Big Days Out in Barellan 2026: Your Riverina Road Trip Starts Here
Pack the car, queue up your road trip playlist, and point the bonnet towards Barellan. If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to explore the Riverina, we’ve got you covered.
Over the next few months, the town plays host to the Country Makers Markets and the much-loved Barellan Show, before culminating in the spectacular Good Old Days Festival. From market stalls to show rings and camels, here’s what’s in store:
Good Old Days Festival • 2-4 October 2026
If there’s one weekend to circle on the calendar, it’s this one. The Good Old Days Festival transforms Barellan into a living tribute to Australia’s pioneering past, drawing visitors from across the country for three days of history, heritage and hand-on demonstrations you simply won’t find anywhere else.
See magnificent teams of draught horses, bullocks, camels, donkeys and more at work, watch vintage farming machinery spring back to life, meet passionate heritage exhibitors and experience traditional trades including blacksmithing, whip cracking and working dogs. Add-in live entertainment, market stalls, great country food and it’s easy to see why the festival has become a bucket-list event for heritage lovers.
You don’t need to know the difference between a plough and a harrow to enjoy the weekend. The Good Old Days Festival is about celebrating ingenuity, community and the stories that shaped rural Australia. If you’re looking for a weekend that’s unlike anything else, Good Old Days is worth making the trip for.
Country Makers Market • 8 August 2026
There’s something about a country market that makes you slow down in the best way. Maybe it’s the smell of fresh coffee through the hall, the tables stacked with handmade goodies, or the chance to meet the people who grew, baked, stitched, or created what you’re taking home.
Held at the Barellan Hall from 10am to 2pm, the Country Makers Market is an easy, relaxed way to spend a morning in town. Browse handmade gifts, homewares, art, and delicious treats while meeting the passionate makers behind them.
With plenty of time to explore before or after the market, make the most of your visit by popping into Regional Discount Plants on the main street, and squeeze in a picture with the Big Tennis Racquet while you’re here.
Barellan Show • 29 August 2026
If you love a classic country show, this is one date you’ll want to circle on the calendar. From livestock competitions and pavilion displays to family entertainment, food stalls, and classic show traditions, the Barellan Show is the epitome of country showing tradition. Spend the day watching judging rings in action, cheer on competitors in the Stockman’s Challenge, marvel at the speed of the Quick Shear Competition, or settle in to watch the dog trials and trots.
And, just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more. Live music, the always entertaining Tug O’ War, and this year’s exciting new addition — a Rodeo! With so much happening, it’s worth making a full day of it. Refuel with lunch at the Commercial Hotel Barellan or Top Dog Cafe and, if you’ve got a little extra time, the Barellan Museum is well worth a visit, with a few treasures from past shows in their collection.
Gate entry is just $15 for adults, $10 for aged pensioners, and $5 for children under 16, making it an affordable day out packed with country charm and entertainment.
For more information visit the Barellan Show website.