Come and celebrate the opening of the Festival of Outback Opera 2025 with a mix of performances, including opportunities for you to join in and share the joy of singing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a fun selection of songs while taking in the extraordinary atmosphere of The Royal Theatre in the centre of Winton. This historic open-air cinema has been open since 1918 - just one of two open-air theatres still operating in Australia.

After the interval, get up on your feet and sing your heart out. Guided by host Jason Barry-Smith, you are all invited to sing well known opera and popular songs, setting the stage for the Festival ahead.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Food and beverages will be available from the Cinema tuckshop.

Doors to the outdoor cinema will open at 17:00.

Limited street parking available.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Festival Hub in Cobb Lane from Tuesday 13 May at 16:00.

Are You Lonesome Tonight, a celebration of opera and country music, will have its much-anticipated return to Festival of Outback Opera at the end of Opera Queensland's inaugural national tour.

Are You Lonesome Tonight was Opera Queensland's most successful regional tour in its 40-year history, visiting more than 30 communities and travelling some 8,000 kilometres in 2021.

With a cast of young Australian singers including Gabrielle Diaz, Marcus Corowa and Jonathan Hickey, Are You Lonesome Tonight features arias and songs by composers such as Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty and Dolly Parton, to name just a few.

The Dustarena is a unique space and a quintessential representation of Outback Queensland offering an extraordinary setting that embodies the spirit, architecture, and vibe of the Central West Region under the lights of the Milky Way.

Winton Shire Council kindly supports this free performance of Are You Lonesome Tonight. The National Tour of Are You Lonesome Tonight is supported by Creative Australia through the Playing Australia Fund and Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Food and beverages will be available from the bar at the Dustarena. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO.

A limited amount of chairs are provided, please bring your own camping chair if possible.

Limited street parking available. We recommend you park along Elderslie Street.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance online or at the Festival Hub in Cobb Lane, open from Tuesday 13 May at 16:00.

Opera Queensland partners with Sheehan Events to offer a day-return Charter Flight for Dark Sky Serenade (Winton, Thursday 15 May 2025). Secure your seat for a day to remember at Festival of Outback Opera.

Start your journey with a champagne breakfast and fly to Winton on the exclusive Alliance Charter Flight. Experience Winton with fellow travellers, then continue into the evening with Opera Queensland's scintillating performance Dark Sky Serenade at the extraordinary Australian Age of Dinosaurs and a jam-packed day of sight-seeing.

Itinerary

7.30am: Enjoy Champagne Breakfast at the Ibis Hotel rooftop terrace

8.45am: Fly to Winton on the Alliance Charter Flight

Choose one of the following options to experience Winton

Option 1: Sit down for lunch at Tattersall's Hotel, attend the Cultural Conversation at the North Gregory Hotel and explore Winton during some leisure time.

Option 2: Attend the Waltzing Matilda Centre, sit down for lunch at the Tattersall's Hotel and explore Winton during some leisure time.

2.15pm: Transfer to and visit of the famous Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum

4.00pm: Join Opera Queensland's Pre-Performance Function

5.30pm: Attend the Festival of Outback Opera Gala Concert Dark Sky Serenade

7.30pm: Transfer to Winton Airport & Return-flight to Brisbane

10.00pm: Arrive Brisbane

Ticket buyers are required to choose one itinerary option during the booking process. If your preferred itinerary option is sold out, please contact Opera Queensland via email to info@oq.com.au or call 07 3735 3030 (Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm) for assistance.

Minimum numbers are required for this charter flight to Winton to go ahead. In case the tour operator cannot go ahead with this offer, ticket holders will be entitled to a full refund.

This is a mostly all inclusive tour. The day trip to Winton includes return flights from Brisbane to Winton, tickets and museum entries as indicated in the itinerary and all food and beverages as described.

Join us for a lively and informal panel discussion at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton. We discuss from multiple perspectives why opera, as a multi-faceted artform, is ideal as a product in regional spaces and why Opera belongs in the Outback.

Grab a drink and be a part of an exchange of ideas about the importance of the arts for regional Queensland tourism along with guest industry experts.

