The holy grail of hinterland celebrations, Childers Festival, is back for 2024! Here's your checklist to make the most of this uniquely Childers experience. Get ready to immerse yourself in vibrant music, diverse markets, fascinating tours, and delicious local tipples.
Music
Crescent St Presents: Bollywood
Immerse yourself in a vibrant high energy celebration of Childers’ multicultural roots as Crescent Street transforms into a bustling hub for the senses with the tastes and sounds of India. Dj Desi on the decks spinning groovy Bollywood Rhythms, before SoulCutz and Magic Carpet Ride pump out the tunes for you to dance the night away to.
Saturday 27 July | 2pm-9pm
Opera by the Lake
An afternoon sipping local wines, listening to the sweet symphonies of live opera, whilst taking in the stunning surrounds of Lake Redbrook – yes please! Always a crowd pleaser in the Childers Festival lineup, this year we’ll see operatic pop tenor Mark Vincent and homegrown soprano songstress Suellen Cusack take to the stage. So pack a picnic, and be serenaded in the sunshine.
P.S. if your looking for somewhere to catch your ZZZ’s on this trip to the region, Lake Redbrook Retreat is a great place to rest your head, with a number of cabins and sites for you to choose from. Click here to check it out.
Saturday 27 July | 2pm-4pm
Tickets: $59 per person
Book here
A Night at The Paragon: RESPECT The Aretha Franklin Story
'Say a little prayer' and 'feel like a natural woman' with this electrifying tribute to the Queen of Soul herself, as RESPECT The Aretha Franklin Story takes centre stage at the heritage listed Paragon Theatre.
Friday 26 July | 6pm – 10pm
Tickets: $89 General Admission | $119 VIP
Book here
Festival Day
Wrap up your Childers Festival weekender at the iconic Festival Day! Legendary rock band Dragon, and a stellar lineup of local musos will make sure you ‘get that jive’ and relive your ‘young years’ to hit tunes like ‘April Sun in Cuba’ and ‘Are you Old Enough’ in an unmissable free performance!
Sunday 28 July | 9am – 3:30pm
Markets
Twilight Markets
As sunset hues fill the skies over the rolling red hills of Childers, wander through the Twilight Markets and discover an abundance of local artisans showcasing their crafts, delicious food stalls, and live entertainment. It's the perfect way to spend an evening in Childers.
Thursday 25 July | 4pm – 9pm
Festival Day Markets
On Festival Day, the Bruce Highway is transformed into a bustling hub of market stalls, foodie delights and live entertainment, all staged between the heritage-listed buildings and leopard tree-lined streets of Childers. Offering everything from handmade goods to fresh local produce. It's an ideal opportunity to pick up unique souvenirs, support local businesses and feel that all-embracing Childers spirit!
Sunday 28 July | 9am – 3:30pm
Tours
Sugar Mill & Cane Fire Tour
As a region renowned for its sugar cane, it’s only right we sweeten up Childers Festival with this spectacular event. Experience the journey of sugar cane from crop to crystal on this entertaining and informative Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tour, followed by a delicious BBQ dinner and Mamminos ice cream.
Thursday 25 July & Friday 26 July | 3:30pm – 9pm
Tickets: $57 Adult | $27 Child
Book here
Historical Bus Tour
Hear the stories of heartbreak and humour, heroes and villains and the events that have shaped the history of Childers on an insightful bus tour with fourth generation resident, Warren Martin.
Saturday 27 July | 11am – 2:30pm
Tickets: $15 per person
Book here
Paragon Theatre Tour
Take a peak behind the curtains of the heritage-listed Paragon Theatre, that’s been standing tall along Churchill Street since the 1920s. Hear stories of iconic performances, first kisses, and even a ghost tale or two in this rare treasure steep end in Australian history, that’s been in owner Merissa’s family for close to 60 years.
Saturday 27 July | 9:30am – 10:45am
Tickets: $25 per person
Book here
More Tours
Whilst you’re here, you may as well make the most of it hey?! So why not take the time to experience some of the Bundaberg Region’s iconic tours!
- Swim alongside turtles on the Southern Great Barrier Reef with Lady Musgrave Experience or Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.
- Immerse in First Nations culture with Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours.
- Discover the multi-generational family story of Macadamias Australia from tree to table on an Orchard Tour.
- Be captivated by the psychedelic world of Coral Farming with a behind the scenes tour at Monsoon Aquatics.
Tipples
Picnic in the Vines
Take a seat on the picnic bench, or lounge under the shade of the orchard trees and soak up the sunshine, sweeping vistas and laid-back vibes at Vintners Secret Winery’s Picnic in the Vines. Whether you’ve packed your own hamper full of delectable goodies or pre-ordered a picnic this is the perfect way to spend a Friday arvo, with the Band of the 1st Regiment playing the soundtrack to your moment of bliss.
Friday 26 July | 11am – 2:30pm
Tickets: $20 Adult | $10 Child | $70 Hamper
Call 07 4126 1255 to book
Long Table Dinner (Sold Out)
Nestled in the rolling hills of Childers, Hill of Promise is a boutique winery that has been bringing a Sicilian flare to the region for over 20 years. Join local winemakers Terrance and Mary Byrne (or the Little Cellar Rat as she’s fondly known), to cheers, clink and drink the evening away at the Long Table Dinner. Dine on tantalising, seasonal, local produce, paired perfectly with the vineyard’s award-winning, preservative free vinos, and discover how this dynamic duo pour pride, passion and respect for tradition into every tipple.
This event has now sold out – so please call 07 4126 1311 to join the waitlist. Alternatively, swing by the cellar door and experience the true ‘grape to glass’ experience of this boutique winery with a tasting on the verandah of the 100year old Queenslander, at another time throughout the weekend.
Thursday 25 July | 6:30pm – 9pm
Region’s Cellar Doors
Our tipple town is overflowing with artisan cellar doors, iconic distilleries, and watering holes. From craft beer breweries to renowned rum houses, there's something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds.
- Say cheers to the dugongs, with a crisp schooner of Reef Pale Ale at Ballistic Bargara.
- Go for gut health with a Hibiscus Ginger or Butterfly Lime & Elderflower HOTI Kombucha.
- Sip and swirl your way through the top shelf after a legendary tour at the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery.
- Pay homage to Australia’s most beloved brew with a taste test at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel.
- Toast to good times with good people over a cider paddle at Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery.
- Bevel in the botanicals of award-winning gins and sugar-cane spirit at Kalki Moon Distillery.