Events

The Biggest Island Party In Australia, at Townsville - Queensland. For the last five years, Full Moon Down Under has become one of Queensland's, and Australia's most iconic events. Full Moon is staged monthly and set on the ridiculously beautiful Magnetic Island's Nelly Beach. They hand pick the artists, bringing the biggest acts Australia and the world has to offer so they can commit to delivering an explosive night full of entertainment. With up to 3,000 people from different parts of the world travelling to experience their unique island party, you can expect nothing less then fire twirlers, body paint, plenty of colour and good times! From sunset to sunrise, it is a night you may or may not remember.

The high altitude tropical cloud forests of the Atherton Tablelands are the focus of an exhibition of new works by Ben Trupperbäumer, June Tupicoff and Ron McBurnie. Each artist has created a body of work that is reflective of their different relationships to this unique landscape. Head in the Clouds aptly highlights the friendship that exists between these three artists and their different approach to rainforest, which is at the heart of the exhibition.

The Townsville Art Society has held an annual or biannual Arts exhibition since the society’s inception, and The Townsville Art Society’s Awards Exhibition is now a major exhibition in the cultural life of the city. Held in the Townsville’s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, this exhibition provides an opportunity for North Queensland artists, who are affiliated with an Art Society, to display their work in a major gallery and compete for prizes.

From a 2,000-year-old natural pearl found in a Kimberley rock shelter to modern lustrous pearl jewellery, the exhibition Lustre: Pearling and Australia traces the fascinating heritage of pearling across the north of Australia, from Shark Bay to the Torres Strait Islands. The exhibition delves into the gritty human story of pearling, weaving together intersecting strands of Aboriginal, Asian and European histories to reveal insights into one of Australia’s oldest industries. Discover the intriguing stories behind northern Australia's unique pearling tradition. Immerse yourself in the qualities of the shell itself, its evolution and habitat, and the people who have collected and harvested these treasures from Saltwater Country. The Museum of Tropical Queensland also unravels the layers of pearling in the Torres Strait from a time before Europeans through to the golden age of luggers and beyond.

Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering presents and shares knowledge, stories and art from nine tribal groups of rainforest people from far North Queensland - the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhun, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulnay, Jirrbal and Djiru people. The exhibition includes documentaries, still photographs, weaving and ceramics by 19 internationally renowned artists from the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, together with artefacts from the South Australian Museum Collection of material collected from the Girringun region. Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering is a travelling exhibition in partnership between Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, the South Australian Museum and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland. This exhibition is supported by the Visions regional touring program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to cultural material for all Australians. It is also supported through the Australian Government's Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and the Queensland Government, and proudly sponsored by Conrad Gargett and Urban Arts Projects.

TheatreiNQ's A Midsummer Night's Dream - Shakespeare Under the Stars 2017. This September, Shakespeare’s most popular comedy comes to Queens Gardens, Townsville. Join us “Under the Stars” for a magical romp where anything can happen. Where fairies play havoc with humans, where lovers battle for their fairytale ending and where a Queen can fall deeply in love with a donkey called Bottom - All thanks to a mischievous goblin called Puck! Dine under the stars by booking one of their premium table seats or bring a picnic to share with family and friends, and experience the very best of Townsville theatre. Directed by Terri Brabon and featuring Brendan O’Connor with Rachel Nutchey as Helena, A Midsummer Night's Dream will definitely be a "Shakespeare Under the Stars" to remember.

Do you have what it takes to be a pirate? Get hands-on with pirate history at this Australian National Maritime Museum travelling exhibition based on the bestselling Horrible Histories series and developed in association with Scholastic UK. Take command of a pirate ship, design and project your own pirate flag, try out different weapons from cutlasses to cannons, find your fate on the wheel of misfortune, discover the best loot to steal and splat rats in the quayside tavern. Along the way, discover why the pirate women were just as wicked as the men and learn to talk the patter of a pirate. Learn about the ships they sailed on, the punishments they suffered and the rules they lived by. The Museum of Tropical Queensland is the first venue in Queensland and only the third in Australia to host this travelling exhibition.

