9 June 2022
Western Downs Regional Council has launched its highly anticipated Big Skies Festival for 2022 - from 29 September to 3 October 2022 - which will feature two days of headline Australian artists at Jimbour House, and a raft of unique visitor experiences celebrating 'the best of the west'.
With events now back on the calendar, Queenslanders across the south are being encouraged to take short a trip over the great divide and uncover the fantastic experiences the region has to offer by attending this event, with tickets now on sale at https://events.humanitix.com/wdrc-big-skies-festival.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said he's thrilled to see the Big Skies Festival return to the region.
"We want visitors to come and really immerse themselves in the true country life - over our past two festivals in 2018 and 2019, we welcomed attendees from all over Queensland and into Northern New South Wales!" Mayor McVeigh said.
"From a day trip to short or long stays, you will see it really is the people who make our region one-of-a-kind.
"Unique food and accommodation experiences are on offer, including long lunches under the jacarandas, farm markets, Jimbour House tours, happy hour in the hangar and entertainment under the stars.
"This year's event, will be an experience not to be missed, with a line-up of iconic Australian artists - including Kate Ceberano, Kasey Chambers, Choirboys, Daryl Braithwaite, Dragon and The Radiators - who will perform under the majestic country night sky."
"Following the Big Skies Concerts Grand Finale on Sunday, we're also excited to be screening the NRL Grand Finale on the Amphitheatre big screens."
One of the festival headliners Kate Ceberano said she and her band are thrilled to be playing shows again and can't wait to bring music back to the Western Downs.
"I think the rural communities really feel the music deeper and are sometimes more nostalgic about music.
"I often sing about it, the marriage between earth and sky, and without music I don't think life is as tolerable – you've got to have this combination of hard work, hard grit but then you have to have art and music and commune under the stars, out in nature and just set yourself free," Ms Ceberano said.
Jimbour House General Manager Neredith Elliott said to host Big Skies Festival's main event at one of the first stations established in the Darling Downs is a true honour.
"The music concert is set in the grounds of the grand sand-stone mansion and the tours of the estate have become one of the highlights of the event with guided tours selling out in previous years," Ms Elliott said.
"It's not often people can step back in time and see how generations of people have helped to shape this country."
In true country style, festival-goers can expect to be greeted by Jimbour Homestead mascot, cattle dog 'Meg'.
"Meg, she's been with me 5 years now, she first came to work when she was 5 weeks old and she comes to work with me every day and she'll meet most people and get in their photos," Jimbour House Head Gardener Bert Biggs said.
While camping sites are available for caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes at Jimbour House, people are encouraged to take their journey further afield and immerse themselves in the best of the west.
"The Bun Hotel has been established since 1911, where it was formerly known as the Kenilworth Hotel after having been named after one of the stations nearby," The Bun Hotel Owner Jaimee Neilson said.
"One of the really special things about the hotel is that when local residents were enlisted for World War I and World War II, they came to the hotel the evening before they left and signed the inside wall of one of linen cupboards.
"We now have these signatures in a frame for all to see and appreciate."
