It's the ultimate combo – music festival meets road trip. Get out on the road this year to see (and hear) something special at some of Queensland’s most spectacular places.

Shaping up to be a pretty nice time, right? Here’s some bloody beaut highlights: the Trails get going on Friday 25 June to Sunday 27 June, when an evolved version of the iconic Opera at Jimbour for three days of intimate opera and chamber music performances. Think wine, cheese and world class opera taking place within the grounds (and house) of the historic Jimbour House. It’s a bit fancy! 

With just enough time to admire the Bunya Mountains, a quick pit stop to grab a photo in front of the World’s Biggest Watermelon slice and a look in at a secret World War II base, it’s on to the Cosmos Centre in Charleville. From Tuesday 29 until Wednesday 30 June the small town of Charleville will come to life as pop icon Kate-Miller Heidke and acclaimed Kalkadunga artist William Barton deliver Music For Stargazing, a concert inspired by astrological arrangements, Aboriginal navigation and traditional stories of Charleville. The bespoke chamber concert – produced exclusively for the Queensland Music Trails – will feature the world-premiere of the new commission by William Barton, with help from Kate Miller Heidke, Veronique Serret, Jess Hitchcock, Keir Nuttall, Sam Pankhurst and widely recognised Dreamtime Opera Diva Delmae Barton. 

After a small jaunt west through the red sandy plains of the Mariala National Park, its over to the remote town of Quilpie, for Echoes In the Dust on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 July. Here the magnificent boulders of the Baldy Top lookout provide the backdrop to an immersive musical experience. Musical soundscapes from Topology and giant puppets from Dead Puppet Society will transport visitors to ancient times in this one-of-a-kind performance that fuses together stories, music and other-worldly artistic interpretation in one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. 

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July welcome a series of outback performances from Karl S. Williams, Emily Wurramara, Hussy Hicks and a line-up of locals in Windorah, giving travellers time to kick-back and enjoy the afternoon with a bevvie in hand. This is a free event, for more information check qldmusictrails.com

After a relaxing Sunday in the outback, the final week of Queensland Music Trails comes to a dramatic conclusion, with Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Tim Finn, Kate Ceberano, Shannon Noll and countless others taking to the stage over three days at the iconic Big Red Bash. We’ve got a family pass to give away. Visit qldmusictrails.com for more info.

Learn more about Queensland Music Trails by visiting our website. 

Queensland Music Trails FAQs.