The Ewan Races honour the true spirit of country racing, by conducting its annual two-day race meeting, on the banks of Stockyard Creek, Charters Towers in North Queensland. With its on track facilities, EATC is proud to offer two days of first class, professional country racing with a prize pool of over AUD80,000, making it one of the richest country meetings on the racing calendar. And what is racing without fashion? Ewan’s Fashions on the Field is a fiercely contested event: Friday dedicated entirely to Microfashion (ages 0-17), and Saturday for the adult categories. Other activities include: Trivia Night, live music each night, children’s fancy dress, jumping castle and face painting, fun run and children’s sports.

Mungalla Station and the Nywaigi Peoples openly invite locals and visitors to the Hinchinbrook region to come and join the inaugural On Country Event, which is a celebration of nature, culture and the Hinchinbrook Way The event will be held at Mungalla Station, which is on Forrest Beach Road, just over half way between Ingham and Forrest Beach. Entry to the event is free, and there will be a range of free and ticketed activities. Activities on the day includes a large diversity of kids activities, face painting, local artisan, craft, and produce stalls, live indigenous music and dance, helicopter rides, cart rides, wetland tours, cultural tours, boomerang throwing competitions, art displays and of course the iconic Mungalla Station kuppmurri lunch featuring a selection of incredible Hinchinbrook produce! It will be a jammed packed day… perfect for families!!

Townsville is home to a strong contingent of young and emerging artists, practicing in a variety of traditional and digital mediums. The annual exhibitions showcase works by a selection of these artists, with the Young Artist Awards offering prize categories for participants aged from pre-school to 18 years. Each year, Gallery Services engages a leading Australian contemporary artist to undertake an intensive workshop for Townsville’s youth and emerging artists. The annual Youth and Emerging Artist Exhibition features the works produced by the participants at these workshops.

For thousands of years, the Greeks have enjoyed interaction and trade with neighbours around the Mediterranean and farther east to Asia. In a nod to this, the Festival will expand its offerings to include cuisines and displays from around Greece’s ‘neighbourhood’ ­celebrating Townsville’s cultural diversity. The exciting addition to the cultural experience at Greek Fest and potential for further expansion of the new narrative has culminated in a name change for the festival to 'Glendi'. Glendi translates to festivity, revelry, merrymaking ­ a celebration. The festival has always been and continues to be, a free event for over 25,000 attendees. This year the festival will be held over the long weekend. Festival goer's senses will come alive with traditional music and dancing displays, delectable foods and cooking demonstrations from around the Mediterranean. There will also be a variety of children's entertainment and fun­filled activities for the whole family to be involved in. The festival is proud to offer the community an opportunity to reflect on the values and traditions that have helped shape our country and, more importantly, our region.

Join Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) for an evening of classical favourites. Under the baton of Toby Thatcher QSO will indulge audiences with Dvorák’s splendidly vibrant Carnival Overture, alongside one of Sibelius’ most popular works, Symphony No.2. Esteemed violinist Kristian Winther will light up the stage with Mendelssohn’s beloved and joyful Violin Concerto in E minor. Conductor: Toby Thatcher Soloist: Kristian Winther Program: Dvorák Carnival Overture, op.92 Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor for Violin and Orchestra, op.64 Sibelius Symphony No.2 in D major, op.45

Girls dressed as boys, using techniques for picking up women to pick up men … while wearing pink beehives - Got it? If not, perhaps you’d better consult Melbourne’s hottest cabaret trio The Desperettes. If you’re not familiar with the term “Wingman” it is simply a name for the person who helps you out when approaching potential partners. Originating from the movie Top Gun this term is usually reserved for guys, however, Melbourne’s newest cabaret trio The Desperettes are adopting these techniques and applying them to the modern lady. Their new show A Lady’s Guide to the Art of being a Wingman will take you on a hilarious and eye-opening night out which includes pickup lines, daggy dancing and that all important first move. In this hilarious show these girls defy gender as they highlight not only how ridiculous the world of dating has become, but also the gender stereotypes associated with it.

Ingham Maraka Festival will feature steam train rides, cocktail night, Try-Athlon, rock and roll dinner dance, afternoon tea, pet parade, float procession, finishing with entertainment and fireworks in Rotary Park.

James Cook University’s Graduate Exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the talents of Townsville’s emerging artists as they transition from student artists to professional artists.