Panel members will be announced closer to the event.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Food and beverages are available from the North Gregory Hotel. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO.

Pre-event entertainment will start at 11.45am. Please make your way to the North Gregory Hotel Beer Garden in time to enjoy the performance.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance online or at the Festival Hub in Cobb Lane from Tuesday 13 May at 16:00.

Limited street parking available.

Enjoy glorious music and dazzling night skies.

Dark Sky Serenade returns to the picturesque Jump-Up at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, for a concert 75 metres above the magnificent surrounding landscape. As the sun sets, sublime music fills the crystal clear air, with breathtaking views and constantly transforming skies as you look out across the vast landscape. As night falls, the stage becomes a cathedral of light amidst the infinite starry sky. This is opera as you have never experienced before.

Featuring opera stars that have appeared in New York, Paris, London and now the Outback, Dark Sky Serenade shifts the grandeur of the opera house to the wonder of the natural world.

With the University of Queensland Pulse Chamber Orchestra and Chorus joined by musicians of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Self-Drive tickets require own transport to and from the venue. Winton to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs is an approximate 30 minutes travel time, and approximately 2 hours from Longreach. Secure parking available at the venue.

Tickets including a bus transfer to the event location will have an approximate 30 minutes travel time from Winton or 2 hours from Longreach. Please refer to your ticket for the departure times.

Winton departure / return: Waltzing Matilda Centre

Longreach departure / return: Longreach Railway Station

Food and beverages will be available from the bar at the venue. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO. The bar remains open after the event for guests departing on a later bus service.

Dine in style with friends and other festival guests at the Winton Long Lunch, celebrating all things outback cuisine.

Our Long Lunch features an exquisite Chef's menu paired with a selection of fine wines, accompanied by a degustation of songs performed by some of the stars of the festival. As the flavours dance on your palate, the music takes flight. Rich arias and delicious duets make this an afternoon to remember.

We are pleased to be supported by surrounding communities in the delivery of this event, including produce from local farms and students from the Big Red Truck Outback College of Hospitality who will serve your meals.

Enjoy champagne and canapés on arrival, exclusive access to the museum and poetry from Winton's resident bush bard. Then be seated for a three course meal paired with a selection of fine wines and music.

EVENT DETAILS
11.00am arrival for exclusive access to the museum exhibition as you enjoy champagne and canapés.
12.00pm join the table inside the museum for the Long Lunch, surrounded by artefacts connected to the song Waltzing Matilda.

This exclusive event is limited to 130 diners, purchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Travel: No bus transfers are available for this event. If you are attending this event from Longreach, please allow a 2-hour self drive travel time. The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a walkable distance from the majority of accommodation in Winton.

This is an all-inclusive event (food, beverages, entertainment and museum entry).

Join us for sunset at the iconic "Way Out West" sign in Winton. Hosted by Western Queensland Spirit, this event is the perfect way to start the last evening of the festival in Winton.

Western Queensland Spirit will be serving premixed cans, bespoke cocktails and for those who don’t want to have to choose, providing tastings of their signature range of gins. There will also be bottle sales of our 2025 limited edition Festival of Outback Opera Gin.

OQ will provide a musical backdrop whilst our professional photographer captures your portrait in this iconic Outback location, ensuring you leave with the perfect memory of what is guaranteed to be a spectacular afternoon.

This free and relaxed event is the ideal setting to unwind and enjoy the beautiful backdrop of Winton's landscape. Pre-register your interest to walk on down and let the music and spirit of the Outback be matched with the taste of native Australian botanicals.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Standing event only.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance.

Parking available on Vindex St on the extension off main road. Loose soil and short walk to event site.

Round out your Festival of Outback Opera experience in the charming beer garden of the North Gregory Hotel and test your knowledge of music history across all genres and opera tunes from across the decades in this fun and engaging Music Trivia Night.

Gather your friends, form a team, and compete for the title of Festival of Outback Opera Music Trivia Champion! Don't miss this unique opportunity to mix great music, friendly competition, and outback hospitality. See you there!

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance. Street parking available.

