River Rock to Mountain Top Community Festival
8 -11 May 2008
Where: Mirani
Event Organiser: Ted Bussey
Phone: 02 4959 1457
Email: e_bussey@mackay.net.au
It’s all horses for courses. Canter back in time in the Pioneer Valley at this cultural event which includes a sponsored horse ride and fair. Lots of fun for the whole family, it’s also a great opportunity to experience more of this dynamic community.
Blackall Heartland Festival
16 May - 2 June 2008
Where: Blackall
Website: www.blackall.qld.gov.au
Event Organiser: Louise Campbell
Phone: 07 4657 4637
Email: edo@blackall.qld.gov.au
Be amazed by both the beauty of the land and the talent of the locals at this unique annual festival. The Blackall Heartland Festival is a celebration of arts and cultural expressions from locals of the Blackall Shire. The theme for 2008 will be 'wool' – a major product of the area. This country festival also includes a regional Art Show that attracts both state and nation wide entrants, along with a series of art workshops that encourage visitor involvement. Traditional art not your cup of tea? You’re in luck. Local youth will work with digital and multimedia mediums to create fantastic works that reflect their love for their Shire.
Harry Redford Cattle Drive
17 May - 6 June 2008
Event Organiser: Aramac Shire Council
Web: http://www.aramac.qld.gov.au/
Phone: 07 4651 3311
Fax: 07 4651 3156
Email: cdo_aramac@bigpond.com
Saddle up for one of the most unique adventure holidays under the Queensland sun! Leave behind your creature comforts to experience a true taste of droving - the way it was. This three-week journey is the real deal - horses, saddles, cattle, a chuck wagon, sore bottoms, dust, flies and just a ‘bush dunny’ and troughs to bathe in. Live the beauty of the outback on the Redford Trail, sleep under the stars and make some new lifelong friends.
Reef and Rainforest Carnivale
23 May - 1 June 2008
Where: Port Douglas & Mossman
Website: www.carnivale.com.au
Event Organiser: Byron Kurth
Phone: 07 4099 4308 or free call 1800 603 000
Email: fun@carnivale.com.au
There’s something for everyone as Far North Queensland's premier Shire celebrates the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale. Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation townships come alive, and become living postcards of tropical culture. Foodies will rejoice over the array of dishes on offer from over 80 restaurants in the area. If it’s water you want, sail in the Clipper Cup, cheer on the Champion Outrigger Team, or enter the 'Douglas Shire Fishing Tournament' for a chance to win part of the $70,000 bonanza.
So join the locals and celebrate life in the tropics, its pleasures, weather, culture, art and cuisine.
 Goomeri Pumpkin Festival
24 - 25 May 2008
Event Organiser: Geof Stumm
Website: www.goomeri.org.au/pumpkinfest
Phone: 07 41681925
Email: goomeripumpkinfestival@bigpond.com
Ever heard of the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll? Come along to the annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival! This weekend event incorporates huge street markets, a street parade, music, displays, demonstrations, novelty pumpkin competitions, delicious pumpkin food and more. What’s more, it’s free!
On Festival morning the town is full of action with up to 200 quality market stalls lining the streets. The highlight of the festival is the legendary Great Australian Pumpkin Roll. At 2pm, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes go rolling (and splattering) down Policeman's Hill. More pumpkin fun can be had with pumpkin bowls, a decorated pumpkin competition, giant pumpkin competition and a pumpkin patchwork challenge and quilt show. So come along and experience the delights of all things pumpkin!
Discover Sarina Festival
23 – 31 May 2008
Where: Sarina
Website: www.discoversarina.com
Event Organiser: Anne Smith
Phone: 07 4956 6227
Email: discoversarina@optusnet.com.au
Where’s Sarina? You’re about to find out! Eight days of arts and crafts, cultural events, entertainment, sport and various youth activities, allow residents and visitors to experience and share all the town has to offer. One of the highlights of the festival is the popular annual art exhibition, considered one of the best and biggest regional art exhibitions in Queensland. This truly is a family event, with entertainment ranging from opera to poetry to country western to busking. You can also enter or simply cheer on the contestants in the talent contest. There will also be a street parade, treasure hunt and some spectacular sporting competitions. So come and experience all the joys this region has to offer.
Picasso & His Collection
9 June - 14 September 2008
Venue: Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
Website: http://www.qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/coming_soon/picasso_and_his_collection
Phone: 07 3840 7303
Email: gallery@qag.qld.gov.au
For the first time outside Europe the distinctive works of Pablo Picasso, alongside pieces from his own personal art collection, will be on display in an exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art.
The exhibition will present up to 30 of Picasso’s extraordinary master works as well as 150 works by renowned artists such as Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne and Chardin collected by Picasso during his lifetime.
The collection is exclusive to Brisbane and has only ever previously been mounted in Paris, Munich and Barcelona.
