Outback Circus Carnival | Blackall-Tambo Region
OUTBACK CIRCUS CARNIVAL This isn’t just a festival.It’s the circus
This isn’t just a festival.
It’s the circus returning home.
Before the big tops.
Before the bright lights.
Before the circus went global – it was born in the bush.
This August, Blackall and Tambo come alive for four unforgettable days as the story of the Perry Bros Circus is reimagined where it all began. Expect a bold, immersive celebration of outback legends, wild creativity, community spirit and modern spectacle: unfolding like acts in a grand performance across two towns, one shared story.
Performances.
Storytelling.
Music, magic & mischief.
And a whole lot of heart.
This isn’t just a festival.
It’s the circus returning home.
More details rolling up soon, but for now, mark your calendar and get ready to roll up, roll up to something truly special.
Discover the story of how Tambo and Blackall are connected to the origins of the touring outback circus, brought to life through historic photographs and records on display at the Grasslands Gallery.
Monday - Wednesday
9:00am - 3:00pm
Get ready for flapping, squawking and plenty of laughs as the iconic Ben’s Chicken Races take centre stage at the Royal Carrangarra Hotel - an experience you won’t get anywhere else but Tambo.
Racing Daily
5:00pm
Step inside Tambo Teddies "Little Big Top" where circus themed fun comes to life for the littlest stars! Enjoy playful games, creative activities, and teddy-powered imagination.
Monday - Friday
Opening Hours
With performance by Cowgirls With Wings Trick Riding
11:00am – 11:00pm
Tambo Rodeo Grounds
Outback “rodeo” and “circus” share deep roots in Australia’s early pastoral history. Stockmen and stockwomen were the original performers, showcasing horsemanship, daring rides and rope skills, long before arenas and ‘big tops’ appeared. Saddle up! for the thrill or a bush rodeo, where history, heritage & high-octane action come together in true country style.
See Tambo Rodeo page for more information.
9.00am-11.00am
15 Garden Street, Tambo
Local artisan Rhonda Scott invites you to her charming Little Art Cottage for a hands-on pottery experience. Take part in a fun, circus-themed ceramics workshop and create your own colourful ceramic bowl or vase inspired by the “Big Top”. Suitable for all ages, with materials provided. (Tickets Essential)
5.00pm-6.00pm
Royal Carrangarra Hotel
Tambo E.E.R Park
5:30pm – BBQ Open + Teddy Bear Parade
6:30pm – Movie Starts
Bring your picnic rug for a circus-themed movie under the stars, complete with popcorn. Enjoy a free community sausage sizzle hosted by Tambo Community Hub, and a teddy bear dress-up contest the whole family will love. Perfect for families and visitors of all ages.
9.00am-10.30am
School Workshop – Tambo State School
2.00pm-3.00pm
Public Workshop – Tambo Shire Hall
Want to run away with the Circus? Try your hand at juggling, balancing, and playful performance tricks in these hands-on workshops for all ages.
9.00am
15 Garden Street, Tambo
Join local artist Rhonda Scott for a relaxed and creative eco‑dyeing workshop, where participants use natural materials and bush botanicals to craft their own unique hand‑dyed scarf – a memory to take home long after the Circus leaves town.
12:00pm-1:00pm
Royal Carrangarra Hotel
Settle in for a pub lunch with a show as Ben’s iconic Chicken Races take to the daytime stage for a special timeslot. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon filled with laughs, lively competition, and a truly outback experience the whole family can enjoy.
5.00pm-6.00pm
Royal Carrangarra Hotel
Get ready for flapping, squawking and plenty of laughs as the iconic Ben’s Chicken Races take centre stage at the Royal Carrangarra Hotel – an experience you won’t get anywhere else but Tambo. Get in early for the best seats!
7.00pm-9.00pm
Tambo Shire Hall
Step back into the golden age of travelling tent shows with hypnotist Andy Vening, as he brings a whirlwind of mind-bending tricks, quick wit, and classic comedy to the stage. In the spirit of Australia’s showmen and entertainers who once rolled into our bush towns, Andy’s performance blends hypnotism and humour, into a one-of-akind spectacle. Adults only show, with food options on-site. Please bring your own drinks, with takeaways available from local hotels.
9.00am-11.00am
15 Garden Street, Tambo
Local artisan Rhonda Scott invites you to her charming Little Art Cottage for a hands-on pottery experience. Take part in a fun, circus-themed ceramics workshop and create your own colourful ceramic bowl or vase inspired by the Big Top. (Tickets Essential)
11:00am-12:30pm
Grassland Art Gallery Workshop Room
Step inside the mystical world of resident Outback Circus Carnival Psychic Jenny Wren who will teach you how to create your own Crystal Grid for abundance. Learn how to harness Crystal energy, set powerful intentions, and design a grid that supports prosperity in all areas of life – with all crystals and materials provided.