Keen to try out your new 4x4 and don't know where to go? Had a 4x4 for years and have run out of new places? Don't have anyone to go with? CT 4x4 Club Fun Day allows novice and experienced drivers an area to test their vehicles in a range of terrain including soft sand and rocky outcrops, with the surety of having experienced Four Wheel Drive Queensland members on-hand to assist and guide where required or just for recovery. Located just nine kilometres from Charters Towers central business district, the Millchester Motor Sport and Recreation Facility has it all from winch walls to mud pits that host the NQ Off Road Challenge, participants can come for the weekend and enjoy all that the Towers has to offer. CT 4x4 Club is a family friendly club catering for all 4x4 enthusiasts..

The time has come … for Midnight Oil. From the northern beaches of Sydney to the streets of Manhattan, they have stopped traffic, inflamed passions, inspired fans, and broken new ground. Midnight Oil is more than just a rock’n’roll band. In 2017 they will finally bring things back to where they all began with this one special tour. The circle remains unbroken. Live in Townsville.

Benjamin is Will’s best mate in the whole wide world. Benjamin is also a dog. One morning, Will wakes up with an idea. He has decided to build the first ever boy-dog operated flying machine. And so, this coming-of-age adventure takes to the skies… Follow the extraordinary journey of this young boy, his dog, their wild imagination and a ukulele. The show features a smattering of songs, crazy contraptions and illustrations by visual artist Jacinta Larcombe. Benjamin and Me is a show for families and adventurous adults. It’s the newest work from award winning writer and performer Mark Storen (The Polite Gentleman), and is the debut production for his new company Whiskey and Boots. Produced for Whiskey and Boots by Georgia King. Recommended for audiences aged eight and over.

Townsville Rock Fest is an outdoor Rock Concert for the "Mature" minded person , but still young at heart !! With live music from 2pm to 10pm, food trucks and a great atmosphere for an afternoon/evening of catching up with mates and dancing into the night the Townsville Rock Fest is a must for anyone who wants to relive their concert - going heydays and even the younger generation with an appreciation for some good old classic Rock! This is a capped event so get in and secure your tickets quickly so you don't miss out!

The Color Run is a five kilometre, un-timed fun run, where thousands of participants, or as they like to call them “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe with their coloured powder at each kilometre. With only two rules, the idea is easy to follow: 1 . Wear white at the starting line 2 . Finish plastered in colour! The fun doesn’t stop at the Finish Line! Their epic Finish Festival will give the chance for all their fabulous Color Runners to burn a few extra calories by showing off their finest dance moves! Think music, dancing and of course their infamous Color Throws! Trust them when they say, this is the best post-5k party on the planet!

Danny Elliott is truly an extra-ordinarily talented musician, singer and all-round entertainer. Audiences watch in disbelief as Danny plays instrument after instrument, song after song, climaxing in a flourish on his favourite, the Piano.

The annual exhibition by Visual Arts students of TAFE Queensland North’s Townsville Campus showcases the talent of the individual artists emerging from the school, and includes traditional 2D art forms, 3D design, sculpture and new media art such as video and animation.

A wise man once said “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story” That wise man was Kurt Phelan. Kurt is no stranger to the stage. He has performed major roles in some of the biggest musicals in Australia over the past decade, including Singin’ In The Rain, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and most recently channelling his inner Patrick Swayze onstage in the national tour of Dirty Dancing. Now, he returns home to Townsville with the show that has taken the country by storm and seen a sellout season in New York City. Phelan Groovy is a cabaret of riotous proportions, full of hit songs you thought you knew before, until now. A hilarious night of unabashed laughter where you will get a personal tour inside the mind of Australia’s newest leading man. Part biographical, part celebrity dish and all laugh a minute entertainment. If growing up has taught him one thing, it was to only say 10 per cent of what he thinks, out loud. Well, you get that other 90 per cent (complete with a killer soundtrack.) So, come and share a night with this North Queensland-Gemini’s-rapid-firing mind, and have a good laugh.

Dance the night away! You're going to have a frightfully great time! Live Band: Mystery Road, Awesome prizes for best dressed categories and lucky door prizes. Bar and Food available throughout the night. Accommodation available at: Imperial Hotel, Railway Hotel, Top Camp Hotel and Camping at the Campgrounds. The Halloween Dance is proudly supported by Resolute and Carpentaria Gold.