Picasso, who died in 1973, is considered to have played a vital role in the creation of modern art.
Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge
14 June 2008
Where: Hughenden
Website: www.flinders.qld.gov.au
Event Organiser: Stephen McCartney
Phone: 07 4741 1021
Email: info@flinders.qld.gov.au
Strap on your running shoes! The Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge is an 8km run/walk through the picturesque Porcupine Gorge National Park, approximately 65 kilometres north of Hughenden. This event has categories for open men/women, under 16 boys/girls and under 12 boys/girls as well as participation walks. There really is something for everyone. No matter your fitness level or age, this is your chance to enjoy some of Australia’s rarely-seen breathtaking sceney in a fresh, fun environment.
Coates Rally Queensland 2008
20 - 22 June 2008
Where: Maroochy
Website: www.rallyqueensland.com.au
Event Organiser: Errol Bailey
Phone: 07 3846 0233
Email: bscc@ozemail.com.au
Buckle up! Coates Rally Queensland is the Queensland round of the NEC Australia Rally Championships, one of Australia's premier motorsport events. This event incorporates a street festival at Coolum for the rally’s ceremonial start, forest rally stages at Imbil over the weekend, a night stage at Maroochy showgrounds and a podium finish on Coolum Beach on Sunday. So come along and take in the beautiful surrounds of the area, while being thrilled by the speed and skill of the rally drivers. Start your engines!
2008 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series - Qantas Wallabies v France
5 July 2008
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Event Organiser: Australian Rugby Union (ARU)
Website: www.rugby.com.au
Phone: 02 9956 3444
The Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series is the premier rugby competition played in Australia each year between the Qantas Wallabies and some of the world's leading international teams.
Suncorp Stadium, one of the finest purpose-built stadiums in the world, will host the Wallabies when Australia takes on France on Saturday 5th June 2008.
Abbey Medieval Festival
5 - 13 July 2008
Event Organiser: Edith Cuffe
Website: www.abbeymuseum.asn.au
Phone: 07 5495 1652
Email: admin@abbeymuseum.asn.au
Where else in Queensland can you indulge a passion for jousting, battles and medieval dance? Join 18,000 others who flock to see a fabulous range of medieval events, from jousting to the mystical and spine-tingling Allegorical Tournament. In brilliant winter sunshine, the event is a must see for anyone interested in the Middle Ages. Bring the kids and let them learn what an impact this colourful period had on today’s society. Complete with markets, activities and food stalls, this is an experience to remember.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon
6 July 2008
Event Organiser: Queensland Events Gold Coast
Website: www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au
Phone: 07 5564 8733
Fax: 07 5564 9733
Email: info@goldcoastmarathon.com.au
More than 16,000 people from around the world are set to ‘Embrace The Next Step’ and participate in the 30th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 6 July 2008.
There is an event for all ages and fitness levels including the 42.2 kilometre marathon, 21.1 kilometre half marathon, 10 kilometre run, 7.5 kilometre walk and junior dash races for the kids over 2.25 kilometre and 4 kilometre.
Regarded as the premier marathon in Australia, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is also recognised worldwide for its fast, flat and scenic course and technical excellence. It is also the largest annual community sporting event held on the Gold Coast.
 Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic
19 - 27 July 2008
Where: Rainbow Beach
Website: www.rainbowsportsclub.com.au
Event Organiser: Linda Adam
Phone: 07 5486 3191
Email: fish@rainbowsportsclub.com.au
Never held a rod before? No problem! The Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic is open to all ages and genders, for those who are new or experienced at fishing, and for those who want to enjoy the experience of watching and participating in a multitude of exciting activities. There’s an event for everyone, with special days within the event especially for kids, ladies and veterans. There are also generous prizes for the best catch! This really is a family event, with plenty of activities to keep the both the young and the young at heart entertained. Good luck landing ‘the big one’!
2008 Camel Endurance Race
22 - 24 August 2008
Where: Hughenden
Website: www.aridlandsaustralia.org
Event Organiser: Paddy McHugh
Phone: 07 4721 6720
Email: paddy@paddymchugh.com
In August 2008, the Arid Lands Festival will take place in the sleepy outback town of Hughenden in central western Queensland. Part of this unique event includes a 160 kilometre camel endurance race that will be run in the stunningly beautiful area of Porcupine Gorge, an area where dinosaurs roamed and ancient tribal Australians hunted in a land of towering cliffs, pockets of vine forest and deep permanent waterholes. This event will be an extreme test of each entrant's skill and the amazing endurance abilities of the camel, with the winner taking home a share of the $50,000 prize purse. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put your survival instincts to the test while enjoying the beautiful scenery in outback Australia.
