THE inaugural Big Skies Festival in the Western Downs from April 28-May 6 aims to scale giddying heights, combining some of the nation’s best musical talent with a spectacular hot air balloon display.
The week leading up to the spectacular weekend finale will feature a range of activities, starting with the annual Dalby Picnic Races at Bunya Park Racecourse on April 28.
On May 2 there’s a free tour of the Dalby Saleyards followed by the Big Skies Long Lunch, then in the evening you can catch a movie at the free Cinema Under the Stars at Jimbour Station.
On Thursday and Friday get a taste of country hospitality at the ultimate camp oven experience – a two-course meal and true-blue Aussie dessert at the camp kitchen in Jimbour Station.
On Friday you can take in the free Big Night Sky guided tour of the galaxy.
And if you feel like hanging around until the weekend, the Day on the Plain concert on May 5 will see Australian talents including The Eurogliders, Wendy Matthews, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, Glenn Shorrock and Richard Clapton take to the stage at Jimbour Amphitheatre.
On the Sunday morning, it’s all eyes to the sky as more than 20 pilots sail their hot air balloons overhead.
Camping is available at Jimbour Station, a heritage listed homestead on one of the earliest stations established on the Darling Downs.
Camping packages are available for a 10, six, three or one-night stay. Dalby is about a three-hour drive from Brisbane.