STATE’S BUSH BACK ON SONG
THIS is one way to make sure the outback tourism season hits a high note.
Opera Queensland’s Festival of Outback Opera kicks off in Winton next weekk iin the first of 10 shows across the state’s west.
After attracting almost 2000 people in its first edition last year, organisers are hopeful eased border restrictions and increased travel confidence will attract an even bigger turnout this year for a series of spectacular shows in nostalgic outback theatres or in the open under a blanket of stars.
Numbers will be further boosted by a series of charter flights out of Brisbane conducted by Sheehan Events, transporting guests from a champagne breakfast in the River City to a night at the opera in the state’s far west.
The festival is headlined by Greta Bradman with music direction by Dane
Lam, leading the University of Queensland Pulse Chamber Orchestra.
The festival will also include a regional tour of The Sopranos, Opera
Queensland’s popular community singalongs Sing Sing Sing, and a program of community events and activations in quintessentially outback settings.
The tour is expected to give a boost to outback towns as the region’s tourist season hits full swing.
Outback Queensland was one of the few tourist regions to prosper during the pandemic, with waves of travellers heading west over the past two winters.
Opera festival concerts will be held across the outback, including stops at Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall and Tambo before finishing in Windorah on May 27.