Drovers Camp Festival incorporating the National Bronco Branding Championships
22 - 24 August 2008
Where: Camooweal
Website: http://www.droverscamp.com.au/
Event Organiser: Col Flood
Phone: 07 4748 2022
Email: camooweal.drover@bigpond.com
Ride ‘em cowboy! Come along and witness some of the country’s toughest men and women at the National Bronco Branding Championships, held in conjunction with the annual Drovers Festival. Celebrating the unique Australian outback lifestyle, the festival includes events based around droving, country music, bush poetry, camp oven cooking and Bronco branding. An art show, photography competition, talent quest and mail race ensure that all visitors will be well entertained. Want a break from the broncos? Wander through the historical town or explore the beautiful scenery of the region. Your only problem will be deciding what to see first!
2008 Aust. Orienteering Championships Carnival
20 September - 1 October 2008
Web: www.oq.ash.au
Event Organiser: Eric Andrews
Phone: 07 4683 6374
Email: batmaps@halenet.com.au
For the foot loose and fancy free. This carnival features the best in foot and mountain bike orienteering with 15 events staged over 12 days. It is the first time that Australian Orienteering Championships in all disciplines, including the Australian Secondary Schools Championships, and the Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships, have been included in the same carnival. Get lost in Maryborough this spring!
CHQ Australian Light Horse Re-Enactment & Reunion 2008
1 - 5 October 2008
Where: Monto
Event Organiser: Edith Rutherford
Phone: 4166 3888
Email: edith.rutherford@cnbtimes.com.au
This is a regal reunion of all Light Horse servicemen and women, and their descendants, including the 138 Bundaberg Region locals who joined the Light Horse during World War Two. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the outstanding horsemanship and activities of Light Horse events, education sessions, historical displays, bush poetry and an art exhibition.
Australian Camp Oven Festival
4 - 5 October 2008
Where: Milmerran
Event Organiser: Jeff Hannaford
Website: www.australiacampovenfestival.com.au
Phone: 07 4695 2560
Email: admin@millmerran.qld.gov.au
Hungry for a taste of good old-fashioned country cooking? Commemorating traditional Australian Camp Oven cooking and the lifestyle activities associated with it, this festival sees professional and amateur cooks use cast iron camp ovens, cooking over open fires at the local showgrounds. Camp Oven cooking competitions, billy boiling speed tests, a damper throwing competition and live country music make this festival a great weekend for the whole family to fill up on!
Coolum Kite Festival
11 - 12 October 2008
Website: www.coolumkitefestival.com
Event Organiser: Noel Mooney
Phone: 07 5446 2500
Email: info@coolumkitefestival.com
Soar like a sea eagle at the Coolum Kite Festival - home to a dazzling display of kite flying, kite surfing, live performances, artistic creations and interactive workshops. Staged at colourful Coolum beach, this environmentally-friendly event provides a breath of fresh air to a Sunshine Coast September. Watch the kite surfers tackle the tubes in this gusty and gutsy event. Here the sky, quite literally, is the limit.
Caloundra Music Festival 'Sun, Surf & Soul'
17 - 19 October 2008
Event Organiser: Dione Inghram
Website: http://www.caloundramusicfestival.com.au
Phone: 07 5420 8752
Email: communityevents@caloundra.qld.gov.au
Locals and visitors to Caloundra City are invited to celebrate and unwind and enjoy the "sun, surf & soul" of the Caloundra Music Festival. This not for profit community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers and free children's entertainment complete the experience.
Gold Coast Indy 300
23 - 26 October 2008
Where: Surfers Paradise
Website: www.indy.com.au
The 2008 Indy 300 will be held on the Gold Coast from October 23 - 26. The annual Gold Coast event encompasses the best in Champ Car and V8 racing, support motor events and an entertainment-packed off-track program.
The Gold Coast Indy 300 carnival is one of the world’s premier motor racing events. The securing of the first Indy race to be staged outside of the USA in 1991 was the first major coup for Queensland Events.
Pan Pacific Masters Games
1 - 9 November 2008
Event Organiser: Queensland Events Gold Coast
Website: http://www.mastersgames.com.au
Phone: 07 5564 8733
Fax: 07 5564 9733
Email: info@goldcoastevents.com.au
The 6th Pan Pacific Masters Games will be held from 1 - 9 November 2008 on the magnificent Gold Coast.
An anticipated 10,000 participants from all over the world will compete in the multi-sport event which has stamped itself on the calendar at the beginning of November every two years.
In 2008 up to 40 sports will be on the program with team sports including softball, touch football, soccer, basketball and baseball to individual sports ranging from swimming, athletics, tennis and cycling.
No qualifying standards or times are required to enter the Masters Games. The only criteria is that participants meet the minimum age requirement for their respective sport, which for the majority is 30 years of age.
Participants compete in their age group ensuring that the sport is played fairly, competitively and in tremendous spirit.
The slogan of the Pan Pacific Masters Games is ‘Play it, Live it, Love it!’ which encapsulates its competitive, participatory and social environment. | 
