RV Friendlies & Events

Event date - 27 March to 28 March 2026.

Lake Bolac, in the Western District of Victoria, Australia, is sacred to the First Nations people of the area.

For tens of thousands of years, it has hosted a large gathering of clans for the eel season. 

There, clans met for special and important business, especially the exchange of ceremony and lore, trading of goods, and marriage celebrations.

Today, the Lake Bolac Eel Festival, which recognises this historic gathering, attracts people from all walks of life out on to country to gather by the shores of the lake to share, learn, remember and celebrate. 

The festival is held every two years in the autumn and reflects the season when the eels traditionally begin their migration to the open ocean to spawn. 

From 2005 to 2014 the festival was held annually and since 2016 biennially. The festival is relaxed and friendly offering plenty to engage people all ages. 

Event date - 1 - 3 May 2026

The Festival of Outback Skies is a three day event that includes a range of activities including a bull ride, arts and craft workshops. Markets, cooking demonstrations, live music, a fine dining dinner under the stars, lantern parade to name a few.

Volunteer Opportunities 

Seeking volunteers to participate in a range of roles from administration, bar sales, traffic direction, showing people to their campsites, waitering, art workshops, minibus shuttle drivers and site set up. Volunteers receive a free powered camping site and entry to all ticketed events (except the dinner) To register your interest as a volunteer, please go to the festival website and fill out a volunteer application under the get involved tab. For all enquires contact Jennifer Tasker at tdo@flinders.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4741 2971.

Festival Location

The festival site is spread across three precincts all within 500m of each other. The site is also walking distance from the Hughenden CBD. The Hughenden Showgrounds will host the Dinner Under the Stars and the Bull Ride events, with live music, art workshops, cooking demos and more. The Art Sculpture Trail at the historic Coolabah Tree will showcase sculptural pieces entered into our Art Sculptural Competition. At the Hughenden Recreational Lake you can enjoy star gazing, water sports and food markets. The closing lantern parade is alongside the lake before they are released across the water.

Getting There

Hughenden and surrounds are serviced by rail, plane and bus routes and is a very accessible destination for those who prefer self-drive. There are five major roads entering Hughenden, from the north, south, east and west. Situated on the Overlander’s Way approximately half-way between Townsville and Mount Isa, the Hughenden region is a hub for many destinations.

Festival Camping

Flinders Shire Council have powered and unpowered sites available at the festival site. The sites do have access to toilets and showers. Powered sites are $90 for three nights (max 4 people per site), and unpowered sites are $45 for 2 nights (max 4 people). 

Festival Glamping 

For the ultimate accommodation experience at the festival treat yourself to a glamping tent located on the banks of the Flinders River. These glamping tents are next level luxury in camping. Six meter high European Bells tents with quality bedding, chairs, floor rugs, side tables, lights, phone charging station and a welcome pack. You also have a concierge 24/7 to look after your needs. The glamping tents are located a short walk across the river to the festival site. 3 nights twin share is $1,450. An additional queen bed can be rented for your tent to increase capacity to four people.

Event date: 9 May - 10 May 2026

The Walgett Shire's largest community event promises a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. There will be pavilions featuring child, adult, and open classes to enter, along with the excitement of Sideshow Alley. Specialty stalls will offer unique items, while pet and dog shows, sporting events, and horse competitions will provide plenty of action for animal lovers.

Visitors can also enjoy displays, quick shear demonstrations, and the bar, all set against a backdrop of ongoing entertainment. The day will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display, with even more attractions to be announced soon!

For more information, visit the Walgett Show Society Inc.'s Facebook page HERE.