Lee KernaghanTwelve months after floodwaters tore through Outback Queensland, the tiny town of Quilpie is flipping the script, swapping recovery mode for a full-blown street party.
On March 28, Quilpie’s main drag will shut down to traffic and reopen as a concert arena, with Australian country icon Lee Kernaghan headlining the Spirit of the Bush community event from 4pm.
The free concert is the largest of three Spirit of the Bush events across flood-affected regions including Jundah and Thargomindah, designed to honour resilience while also giving locals and visitors a reason to celebrate.
Brolga Street will be transformed into a pedestrian-only zone, with the stage set up in the middle of the roadway. In true Outback style, Quilpie Shire Council will truck in tonnes of dirt and roll out fresh turf over the bitumen to create a boot-scooting country vibe.
Food vendors will line the strip, comedy from Mandy Nolan will feature on the bill, and the night will lean heavily into storytelling, especially from the local heroes who stepped up when the waters rose.
Quilpie Mayor Ben Hall said the anniversary is about reflection and recognition.
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“We’re excited to stage an event that marks how far we’ve come from the devastation we were experiencing 12 months ago - and that also gives us the opportunity to recognise some of our local heroes who were integral in helping save and feed livestock as well as rescuing locals from flooded houses. We will share their stories and give public recognition for all they did,” Hall said.
“The event will also kick off the launch of our prime winter tourist season and give us an opportunity to showcase all we’re renowned for - from opal fossicking to water sports, hiking, natural beauty at sites like Baldy Top and fishing and yabbying.”
Kernaghan said the concert series is about showing up for communities that were hit hardest.
“I’m proud to be part of the Spirit of the Bush community concerts in Jundah, Quilpie and Thargomindah. Along with Adavale, these towns were among the hardest hit during the 2025 floods, and the free concert events will be a chance to bring people together from across Queensland to show support and pay tribute to the spirit and resilience of these salt-of-the-earth communities.”
“Joining us on the tour is Luke Geiger with his Australia’s Wildest Cowboy Party, 2026 Toyota Star Maker winner Jarred Wrigley, and my amazing wife Robby X, who’ll be performing with me at every show.”
While the mood in March will be celebratory, the memories are still raw. The March 2025 floods brought record-breaking rainfall triggering evacuations, helicopter rescues and the loss of hundreds of thousands of livestock.
“There is still deep trauma amongst many families on properties beyond the town limits,” Hall said. “Because we had no radar in our region, we were left totally unprepared for the rainfall and subsequent flooding last year. People were winched out of homes by helicopter. Others watched fencing and stock disappear under rising water. Twelve months on many are still rebuilding stock levels and fencing, however the resilience and community spirit of our region has well and truly shone. This event will recognise and pay tribute to that,” added Mayor Hall.
Since then, government funding has been secured for a new weather radar system to close the monitoring gap between Charleville and Alice Springs.
“We hope the weather radar isn’t too far off, so we never get caught out like we did with the weather event 12 months ago,” Hall said.
The Spirit of the Bush event in Quilpie is free but registration is required. Secure you spot here now.
