Entertainment
17 July, 2025
Chillagoe Festival brings on the outback charm
FOR a classic, outback experience head out to the Chillagoe Festival on 19 July for a day of celebration in the historic town.
The annual festival will have all the trappings, with a bush poets’ breakfast, local art and craft displays in the town hall, markets stalls, food vans and a monster down-town street parade featuring vintage cars, whip cracking, decorated bikes and more.
Live music begins from midday with a great line-up, headed by former local and now Sydney-based artist Becci Nethery.
Returning to her hometown to MC as well as perform, she will also be doing a gig at the Cockatoo Hotel on Friday night, 18 July.
“I grew up there,” she said. “I was one of the first babies born in the hospital! I love coming back.
“I’ve been performing since I was a little kid, from about six.”
The festival, while officially on the Saturday, tends to spread out over Friday night through to Sunday, as visitors make a weekend of the town and all it has to offer, not least of which are the caves and artwork, the observatory, camping, water ways and national park.
The festival has been known to attract up to 500 people “on a busy year”, Becci said, but usually the event draws around 200 or more.
Becci is looking forward to reuniting with a few mates for Saturday’s music night, with acts including Toecrackin’ Jack, Chrissy Snell, Aurelle Brunjes and Brendan Wright.
“We’ve all played here before and we keep coming back,” she said. “We’ll probably perform a few numbers together.”
Another favourite for Becci were the “walk-ups” which were an “absolute treat”, as people try their hand at performing.
The local kids were also involved, playing instruments and singing.
“Oh, there’s food, dancing, the bush poetry is amazing; it’s a really beautiful community event where everyone’s involved.”
The Chillagoe Festival is organised by the Chillagoe Alliance and will be held on Saturday 19 July.
