The outback edition of Queensland Music Trails isn't just a music festival. It is a road trip, a cultural exchange and a campfire yarn that stretches across 1,400 kilometers of red earth, small towns and big-hearted music.
The self drive trail winds its way through places that don’t always make the usual guides. Starting in Roma and continuing through St George, Cunnamulla, Eromanga and Charlieville. For a few weeks in autumn, these quiet country towns buzz with a new energy. Gigs pop up under starry skies, historic pubs fill with music lovers, and strangers quickly become mates.
It all begins in Roma, with Outback Music Under the Stars, before moving to the Saddle Up at St George, continuing on to the dusty charm of Gully Sessions and the Nidigully Pub. The trail ends in Charleville with Outback Sounds, but don’t be surprised if you linger for longer.
Each stop along the trail has its own rhythm, flavour and way of drawing people in, from riverside campfires to heritage halls echoing with acoustic sets. Travellers pack their swags, tune the radio and follow the music as the journey unfolds. Here’s how this years adventure rolled out, one stop at a time.
Stop 1 – Roma: Outback Music Under the Stars
The journey begins in Roma during its iconic Easter in the Country celebrations. As the sun goes down, Outback Music Under the Stars delivers a magical night of live music. Headliners Wade Forster (by 2024 Toyota Star Maker) and beloved country legend Troy Cassar-Daley take the stage, blending lyrics with the spirit of the bush. Whether visitors came for a laid-back night of tunes or paired it with the adrenaline of the XXXX Rodeo, it proved to be the ultimate Easter Sunday celebration.
Stop 2 – St George: Saddle Up
Next, the trail heads west to St George, where Saddle Up brings music to the banks of the Balonne River. The Australian Hotel plays host to a night of musical bingo, classic pub fun and shared stories over hearty meals. It’s a casual, joyful gathering that is perfect for connecting with fellow travellers and locals alike.
Stop 3 – Nindigully: The Gully Sessions
In the small town of Nindigully, one of Queensland’s oldest pubs becomes the centre of the action. Dating back to 1864, the Nindigully Pub, fondly known as The Gully, welcomes visitors for an afternoon of high-spirited music and storytelling. Performances by Taylor Moss, Good Will Remedy, and fiddle expert Cait Jamieson set the tone for a day filled with dancing and timeless outback charm.
Stop 4 – Bollon: Lunch with the Locals
In peaceful Bollon, Lunch with the Locals offers a slower pace and genuine outback hospitality. Set on the lawns of the Civic Centre, the day includes live music by Lloyd Saunders, market stalls and the option of a three-course Bush Tucker Experience. Cultural highlights like a Welcome to Country by Guwamu/Kooma Elder Uncle Bill Speedy and a didgeridoo performance by Tommy Crow add depth to this community-focused stop.
Stop 5 – Charlotte Plains – Ballads and Bush Yarns
Just outside Cunnamulla lies Charlotte Plains, a family-run sheep station steeped in history. Here, under the stars, Ballads & Bush Yarns brings together folk-country duo Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, country storyteller Brad Butcher and a cast of local voices. The result is an intimate evening of poetry, song and shared stories, a heartfelt tribute to outback life.
Stop 6 – Cunnamulla: Reels and Railway
The next stop brings travellers into the heart of Cunnamulla. Known for its hot springs and the iconic Cunnamulla Fella statue, the town hosts Reels & Railway, beginning with a classic Aussie film screening at the old railway station. The night continues at The Club Boutique Hotel with dinner and a soulful set from singer-songwriter Sue Ray resulting in a relaxed evening full of local flavour.
Stop 7- Charleville: Out the Back at Hotel Corones
In Charleville, Out the Back transforms the historic Hotel Corones into a vibrant live music venue. Country-pop star Taylor Moss headlines, lighting up the stage with a high-energy set that brings the crowd to their feet. Cold drinks, singalongs and plenty of laughter make this night one to remember.
Stop 8 – Eromanga: Unearthed: A night at Eromanga
Things take a turn in Eromanga, home to the Eromanga Natural History Museum and “Cooper,” one of the world’s largest dinosaurs. Unearthed blends science, storytelling and song in a setting like no other. Guests enjoy lawn-side dining, talks with a local geologist and guided tours before settling in for a captivating set by neo-country duo Bronson Diamond & Greta Stanley.
Stop 9 – Charlieville: Outback Sounds at the Showgrounds
The trail wraps up in Charleville, but this time at the bustling Outback Sounds festival at the Showgrounds. A moving Welcome to Country opens the day, followed by a lineup of standout performances. Brisbane’s The Wet Whistles get things started, Bella Mackenzie brings her energy and Bronson Diamond & Greta Stanley return with more heartfelt tunes. The night ends with a show-stopping set by James Johnston, whose songs about life on the land strike a powerful chord with the crowd.
More Than Music
Between gigs, there’s plenty to explore. Soak in the artesian baths, find lonely museums, or sip on a cold beer at the bar where someone once rode a horse inside. You will find music in the most unexpected of places, like the Charlotte Plains Stations or beside fossil bones in Ermonga’s Natural History Museum. Every stop holds something unique and no two journeys are the same.
It’s really all about the people you’ll meet along the way. Locals who’ll point you to the best bakery, fellow travellers who become fast friends and First Nations storytellers who’ll offer a glimpse into a deeper, older understanding of place. The best part is that you write your own itinerary. Choose a few stops, or do the whole trail. Take detours. Stay an extra night. This is music on your terms.
Discover The Reef Trail-
From the 5th – 15th of June 2025, QLD Music Trails invites travellers to swap inland sunsets for ocean horizons, continuing the journey through some of Queensland’s most stunning coastal landscapes.
This next leg takes you from Mackay to the Whitsundays, tracing a route through places where nature, culture and music collide. Picture live sets from Xavier Rudd and Kee’ahn under swaying palms, quiet mornings at Cape Hillsborough, or golden afternoons drifting into music by the water’s edge on Magnetic Island. It’s a trail designed not just to explore, but to pause, reflect and take it all in.
The Reef Trail is a chance to travel at your own pace, discover hidden corners of the coast and share the road with fellow music lovers. From the outback to the ocean, the story continues but the music changes.