1:00pm-2:00pm
Grassland Art Gallery Workshop Room
Step into the soothing, mystical world of healing with crystals. Jenny Wren guides you through hands on techniques for grounding, clearing and harmonizing energy using a curated selection of crystals. Whether you are new to crystal healing or already on your spiritual path, this workshop offers a peaceful, restorative experience.
2:00pm-3:00pm
Tambo Shire Hall
Bring the kids along for a high-energy, laugh-filled show with Dr Hubble Bubbles! Watch shimmering bubbles grow, bounce, swirl, and burst into unbelievable shapes. Expect giant bubbles, trick bubbles, and plenty of surprising bubble wizardry. Family-friendly fun for all ages.
3:30pm Onwards
Jenny Wren’s Mystic Tent – Tambo Cricket Grounds
Jenny Wren’s warm, intuitive teaching style makes this an uplifting and creative experience for beginners and seasoned crystal lovers alike.
3:30pm-5:30pm Demonstrations
6:00pm Dinner
E. E. Parr O.B.E Park
Bringing true-bush flavour, Cooking with Heavy Metal serve up award-winning camp oven cooking. Hosting live demonstrations and taste testing, along with ticketed camp-oven meals inspired by the camp kitchens that once fed drovers, showmen and circus crews on the road. A hearty taste of Outback heritage!
MEALS TICKETED AT VENUE
5:00pm-11:30pm
Main Street
It’s time for the Carnival to come to town! Tambo comes alive with market stalls, food vans, and colourful entertainment for all ages. Spin, slide, and laugh your way through Sideshow Alley, enjoy roving circus performers, catch live stage shows, stunt performances, and Ben’s Chicken Racing, or relax with a delicious Carnival Campfire Feast. Add in glow-stick giveaways and family-friendly surprises, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this unforgettable celebration!
Live Music with Chelsea Woodard from 5:00pm
Carnival Campfire Feast with Cooking with Heavy Metal from 6:00pm
Sideshows & Rides from 5:30pm
CRACK UP SISTERS SHOWS from 6:00pm & 7:30pm
(free shows – for all ages)
Live Music with The Hillbilly Goats and Tane Rua on main stage!
Plus chicken racing, giveaways, games, and more – you can’t miss this!
Immerse yourself in Australian wool heritage at the Blackall Woolscour, where original machinery and displays are set among the beautiful lawns, sharing the fascinating stories of the local wool industry and the people who shaped it.
Open Daily
9:00am-3:00pm
Discover the origins of the Blackall’s circus story. Explore how outback families, travelling performers, and local legends helped shape the early touring circus industry, with a special spotlight on Blackall-born legend, Mary Allen.
Thursday - Sunday
9:00am-3:00pm
While you’re at the Outback Circus Carnival, take a moment to visit Jumbo in Blackall’s Banks Park - a tribute to the Perry Bros family and the many talented performers who began their journey here before taking their incredible circuses on the road.
Banks Park
Visit 24/7
7.00am-7.45am
Banks Park
Start your day circus-style with a light-hearted fitness session led by the Crack-Up Sisters. Simply bring a towel or yoga mat, a water bottle, and a sense of humour. Afterwards, redeem your complimentary coffee voucher at a local cafe. What a way to start!
10:00am-11:00am
Barcoo Retirement Village
A gentle, laughter filled fitness session designed especially for our over-60’s legends. No experience needed, simply bring a towel or yoga mat, a water bottle, and a sense of humour. Carers are also welcome.
6.30pm-8.30pm
Bushmans Gallery
Enjoy a glass of bubbles and let your creativity guide you in Blackall’s Bushmans Gallery; once a local pub, now a beautiful art space, once again serving up fun for all. Spaces are limited – so roll up, roll up and secure your spot! Adults only.
7.00pm-8.00pm
Short Street
Join us at dusk for a guided walk sharing our outback folklore and circus-themed ghost stories from Blackall’s past. This family-friendly tour blends local history with a touch of spooky fun, perfect for anyone who enjoys a little mystery and adventure after dark.
Local Tip – Book ahead at the Woolshed Baa & Grill or Barcoo Hotel for an early dinner or pre-drinks before the tour.
