Considered one of Queensland’s top Easter events, the five-day Easter in the Country Festival in Roma, located 350km northwest of Toowoomba, captures the essence of the distinctive lifestyle that outback Queensland is known for.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie who enjoys rodeos, horse racing, country music concerts and wife-carrying or you prefer more relaxed activities such as gourmet dinners, fishing and bush poetry, the Easter in the Country Festival in Roma, a charming town in outback Queensland, has something for everyone.
Being held from 16–21 April 2025, Roma’s famous Easter in the Country Festival is heading into its 49th year, offering a range of activities for the thrill-seeker, the cultural and culinary buff, as well as those who like to take things a little more leisurely.
In 2025, Roma will once again showcase some of the best entertainment over the Easter long weekend.
Roma’s charm lies in its laid-back country lifestyle and hospitality, making it a unique place to add to your travel plans. The festival offers excellent live entertainment for all ages at great value.
The highlight of the event, the full-day rodeo on Easter Sunday, features top-tier rodeo action and incredible evening performances from some of Australia’s best country musicians at the Outback Music Under the Stars concert, all for $110.
The festival is the perfect opportunity for locals to welcome family, friends and newcomers to experience the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of Roma and the surrounding Maranoa Region over the Easter long weekend.
Don’t miss the Roma rodeo — it’s a truly unique way to experience outback Queensland
An action-packed weekend
This year’s Easter in the Country Festival program is chockers full of events and activities the whole family will enjoy.
On Good Friday, there is a monster afternoon at the Big Rig with Bluey and Bingo and the Easter Bunny who will meet children, play some games in the park and dance with Bluey and Bingo. And, of course, there will be a game (or several) of ‘Keepy Uppy’.
Bluey and Bingo hit the stage for the young children
On Easter Saturday, head to the Street Parade and Music Festival featuring the Rusty Pickups, Beth Lucas and Hayley Marsten — all bringing youth and fantastic musical performances to the festival. Also on Saturday morning is internationally acclaimed Bluey and Bingo on the main stage plus oodles of country market stalls and a street parade busting with community pride and entertainment.
Saturday afternoon offers a thrilling mix of racing events, including horse racing, speedway and drag racing.
Easter Sunday is an absolute must, with a day-long rodeo running from 8am to 8pm, showcasing top-tier cowboys coming from the Sydney Royal Easter Show. As an APRA sanctioned event, it has become a crowd-favourite at the festival, so be sure to add it to your itinerary.
Once the rodeo wraps up, stick around for the action-packed concert with Troy Cassar-Daley and Wade Forster taking the stage to keep the energy high.
The wife-carrying races are always a festival favourite
Some other festival highlights to check out are:
- Wife Carrying on Sunday morning
- The Eggcellent Afternoon with Bluey and Bingo on Good Friday, with visits from the Easter Bunny all weekend
- Fishing competition on the Maranoa River near Mitchell on Good Friday
- Easter Art Show
- Australian BBQ Alliance Championship rounds
- Bush Gardens — celebrating a milestone with bush poets and activities
- Roma Sings Bush Ballads and Bush Poetry — featuring Dean Perrett (Golden Guitar winner), Paul Ricketts, Gary Fogarty and Neil McCarther
Don’t miss the Bush Ballads
A new event for the 2025 Roma’s Easter in the Country
Roma’s Easter in the Country is part of the Australian BBQ Alliance Championship rounds, and all barbecue competitors will be heading to the region’s beef capital with their smokers and skills to contest this sought-after prize. Join the inaugural Smokin’ Hot Easter BBQ Challenge on Easter Saturday and enter for a chance to win up to $5000 in prizes. For more details, visit the event website.
Roma's Easter in the Country is part of the Australian BBQ Alliance Championships rounds
Culture, history and adventure
This year’s Easter Art Show is being hosted by Maranoa Artists, and it will feature a grand prize pool of $10,000. Be part of the excitement on the opening night, Wednesday 16 April 2025, where the winner will be revealed.
