Experience the iconic outback in Queensland...

As vibrant as Australia's capitals can be, sometimes it's nice to break free from the concrete jungle and get some red dirt under your boots.

There may be no better place to experience true country (and true country hospitality) than the expansive Queensland outback, with the state boasting some of Australia's most iconic true blue events.  

On top of this, 2019 also marks the ‘Year of Outback Tourism', making it the perfect time to discover the untouched beauty of Queensland’s Outback. For those who want to immerse themselves in the outdoors, the following experiences are not to be missed.

Who said that a golfing green had to be, well, green? The Outback Queensland Masters is proof that all you need for a good game is a little imagination (and a decent swing).

Spanning five weeks, this sporting competition makes its way across six of the world's most unique courses, travelling from Roma to Charleville, Longreach, Winton and Boulia, before concluding with a Million Dollar Hole-In-One Challenge at Mount Isa.

"Not only will it shine a spotlight on some great regional Queensland centres, but also on some golf courses that have great appeal, if not the fame to match," explains Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt.

When it comes to outback events, the iconic Birdsville Races is without a doubt one of the country's most renowned. Taking place in the red dirt of the Simpson Desert, the annual horse racing event sees the tiny town's population swell from a meagre 150 to around 10,000, with punters travelling from all over Australia to attend the celebrations.

Of course, the race wasn't always quite so popular; when it began in 1882 the original event was just 150 owners competing for 200 pounds, which is a far cry from today's $200,000 prize.

While the main event is the Birdsville Cup, there are also a bevy of different activities held to cater to those who may not be quite so keen to gamble, from cocktail parties and fun runs to exciting live shows including Brophys Boxing Troupe, the last boxing tent showman in the world.

Sitting in the heart of Far North Queensland's Outback, deep within the dry desert of the Gulf Savannah region is an ancient oasis.

Cobbold Gorge, may well be the state's youngest known gorge, but is still at least 10,000 years old. Stretching an area of 80 square kilometres wide, the gorge reaches 30-foot-high and today remains home to an abundance of native flora and fauna, which is best explored by bushwalk or boat cruise.

While guests are welcomed, visitors should note that in an effort to protect the fragile environment surrounding the natural landmark, Cobbold Gorge can be accessed by guided tour only.

Queensland's Big Red Bash has placed a decidedly Aussie spin on the traditional music event, with this particular festival proudly claiming to be the world's most remote. Nestled amongst the vivid red sands of the Simpson Desert, the event is held against the backdrop of 'Big Red Dune' on the outskirts of Western Queensland's Birdsville.

"Big Red Bash attracts outback adventurers young and old from every corner of Australia. They travel for thousands of kilometres to experience this unique event over three days and nights, where the 40m high dune provides a spectacular backdrop to some of Australia's most iconic music artists," explains the festival's Managing Director Greg Donovan.

For more information on iconic outback events held throughout Queensland, head to the Tourism and Events Queensland homepage (link https://teq.queensland.com/).