4.45pm-6.00pm
Blackall Visitor Information Centre
Climb aboard the tour bus for a memorable and insightful journey through Blackall’s fascinating history, untold stories and iconic landmarks. This lively guided tour uncovers the people, events and moments that have shaped the community. Spaces are limited, don’t miss the ride!
Local Tip – Book ahead at the Woolshed Baa & Grill or Barcoo Hotel for an early dinner, or unwind with friends for a drink after the walk.
5:15pm – BBQ Open
6:00pm – Movie Starts
Banks Park
Bring your picnic rug for a circus-themed movie under the stars, complete with popcorn. Perfect for families and visitors of all ages, this is a fun mid-week adventure to get in the spirit of the circus.
7:00pm-8.30pm
Blackall Woolscour
Step inside the world of travelling mystics with Jenny Wren in a one-hour mediumship show set against the iconic backdrop of the eerie Blackall Historical Woolscour. Inspired by the fortune tellers who once journeyed with the circus across the Outback, Jenny blends intuition, connection, and warm storytelling to create an experience full of curiosity and wonder.
Complimentary transfers run every 10 minutes from 6:00pm, departing from the Blackall Visitor Information Centre.
Looking for something unforgettable? Extend the magic with the late-night Woolscour Ghost Tour package, inclusive of the Mediumship Show.
9:00am-10.00am, 11.00am-12.00pm
Blackall Saleyards
Join a Saleyards Tour and go behind the scenes of one of Queensland’s top cattle facilities, learning how livestock move from the Outback to beef markets nationwide. Finish with a locally made ‘Barcoo Banger’ (sausage!) a true paddock-to-plate taste of the region’s heritage.
3.30pm-5.00pm
Bushman’s Gallery
Bring the whole family for a playful after-school art session inspired by the Outback Circus Carnival! Guided by local artists, create your own circus-themed artwork, from clowns to acrobats and big-top moments.
4.45pm-6.00pm
Blackall Visitor Information Centre
Climb aboard the tour bus for a memorable and insightful journey through Blackall’s fascinating history, untold stories and iconic landmarks. This lively guided tour uncovers the people, events and moments that have shaped the community. Spaces are limited, don’t miss the ride!
Local Tip – Book ahead at the Woolshed Baa & Grill or Barcoo Hotel for an early dinner, or unwind with friends for a drink after the walk.
7.00pm-9.00pm
Blackall Memorial Hall
Step back into the golden age of travelling tent shows with hypnotist Andy Vening, as he brings a whirlwind of mind-bending tricks, quick wit, and classic comedy to the stage. Adults only show, with food options on-site. BYO Drinks
9:00am-10:00am
Memorial Hall
Bring the kids along for a high-energy, laugh-filled show with Dr Hubble Bubbles! Watch shimmering bubbles grow, bounce, swirl, and burst into unbelievable shapes. Family-friendly fun for all ages.
9:00am-12:00pm
The Lost Art, Shamrock St
The Lost Art brings a hands-on slice of outback tradition with their Fly Flogger Leather Workshops. Join skilled artisans to learn the craft behind one of the bush’s most iconic tools, using the same skills once used to create gear for travelling circus horses and drovers alike.
10:00am-2:30pm
Ram Park
Step back into the early days of travelling outback entertainment and pioneer life as Ram Park hosts bush poetry, heritage displays, and live bullock team demonstrations – a powerful example of the strength and skill required to create touring circus shows that travelled the country.
Ram Park | Open from 10:00am
Cooking with Heavy Metal – Campfire Cooking + Live Music!
Guided by skilled blacksmiths, participants will heat, hammer and shape raw steel to craft their very own knife – an unforgettable keepsake. (Tickets now open!)
10:30am-12.00pm, School Workshop
12.30pm-2:00pm, Public Workshop
Memorial Hall
Want to run away with the Circus? Try your hand at juggling, balancing, and playful performance tricks in these hands-on workshops for children. (see other class for grown ups)
2.30pm-3.30pm
Memorial Hall
Step outside your comfort zone and join the CrackUp Sisters for an adults‑only acro session packed with laughs, larrikin energy and Outback circus flair.
11:30am-12:30pm
Blackall CWA Hall
Find your grounding in the heart of the Outback as resident Circus Psychic Jenny Wren guides participants through a rejuvenating Chakra Balance workshop using sound, balance and bowls.
3:30pm-4:10pm
Blackall CWA Hall
Hands‑on workshop where you’ll learn how to connect with your intuition, ask clear questions, and read the subtle movements of a pendulum. A magical experience for beginners and spiritual seekers alike, this workshop adds a touch of mystery to your carnival journey.
