The Gascoyne Murchison is rugged, adventurous and full of character. You’ll find heaps of 4WD trails, amazing landscapes, wide open skies and amazing outback hospitality. But this wide, expansive region also plays host to some of the most unique and fun events in Australia. As the COVID-19 pandemic affected so many 2020 events, here are our favourites, some of which you may never have heard of, but we highly recommend adding to your to-do list for 2021!
1. Q Fest - June 2021
It's time to get outrageous in the outback! QFest is a weekend of fun, frivolity and celebration of everything that makes Cue, Cue! This incredible festival combines drag queens, live music, art exhibitions, circus performers, street performers, international food, craft stalls and cultural and heritage tours to create something really special. The event culminates with a huge burning man on the last night of the festival!
2. Australia’s biggest BBQ - September / October 2021
Every year, the world’s biggest rock, Mount Augustus, is the fitting venue for Australia’s biggest BBQ. This annual event is part of the Gascoyne Food Festival and celebrates the best of the bush; bringing together the finest chefs, ingredients and produce. Think outback beef cooked on roaring open fire pits, locally sourced vegetables and mouth-watering desserts studded with native ingredients. This is an event that celebrates the beauty of the land, and the food it gives us.
3. Landor Races - October 2021
The Landor Races are the Eastern Gascoyne Race Club’s traditional bush race meeting. This is a huge event that’s full of outback charm and charisma. The races have a colourful history and truly outback flavour. In 1921 at a combined mustering camp, which was the custom in those days, a number of stockmen from stations in the area from Milgun, Mt Augustus, Mt Seabrook, Erravilla and Landor were having a day off. These men were resting and doing their washing when they started to argue about who had the fastest horse. And so the Landor Races were born.
4. Astro Rocks Fest - September 2021
Astro Rocks Fest is a weekend event which focuses on and celebrates astro and geological tourism. The weekend is perfect for the whole family and is packed with activities to delight the senses. Touch, Feel, Look, and Taste your way through an amazing weekend. There are art exhibitions, food and craft stalls, kid’s activities and nightly star gazing events. If you’ve never experienced a truly dark, outback sky – this is the perfect time to explore and learn more about our amazing natural wonders.
5. Wildflower Season
This is a natural event – and it is one that will really blow you away. Check out these amazing displays that spring into bloom every year in the Gascoyne Murchison. There are heaps of wildflower trails to explore, or you can just soak in their beauty along the roadside as you traverse through the region.