.png)
On the one-year anniversary of the floods that devasted Outback Queensland in 2025, Quilpie will turn its main street into a concert space - with renowned country music stalwart Lee Kernaghan set to headline a Spirit of the Bush performance from 4pm on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The free community concert in Quilpie will be the largest of three Spirit of the Bush events across the hardest-hit regions, transforming Quilpie’s main street into a festival of music, food and storytelling.
Brolga Street in Quilpie will become a pedestrian thoroughfare for the event – with the main street closed to traffic and the stage for the concert set in the middle of the roadway.
Quilpie Shire Council will load tonnes of dirt and roll out fresh turf along the bitumen road to add to the boot scooting country vibe under foot, while food vendors will line the street and comedy from Mandy Nolan will accompany an evening of country music that will honour the past year and the people who carried the region through it.
Quilpie Mayor Ben Hall said the anniversary offered a moment to reflect on a period that tested the districts endurance - and to acknowledge those who responded when the waters rose.
“We’re excited to stage an event that marks how far we’ve come from the devastation we were experiencing 12 months ago - and that also gives us the opportunity to recognise some of our local heroes who were integral in helping save and feed livestock as well as rescuing locals from flooded houses. We will share their stories and give public recognition for all they did,” Hall said.
“The event will also kick off the launch of our prime winter tourist season and give us an opportunity to showcase all we’re renowned for - from opal fossicking to water sports, hiking, natural beauty at sites like Baldy Top and fishing and yabbying.”
Country Music star Lee Kernaghan said, “I’m proud to be part of the Spirit of the Bush community concerts in Jundah, Quilpie and Thargomindah. Along with Adavale, these towns were among the hardest hit during the 2025 floods, and the free concert events will be a chance to bring people together from across Queensland to show support and pay tribute to the spirit and resilience of these salt-of-the-earth communities.
Joining us on the tour is Luke Geiger with his Australia’s Wildest Cowboy Party, 2026 Toyota Star Maker winner Jarred Wrigley, and my amazing wife Robby X, who’ll be performing with me at every show.”
Kernaghan’s appearance as part of the Spirit of the Bush community concert series is supported by the Queensland Government, with Quilpie Shire Council building a wider program of comedy, entertainment and art with a 1 Year On Flood Exhibition running from March 20 – May 1 at the Quilpie Shire Gallery.
Joining Kernaghan on the bill is well-known Outback Queensland performer Luke Geiger, who will bring a high-energy set to the Quilpie stage, musician and songwriter Robby X and rising country talent Jarrad Wrigley who is fresh from being crowned the 46th Toyota Star Maker at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2026.
Before his Tamworth breakthrough, the 22-year-old Stanthorpe sheep farmer was known to television audiences as Farmer Jarrad — the singing cowboy on Farmer Wants a Wife (2025).
While the Spirit of the Bush event will bring joy this March, the floods that devasted the region in March 2025 brought record rainfall and history making water levels that led to widespread evacuations and the loss of hundreds of thousands of livestock as properties were inundated without warning.
“There is still deep trauma amongst many families on properties beyond the town limits,” Hall said. “Because we had no radar in our region, we were left totally unprepared for the rainfall and subsequent flooding last year. People were winched out of homes by helicopter. Others watched fencing and stock disappear under rising water. Twelve months on many are still rebuilding stock levels and fencing, however the resilience and community spirit of our region has well and truly shone. This event will recognise and pay tribute to that,” added Mayor Hall.
Lee Kernaghan
Before the historic rainfall event, forecasts had suggested minimal precipitation across south-west Queensland. Instead, more than 500mm fell in parts of the region, highlighting the desperate need for improved monitoring infrastructure.
In the wake of the floods Government funding was secured for a new weather radar system to cover the gap between Charleville and Alice Springs.
“We hope the weather radar isn’t too far off, so we never get caught out like we did with the weather event 12 months ago,” Hall said.
The March 28 Spirit of the Bush street party will also serve as the informal launch of Quilpie’s winter tourism season, with visitors encouraged to stay on and explore the region’s opal fields, waterways and walking trails as the Outback moves into its peak travel months.
For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment