Entertainment
21 May, 2026
Do the time warp in Yungaburra
EVER wanted to decorate a clouche hat or enter a horseshoe-throwing competition? Perhaps sneaking into a Speak Easy or owning a homemade billy cart is more to one’s taste.
Whatever the 1920s can throw at you, Yungaburra has it covered for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Gillies Range Road.
The Community Association has been drawing on the era to make the weekend of 10-12 July one not to be missed, with two days packed with events, entertainment, food and displays that will send the town into a time warp.
Organisers are still adding to the growing calendar of events but already, some clever lead-up activities are underway that will channel into the “100 years of Twists & Turns on the Gillies” weekend celebrations.
Heritage activities organiser Dawn Muir said a Heritage Black and White Photography exhibition is being created with local “oldies” being asked to have their photos taken to “display all their years of wisdom and living”.
The Atherton Camera Club has already held a photoshoot with Malanda seniors and is planning more.
In June, The Retro Shop, along with Lallis and Dragon Fly, will host a Girls Night Out with a ‘Sip & Style’, where tips of the trade and a bit of workshopping will help participants create Flapper Headbands and decorate Clouche hats.
For the young, a Primary School Colouring Competition - of a picture of the “Vintage car with the Frog Family travelling up the Gillies” - will have prize packs for the best entries.
And a challenge has been thrown down for the best heritage window or shopfront dressing.
So what is all the fuss about?
The Gillies Range Road was opened in 1926, creating an historic connection between the Tablelands and the coastal towns below. Initially, a single-lane track, vehicles would have to wait either at the top or the bottom of the range, to be notified when they could proceed.
The range road, now sealed and two-way, remains a vital transport and tourism link.
Building in anticipation is the vintage or old cars and motorbikes that gather to drive up the range before being showcased in Yungaburra.
Organiser David Clifton said registrations were steady, with about 50 vehicles listed so far, but they were keen for more.
“We have a Goggomobil Dart coming, a 1924 hearse is on the list, and a beautiful Austin (pictured),” he said.
Because the road will not be closed, entrants will meet at the Mountain View Hotel where they will be grouped according to vehicle speed and will leave in timed intervals.
Shannons car insurance is sponsoring the vehicle show in Yungaburra, and judging will also consider drivers’ appearances in relation to the era of their vehicles, Mr Clifton said.
Further activities over the weekend include:
Friday night:
A ‘Bangers and Beer’ challenge hosted by the Yungaburra Bowls Club.
Saturday – Main Day:
Top Paddock: (Grass in front of Food Works), Displays of heritage equipment, road-making gear, farming tools, etc., many of which are in working order.
Kids Field: (Grass area near the flagpole). Heritage games and tests of skills, everything from Yo Yo’s, knucklebones, spinning tops, Hobby Horses, along with face painting, and more.
Shannons Corner: (Under the flagpole) Billy Cart Show, built by locals, and to be auctioned off for charities.
Maud Kehoe Park: (back section) Working displays on “how things were done in the past”. The Yungaburra Men’s Shed was also recreating models of the historic gateways that stood at the top and bottom of Range Road.
Maud Kehoe Park: (centre stage). Activities and entertainment feature a Horseshoe Throwing competition, the official opening ceremony, Fashions on the Field with a Best Dress Ladies competition - be it vintage, heritage or Roaring 20s - and for the men, “we are looking for the ‘Drongiest, Daggiest, Dirtiest Hat’,” Ms Muir said.
The ‘Gillies Range Musicians’ will also play music to honour the nationalities of the people who worked on the road and lived in the camps in and around the Tablelands.
Saturday evening:
Little Eden Restaurant will be hosting an Oz Heritage Dinner and Mr Belson’s will be hosting a ‘Speak Easy’, where patrons are encouraged to dress up in their best 20s gear. Bookings can be made through the restaurants.
Sunday:
Picnic in the Rotunda Park while Bold As Brass performs.
For anyone wanting to take part, register, or pick up some merchandise for the Gillies Centenary Celebration on 10 -12 July, visit https://gillies100.yungaburra.com/
To keep up to date on activities, head to The Gillies Centenary Celebration Facebook page.
