Big Skies Festival 2024: Tickets selling fast for annual Western Downs festival at historic Jimbour House

Last minute tickets are still available for this week’s Big Skies event, which is set to feature world renowned music acts, farm-to-table meals and tours of the region including the historic Jimbour House. Find out more here.

The return of the much-anticipated Big Skies Festival kicks off this week, with thousands expected to descend on Jimbour House for a weekend of Aussie rock and country music.

Running across the October long weekend, the festival is now in its fifth year and will feature live music, dining experiences, regional tours, markets, camping, bonfires and more.

The official line-up features more than 10 bands, including The Screaming Jets, Brad Cox, Killing Heidi, Kaylee Bell, Deborah Conway, and Mick Lindsay, supported by Pete Cullen and the Hurt, The Charlie Nolan Band, The 78 Sound, and Faleepo Francisco.

Punters at the 2023 Big Skies Festival pack in front of the stage to watch The Angels.

Western Downs mayor Andrew Smith said they were expecting big crowds and lots of excitement across the four days.

“It's going to be massive, Big Skies is an event that not only are we proud of but it brings locals and tourists out of the woodwork to celebrate what we are doing out at Jimbour house,” he said.

“It will be an amazing four days with the highlight being the concert on Saturday and Sunday.

“We have a real mix of music with the country rock on Saturday and then the traditional Aussie rock on Sunday with the Screaming Jets, Debra Conway and Killing Heidi.

“The partnership we have with Jimbour House is long lasting and to be able put on an event like Big Skies and have Jimbour House as a backdrop is something very few events across Queensland have.”

A large number of campers stayed at the Big Skies Festival onsite camping and 2024 will again see large numbers.

Alongside the entertainment guests will be treated to a number of dining experiences including the new Canapes Under the Stars and the returning Sunset Dinner packed with local seasonal dishes including Condabilla Murray cod ceviche, roasted porchetta and local beef.

The festival will also feature tours on the Friday, giving locals and visitors alike the opportunity to explore what the region has to offer.

The Energy Discovery Tour will offer a look into the Darling Downs Power Station, not typically open to the public, before a trip to Jubri’s Hideaway for a lunch among the garden.

Meanwhile The Bunya Mountains Escape Tour will take guests to Queensland’s second oldest rainforest to enjoy the scenery and learn about the Indigenous connection to the land before heading to Australia’s highest whisky bar at Shackletons.

Jimbour House will also open its doors for guided tours.

“We want to show off the Western Downs and those tours give us the opportunity to do that, previously they’ve been very successful and it is an important part of the festival and it is about showing why we love where we live,” Mr Smith said.

Big Skies Camp Kitchen at the 2023 event.

Mr Smith said tickets were still available and encouraged people to snatch them up.

“Ticket sales are on par with last year, we did get a rush towards the end of last year and we are hoping for that again this year,” he said.

“Our numbers throughout all of our festivals and events have been really strong and when you consider what is happening across the nation in regards to festivals we are really grateful for that.

“We have the Melon Fest, the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races, Miles’ Back to the Bush and Jandowae Timbertown so we have events all across the region but Big Skies is a really different event and plays a huge role in tourism in our region.

“We still have tickets available for camping, our Sunset Dinner on Friday night as well as the concert on Saturday and Sunday.”

The event kicks off this Thursday at Jimbour House. For more details visit the Big Skies Festival website.