Rugby League World Cup – Townsville to host three pool matches. In 2017, the best players and teams from around the globe will descend on Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for the Rugby League World Cup. The tournament will see 14 teams play 28 games over five weeks – all hoping to be crowned world cup winners, in what is the pinnacle event in international Rugby League. Townsville Stadium, the home of the North Queensland Cowboys will host three pool matches over two weekends, in what is set to be the biggest sporting event in Australia during 2017. The action will kick off in Townsville, when Fiji take on the USA followed by a double header featuring USA vs Italy and Fiji vs Wales. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be at the Rugby League World Cup in Townsville.

The last run in the Outer Limits Trail Run Series. Join them in the beautiful village above the clouds and run some of the amazing trails this region has to offer. Choose from six kilometres, 10 kilometres or 20 kilometres and have the chance to win some of our amazing prizes. They are giving away over AUD2,000 worth of prizes. The event village will have everything you need, amazing food and coffee vendors, barbecue. fresh fruit and refreshments (free for competitors) and the Outer Limits merchandise and nutrition shop will be on site. Register now online.

This year you'll participate in an Amazing Race style treasure hunt in Charters Towers where you will race to checkpoints and complete challenges to gain points. Be the team with the most points at the end of the race to take out the title at Towers Rush 2017. Be part of the event which has captivated the community and led competitors to abseil heritage buildings, constructing food masterpieces, paddling the river, completing puzzles and challenges and much more!

Dread Sovereign demonstrates a reconfiguration of the act of drawing in response to digital technologies, culminating in what the artist terms ‘metadrawing.’ Within the exhibition, questions of genre, form and medium are abandoned for an interdisciplinary approach. The internet search engine is adopted into the artist’s toolbox, integrating the countless accessible and disposable images as raw matter for the artist to fossick and sift through. Specific images are selected by McBurnie and reconfigured through studio practice, creating a new imbrication of the raw image matter.

The Ville Resort-Casino present its annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon, proudly supporting The Sky Foundation. Ticket includes a delicious three course menu, five hour premium beverage package, Loloma Jewellers diamond giveaway, fashion parade by Townsville Fashion Festival, 7 network television coverage live on the big screens, TAB facilities, fashions on the field, The Ville best dressed, prizes and Sweepstakes and a pamper zone with hairdresser and makeup artist. Purchase your tickets from the Entertainment Centre in person, or phone them. Subject to availability, change and cancellation. Guest must be 18 years and over to attend. Group bookings must be made in a single transaction to allow group seating allocation. Ticketing fee applied to all online and phone bookings, plus a two per cent transaction fee applies to credit card bookings. The Ville practices the responsible service of alcohol.

Townsville City Council in conjunction with the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL Sub Branches, will host Remembrance Day services on Saturday 11 November to commemorate the official end of hostilities in World War I and to pay respects to those who served our country in this and the various wars since. Members of the public are invited to attend either of the following services: Townsville City, Anzac Park, 10:30am Thuringowa Central, Riverway, 10:45am Further details to be advised.

Keen to try out your new 4x4 and don't know where to go? Had a 4x4 for years and have run out of new places? Don't have anyone to go with? CT 4x4 Club Fun Day allows novice and experienced drivers an area to test their vehicles in a range of terrain including soft sand and rocky outcrops, with the surety of having experienced Four Wheel Drive Queensland members on-hand to assist and guide where required or just for recovery. Located just nine kilometres from Charters Towers central business district, the Millchester Motor Sport and Recreation Facility has it all from winch walls to mud pits that host the NQ Off Road Challenge, participants can come for the weekend and enjoy all that the Towers has to offer. CT 4x4 Club is a family friendly club catering for all 4x4 enthusiasts.

Vov Dylan is an Australian Violinist with music that flows from every fibre of his body. A third generation musician, Vov was born to the Violin! As a child he became a regular in the Classical music circuit. Alongside the shows, Vov has become a regular in the recording studio where he has now released six studio albums, all of which are available globally and receive frequent airplay on radio stations all over the world.

