Join us for an evening of exciting opera moments live and on screen to kick-start Festival of Outback Opera 2026. Our Festival Opening takes place in the beautiful location of The Royal Theatre Winton, one of the world’s most unique cinematic and live performance venues under the beautiful Winton sky.

The evening will begin with an official Opening Ceremony for the festival. Audiences are invited to attend the official welcome and speeches commencing at 6pm.

From 6:30pm there will be a 40-minute recital by an Opera Queensland artist followed by an interval before audiences enjoy a screening of acclaimed film Tinā under the stars commencing at 7:30pm.

Experience the power of storytelling on screen with Tinā, a moving New Zealand drama about love, family, and resilience. Set in the wake of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Tinā tells the story of Mareta Percival, a grieving Samoan teacher who finds hope through music. By forming a choir at an elite private school, she weaves the cultural symphonies of her heritage to connect with her students and heal. A moving portrait of resilience, community, and the power of song themes that resonate deeply with the Festival of Outback Opera.

Festival Opening: Ceremony, Recital & Movie

The Royal Theatre Winton

Join Opera Queensland and Red Dirt Tours on a half-day birdwatching tour to experience the beauty of bird song and rugged rock formations in Bladensburg National Park. You will visit the old homestead of Bladensburg station for a morning tea and be serenaded by artists from the Festival of Outback Opera. Take a break from driving; sit back, relax and let us take the dirt roads for you!

Bladensburg National Park is home to nearly every ecosystem in the Winton region - black soil plains with Mitchell Grass downs, riverine channel country, clay pans, jump up country, and water holes. The area is home to endangered animal species and is rich with European and Indigenous histories.

Meet outside the Tattersall's Hotel for pickup by Red Dirt Tours at 7:00am. The Balamara bakery will be open from 5:30am if you would like a light breakfast or coffee before departing. The tour will return to Winton at approximately 11:00am. (Please note, this means it will not be possible to attend both the Dawn Chorus Friday tour and the Long Lunch taking place in Longreach that day.)

The Dawn Chorus

Bladensburg National Park

As part of the Festival of Outback Opera, OQ invites all visitors and Winton locals to come together for a session of Music Trivia! Test your knowledge in this annual festival experience in a fun and engaging pub trivia that asks questions about all musical tastes. Grab a beverage and make your way to the historic North Gregory Hotel courtyard to play along, stick around afterwards to hear the bush poetry of Banjo Paterson performed by Gregory North.

Music Trivia

North Gregory Hotel

Opera Queensland partners with Sheehan Events to offer a day-return Charter Flight for Dark Sky Serenade (Winton, Thursday 21 May 2026).

Secure your seat for a day to remember at Festival of Outback Opera.

Start your journey with a Champagne breakfast and fly to Winton on an exclusive Alliance Charter Flight with fellow travellers to Opera Queensland’s scintillating performance Dark Sky Serenade at the extraordinary Australian Age of Dinosaurs and a jam-packed day of sight-seeing.

Day Trip Charter Flight to Winton

ibis Brisbane Airport Hotel

Join us at the iconic North Gregory Hotel in Winton for a lively panel discussion on opera’s unique role in regional life. Together we’ll explore how this multifaceted artform not only connects communities through music and storytelling but also drives cultural tourism when presented in regional spaces. The conversation will also consider how a commitment to sustainable, greener practices in the performing arts can strengthen this impact and help shape a vibrant, resilient future for regional cultural tourism.

Cultural Conversation

Enjoy glorious music and dazzling night skies.

Dark Sky Serenade returns to the picturesque Jump-Up at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, for a concert 75 metres above the breathtaking surrounding landscape. As the sun sets, sublime music fills the crystal clear air, with breathtaking views and constantly transforming skies as you look out across the vast landscape. As night falls, the stage becomes a cathedral of light amidst the infinite starry sky. This is opera as you have never experienced before.

Dark Sky Serenade

Australian Age of Dinosaurs

Join us at the iconic "Way Out West" sign in Winton for sunset and a gin tasting hosted by Western Queensland Spirit. This free event is the perfect way to unwind on the last evening of the festival in Winton.

OQ will provide a musical backdrop whilst our professional photographer captures your portrait in this iconic Outback location, ensuring you leave with the perfect memory of what is guaranteed to be a spectacular afternoon.

The Sundowner

Way Out West Sign Winton

Opera Queensland partners with Sheehan Events to offer a day-return Charter Flight for Singing in the Night in Longreach (Saturday 23 May 2026).

Secure your seat for a day to remember at Festival of Outback Opera.

Start your journey with a Champagne breakfast and fly to Longreach on an exclusive Alliance Charter Flight with fellow travellers to Opera Queensland’s scintillating performance Singing in the Night at Camden Park Station, an 18,000-acre working cattle station with 360-degree views of uninterrupted horizon, which has played host to everyone from the country’s first stockmen to Queen Elizabeth II.

Day Trip Charter Flight to Longreach

Singing in the Night returns to Camden Park Station again in 2026!

This majestic concert takes place on an 18,000-acre working cattle station with 360-degree views of uninterrupted horizon, which has played host to everyone from the country’s first stockmen to Queen Elizabeth II.

On this very special evening some of Opera Queensland’s finest singers perform under the stars, accompanied by an orchestra joined by musicians from the University of Queensland.

As the sun sets over the desert horizon, the performers are illuminated by the spellbinding colours of the outback complemented by Bernie Tan-Hayes' spectacular lighting. Get out your cameras, this is Insta-grand!

Singing in the Night

Camden Park Station

Treat yourself to fabulous singing and socialising, led by talented Opera Queensland artists.

Sing Sing Sing is a fun-filled session of music making and merriment for singers of all levels of experience and ability. Revel in your love of song in the fresh morning air outside The Drover's Place across from the iconic Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.

Sing Sing Sing

The Drovers Place

Come in your riding boots and ballgown and be ready for a gala like no other.

An evening of fine dining, sublime singing and dancing set among the coolaibah tree-lined Thomson River at Smithy’s Camp. This relaxed, yet stylish gathering embodies the spirit and iconography of the Outback with just enough glitz to ensure the evening is a memorable one.

Atmospheric lighting sets the mood as some of Australia’s finest singers deliver a series of opera favourites throughout the 4-course meal, each perfectly paired to the culinary offering. After dessert, the dancefloor opens with an upbeat DJ set and you’re invited to continue the celebrations as the bar remains open while you dance the night away.

Looking for something extra special? Start the evening with an optional Sunset River Cruise or Silverbullet Rail Experience to make the most of your Festival of Outback Opera experience in Longreach.

Festival of Outback Opera

May 19, 2026