Saddle Up for the Mt Isa Rodeo
Dust off those boots, grab your Akubra and tighten your buckles because the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo returns to the red dirt of Buchanan Park, where the best cowgirls and cowboys in the country will compete for rodeo’s most famous buckles.
After last year’s record rodeo, where more than 16,000 fans flocked to see the best bucking broncs and bulls in the country, along with almost 800 of Australia’s top riders, plans are well underway for the 2026 rodeo event, with accommodation almost at capacity in the town, while camping options remain open.
Dust Off Your Boots – Line Dancing is coming to Rodeo 2026!
This year, rodeo is turning up the music and bringing the rhythm to the red dirt with the introduction of our very first Line Dancing Competition. There’ll be boots, belts, big energy and a whole lot of heel-toe action under the Outback sky.
Cowgirls with Wings
The iconic red dirt arena is about to be taken to new heights this year with a show-stopping addition to its 2026 program: Dayna Bradshaw, otherwise known as Cowgirls With Wings. Hailing from NSW country, Dayna Bradshaw is one of Australia’s best female trick riders, performing the full spectacle, backbends, handstands, gymnastics stunts, all at full gallop.
Townsville’s own, The Barnyard Band
To headline entertainment across Friday and Saturday nights, August 7 and 8. Front and centre is Laurence Sorbello, award-winning crowd participation country entertainer and master showman, paired with the explosive fiddle brilliance of Katisha Adelaide and their all-star five-piece band, delivering a two-night country concert spectacular that pays homage to the greatest country artists of all time as well as showcasing their debut songs being released in 2026..
Where to Stay and Play
With tickets now on sale, it’s time to plan your trip! If you are keen on driving and seeing some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, here are three highways that will get you there- Isa-Matilda Way, Capricorn Way and Overlanders Way. So you can take your time getting here and linger a little longer in the Outback. Book accommodation because this famous Outback town fills fast. Everything you need to know is at www.outback@isa.com.au
ABOUT Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
It is the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the biggest in the world. It’s where champions return to defend their titles, rising stars carve their names into history, and eight electrifying seconds can feel like an eternity. For three adrenaline-fueled days, Mount Isa in Outback Queensland comes alive with the raw power of bull riding, bronc busting, barrel racing, roping and more, as the world’s toughest cowboys and cowgirls battle for some of the most coveted buckles in rodeo. Since 1959, the red dust of Mount Isa has risen beneath hooves, boots, and the roar of the crowd. The rodeo is the heartbeat of Outback Queensland, and an event that welcomes riders and fans from all over the globe.
2026 MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO presented by Akubra
Fri 7th August – Sun 9th August 2026
Buchanan Park Events Complex, George St & Sutton St, Mount Isa, QLD 4825
Website and TICKETS ON SALE NOW: www.mountisarodeo.com.au
A trip through the Queensland Outback can bring everything from blazing sunshine to sudden wind gusts, making a secure campsite essential. Before you settle in, make sure your awning is properly anchored with a Tiegear. Built tough for Australian conditions, these premium kits help protect your awning from unexpected weather, giving you greater confidence whether you're stopping overnight or setting up for an extended stay.
Mt Isa Rodeo is on and it won't disappoint