The Queensland Music Trails is where the great Aussie road trip meets the music festival as city dwellers are invited to ditch traffic jams and venture out into Queensland's big and beautiful backyard.
A state-wide initiative of QMF (previously known as Queensland Music Festival), the music-tourism festival will offer music lovers and intrepid travellers alike the opportunity to immerse themselves in top-shelf music experiences in some amazing, natural locations.The inaugural trail will commence this winter when The Outback Trail takes in Queensland's southern outback across small towns, regional centres, and natural wonders. "There's a heap to explore," explains comedian Aaron Gocs.
"Epic landscapes and wide, open roads, opera in a mansion, a stargazing concert, huge puppets with music and a big desert bash – who knows what you're going to find. You might even find yourself.
"Anyway, you should come. It should be pretty good!"
Those to feature as part of the entertainment of The Outback Trail include Kate Miller-Heidke, Topology, Emily Wurramara, Karl S. Williams, Hussy Hicks and Opera Queensland, before the final stop at the famed Big Red Bash featuring the likes of Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Tim Finn and John Williamson.
"There's something so magical and timeless about the outback. It has a way of somehow making our ordinary problems seem insignificant," QMF Ambassador Kate Miller-Heidke says.
"As a setting for live music bursting back to life after a tough year, it will be truly unforgettable. Get ready for a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, under skies full of stars."
The next five years will see Queensland Music Trails expand with further trails planned for Far North Queensland, South East Queensland, East Coast (Mackay to Sunshine Coast) Cape Trail (Townsville to Bamaga), Gemfields (Emerald to Middlemount) and Coast to Coast (Yarrabah to Burketown).
While each Trail has the capacity to deliver significant tourism, social, community and economic benefits in its own right, the Trails will collectively stimulate and facilitate a state-wide activation programme that will support local job creation, encourage skills development and boost spend in local economies.
"The Outback Music Trail is the perfect opportunity to experience amazing home-grown music and explore the wonders of our state at the same time," Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch says.
"Following the impact of the global pandemic there's never been a better time to explore our own backyard. The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support QMF, including with $250,000 in funding through our Arts and Cultural Recovery Package for the Outback Music Trail.
"The arts are key to delivering our Government's plan for economic recovery, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state's economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders. That is why events like this are so important."
Tickets to all of The Outback Trail events are on sale now.
The Outback Trail 2021 Dates
1: Opera at Jimbour
Intimate opera and chamber music performances at glorious Jimbour Homestead.25-27 Jun @ Jimbour House, Jimbour with Ensemble Q, Opera Queensland and more.
2: Music For Stargazing
Intimate opera and chamber music performances at glorious Jimbour Homestead.29-30 Jun @ Cosmos Centre, Charleville with William Barton, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jessica Hitchcock, Aunty Delmae Barton and more.
3: Echoes In The Dust
Experience mind-bending musical virtuosity and astonishing visual theatre with the breathtaking backdrop of Baldy Top at twilight.1-2 Jul @ Baldy Top, Qulpie with Topology and Dead Puppet Society.
4: Oasis Afternoons
Kick back and relish in some of Queensland's best blues, roots, and acoustic acts in the heart of Channel Country.3-4 Jul @ Windorah with Karl S. Williams, Hussy Hicks and Emily Wurramara
5: The Big Red Bash
The world's most remote major music festival set at the Big Red Dune 35km west of Birdsville on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert.6-8 Jul @ Birdsville with Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Tim Finn, John Williamson, Thirsty Merc, Shannon Noll and more.
