7 Aussie outback events you can’t miss in 2025

Words Robert Crack and Julija Zivanovic Pics Supplied

Have a bit of holiday time next year but not sure where to go or what to do? We’ve got you covered with a careful selection of super-fun Aussie outback events you can plan for in 2025. 

It’s no secret that here at Hema Maps we love the Australian Outback, and we love encouraging fellow Aussies (and tourists!) to explore the outback because, despite being known as a whole lot of nothing, it actually offers countless opportunities for fun if you know where to look.

Earlier this year we covered our top five Aussie outback events you can’t miss in 2024 — if you missed that you can read part one here and part two here. Otherwise, welcome to our expanded, 2025 edition — we added a few more events and are getting in early so you have plenty of time to make all your necessary travel arrangements. 

Keep reading to discover some awesome Aussie outback events you can’t miss in 2025.

1. Birdsville Races in Queensland (5–6 September 2025, with earlier program yet to be announced)

Birdsville Races (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Reichlyn Aguilar)

Molly … Queenslander … Desert Rose … Fireworks …

If you’ve previously been to the Birdsville Races — held in Birdsville, a unique town that’s close to where three state borders meet: New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland — you may be wondering why these names aren’t ringing any bells.

That’s because they raced in 1882, in the inaugural Birdsville Races (previously called the ‘Lower Diamantina Race Meeting’) held in the newly formed township of Birdsville on 20–22 September.

We know from BIRDSVILLE (LOWER DIAMANTINA) RACE MEETING. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]* that ‘The weather was delightful, the entrances for the various events good, and the finishes in most of the races close and exciting’.

The settling of bets took place in the Royal Hotel owned by Mr William Albert Tucker, ‘… where the amounts were paid over to the respective winners, the usual toasts proposed and duly responded to, after which a meeting was held in Messrs. Burt and Co.'s large iron store, when a jockey club was formed, to be called the "Border Jockey Club," forty-two names being enrolled as members. Stewards were appointed, a working committee elected, and the next race meeting fixed for July 1883.’*

Nowadays, the Royal Hotel is a ruin listed on the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Heritage Register which, in concert with its additional historical cred as the former Australian Inland Mission Hospital, makes it well worth a visit. And these days the total prize money is a touch north of $300,000, a ways away from the total prize money of around 210 sovereigns in 1882 which, with a sovereign having a nominal value of one British pound in those days and with Australia’s first national currency not being circulated until almost three decades later in 1910, would be around 30,000 pounds sterling today.

A mere 21 years earlier in 1861, the first Melbourne Cup had been run, in which the prize money for the race was 710 sovereigns. The winning horse of the Melbourne Cup nowadays wins almost $4.5 million.

The Birdsville Races have come to be affectionately known as the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’, and while that could be for many reasons, having any similarity between the prize money purses is not one of them! 

We think the ‘Melbourne Cup’ metaphor comes down more to tradition, colourful characters, fashions on the field, flamboyant headwear on the ladies (and not-so-flamboyant Akubras on the men), than it does to the prize purse. What the two events do share is that horses, trainers, owners, jockeys, bookies and racegoers come from far and wide for a sensational event. 

The Birdsville Races were unveiled in 2009 as one of only 15 iconic events and festivals in the Q150 icons celebrating the places, people and pages (aka ‘stories’) which have made Queensland the place that it is. 

And we know music fans won’t be disappointed, with live music at the iconic Birdsville Hotel (Queensland’s westernmost pub) every day. Plus, the Fashions on the Field, Royal Flying Doctor Service Birdsville Races Gala and live entertainment by Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe will complement the great Aussie music. 

You will get to experience one of Australia’s most iconic regional events … being held in one of Australia’s most iconic outback towns … and wherein you can enjoy an icy cold frothy in one of Australia’s most iconic pubs … 

Tickets and more information can be found here. 

2. Innamincka Races in South Australia (30 August 2025)

Innamincka Trading Post (Credit: Matt Williams)

Dating back to the late 1800s, the Innamincka Races are a time-honoured bush race meeting replete with fashions on the field, food and beverage offerings, live music and trackside bookies. 