Calling all adrenaline junkies: The Radical Reels Film Festival is back to set your pulse racing with nine of the world’s best action sport films. This year, the line-up showcases heart-stopping action filled with wild rides, long ski lines, steep jumps, and skillful stunts. Each action-packed short has been handpicked from more than 300 entries to the recent Banff Mountain Festival (the largest and most prestigious mountain-adventure festival in the world). These high-energy excerpts will take you to a place where your heart beats faster, adrenaline courses through your veins and the world whirls by at high speed. Featuring 10 awesome short films this is one night not to be missed.

Experience a once in a lifetime event as the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) prepare to deliver two huge nights of the toughest sport on dirt. It's a showdown like no other - elite cowboys versus the toughest bulls on the planet in a three hour action packed sporting entertainment event that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Cowboys all eager for glory as they strive to overcome the power of the 52 most extreme bucking bulls in a battle of power, agility and the fight of the fittest eight seconds at a time. Choreographed with pyrotechnics, lasers, concert sound system and mega screen replays, with multiple camera angles that will take you behind the scenes and inside the bucking chutes as riders prepare for the ride of their life whilst delivering you the ultimate live event bull riding experience inside the Townsville Entertainment Centre. .

Women in Docs are an independent, folk pop act (with a little bit of country), based in Brisbane. They have been compared to the Indigo Girls, the Dixie Chicks and The Waifs. With a reputation for stirring and humourous live performances and a vigorous touring schedule, Women in Docs have spent ten years building a fiercely loyal following throughout Australia, as well as touring internationally to win over audiences throughout North America, Europe, New Zealand and China. Roz Pappalardo and Chanel Lucas as women in docs have wooed the world with their award-winning songs and live shows which incorporate soaring harmonies, rhythmic guitar and authentic story telling. Their refreshing acoustic style of music, a little bit country, a little bit folk, is a breath of fresh air at any festival. They are loved worldwide by audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds, deserving recognition as one of Australia’s most enduring independent and hardest working acts.

This exhibition is curated from works which are drawn from the City of Townsville Art Collection. The focal point of the show is works with a drawn aspect to their medium, as drawings can be seen as the fundamental skill underpinning most, if not all, forms of visual art.

Let them take care of the Christmas Party for you! Celebrate with friends or book in your work team for one of their Giant Christmas Parties in the Grand Ballroom! Purchase tickets at their website.

Townsville's Christmas Festival, Stable on the Strand, celebrates its 16th birthday in 2017 at Townsville's premier event location, Strand Park. Stable on the Strand is one of Australia's most spectacular Christmas events, delighting crowds of 40,000 people over five nights as Christmas is shared with story, song and festivity. Stable on the Strand 2017 will feature the Town of Bethlehem: the story of the birth of Jesus told interactively using live actors as wise men, shepherds, Roman soldiers, King Herod, and of course Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus; camels, chickens, goats, sheep, and a donkey for children to pat; huge carousel in the Stable Village; fabulous youth program; great children's activities; amazing entertainment on the Main Stage with local and guest artists; hospitality areas: enjoy the ambience of Stable on the Strand while enjoying free tea, coffee and Christmas Cake. Entry is free!

It's all glamour and class at this years New Year's eve soiree! Ticket price includes a gourmet three course dinner, five hour beverage package and entertainment by Abbey Road! Menu Freshly baked bread rolls TO START Tiger prawn, crab and lime tian, green pea, chilli oil and micro cress Alternatively served Char grilled harissa spiced lamb fillet, fried chickpea, tabouli and minted yoghurt IN BETWEEN Barkers Creek pork cutlet, rosemary buttered chat potatoes, wilted spinach and beetroot relish Alternatively served Bindaree grain fed eye fillet of beef, pommes Anna, field mushroom, broccolini and thyme jus TO FINISH Strawberry and white chocolate delice, champagne jelly, berry coulis and white chocolate shard Freshly brewed coffee and tea Tickets on sale at their website.

The Charters Towers Goldfield Ashes is the largest amateur cricket carnival in the southern hemisphere. It is conducted in January by the Charters Towers Cricket Association Incorporated (CTCA). The event was recently given the status of being a Queensland Iconic Event. Matches are played on 58 different playing fields, including some which are privately owned. Whilst 'The Ashes' has grown to levels well beyond the imagination of President Jack Meeson's original concept, it has not lost its reputation for friendliness and hospitality. Perhaps within that reputation, lies the secret of its past success and assured growth in the future.