Toowoomba Regional Council, Media Release, 17 January 2023
Enjoy a trip through the pioneering days of the Australian wool industry at the Jondaryan Woolshed’s Back to the Woolshed event from January 26-28, 2023.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said Council was pleased to stage a special event to coincide with Australia Day at the heritage-listed facility at Jondaryan.
“The three-day family event opens on Australia Day (Thursday, January 26, 2023) and runs across the following two days,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Back to the Woolshed will bring the history of the Australian wool industry and aspects of early Australian farming practices to life at the largest and oldest operating woolshed of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
“The working museum highlights the stories and daily working tasks of our pioneers to visitors, many of whom have little direct connection to life on the land today.”
The program includes live music, historical displays, sheep shearing and sheep dog trials, machinery and vintage car displays, heavy horses and life-like miniature displays created by Rob Prentice.
Visitors will be treated to a mini rail, an animal nursery for children, market stalls and food vendors.
Mayor Antonio said the Jondaryan Woolshed was open for organised bookings during the year, including accommodation, while Council undertook further work around the facility’s preferred operating model.
Demonstration times (grounds open from 8.30am on January 26, full morning schedule January 27 and 28; afternoon schedule daily January 26-28)
- 9am: shearing, wool classing and spinning displays
- 10am: sheep dog trials
- 10.30am: machinery displays
- 11.30am: heavy horse display
- Noon-12.30pm: blacksmithing display
- 1pm: machinery displays
- 2pm: shearing, wool classing and spinning displays
- 3pm: sheep dog trials
- 3.30pm: heavy horse display
- 4pm: blacksmithing display
Ticket prices are $10 for adults or $25 for families. Entry to the venue is by EFTPOS only, with cash and EFTPOS payments available at sites inside the venue for food and drinks.
Limited accommodation options include camping, caravan sites and a range of cabins.
Accommodation must be booked before the event. Please direct enquiries to 131 872 or 0417 374 536.
For information about Toowoomba Region Australia Day events and associated Australia Day activities, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/events
