Saddle up for the Coolgardie Outback Festival

The Coolgardie Outback Festival is set to return this year, taking over the historic Goldfields town from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16.

Showcasing the best of country spirit, community pride and outback entertainment, the festival is one of Western Australia’s most unique and vibrant regional events, drawing thousands of visitors from across WA and beyond.

This year’s event will feature a rodeo, a gymkhana, live bands, a truck show, a ute show, a tractor show and a camp oven cook-off across the three-day program.

At its heart is the ABCRA-affiliated rodeo, where Australia’s toughest cowboys and cowgirls take on bull rides, barrel racing and roping events in front of packed grandstands. Around the arena, the program also includes live music, market stalls, children’s activities and food vendors. Signature attractions across the buzzing festival precinct include the dozer, the truck and ute muster, and the WA Camp Oven & Slow Cooked Championships, where teams from across the state compete for culinary bragging rights.

Combined with a dedicated kids’ zone, cultural displays and community showcases, the weekend offers something for everyone.

Event organiser Bodean Buckingham says the annual event is about more than just entertainment. “It’s a social anchor in a region that needs more than that,” he said. “The festival creates connection and supports economic growth beyond the mining industry, while showcasing the region’s tourism assets and bringing people together for an incredible weekend celebrating true outback Australian culture and heritage.”

With record crowds exceeding 7,600 people at the last event, the festival continues to grow as a cornerstone attraction on WA’s regional events calendar.

“The Dozer Muster was a massive hit last year, and we’re looking to expand on that again this year,” Buckingham added. “The WA Slow Cooked and Camp Oven Championship is set to go off again with a bang, plus there’s free camping, great food, music and plenty of high-quality entertainment.”

The Coolgardie Outback Festival hits Gnarlbine Road, Coolgardie, on Friday, August 14, to Sunday, August 16, 2026. Tickets are on sale now from iwannaticket.com.au