Queensland Music Festival Unveils World-first With New Event Series

Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is turning the festival format on its head in 2021, today unveiling a world-first, state-wide music initiative.

Described as “a music festival meets a road trip”, the inaugural Queensland Music Trail, dubbed The Outback Trail, will run across June and July and feature “a bunch of unique events in some damn fine locations” across the state, encouraging punters to get out of the city and explore the outback.

The first of many planned trails, the June and July road trip will run through the Western Downs, into the heart of the Australian outback and towards the red desert.

The event will kick off with “an evolved version” of Opera At Jimbour, which will feature a series of intimate opera and chamber music performances at iconic farm estate Jimbour House, before the likes of Kate Miller-Heidke, Emily Wurramara and Karl S Williams perform unique events at very special locations across the state, and Paul Kelly, John Williamson, Kate Ceberano and more take the stage at the annual Big Red Bash.

“With international borders closed, everyone in Australia is looking for a one-of-a-kind experience in their own backyard,” QMF CEO Joel Edmondson said.

“The events along the first ever Outback Music Trail are a new way to get to know the diverse people and places of Outback Queensland. Nothing makes memories like seeing something totally amazing in a place you would never expect. To me, that’s the definition of adventure.”

QMF Ambassador Kate Miller-Heidke said: “There’s something so magical and timeless about the outback. It has a way of somehow making our ordinary problems seem insignificant.

“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!”

After its inaugural run, it’s expected Queensland Music Trails will grow and expand in the coming years, with 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) included in those plans.

Want to find out more? Comedian Aaron Gocs has got you covered in the video below. Need anything further than that? Head on over to the Queensland Music Trails website.