From The South Australian Register of 17 January 1893, we know that ‘The annual races took place at Innamincka on December 27 and 28 (1892), and from a racing point of view were a great success. In nearly every race exciting finishes were the order of the day. Over £150 was paid away in stakes. The course was very heavy. The settling-up took place at the Innamincka Hotel on 28th ult.** … A meeting of those interested in racing was subsequently held, and it was agreed to hold the next meeting either a month or six weeks later than the Birdsville fixture…’***

If you’re after an awesome weekend of horse racing and a gymkhana competition, then look no further than the Innamincka Races for some outback fun!

3. Parrtjima Lights Festival in the Northern Territory (4–13 April 2025)

Arelhe Urrperle walks through the crowd, 2024 (Credit: Parrtjima)

Parrtjima 2025 in the desert town of Alice Springs (Mparntwe) marks the festival’s 10th anniversary and its first-ever orchestral performance, courtesy of the more than 60 musicians of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO). 

While entry to Parrtjima is free of charge, the outdoor performance of the DSO for 90 spellbinding minutes on the closing weekend attracts a fee and pre-paid tickets are required. The orchestra will perform alongside Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams and Bronwyn Stuart, and will include the Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind) by Bilawarra Lee and Netanela Mizrahi. An extended experience is also available with welcome drinks and bush food canapes — at an extra charge.

Shining a light on the oldest continuous culture in the world and the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its nature anywhere, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is where new meets old, bringing together modern technology, art, music, song, ancient stories and timeless culture, blending them into the perfect combination.

‘Timelessness’ is the theme in 2025 ... and while the Tjoritja (the MacDonnell Ranges) have been around for 300 million years, you certainly won’t be, so be sure to go and see the spectacular lightshow at Parrtjima. 

The opening weekend will feature performances by Troy Cassar-Daley, a Welcome Ceremony and Blak Markets. Except for the closing weekend performance by the DSO, Parttjima is free and runs every night. By registering for ‘Any Day Festival Admission,’ attendees can access the venue on any evening — tickets are valid for multiple nights. 

Tickets and more information can be found here. 

4. Back O' Bourke Easter Festival in New South Wales (18–21 April 2025) 

Darling River, Bourke (Credit: Destination NSW)

“If you know Bourke, then you know Australia” were the famous words spoken by Australian writer Henry Lawson. The Back O' Bourke Easter Festival is a multiday celebration with plenty of fun activities for all family members — plus, it’s held in the beautiful town of Bourke that you must visit at least once in your life so you can say you really “know Australia”.  

The festival features entertainment at local cafes, pubs and restaurants, the Easter Colour Run, Crossley Engine display, Long Table Dinner at the Back O' Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre, Central Park Easter Markets, street parade, wool bale rolling competition, Giant Easter Egg Hunt, pancake breakfast and, of course, the signature Back O' Bourke Picnic Races featuring a five race program, fashions on the field and trackside entertainment after the last race of the day. 

And you mustn’t miss the Aboriginal Art Gallery and Back O' Bourke Art Gallery which will be open every day during the festival. 

Bourke is also the perfect departure gateway (or arrival resupply point!) for the Darling River Run. It’s very unlikely indeed that Bourke’s local businesses won’t have everything you need regarding food, beverage, insect repellent, sunscreen, firewood, fuel and gas. 

For more information go here. 

5. Winton Outback Festival in Queensland (23–27 September 2025)

Winton (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Outback Festival in Winton, held during the Queensland school holidays, has been celebrating the spirit of the bush for more than 50 years. It is the quintessence of outback festival quirkiness and thoroughly deserves its place in our list!

The festival’s flagship event, the Quilton Australian Dunny Derby, entails teams of five people (two ‘pullers’, two ‘pushers’ and a ‘jockey’ riding on the ‘loo in the outhouse on wheels') competing on a 200m obstacle course, vying for the coveted title of Australia’s Fastest Dunny and the honour of claiming the Golden Throne (and a share of $5000 prize money). Losing teams get to compete in the Constipation Stakes and there is also a prize for the best-presented dunny and team ... I mean.

