RV Friendlies & Events

The Woodford Folk Festival is held annually over six days and six nights, from Dec 27th through to January 1st. More than 2,000 local, national and international, artists, musicians and presenters put on over 438 acts to an audience of an estimated 132,000 people. The festival begins each year with the iconic Opening Ceremony and closes with the spectacular showcase, the Fire Event on New Year’s Day. This year will be the 35th Woodford Folk Festival and the 28th held at Woodfordia. It is the largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia.

The Woodford festival experience is deep, rich and colourful. It is based on a vision of inclusive and creative community, culture and tradition passed through generations, expressed through story and ceremony. The site, a former barren dairy farm, has been lovingly regenerated with over 120,000 subtropical rain forest trees, orchids, ferns and sedges, planted to create a habitat for butterflies and wildlife.

Woodfordia is transformed into a village that hosts over 25,000 daily patrons, performers, stallholders, volunteers and organisers. As many as 2,680 volunteers across 162 departments are at the heart of the organisation and contribute to the setup and day-to-day running of the festival. During the event, the festival is actually the 67th largest town in Australia.

Each year construction begins in early December and continues up until Christmas Day. Over 450 contractors and volunteers build the village. Many come from around the world to be part of the festival build and then stay for a week after to pull the event down.

WE HAVE BEEN LONGING TO ANNOUNCE THIS NEWS SINCE WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER – WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL IS BACK!

Change has been more of a constant these past couple of years and that will continue into the future. The return of the festival this year will see some venues retired, some taking a year off, others returning in full glory along with some new kids on the block.

The programme will continue to have the diversity, excellence and depth that Woodford patrons have revelled in over the years.

Tickets will be capped this year to make sure we get the comfort level just right.

We will be launching tickets in June – make sure you are signed up to our mailing list stay up to date.

The Cardwell Pioneer Tours are currently operating every Monday and Thursday morning from 10am at the Visitor Information and Heritage Centre located in Cardwell. The tour incorporates all the buildings in the historic precinct and takes visitors on a fascinating journey of the area’s colourful history as they move through each building. The tour begins at the old Bush Telegraph building which was the Telegraph and Post Office and explains how Cardwell was founded in 1864 as the first port in North Queensland. Over in the Courthouse visitors can gain an understanding of the old judicial system. Several interesting items are on display including the original straight-jackets used in Tully to restrain the more energetic offenders. The old lock-up building was still in use during the1980s at the Cardwell Police Station. The final building is the old Shire Hall which the community used for a multitude of purposes included balls and other formal social events. The tour concludes on the balcony of the Visitor Information Centre where visitors can enjoy a complementary Devonshire Tea while taking in one of the best views in North Queensland overlooking Hinchinbrook Island, Gould Island and the Family Islands

Event date: 26 June - 5 July 2026

The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is Australia’s only Outback film festival and the world’s only festival dedicated to profiling and supporting the Australian film industry. Held in Winton, Queensland, this family-friendly festival offers an immersive experience that caters to diverse audiences, celebrating Australian storytelling against the stunning backdrop of the Outback.

The festival’s dynamic program features themed special events, Breakfast with the Stars, the unique Silent Night Experience, film-student-led Short Film Competition and film location tours. These engaging activities allow visitors to connect deeply with Australian cinema and culture. The festival also plays a vital role in the industry by supporting Queensland and Australian filmmakers, often providing premiere screenings for local productions that face distribution challenges.

Showcasing the best new Australian films alongside a retrospective program, the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival ensures that authentic Australian stories reach appreciative audiences.

A highlight of the festival is its venue—the historic Royal Theatre, Winton’s open-air theatre. Established in 1918, it is one of only two remaining open-air theatres in Australia, making it a must-visit destination for film lovers and history buffs alike.

Experience the magic of Australian cinema under the Outback stars at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, where stories come to life in the heart of Queensland.