This majestic concert takes place on Camden Park Station an 18,000-acre working cattle station with 360-degree views of uninterrupted horizon, which has played host to everyone from the country’s first stockmen to Queen Elizabeth II.

On this very special evening some of Opera Queensland's finest singers perform under the stars, accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra joined by musicians from the University of Queensland Pulse Chamber Orchestra.

As the sun sets over the desert horizon, the performers are illuminated by the spellbinding colours of the outback complemented by Bernie Tan-Hayes' spectacular lighting. Get out your cameras, this is Insta-grand!

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association,The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Self-Drive tickets require own transport to and from the venue. Longreach to Camden Park Station is an approximate 15 minutes travel time on Landsborough Highway from Longreach towards Ilfracombe. Secure parking available at the venue.

Tickets including a bus transfer to the event location will have an approximate 15 minutes travel time from Longreach Railway Station.

Food and beverages will be available from the bar at the venue. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO. The bar remains open after the event for guests departing on a later bus service.

Treat yourself to fabulous singing and socialising, led by talented Opera Queensland artists.

Sing Sing Sing is a fun-filled session of music making and merriment for singers of all levels of experience and ability. Revel in your love of song in the fresh morning air outside The Drover's Place across from the iconic Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association,The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance.

Snacks and beverages will be available at The Drover's Place. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO.

Chairs are provided.

Limited parking available at the venue. Please use the car park of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame further down the road (walking distance).

Come in your riding boots and ballgown and be ready for a gala like no other.

An evening of fine dining, sublime singing and dancing set among the coolibah tree-lined Thomson River at Smithy’s Camp. This relaxed, yet stylish gathering embodies the spirit and iconography of the Outback with just enough glitz to ensure the evening is a memorable one.

Atmospheric lighting sets the mood as some of Australia's finest singers deliver a series of opera favourites throughout the 4-course meal, each perfectly paired to the culinary offering. After dessert, the dancefloor opens with an upbeat DJ set and you're invited to continue the celebrations as the bar remains open while you dance the night away.

Looking for something extra special? Start the evening with an optional train ride or Sunset River Cruise to make the most of your Festival of Outback Opera experience in Longreach. Smithy's Sunset Cruise is available at an extra charge and must be selected when you choose your seat/s in the booking process. The Sunset Cruise starts at 16:30.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Ticket includes 4-course meal plus drinks package until 8.30pm.

Tickets include a transfer to the event location from Longreach Railway Station and select Longreach accommodation* (bus only) with approximate 10 minutes travel time. Please refer to your ticket for the departure times - further details will be provided closer to the event.

Ticket options:

Event & Sunset Cruise & Bus - departs 15:45

Event & Train Transfer - departs 16:15

Event & Bus Transfer - departs 17:00*

Return bus shuttle will commence after dessert every 30 minutes until 10.30pm.

Are You Lonesome Tonight, a celebration of opera and country music, will have its much-anticipated return to Festival of Outback Opera at the end of Opera Queensland's inaugural national tour.

Are You Lonesome Tonight was Opera Queensland's most successful regional tour in its 40-year history, visiting more than 30 communities and travelling some 8,000 kilometres in 2021.

With a cast of young Australian singers including Gabrielle Diaz, Marcus Corowa and Jonathan Hickey, Are You Lonesome Tonight features arias and songs by composers such as Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty and Dolly Parton, to name just a few.

Hosted at The Qantas Founders Museum audiences sit under the massive wings of iconic Qantas aircraft, feeling the vast expanse of the Outback Queensland sky above and the rich history of Australian aviation all around, making it a truly immersive and awe-inspiring destination for our final festival performance.

Longreach Regional Council kindly supports this free performance of Are You Lonesome Tonight. The National Tour of Are You Lonesome Tonight is supported by Creative Australia through the Playing Australia Fund and Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, The University of Queensland and Haymans Electrical.

Food and beverages will be available from the bar at the Qantas Founders Museum. This is a licensed area, strictly no BYO.

A limited amount of chairs are provided, please bring your own camping chair if possible.

This is a free event. Please pre-register your attendance online or at the Festival Hub in front of the Visitor Information Centre in Longreach.