5:00pm-9:30pm
Main Street
5:00pm-5:30pm – Main Street
Welcome the circus to town with a lively street parade down the main street of Blackall. Secure your spot on the footpath as local groups, schools, businesses, and colourful performers join in this much-loved tradition, creating a joyful celebration for the whole community – led proudly by the mighty bullock team.
5:30pm-9:00pm – Cultural Centre & Memorial Park
Join us for a magical Friday evening as the Blackall Cultural Association Annual Art Show takes centre stage as part of the Outback Circus Carnival. This year’s exhibition features a special circus‑themed section, celebrating creativity, colour, and the rich circus heritage of our region. Out in Memorial Park, the festivities continue with food vendors, live music by Tané-Rua and The Hillbilly Goats, and roving circus acts bringing bursts of entertainment through the crowd. With art, food, laughter, and circus magic all under the night sky, it’s the perfect family‑friendly outing to celebrate community and creativity in true outback style.
7.00pm-8.00pm – Meet at Visitor Information Centre
At dusk, go for a guided walk sharing our outback folklore and circus-themed ghost stories from Blackall’s past. The tour starts on Short Street, near the Sir Thomas Mitchell Memorial clocktower, and finishes at the gates of The Lodge on Hawthorne. This family-friendly tour blends local history with a touch of spooky fun, perfect for anyone who enjoys a little mystery and adventure after dark.
Local Tip – Book ahead at the Woolshed Baa & Grill or Barcoo Hotel for an early dinner, or unwind with friends for a drink after the walk.
Get ready for the ultimate Outback Circus Carnival Grand Finale celebration as the Bushman’s Big Top transforms the showgrounds into a stunning circus experience!
Fire Forging Knife Workshop 9:00am-3.00pm
Dr Hubble’s Bubble Show 10:00am-10:50am
Cooking with Heavy Metal Campfire Demo 10:00am-11:45am
Crack Up Sisters – Flea Circus Show 11:00am-11.45am
Pendulum Workshop with Jenny Wren 11:00am-11:45am
Cowgirls with Wings Trick Riding 12:00pm-12.30pm
LIVE MUSIC 12:30pm-2:00pm
12:30pm-2:00pm
TICKETED EVENT
Celebrate the Outback’s most iconic circus legacy with ‘The Showman’s Way’, an exclusive cocktail-style luncheon event honouring stories, grit and charm of the travelling circus. Through a curated panel conversation, audiences will hear first-hand, reflections of life under the canvas. Paired with signature cocktails, this atmospheric event blends storytelling, culture and craft mixology in a way only Outback Queensland can deliver.
Meet & Greet with Rooftop Express 1:00pm-1:45pm
Aussie FMX Youth Mentorship Session & Show 2:00pm-4.30pm
Crack-Up Sisters Whip-Cracking Workshop 3:30pm-4:15pm
Tané-Rua & The Hillbilly Goats Live on Main Stage 4:00pm-5:30pm
With special acts by Crack Up Sisters, Rooftop Express, Aussie FMX and more this is the celebration you’ve been waiting for!
Step into the magic of the Outback Circus Carnival, a vibrant, multi-day celebration inspired by the legendary Perry Bros Circus and the spirit of travelling showmen.
Held across Blackall and Tambo, this unique event brings together thrilling circus performances, live music, workshops, street parades, pop-up experiences and family-friendly activities under the wide Outback sky. From high-energy arena shows and roving performers to creative workshops, local tours and community gatherings, there is something for all ages to enjoy.
What to expect:
Circus shows, stunt performances and live entertainment
Interactive workshops, art experiences and cultural displays
Family-friendly activities, movies, markets and street parades
Local food vendors, long lunches and evening events
Unique Outback experiences across multiple venues
Locations:
Events take place across various venues in Blackall and Tambo, including parks, galleries, halls, showgrounds and outdoor community spaces.
Accessibility:
Many events are held in open, accessible community venues. Attendees are encouraged to check individual event details or contact organisers for specific accessibility information.
Things to know:
Some events are free, while others require tickets
Outdoor events are weather-dependent—please dress for Outback conditions
Book ahead for ticketed experiences and workshops
Bring picnic rugs, water bottles and a sense of adventure
Celebrate heritage, creativity and community as the region comes alive with colour, character and circus magic—right here in the heart of Outback Queensland.
Need more info?
Contact our Visitor Information Centres
Blackall Visitor Information Centre
Shamrock Street / 07 4657 4637
Tambo Visitor Information Centre
Arthur Street / 07 4654 6408
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OUTBACK CIRCUS CARNIVAL This isn’t just a festival.It’s the circus