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
Date: 11/10/2026
In conjunction with Table Cape Tulip Farm opening its gates to a world of colour, the Wynyard Tulip Festival 2025 celebrates this iconic landmark, which attracts over 20,000 visitors every spring. The festival features live entertainment, Tasmanian produce, a fireworks display, thrilling rides, and family-friendly activities.
The inaugural Tulip Festival took place in 1991, born from the community’s pride in the vibrant tulips that blossomed each spring at Table Cape Tulip Farm. Over the years, we have celebrated 33 successful festivals, with only 2020 missed due to COVID.
What began as a small local celebration of spring and the region’s tulips has since transformed into a nationally recognised festival, attracting visitors from across Australia as well as countries such as India and China. Last year, the festival welcomed an estimated 20,000 guests.
This year, festival-goers can look forward to special appearances from nationally recognised guests, including MasterChef Australia 2024 runner-up Josh “Pezza” Perry and ABC Gardening Australia host Hannah Moloney, returning for her second year!
Event date - 4 April 2026
Come along to the Dungog Rodeo and watch the talented riders test their skills. The rodeo is made up of a wide range of horse and cow events: bareback riding, followed by calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and as a grand finale bull riding.
It is explosive action, danger, extraordinary skill, and refined talent – and the cowboys and cowgirls who ride are some of the most rugged individualists in athletics, pursuing glory in the dust and mud.
Hot dogs, pluto pups and Aussie steak sandwiches, there is something for the whole family, test your skills on the mechanical bull, Side Shows with rides, hats, clothing, coffee, and ice cream, and watch the fearless cow dogs show their skill at high jumping.
Laugh with the crowd at the action by the clowns and pickup riders in the ring entertaining between the events with a big screen for action replays and a live band. It is a true bush spectacle not to be missed!
Camping is free at the Showground, should you wish to stay on the Saturday night after the rodeo.
No bookings are required.
