BBQ Battle at Strand Park returns for 2025 with teams competing for $5k prize

A giant smoker named Mabel has taken over The Strand and many kilograms of meats are smoking away, as Townsville’s BBQ Battle returns – bigger and better than ever.

Teams competing in BBQ Battle at Strand Park, with $5k for the winners. Event organisers Justin Bland Paul Miller, Jake Stone, Dennis Littlewood and Dan Wilschefski. Picture: Evan Morgan

A giant smoker named Mabel has taken over The Strand and many kilograms of meats are smoking away, as Townsville’s BBQ Battle returns – bigger and better than ever.

Sixteen teams will be using their own smokers to cook chicken, lamb, brisket and pork ribs all through Friday night before they are presented to the panel of judges on Saturday afternoon.

The event, as part of the Australian Barbecue Alliance, is open to the public from 9am Saturday and while the competitions meats are reserved only for the judges there will be food trucks with smoked meat goods for sale, as well as a ferris wheel, bar, market stalls, cooking demonstrations and entertainment.

Master of Ceremonies Dennis Littlewood said the event has four key principles; to promote ‘low and slow’ BBQ, be a family-friendly event, promote mental health and promote the North.

Teams competing in BBQ Battle at Strand Park, with $5k for the winners. Picture: Evan Morgan

With teams coming from across the country and New Zealand as well as a local school team from Calvary College, Mr Littlewood said it was a great chance for people to immerse themselves in the world of smoking.

“One of the things that we low in promoting ‘low and slow’ is we actually put the teams front and centre for people to come and chat with them on the day,” he said.

With the popularity of meat smoking on the rise, Mr Littlewood said many people are purchasing their own smokers as a change to the traditional Aussie barbecue.

“The meat at the end is tender, juicy, moist, full of flavour,” he said.

With plenty of smoker enthusiasts in attendance Mr Littlewood said the event is a great opportunity for those wanting to get into the activity or learn some tips and tricks.

The Townsville BBQ Battle will be held at Stand Park on May 24 beginning at 9am.

Originally published as BBQ Battle at Strand Park returns for 2025 with teams competing for $5k prize