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DID SOMEONE SAY RODEO ROADTRIP??

Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft

Key Facts:

Ariat Warwick Rodeo and Pryde's EasiFeed Gold Cup Campdraft

Monday 20 to Sunday 26 October

Known as the ‘Melbourne Cup’ of campdrafting, the Warwick Gold Cup celebrates a sport born from Australia’s legendary stockmen and women, making it the nation’s most prestigious event of its kind, and drawing more riders and prize money than any other. With a $370,000 prize pool, bespoke saddles, gleaming trophies, and an array of awards, it’s long been regarded as the Australian Championship Campdraft, where the best of the best go head-to-head with the finest stock in the country. Then add a world class rodeo!! The Warwick Gold Cup runs alongside the legendary Warwick Rodeo, where the nation’s top cowboys take on champion broncs and bucking bulls. Today, this combined celebration of skill, grit, and heritage draws more than 30,000 spectators, with competitors and horses travelling from every mainland state to be part of the action.

DID SOMEONE SAY RODEO ROADTRIP??

All roads lead to Warwick this October as Country takes over – grab your belt, boots & buckle because it’s rodeo time!

 

Country is having a major global glow-up moment, and Warwick in Queensland is set to be the centre of it all this October when the famous Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft takes over the city. So, dust off those cowboy boots, grab a buckle and a belt, your wide-brimmed hat, and make plans to visit glorious Queensland Country. Images HERE

 

DID SOMEONE SAY RODEO ROADTRIP??

Whether you’re heading in from the north, south, east or west, Warwick is easily accessible, and every road in, is a drive through Australian country landscapes that have inspired legendary paintings and songs, before unfolding into the magic of the Southern Downs. So download your Rodeo Roadtrip Playlist and start planning!

 

• From the south (NSW): Roll up the New England Highway, past Tenterfield, through Queensland’s “snow country” town of Stanthorpe (hint: stop for a few vineyards on the way), and on into Warwick.
• From the north (Toowoomba/Brisbane): Take the Warrego and New England Highways, swapping city skylines for roadside produce stalls, horse studs and country pubs.
• From the east (Gold Coast): Wind inland on the Cunningham Highway, climbing the Great Dividing Range and dipping into the fertile Southern Downs.
• From the west (Goondiwindi/Outback QLD): Cruise in on the Cunningham or New England Highways, crossing big-sky country.

 

WELCOME TO WARWICK!

Known as the 'Rose and Rodeo Capital', Warwick is steeped in history dating back to a professional buck jumping competition in 1857 – yep, rodeo has a long history here! While in Warwick for the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft, here’s some more things to do, see, taste and smell!

 

1. Explore Warwick's historic houses on the five walks of Warwick

The five different walks are suitable for all levels of fitness and flexibility – the CBD Walk, Dairy Walk, Railway Walk, ‘Weewondilla’ Hill Walk and River Walk. Each route on the self-guided touring map is graded, so you know what you’re getting yourself into – whether that be steps, paved footpaths or seating along the way.

If you have brought your birdwatching book with you, set your sights on the 2.5km River Walk to see hunting grounds for fish-eating birds – herons, cormorants, darters, kingfishers, and pelicans.

 

2. Smell the roses and torque the talk

Warwick didn’t earn its title as the rose and rodeo capital for nothing! As you drive into the city, you’ll see Warwick’s rose plots, which get consistently thicker the closer get to the CBD. To stop and smell the roses, pay a visit to the Visitor Information Centre, Warwick Art Gallery and the Warwick and District Historical Society Museum, whose garden beds burst into bloom in the warmer months.

 

3. Camp at Goomburra Valley Campground

It’s worth it, but note there no phone reception the minute you pass the Goomburra Hall. This place is just five kilometres from the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Par, and whether you’re staying in a tent, caravan or have opted for bunkhouse accommodation, you’ll wake up and fall asleep to the sounds of the birdlife of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest.

 

4. Take in the views from Mount Castle Lookout

The Mount Castle lookout track, which is only 960m return might be small in size, but it’s big in views, looking over the Laidley Valley, Little Liverpool Range, Mount Castle and Brisbane and beyond. While you need just shy of three hours to drive to Mount Castle Lookout, you only need 30 minutes of walking time to access some of the best views from the Southern Downs.

 

5. Chase a waterfall at Queen Mary Falls

If you’re up for a short walk, take the track to the valley floor to see Spring Creek drop 40m from the floor below. The landscape changes across the 2km circuit trail, from dry eucalypt to lush rainforest at the bottom of the gorge – this is part of the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park after all.

If Queen Mary Falls has wet your whistle for waterfall chasing through Queensland Country, keep your walking shoes handy for these must do waterfalls and waterholes.

 

6. Enjoy a pub lunch at a country pub in Leyburn, Allora or Killarney

Find yourself a designated driver and kick off at the Royal Hotel in Leyburn, which has been serving patrons since 1863. Learn about the history of the pub, which is said to be the oldest continually licensed establishment in Queensland! Nearby Allora, the Railway Hotel dates back to 1902 where it’s been serving visitors who turn off the highway between Toowoomba and Warwick. To round out your country pub crawl, stop into Killarney’s Hotel-Motel, which stands like a grand old lady on Willow Street with its double wrap around verandas.

 

WHERE TO STAY

For those wanting to overnight – you need to BOOK NOW, and you may have to stay at some of the local villages, because the Rodeo and Campdraft is SO POPULAR, the city books out faster that a record barrel race!! Here’s some suggestions:

 

• Sancerre Estate
• Oaklea Cottages
• Glen Lough Cabins
• High Street Motor Inn
• Ballandean Tavern and Motel
• Braeside Homestead
• The Alpines Lodge
• Bestbrook Mountain Farmstay
• Stanthorpe Holiday Park
• Galah Cottage Stanthorpe
• Severn River Cottages
• Top of the Town Holiday Park
• Maryvale Crown Hotel
• Sandy Creek Pub
• Country Rose Motel
• Goomburra Valley Campground

 

No matter which way you come, all roads lead to Warwick, where world class rodeo, campdrafting, country music, and down-home hospitality await from October 20 to 26.

 

Ariat Warwick Rodeo and Pryde's EasiFeed Gold Cup Campdraft

Monday 20 to Sunday 26 October

Known as the ‘Melbourne Cup’ of campdrafting, the Warwick Gold Cup celebrates a sport born from Australia’s legendary stockmen and women, making it the nation’s most prestigious event of its kind, and drawing more riders and prize money than any other. With a $370,000 prize pool, bespoke saddles, gleaming trophies, and an array of awards, it’s long been regarded as the Australian Championship Campdraft, where the best of the best go head-to-head with the finest stock in the country. Then add a world class rodeo!! The Warwick Gold Cup runs alongside the legendary Warwick Rodeo, where the nation’s top cowboys take on champion broncs and bucking bulls. Today, this combined celebration of skill, grit, and heritage draws more than 30,000 spectators, with competitors and horses travelling from every mainland state to be part of the action.

 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW, with organisers urging fans to buy theirs, and organise accommodation as the week is set to fill this year as all things country takes over!

TICKETS HERE: Campdraft - Warwick Show & Rodeo Society

 

Information created in partnership with Queensland Country.

For more ideas and travel information, visit Queensland Country | Home

Contact details:

Kath Rose on [email protected] or 0416 291 493