Kick up the dust with these family-friendly outback rodeos in North West Queensland
Ride, rock and reel your way through North West Queensland with these five classic outback rodeos to add to your family-travel bucket list.
Grab your plated belt buckle and hang onto your Akubra because we’ve got an epic roundup of the best rodeos in North West Queensland that will make you scream “yee-haw!”
Giddy-up!
5 outback rodeos to put on the family-travel bucket list
Pack your bags and head out west to live out your wildest outback dreams filled with rodeo riders, only the best cowboy boots and a whole lot of fun.
Quamby Rodeo | Cloncurry Shire, 29-30 July
Once a year, country-living families and inner-city slickers make their way to the town of Quamby for one mighty round-up at the Quamby Rodeo.
Located 69km from Cloncurry, the quintessential outback spot comes alive for a wild weekend on Saturday, 29 July. There’s plenty of places to set up camp in the town with close proximity to the action. Expect nothing less than a true outback experience, including team roping, bucking broncos, mutton busting and of course, the famous wild donkey ride.
Watch the spectacle unfold as enthusiastic attendees, dressed in ponchos and sombreros enter the arena on the back of a donkey.
You’ll be kicking dirt to miss this one!
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo | Mount Isa, 10-13 August
Whether you’re a rodeo enthusiast or just looking for a unique event to attend, the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo should be at the top of your bucket list in 2023. The biggest and best rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere returns for another four-day event, jam-packed with everything you could expect and more from a good ole’ country meet up.
Coming out of the gates on Thursday, 10 August, watch the best cowgirls and cowboys in the world battle it out to win a slice of a whopping $130,000 in prize money. Don’t miss the popular Isa Street Festival parade, as floats, musical acts and riders make their way through the streets of Mount Isa to kick off rodeo week. Pack your best cowboy boots and fringe flannel and party the night away all-weekend long with an epic line-up of musicians including Guy Sebastian, McAliser Kemp, James Johnston and more.
Sedan Dip Races Campdraft & Rodeo | McKinlay Shire, August
The Sedan Dip in McKinlay Shire is a must-do experience for any traveller who is visiting North West Queensland in August. The Sedan Dip Campdraft, Races & Rodeo will see hundreds scurrying to McKinlay Shire, 100km north of Julia Creek for a wild weekend full of country fun. Witness some of the best horse racing, cattle work and rodeo action in the state, all in a picturesque rural setting – you’ll be spoilt for choice! Wear your best frock and watch jockeys guide their horses through running rivers and fight for the win in an epic 1,400-meter race. The campdraft is another popular event where riders on horseback work to isolate a bullock and keep it under control in front of judges. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of steer wrestling, bucking and barrel racing that you would expect at a country rodeo.
Stay in style at Julia Creek Caravan Park, where you can relax in artesian baths after a long day in the red dirt.
Keep your eyes peeled, as dates for this year’s Sedan Dip will be announced soon.
Dajarra Campdraft & Rodeo | Cloncurry Shire, September
The annual event held in Cloncurry Shire will be back and bigger than ever before.
Competitors will be travelling far and wide to compete in one of the most prestigious campdraft and rodeo events on the calendar. Located in the heart of North West Queensland, travellers, family and friends will gather to Dajarra Campdraft & Rodeo to celebrate all things outback!
Sit back and watch traditional rodeo events such as saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, cattle steering and of course, bull riding.
Don’t count out the Gymkhana, where we’ll see little ones on horses compete in variety of racing and timed games. With plenty of family events, market stalls and live music, Cloncurry Shire is the perfect place to rodeo! We recommend staying at the iconic Leichardt Hotel Motel for a bit of treatment after kicking it up in the dust all day long. Word on the street is that this one will be held in the middle of September (Shh!).
Dates are expected to drop soon so keep an eye out.
Camooweal Campdraft & Rodeo | Overlands Way, 2 – 4 June
The Camooweal Campcraft & Rodeo, located in approximately 190 kilometres west of the city of Mount Isa is not one to be missed. Kicking off Friday, 2 June, cowboys, cowgirls and spectators alike will be making their way to Overlands Way region for the biggest party to hit the North West Queensland.
A favourite amongst many, the wild west spectacular will see attendees dressed in their best boots and collared shirts to watch riders getting thrown off bucking bulls.
There’s plenty of entertainment for the family, including the mutton busting completion, which will see kids clinging to the back of sheep and seeing who can hold on the longest.
March on down to Camooweal for one helluva muster this June!
