110 Years Of Classic Regional Australian Family Fun

Steeped in a rich history of townspeople wanting to show off the very best of their homemade goods and produce, the classic regional Australian show has become a landmark on the calendar.

It is a special day to spend with friends and family, with entries into the competition categories displayed for all, the boisterous noise of the wood chop and the screams of thrill seekers metres high in the air on the fantastic rides overlaid with the smells of cooking dagwood dogs and fairy floss.

Now in it’s 110th year, the Show Whitsunday is a much-loved event on the Whitsundays calendar, holding the very best of regional performances with fun flare of modern family entertainment.

Donna Rogers, President of the Show Whitsunday committee is excited for the 110th year of the show.

“The Show always has something for everyone, from the five-year-old fascinated with dinosaurs, to the teenagers who craves adrenalin rush on the Graviton or Hurricane, for the adults is the competitions, exhibits and ringside entertainment; it truly is fun for the entire family.”

Wood Chop

The history of the woodchop has humble beginnings, originating in Tasmania in 1870 as a bet between two men.

Now a firm fixture in almost every regional show, the woodchop shows the strength and tenacity of the woodchopping community.

Show Whitsunday is no different, with locals bringing their sharpest axes, their best muscles, and their hardened skills to show the wood absolutely no mercy, all the while entertaining the flocking audience which is always attracted to the exciting event.

Equestrian

The horse skills of competitors are tested with the equestrian events at Show Whitsunday, with dressage, camp drafting and show jumping attracting massive crowds into the grandstands.

Being poised and dedicated, the equestrian events bring out the best in both horse and rider, as they showcase their skills to the judges and the audience.

Regional equestrian shows often act as a gateway for riders to practice their sport in a professional setting, while garnering a name for themselves and their horse.

Cane

A special event for Show Whitsunday, the Cane Exhibition and Competition highlights the best of the cane industry local to the Whitsundays, and with the introduction of the new Proserpine Young Farmers’ Trophy, to recognise the efforts of young farmers, there are plenty of ways to win big.

Other categories include stalk plant cane, heaviest stalk, best display of General Milling Cane, and highest quantity of Commercial Cane Sugar in six stalks of ratoon cane.

For locals and for visitors, the cane exhibit is a fantastic display of the thriving local sugar cane industry, which is a staple for the area.

Entertainment

Where family fun meets traditional regional Australia, the thrill seekers can experience the very best of show rides, including the fan favourite Big Whizzer, the Cliff Hanger, Tornado, and the Graviton.

For those not seeking the adrenaline rush, try your hand at the dodgem cars and the big slide.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the lurking dinosaurs, that are sure to escape from the exciting Dinosaur Park.

Melvilles Baby Animal Petting Farm is making another appearance, with chickens, ducklings, ponies, alpacas, goats, and geese (plus so much more), with the opportunity for a snuggle and a cuddle with the cute creatures.

No matter what, there is something for everyone at Show Whitsunday.

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