 2013: Mt Isa Show; Rosewood Show
22 - 23 June 2013: Mt Larcom Show
24 - 25 June 2013: Bowen Show
26 June 2013: Ayr Show
28 - 30 June 2013: Redcliffe Show
29 - 30 June 2013: Mudgeeraba Show
28 June - 1 July 2013: Townsville Show
This image is from the Townsville Show website.
: Herbert River (Ingham) Show
5 - 7 July 2013: Malanda Show
6 - 7 July 2013: Laidley Show; Dayboro Show
8 - 9 July 2013: Atherton Show
11 - 12 July 2013: Innisfail Show
13 - 14 July 2013: Mareeba Show; Samford Show
Mareeba Show. This image is from the Tropical North Queensland (The Classic Events Calendar) website.
: Cairns Show
19 - 20 July 2013: Gatton Show
21 - 22 July 2013: Mossman Show
26 - 27 July 2013: Tully Show
27 -28 July 2013: Mt Gravatt Show, Texas Show
28 - 30 July 2013: Charters Towers Show
2 - 4 August 2013: Pine Rivers Show
3 - 4 August 2013: Sarina Show
7 August 2013: Gladstone Show
8 - 17 August 2013: Royal Queensland Show
10 August 2013: Mt Morgan Show
17 August 2013: Mary Valley (Imbil) Show; Wowan Show
24 August 2013: Canungra Show
30 - 31 August 2013: Wondai Show
30 August - 1 September 2013: Gold Coast Show
30 August 2013: Cooktown Show
6 - 7 September 2013: Beaudesert Show
13 - 14 September 2013: Noosa Show; Beenleigh Show
14 September 2013: Giru Show; Quilpie Show
21 - 22 September 2013: Comet River Show, Tamborine Mountain Show
21 September 2013: Kenilworth Show
28 September 2013: Eumundi Show
