In just a couple of short weeks, one of the state’s longest running annual celebrations will return to the streets of the Burdekin Shire for a memorable day of fun, festivities, food and fabulous entertainment!
Just a few hours’ drive North of the Whitsundays, the Burdekin Water Festival will come alive on Saturday the 6th of September to celebrate the township’s abundance of water and rich agricultural sector with a series of events scheduled throughout the afternoon and into the night in the heart of Ayr itself.
The official Queensland Country Bank Grand Parade will line Queen Street from end to end with an array of magnificent floats, machinery, marching bands, and community groups for all to enjoy from 4:30pm onwards. Over the past couple of months, countless local businesses, schools, community groups, and organisations have been hard at work, decorating their floats to bring the magical 2025 theme of “Bon Voyage – Roam the Globe” to life for festival goers to admire from the footpath.
The procession will then be followed by a memorable Mardi Gras overflowing with live entertainment, games, amusement rides, side-show alley favourites, face painting, Melville’s Petting Zoo and a wide variety of market stalls.
2025’s Burdekin Water Festival will also stage the debut of Burdekin Eats, a new international culinary experience inviting attendees to experience a wide array of foods from across the globe! In line with the festival’s travel theme, Queen Street will be filled with tastes, sights, and sounds from countries far and wide to create a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere like never before.
Additional festival favs will also make a return this year including the Tug-O-War Competition, where teams will battle it out for the coveted title of Grand Champion! Winning announcements for the Garden Competition, Window Display Competition, and the drawing of the Major Raffle will also take place during the evening.
At 7pm sharp, all eyes will turn to the Main Stage, where judges and committee members will crown the Winning Junior Ambassadors, bringing the 2025 Ambassador Program to a close and marking a key highlight in the festival calendar.
Building on the success of last year’s iconic come back, the Burdekin Water Festival Committee is hopeful this year’s event will be bigger, better and more brilliant than ever!
To view the full program of events and festival updates, visit the Burdekin Water Festival’s newly launched website, www.burdekinwaterfestival.com.au or check out the event’s social media pages across all platforms to stay in the loop!
What: Burdekin Water Festival
When: Saturday the 6th of September from 4:30pm
Where: Queen Street, Ayr
Worldly themed floats and endless festival fun awaits at the Burdekin Water Festival this September (Photo Credit: Sharron Bozzetto)