From Twilight Tastings to Triathlons, and pinot to precious stones, the Capricorn region has such a diverse range of events you’ll find yourself sipping, savouring, singing, and sporting your way through this beautiful part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Each year, there are many high-quality events held throughout this region in Central Queensland which straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. The events express the region’s diversity and dynamism as well as showcasing the facilities, expertise and creativity of the local operators.
The diversity of events in the region is a wonderful platform for highlighting what the region has to offer and to celebrate the burgeoning food, music, tourism, and sporting scenes.
The Capricorn region is easily accessible by road, rail and coach, and it’s a short one-hour flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton (the region’s central hub).
The event calendar of the Capricorn region boasts a unique line up of one-of-a-kind events.
The annual Gemfest Festival of Gems is recognised as one of the most popular celebrations of sapphires and gems in Australia and is held at the home of the largest sapphire fields in the Southern Hemisphere.
Paradise Lagoons Campdraft offers an iconic Outback event experience unlike any other. Not only can revellers watch some of Australia’s best stock horsemen and horsewomen compete for coveted Campdraft titles, they can enjoy the fanfare that includes amazing side events and entertainment acts.
The core focus across all the festivals is to celebrate the best on offer from the region, with events including high quality local talents, arts, gourmet food, produce and locally brewed spirits.
The Capricorn Food and Wine Festival fits hosts bespoke culinary events including Twilight Tasting, Ladies of the Vine Afternoon Soiree, The Long Lunch, and demonstrations by renowned chefs, masterclasses and more.
The mighty Fitzroy River is the lifeblood of the region and the three-day Rockhampton River Festival celebrates the riverbank’s stunning natural and built heritage by embracing arts, culture, food, and entertainment.
The Capricorn region has taken a proactive approach to identify, attract, and nurture events in the region. The official regional tourism organisation, Capricorn Enterprise, works with event organisers to attract new visitors that would otherwise not experience what our region has to offer through an event calendar filled with community, arts, cultural and sporting events.
This strategic approach ensures the region continues to reach its full potential and that everybody shares in the economic and community benefits created by events.
The region’s premier music, arts and cultural celebration is the CQUniversity Village Festival in Yeppoon. The event provides a vibrant mix of music, performing and visual arts, children’s festival, street theatre, workshops and food and market stalls.
The diverse event line up is great news for sports fans too. The region hosts the Yeppoon Triathlon Festival and is also the official finish point of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race. The yachts cruise along the shorelines of Queensland before crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, finishing with celebrations at Keppel Bay Marina.
As the year ends, events keep on coming with locals and visitors cooling down to hot tunes when Busby Marou hosts the event One Hot Night in Rockhampton. This event is followed closely by Rockin’ Rocky which combines steaks, live country music with a rodeo in a charming pub built in 1862.
With such a packed events calendar, visitors and locals alike have access to an exciting range of experiences across the entire Capricorn region.
Experience the diversity within the region with vibrant music festivals, country horse events, yachts, gems and rodeos. From camp draft to camembert, and from merlot and music you’re invited to share in the celebrations.
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