Everything you need to know about The Halfway There Shindig

There’s an Outback Queensland knees-up with your name on it, The Halfway There Shindig, and you’ll find it in the largest town of the Murweh Shire, Charleville on 1 July 2023.

Are you ready for an epic experience on your Outback Adventure? You’ll find it at Charleville’s Halfway There Shindig!

All the best stories start with a few mates and a cold beer, and the Halfway There Shindig is no different. What started as a bunch of people toasting the fact they’d made it halfway to Birdsville’s Big Red Bash has turned into an event that draws people from all over Eastern Australia.

 This year we’re turning it on with a good old fashioned bonfire night! Join us for an Outback-sized bonfire, a fire drum exhibition and competition, live music featuring Robbie Mortimer and Russell Dewhurst and some games for the kids!

We’re also celebrating 30 years since Slim Dusty recorded his song ‘Charleville’ – it’s going to be a big one! What are you waiting for? Put it in your calendar, book your holiday, grab the kids and make sure you’re in Charleville on Saturday, 1 July 2023!

How to get to Charleville?

Find Charleville just under 750km from Brisbane, accessible by road, rail, and air.

If you’re short on time, soar over red plains and touch down at Charleville Airport with Rex who put just one and three-quarter hours of flight time between Brisbane and the Bilby capital. Just don’t be caught booking the day before as you won’t find a flight to Charleville every day.

For those who view the journey as all part of the adventure, an outback road trip will have you travelling through Dalby, Chinchilla, Roma, and Mitchell while on the eight-and-a-half-hour drive from Brisbane.

If you’re travelling from the west, the drive from Longreach and Windorah takes around five hours, giving you plenty of time to brush up on your Aussie artists before a night of classic tunes and dance. After the shindig, prepare for the 836km or nine-hour drive to Birdsville for more fun at the Big Red Bash.

Where to stay

Whether camping, caravanning, cottage living, or cosying into a fully equipped hotel room is your style, Charleville has your accommodation covered for the festival, with eight motels and two caravan parks in town, as well as four caravan parks just outside of town.

In the heart of town, you’ll find the Charleville Motel, which has all your creature comforts in their budget, standard and executive rooms. Just a short eight-minute walk from the festival grounds, you’ll be able to saunter away from the festivities straight to sleep, or wind down from the crazy night beside the communal firepit in the courtyard.

If you prefer to set up your own accommodation, the grassy slabs at Bailey Bar Caravan Park are a great place to park the RV or pitch the tent while still putting you right near the action. During your stay, don’t forget to try the legendary Camp Oven Stew which is the only camp oven dinner to appear on the TV lifestyle series ‘Discover Down Under’ twice!

If you’re after a little less light pollution and noise, book your stay at Charleville Bush Caravan Park and Cottage, just out of town. Fitted out with every camp facility one could need, the option of a powered site or the self-contained bush cottage is yours.

Local tips for the event

When you’re picking your festival kit, we recommend sourcing something on the warmer side, as temperatures are known to drop to around six degrees at night - nothing a box of hot fries or a beer or two can’t fix!

Things to see and do in Charleville

Beyond the festival, Charleville has plenty to keep you busy.

Get a case of the warm and fuzzies when you see the wiggle of pink bilby noses at the Charleville Bilby Experience. This breeding facility is home to many bilbies and is focused on the conservation of these Aussie icons. Walk through their nocturnal room and see these endangered mammals up close.

If science is more your speed, unleash your inner Sheldon and delve into the science of the cosmos with a visit to the Cosmos Centre. Warm up for a night under a dazzling sky with a session in the Astro Dome, where you’ll learn about the formation of the earth, and discover other exoplanets waiting to be explored.

For the history buffs, a trip to the WWII Secret Base will have your mind racing while you learn about secret information, classified missions, and wartime romances. If that isn’t enough, put your pilot goggles on and step into the B-17 bomber simulator to command your mission.

What are you waiting for? Celebrate the halfway mark. The Halfway There Shindig is primed to be a highlight of your trip - don’t miss out on grabbing a ticket after release in late May.

Keep up to date on the event program and for when tickets go on sale at The Halfway There Shindig Facebook page.