On Easter Sunday, the historic organ at the Anglican Church will take centre stage, played by the talented organist Anthony Hahn, known for his performances at Sale Cathedral in Victoria. He will be joined by violinist Vincent Kwan, offering a memorable musical experience set against the stunning stained-glass windows of St Paul’s Anglican Church. Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks upon arrival.
The organ at the Anglican Church
History enthusiasts can also visit the Roma History Lodge, where they can delve into the town’s rich past with expert assistance.
The Mount Abundance Homestead, where settlement of the Maranoa District commenced and the motion for the establishment of Roma Town began, will also be open to the public throughout the festival. Built in 1860, the Homestead is heritage-listed and features Roma’s First Post Office (1860–1864), an underground cellar lined with locally made bricks, early graves, old building sites and sandstone ‘overshot’ dam.
To continue the history and heritage adventure, head to Roma’s Butter Factory Museum to get some unique insights into Roma’s early days as a prominent farming community.
Adventure seekers can take advantage of helicopter tours throughout the weekend, offering breathtaking aerial views of the expansive Aussie bush and Carnarvon National Park. Book a tour with Boobook Tours to take your festival visit to the next level and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and iconic landscapes of this part of Queensland.
Outback music under the stars
A standout event at this year’s Easter in the Country festival is the much-anticipated Outback Music Under the Stars. On Easter Sunday evening, Bassett Park will host two of Australia’s beloved country music stars, Troy Cassar-Daley and Wade Forster, following the XXXX Pro Rodeo.
With more than three decades in the industry, Troy Cassar-Daley is a celebrated platinum artist and a 40-time Golden Guitar winner. He returns for a second time to headline this incredible evening, as part of the Queensland Music Trails.
Don’t miss the Outback Music Under the Stars concert on Sunday
Joining him is Wade Forster, the 2024 Toyota Star Maker winner, and born and bred Queenslander. His music, deeply influenced by his outback and rodeo roots, has rapidly gained recognition. Wade’s rise to fame began unexpectedly, with singalongs during rodeo travels evolving into a passion that has landed him on stages like Outback Music Under the Stars. “It’s like coming full circle,” Wade said. “The rodeo and the music have always been a part of my story, and I’m so excited to share that with everyone in Roma.”
Don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable performance under the stars. Tickets for Outback Music Under the Stars and the full Queensland Music Trails – The Outback are available now.
Outback tucker under the stars
Roma is home to the largest beef cattle selling yards in the southern hemisphere, and on Thursday 17 April 2025, this iconic venue will host a unique dining experience. Renowned Celebrity Chef Matt Golinski will craft a delicious menu featuring locally sourced beef and regional produce. Sponsored by Cement Australia, attendees will also have the chance to sample fine gin from local company Western Queensland Spirit. After enjoying a mouthwatering dinner, the celebration continues with live music and dancing, making it a perfect night out with friends and family. Tickets are available online now, priced at $80 for adults and $20 children — but they’re selling fast, so secure your spot now.
How the Roma Easter in the Festival started
Roma’s Easter in the Country festival, now in its 49th year, had very humble beginnings. It was conceived by Noel Miller, then President of the Wattles Football Club, as a way to raise money for a new clubhouse. His vision was to create a Country and Western Festival to support this goal.
The idea came to life after a Sunday afternoon football match, followed by a drink at the Royal Hotel in Roma. Standing on a stool, Noel made a bold announcement to the crowd — Roma’s first Easter festival would take place in 1976. For many years, the event focused on country music and rodeo competitions. However, as the cost of hiring performers grew, the Wattles Football Club decided to step back from managing the event.
High energy at the horse races
Management of the festival was then passed to Cities Football Club Inc., and the event’s organisation shifted to a community-driven model. Today, Roma’s Easter in the Country is managed by the Easter in the Country Association Inc., which relies on a volunteer committee from all walks of life. These dedicated individuals contribute their time, skills and knowledge to ensure the festival’s continued success.
The festival is made possible with the support of major sponsors, including Australia Pacific LNG operated by Origin Energy and XXXX/Lion. Other sponsors who help make the event a reality are OMNi Helicopters, West Wind, MGA, Santos, MPK, ECS, Cement Australia and Woolworths.
This year, Noel Miller will return as a guest of the festival and has generously offered to write the history of the event, giving an account of its growth and impact over the years.
