Australia Day 2024: All the community and social events in Toowoomba and South West Queensland on January 26

Wondering what’s happening near you on Australia Day and looking to join in on the fun events? We’ve got you covered. FULL LIST OF EVENTS HERE.

With Australia Day just around the corner, a number of Toowoomba and surrounding communities are preparing to hold special events and fun filled activities.

Grab a camp chair and head on down to your local community awards events, or dress up in your best ‘Aussie icon’ costume and join in on some the region’s social events.

See the full list of events happening on January 26 in Toowoomba and surrounds below.

TOOWOOMBA AND SURROUNDS

ABC's David Iliffe hosts the Australia Day celebrations at Picnic Point in Toowoomba. Thursday, January 26, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Community events

• Picnic Point – 8.30-11am

8.30am: Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony.

9am: flag raising, national anthem by High Altitude Harmony, free sausage sizzle, damper, flag tattoos and Dreamtime games.

9.30am: Australia Day prayer, Mayoral message, Australia Day affirmation and flag presentation.

9.45am: presentation of Toowoomba City Australia Day Awards and W. H. Groom scholarship

10.30am: Community entertainment and free ice creams.

• Cambooya Recreation Grounds, Lucy St – 8-10am

8am: free barbecue breakfast, free children’s face painting, coffee van.

9am: Awards ceremony.

• Pioneer Park, Clifton, 99 King St – 7am-10am

Awards ceremony and free barbecue breakfast.

• Centenary Park, Crows Nest – 7.30-10.30am

From 7.30am: Bacon and egg or sausage burger available for a gold coin donation.

Entertainment by Cloud 9 and Adele Adams, with Paul Fleming reciting bush poetry.

9am: Flag raising and presentation of Australia Day Awards, with light refreshments available after the official ceremony.

• Goombungee Hall, King St

8am: Free community breakfast, entertainment by Kadi Lillis and children’s activities.

9am: Official ceremony, including presentation of Australia Day Awards.

• Highfields, Civic Forecourt Outdoor

7am-9am: Free breakfast, entertainment by High Country Community Band and Sing Australia, followed by Australia Day Awards ceremony through to 9am.

Address by Australia Day Ambassador Dr Tim Baker, author, thought leader and international leadership consultant.

BYO chair or picnic blanket.

• Jondaryan Woolshed, January 26-27 – 8.30am-4.30pm

Back to the Woolshed is a two-day family event from January 26-27 from 8.30am-4.30pm.

Enjoy live music, historical displays and browse Australia’s farming heritage.

Entry fees apply.

For full details, including information about accommodation and camping, visit http://www.jondaryanwoolshed.com/.

• Millmerran Lions Park, Cnr Margaret & Edward streets (incorporating Cecil Plains), 8-11am

8-9am: Free barbecue breakfast

9-10am: Awards ceremony with acknowledgment of traditional custodians, national anthem, councillor address, announcement of award nominees and recipients.

From 10am: Meet and greet.

• Arthur Shooter Park, Oakey – 7.30am-12.30pm

From 7.30am: Barbecue breakfast in the park (cost will apply).

8.30am: Award ceremony which will include acknowledgment of traditional custodians, flag raising, national anthem, councillor address, award presentations.

9.30am: Free morning tea and billy boiling competition.

10am: Team and individual events: The Oakey dunny race, open and junior iron man races, raft race, thong throwing, tug of war, billy kart races and sack races with prize presentations from noon.

Patrons are advised to bring a chair, picnic blanket, hat and sunscreen.

• Pittsworth

7.30-8.30am: Free children’s face painting at Centenary Park (by the Men’s Shed).

9-11am (Pittsworth Town Hall): Acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag bearers enter Town Hall, national anthem, councillor address, address by Australia Day Ambassador Elijah Buol OAM, chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Queensland, presentation of Pittsworth Australia Day Awards.

Damper, Cook’s soft drinks, tea, coffee on sale after the official ceremony and prizes to be won.

BYO chair or picnic blanket.

Social events

• Australia Day Beach Party, Bone Idol Brewery from noon onwards

Join Bone Idol Brewery from midday for the launch of their new beer ‘A Bitter Bone’ XPA, as well as hourly games and events, live music and free shuffleboard all day.

• Australia Day $3000 Triples, Drayton Bowls Club

To nominate your team, please contact Kelly Rubesaame on 0459 627 476 or email [e-mail].

• Australia Day Party at Tatts Hotel from 11am onwards

From 11am: Tap takeover from Green Beacon

3.30-6.30pm: Australia’s Favourite Sons Tribute Band (Cold Chisel & ACDC), free entry.

PLUS many competitions, giveaways and cash prizes up for grabs.

• $1000 GTD Australia Day Megastack at National Hotel, Toowoomba

When: 12pm Friday, January 26, 2024

Entry: $50 ($40+$10)

Structure: 50K SS with 20 min levels

Format: Single re-entry

Late entry/re-entry: 2pm

Aussie TV icon’s Kath and Kim.

• Aussie Icons & Legends Party, Federal Hotel, Toowoomba

When: 6pm, Thursday 25th January 2024

Where: Sports Bar, The Federal Hotel, 111 James St, Toowoomba

Hosted by Southern District Magpies Cricket Club Toowoomba.

Prizes for best dressed, with nibbles and drinks available.

RSVP: Please RSVP by Tuesday 23rd January to [e-mail].

• Australia Day 2024, Fitzy’s Toowoomba

When: from noon onwards.

RSVP via the events Facebook page and to keep up to date with any announcements.

• Australia Day, City Golf Club Toowoomba

Plenty of fun events for all ages at the City Golf club from 8.30am onwards, from petting farms, pony rides, face painting, thong throwing competition and live entertainment from South West and Trophy Husbands, as well as a mechanical bull ride.

• Australia Day Party, Royal Hotel Gatton

From 10am onwards join in on the fun activities including, a thong toss, Wheat-Bix eating competition and food and drink specials.

Sausage sizzle at 2pm.