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Mount Isa's first NAIDOC Rodeo & Music Festival to make history

2026 NAIDOC 4B Rodeo and Music Festival

Key Facts:

4B RODEO & MUSIC FESTVAL

Saturday July 11, 2026

Buchanan Park, Mount Isa – gates open 2pm

https://www.trybooking.com/DMHTC

Mount Isa’s first NAIDOC Rodeo & Music Festival to make history

Bulls * Broncs * Barrels * Beats

Saturday July 11, 2026

 

For the first time in Mount Isa’s history, the red dirt of Buchanan Park will roar to life with a powerful new celebration of culture, connection and country – the inaugural 2026 NAIDOC 4B Rodeo and Music Festival celebrating NAIDOC Week’s milestone 50th anniversary year. Images here 

 

Bulls, broncs, barrels and beats will take over the iconic Kalkadoon Arena on Saturday July 11 with the groundbreaking event to blend the adrenaline of rodeo with live music, dance, storytelling and community spirit, creating a unique one-day celebration.

 

Marking the national NAIDOC Week theme “50 Years of Deadly”, the event honours five decades of strength, survival and pride, celebrating the Elders, leaders, artists and communities who have carried culture forward across generations.

 

Tara Bell from Kalkadoon PBC said: “Set beneath Mount Isa’s vast open skies, the festival will feature a limited rodeo program, a live music lineup in the forecourt, cultural performances, family activities, food and market stalls, and a showcase of First Nations excellence. This is more than just a rodeo or music festival, this is community, culture and celebration coming together on country in a way Mount Isa has never seen before. To host the first-ever NAIDOC rodeo in Mount Isa during the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week is something incredibly special. This event celebrates where we’ve come from, who we are, and where the next generation is heading.”

 

A FULL DAY ON COUNTRY

The day will begin with “Rodeo 101 – Back to Basics” from 12:00pm to 1:30pm, offering an information session for aspiring and new competitors covering rodeo fundamentals including rules, dress standards, preparation and entry pathways into competition.

 

GATES OPEN AT 2:00pm: with rodeo commencing at 3:30pm - the NRA-affiliated points rodeo will feature a full competitive program including:

• Open division ($5,000 prize pool)
  Bull Ride, Saddle Bronc, Bareback Bronc, Ladies Barrel Race
• 2nd Division / Novice ($2,000 prize pool)
  Bull Ride, Saddle Bronc
• Junior division ($500 prize pool)
  Junior Barrel Race, Junior Steer Ride

 

FROM 6.15pm - MUSIC, CULTURE & CELEBRATION

From 6:15pm, the celebration continues in the forecourt with a live music festival featuring:

• 6:15–7:15 — Tess Fapani
• 7:15–8:15 — Coloured Stone
• 8:15–9:15 — Normey Jay
• 9:15–10:15 — Lil Mase

 

The lineup also includes performances from Big Eye Theatre Dancers and Mornington Island Dancers, adding powerful cultural storytelling and movement to the night’s program. Singer-songwriter Tess Fapani brings a soulful, roots-infused sound shaped by lived experience in Far North Queensland and strong cultural connection.

 

11pm – THE AFTERPARTY

An official afterparty will take place from 11:00pm to 5:00am at the Overlander Hotel.

Entry to the afterparty is strictly limited to patrons who purchase a combined event and afterparty package, available via pre-purchase only.

 

CALLING ALL COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS!

Nominate via the NRA website: nationalrodeoassociation.com.au

Rodeo Events: Open: $5,000.00 prize money

• Bull Ride
• Saddle Bronc
• Bareback Bronc 
• Ladies Barrel Race

2^nd Division (Novice): $2,000.00 prize money

• Bull Ride
• Saddle Bronc

Junior: $500 prize money

• Junior Barrel Race
• Junior Steer Ride

 

TICKETS

Tickets are available via TryBooking:

https://www.trybooking.com/DMHTC
Pricing includes:

• Adult GA: $40; Adult GA + Afterparty: $75 (pre-purchase only)
• Senior GA: $35; Senior GA + Afterparty: $65
• Child (7–17): $10
• Child (0–6): Free
• Family GA (2A + 2C): $80
• Accessible Adult GA (admits 2): $40

 

4B RODEO & MUSIC FESTVAL

Saturday July 11, 2026

Buchanan Park, Mount Isa – gates open 2pm

https://www.trybooking.com/DMHTC

 

Contact details:

Kath Rose on [email protected] or 0416 291 493