RV Friendlies & Events
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.
Discover your inner artist at Urth Clay Studio's Hand Building class in Goodwood. Create a speckled cup and gain confidence to craft at home. Book now. $1 from every booking will be donated to Dementia Australia.
From $89.00
Event date: 11 April - 19 April 2026
See the magic and spectacle as one of the Southern Hemispheres biggest Hot air balloon events takes to the sky over the beautiful Canowindra countryside in Central West NSW.
The action is at either end of the day with balloons flying at sunrise and in the last hour before sunset over a 9 day period at the beginning of April.
The signature event is the Cabonne Community Glow and night markets where you will enjoy local produce, wine, crafts and entertainment culminating in a night display as the balloons light up synchronised to music.
Watching the balloons each day is free but there is an entry charge for the Balloon Glow.
As the action happens at either end of the day this leaves plenty of time for exploring the incredible sights in the area and visting the villages and town of the area. Stop in at wineries and local food producers to get a real sense of how wonderful this area is.
Whilst in Canowindra visit the Age of Fishes Museum (home of the State Fossil), wander down the historic main street or enjoy art galleries, wonderful coffee, cellar doors and quirky shopping.
