When is the last time you sat down to a true billy tea and damper, or even tried to crack a whip or sheer a sheep? Never? Well, it’s time to get involved in bringing the Australian pioneering spirit back to life at the annual Australian Heritage Festival at the Jondaryan Woolshed.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Australia’s pioneering past is here on display in a celebration and re-enactment of the lifestyle and skills of our rural forebears.

Hundreds of volunteers come with their collections of vintage machinery and equipment, working animals and arts and crafts to Australia’s oldest working woolshed.

You can admire the skills of yesteryear like whip-making and cracking, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, wood-stove cooking and horse-drawn ploughing. Queensland’s best shearers flash their blades again, breathing life back into the old slab walls. Sheep dogs and farm dogs are put to the test in trials, and swaggies and bush characters entertain.

Getting there:

The Australian Heritage Festival takes place in August annually at the Jondaryan Woolshed, 264 Evanslea Rd, Jondaryan. Jondaryan is 45km west of Toowoomba or 170km from Brisbane.

By train:

Catch The Westlander to Oakey. To book your rail adventure call Traveltrain Holidays on 1800 627 655.

Further information:

Jondaryan Woolshed

Ph 07 4692 2229