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local talent.

MT GARNET RODEO
Deep in fossicking country about 240km southwest of Port, Mt Garnet is an old tin-mining town
with a population of 532. Each year in May, numbers swell to around 3500 when visitors from all
over Australia flock to its annual racing carnival and rodeo. Launched in 1938, the event boasts horse
racing and fashions on the field on day one, with professional bull-riding atop the playbill on day two.
When: May 1 and 2, 2026
Where: LD Lucey Memorial Park, Mt Garnet

LAURA RODEO AND CAMPDRAFT
Campdrafting is a horseback sport where a rider has to cut out a single beast from a mob of cattle,
then guide it through a course of pegs in a figure-eight pattern and finally through a gate. It’s the
highlight event at this long-standing bush get-together that draws a crowd from across Cape York and
beyond. The weekend’s family-friendly festivities also include bull rides, bronc rides and barrel racing,
as well as horse racing, live music, bars and food stalls.
When: June 2026, dates TBA
Where: Laura Races and Rodeo Grounds, Laura

MAREEBA RODEO
An hour’s drive from Port Douglas, the Mareeba Rodeo dates back to 1949. Festivities begin with a
parade through the town centre at which the Rodeo Festival Queen is crowned. Then follow two days
Go and steer wrestling. Outside the ring, you can wander the agricultural show, fairground, food trucks
of top-level competition and entertainment, including bull riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, roping,
and sideshows. Camping is available on-site for those wanting to make a weekend of it.
When: July 11 and 12, 2026
Where: Keribee Park, Mareeba
get ‘em, Many Queensland towns held rodeos to raise money for

returned soldiers from World War II, triggering a rodeo
cowboy revival — and the tradition of donating proceeds to

local charities, service organisations and sporting

clubs.

Meet the rider
WHILE YOU MIGHT NATURALLY ASSOCIATE COWBOYS
WITH THE AMERICAN WILD WEST, YOU DON’T HAVE TO Leith Malone, 24, challenges along the way. But I love so many
GO THAT FAR TO SEE THEM IN ACTION. lives in Mossman, aspects of rodeoing, whether it be the people
where he combines you meet, the places you get to see and the
running his own accolades you gain along the way. So far this
plastering business with year, I’ve made over $10,000 in prize money
his alter ego as a bull rider riding bulls throughout Victoria and Far
ueensland cowboys, also known travelling rodeos showcased daring displays MOSSMAN RODEO and rodeo bull fighter. Last year, North Queensland.
as stockmen or ringers, have by rough riders and buck jumpers, riding he took out the Australian Bushmen’s
been around since the early days bucking horses and bullocks, whip-cracking The Great North Bullriding Series will be “There are plenty of Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA) If people are travelling in the area, I’d
Qof settlement, when the huge, and rope-spinning. stopping in nearby Mossman in September. Far North Queensland Zone’s Rookie Bull highly recommend they buy a ticket and
unfenced sheep stations needed people on It’s a family-owned and run rodeo series that challenges with riding Riding Title, and this year, he’s currently come experience a slice of what we get
horseback to tend the flocks. While the Great Depression of the 1930s saw promotes bull riding as a sport, partnering
a decline in interest, many Queensland towns with local clubs and charities throughout bulls and bullfighting leading the Open Bull Riding title race. to experience, whether it’s the little fellas
Indigenous Australians made excellent held rodeos to raise money for returned Queensland to raise money for those doing strapping these mini bulls, or the big boys
cowboys alongside the new immigrants, soldiers from World War II, triggering it tough. Expect plenty of great bull-riding — the injuries are “I got on my first poddy calf when I was trying their guts out to last the eight seconds
and played a key role in running the early a rodeo revival — and the tradition of action, giveaways, merchandise and a inevitable, and there five years old. I kind of grew up around the on the mean, bred-to-buck sons of guns! If
livestock properties — feeding, watering, donating proceeds to local charities, service variety of food and licensed bar trucks. An rodeo with my extended family all involved. I you’re lucky, you might even see a bullfighter
mustering, droving, branding, castrating, ear organisations and sporting clubs. afterparty with a country DJ will keep the are also mental compete in the annual Open Bull Ride event, get thrown in the air as he’s putting his life
tagging, weighing, vaccinating and dealing Today in Far North Queensland, the rodeo family entertained once the dust has settled and I bullfight at most rodeos, as well. on the line to try to save a cowboy. It’s like
with predators such as dingoes and wild pigs. on the competition. challenges along the nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
circuit is alive and bucking. Here are the big There are plenty of challenges with riding
Rodeos have been around almost as long as local events that you can plan in for your When: September 27, 2025 way” bulls and bullfighting — the injuries
stockmen. By the 1890s, there were many next stay in Port Douglas. Where: Mossman Showgrounds, are inevitable, and there are also mental
Wild West shows travelling the country. The Mossman
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PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 117