Woodford: Art, History and Rodeo

In Woodford, public art, local history, markets and annual events come together. When choosing a holiday rental, it may therefore be important to decide whether you want a particular event to shape your stay or are mainly interested in art and history.

Art and Local History in the Town Centre

The Woodford Art Trail includes more than a dozen artworks in the town centre. These include works at the water tower, on bollards and in public spaces. The water tower is also home to the Windows of Woodford: window-shaped art panels, each showing a different aspect of Woodford. The trail and these panels connect a variety of themes with the townscape without being limited to a single subject.

The Woodford Museum complements this art with miniature models of the town’s historic buildings and photographs of everyday life in the region. Those who want to learn about Woodford not only through individual artworks but also through its buildings and regional ways of life will find a different perspective here. Together, the art panels, works in the town centre and museum exhibits offer several different ways to explore Woodford’s past and present.

Tours and Railway History

The Woodford Heritage Walk and Talk Tour explores the town’s early history and its development from a logging settlement into a cultural centre. The historic sights visited on the tour include the Leopard AS1 tank in Woodford Memorial Park. Booking is required to join the tour.

The Durundur Heritage Railway offers another connection to the past. It is home to the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society and has one of Australia’s largest narrow-gauge steam locomotives. While the tour connects Woodford’s local history with a specific memorial, the railway focuses on narrow-gauge railways and their steam locomotives. These are different topics for travellers interested in the town’s history.

Planning Around Markets and Events

The Woodford Country Markets are held in the park area at the corner of Archer Street and Elizabeth Street. They take place on the third Sunday of each month. Stalls offer locally made jams, relishes, baked goods and pies, as well as antiques and plants. Check the dates before you travel to make sure the market fits your travel dates.

The Woodford Rodeo is also held annually at the Woodford Showgrounds. The programme includes animal displays, barrel racing, market stalls, food trucks, a ute competition, the official Rodeo Muster, and music and entertainment into the evening. The Woodford Folk Festival celebrates art, music and culture and brings together 2,000 musicians, artists and performers; the number may vary from one festival year to another. The two events are therefore quite different: the rodeo features competitions and displays alongside market stalls and entertainment, while the festival focuses on art, music and culture. Check the dates of each event for your travel dates.

More Places to Visit During Your Stay

The Woodford swimming pool has a 25-metre outdoor pool and two wading pools for young children. It operates seasonally, from September to April. Check the current opening hours before visiting. Short-term camping stays are available at the Woodford Showgrounds through the Woodford Show Society.

Just outside Woodford is Woodfordia, where a former dairy farm has been regenerated into subtropical rainforest. This transformation is a distinctive feature of the area and adds to Woodford’s stories of art, events and local history.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Woodford, you can first decide what will shape your travel dates: a market visit, an event, or a desire to explore art and history.

Discover more destinations: Kalbar, Coomera, Gamboola, Brandon, Purga, Maryborough, Bullyard, Nelly Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.