This is a very family-friendly event, and not only because it’s held during the school holidays. Bush Poets’ Breakfast, artists, musicians, Swag Toss, Broom Throw, Bushman’s Egg Throw, True Blue Aussie Sports Competition, Meggsie Cart Races, Wool Bale Rolling (one event for adults, one for children), Little Swaggies Hat Toss, Roy Shaw Memorial Truck Pull, Whip Cracking Championships and Children’s Wobble Board Painting all contribute to the fun atmosphere. 

For tickets and more information go here. 

6. Byron Bay Bluesfest in New South Wales (17–20 April 2025)

Crowd at the Byron Bay Bluesfest

With headline acts such as Crowded House, Kasey Chambers, The Cat Empire, Hilltop Hoods, Xavier Rudd, Tones and I, Vance Joy, Ocean Alley and Allison Russell (this list is inclusive, not exhaustive; there are plenty more!), the 36th (and, sadly, final) Byron Bay Bluesfest is set to go out with a bang. 

It’s sad to see the final chapter of Australia’s most-awarded music festival, but next year’s event will be as much about its illustrious, unforgettable past as it will be about the outstanding lineup of artists performing across the Easter long weekend from 17 April to 20 April 2025. If there is another regional music festival that has played host to Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel, Santana, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Robert Plant and the late James Brown, we’d like to know about it. 

The Byron Bay Bluesfest’s accolades include a Top 10 finish at the Pollstar Awards (US) for International Festival of the Decade, a ‘Keeping the Blues Alive Award Memphis’ award for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble OAM, eight awards at each of the Australian Event Awards (Best Cultural & Music and Event of The Year) and the North Coast Tourism Awards for Major Festivals & Events … and more. 

Byron Bay Bluesfest has also won six gold and three silver awards at the NSW Tourism Awards and two silver and one bronze award at the Australian Tourism Awards. For its three consecutive wins in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at the NSW Tourism Awards, Byron Bay Bluesfest was inducted into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. 

You can’t miss the final installation of this incredible musical experience.

For tickets and more information go here. 

7. Ord Valley Muster in Western Australia (16–25 May 2025)

Ord Valley Muster, Kununurra (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

If our list weren’t to include an outback Australia event in Western Australia alongside the events in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory we’ve showcased, it would be akin to inviting your campground neighbours over for sundowner beers and then asking them to leave after only three sips of mineral water. It would simply be incomplete. 

And with that, we shine our spotlights on the Boab Metal Ord Valley Muster 2025 in Kununurra, awarded Silver in the 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, in the Festivals and Events category.

The Nexus Airlines Kimberley Moon Experience on 24 May is the apex (or, should that be ‘nexus’?) of the Ord Valley Muster. A black-tie, ticketed dinner featuring Australian artists Lime Cordiale, Thelma Plum and Mark Seymour & The Undertow among the headline acts. 

Set against the backdrop of beautiful Kununurra/Goonoonoorrang, the Ord Valley Muster takes you on a cultural journey spanning tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal history, told through art, storytelling and performance, paralleling comedy, music, river cruises, yoga boats, unique dining experiences and family activities. 

For tickets and more information go here. 

PLEASE NOTE: In 2024, the Ord Valley Muster attracted close to 1500 out-of-region visitors. The 2025 event is scheduled to run from 16 to 25 May and expected to entice thousands of visitors from outside the region to experience the 10-day festival. We suggest sorting out your accommodation well in advance.

Homestead Dinner, Ord Valley Muster (Credit: Tourism WA)

Acknowledgments and citations

Quoted newspaper articles referred to were sourced from Trove, a collaboration of the National Library of Australia and hundreds of partner organisations around Australia.

*1882 'BIRDSVILLE (LOWER DIAMANTINA) RACE MEETING', The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld: 1866–1939), 18 November, p. 702, viewed 27 Nov 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19787884 

**Latin abbreviation ult., previously used to denote ultimo mense (‘last month’)

***1893 'THE INNAMINCKA RACES', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839–1900), 17 January, p. 6, viewed 27 Nov 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48735063 

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