The billy cart competitions are always popular
Camping options
Roma, with its expansive landscapes and crisp autumn weather, is the perfect spot for Easter camping. In addition to the town’s commercial caravan parks, which cater to festival visitors with a whole range of facilities, there are two temporary campgrounds that provide ample space and good facilities for caravanners and campers. Pets on leashes are allowed and fire pits are permitted (as long as they are monitored and fully extinguished when not in use). These campgrounds offer a relaxed and scenic way to enjoy the festival and the surrounding area.
Another great option is Bassett Park Camping, located in the Roma Bassett Park Showgrounds. This camping area offers new toilet and shower facilities that are cleaned three times a day and an onsite coordinator from 5pm Monday 14 April 2025. There are powered and unpowered sites available, with a 10A power point per van, tent or camper trailer (you’ll need to bring your own 15A adaptor if required). There’s a dump point at Basset Park and another one close by Bungil Street, and there are water points throughout the park but not every site will have their own.
Drag races on Easter Sunday
‘Where Country Meets the Outback’
Roma truly is ‘Where Country Meets the Outback’. There is so much to see and do in Roma and the wider Maranoa Region, it should come as no surprise that Roma was the Gold Winner of the Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards last year. Roma also achieved a podium finish nationally in 2024 by taking home the title of Bronze Winner in Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards.
Why not bookend your Roma Easter in the Country Festival stay with a few extra days’ stay in Roma as your base from which to explore the Maranoa Region?
If your tow vehicle is a high clearance four-wheel drive and if you’re a passionate offroad adventurer who enjoys immersing yourself in nature, the eponymous Grass Tree Drive (Grafton Terrace Scenic Tourist Drive) is perfect for you! Throughout the 73km one-way journey, you’ll encounter a breathtaking and constantly changing landscape as well as a rich variety of native plants and animals. Most notable of the former are the ancient Forest Grass Trees that give this route its name. Keep in mind that certain parts of the route are sandy and are best tackled during dry conditions. Be sure to leave your caravan unhitched if you’re going to drive this route!
Starting at Injune, around 90km north of Roma, the almost 300km-long Arcadia Valley Loop requires a full day to ensure you have time to take in the breathtaking views over the Arcadia Valley, the serene waters and wild of Lake Nuga Nuga in Nuga Nuga National Park and the side trip to Carnarvon Gorge, as well as the 90km or so from Injune back to your caravan in Roma. High clearance vehicles are recommended for this drive and ideally it should be driven in dry conditions. Between Injune and Rolleston there is no fuel, so fill up in either Roma or Injune. If you have the time, spend a few days exploring the beautifully coloured sandstone marvels, Aboriginal rock art and prolific flora and fauna of Carnarvon Gorge. Head here to learn about some of the accommodation options for caravanners.
Roughly 40km from Roma is the charming township of Wallumbilla and its iconic 100+ year old Federal Hotel. Wallumbilla is the start (or end) point for several short but scenic and interesting drives, including the Country Cattle Loop, Country Insights Drive, Settlement Drive and Southern Country Drive.
Be sure not to miss Mitchell and The Great Artesian Spa. Mitchell is also the starting point of the Outback Landscapes scenic drive.
Another drive taking in the history of the Maranoa Region is the Cobb and Co Way, starting at Surat and finishing in Yuleba. Surat is a lovely town located on the Balonne River (renowned for its excellent fishing) and also on the Great Inland Way self-drive touring route which runs approximately 3000km from the Queensland–New South Wales border, to Cooktown. A little over 100 years ago, Australia’s very last Cobb & Co mail service travelled from Surat to Yuleba. Historical aficionados should be sure not to miss the Cobb & Co Changing Station Museum in Surat, which is also the Surat Visitor Information Centre.
For more information about these scenic drives, head here.
Rodeo action
Don’t miss out
Easter in the Country Roma 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience with something for all ages and interests. With a range of great music, activities and entertainment set against the stunning backdrop of country Queensland, this is a five-day celebration of all things country that you don't want to miss. For tickets and more details, head to the festival website: easterinthecountryroma.com.au.
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