Quilpie and Charleville light up the outback with Christmas spirit

Two South West Queensland towns have embraced the Christmas spirit in a very festive way, with one council even offering up hundreds of Christmas lights to residents. See some of the most incredible displays here.

Santa surely won’t miss the outback this year, with South West Queensland towns clad from top to bottom in Christmas lights.

The townships of Charleville and Quilpie have been especially eager for the six white boomers to guide the sleigh in their direction, and they certainly can’t be missed.

Quilpie Rural Residents Outback Christmas Display winner – Dannielle & Dale Stevenson – Coolbinga Santa on a quad bike towing a trailer of wool all lit up. Credit: Lauran Gilligan

Quilpie Shire Council has been giving away hundreds of Christmas lights to households and local business, with the town now draped in more than 70,000 fairy light bulbs.

And they’re not just pretty either. During a power outage which swept the southwest on Tuesday night, solar powered fairy lights provided much needed illumination against the vast darkness.

Quilpie Shire Council are embracing the festive spirit and gifting hundreds of Christmas lights to households and local businesses.

There are now more than 70,000 fairy lights illuminating Quilpie.

Quilpie Shire mayor Stuart Mackenzie said the solar lights made a difference.

“It was a huge bonus for everyone on Tuesday night when the power went down to have the solar Christmas lights producing some much needed glow around town,” he said

This is the first year that the Quilpie Shire Council has given lights to the community, but Mr Mackenzie said it won’t be the last

“It’s something we’d love to keep building on as a new Quilpie Christmas tradition,” he said.

Quilpie Shire Council are embracing the festive spirit and gifting hundreds of Christmas lights to households and local businesses.

While the Christmas light display awards have already been dealt to the winners, it's not too late for locals to collect their free fairy lights from council offices in Quilpie.

Many winners were awarded, with some prizes of up to $1200.

However, Quilpie isn’t the only south west town who takes Christmas lights seriously.

Charleville hosted their annual Christmas lights tour with a record-breaking turnout on December 13, with 107 decorated cars in a convoy making their way around town, past some of the best Christmas lights displays.

Local children enjoying a moment with Santa on the Big Red Chair in Graham Andrews Park.

The winning car, belonging to Steve Hockam, in the Best Car Category.

Before the convoy left Graham Andrews park in Charleville, awards were given out and some lucky local kids let Santa know exactly what they’re wishing for this Christmas.

Bursting with Christmas cheer, these towns are certainly beacons in the outback which Santa will have no trouble finding this year.

Originally published as Quilpie and Charleville light up the outback with Christmas spirit