Millions in economic revenue generated from those famous 8-second rides and more!
There's something special about the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo that starts this week; for 65 years this event has attracted the greatest riders from across the country to compete on the famous red dirt of the Queensland Outback. However, it's not just the riders it attracts - figures from Tourism and Events Queensland show that Rodeo ropes in significant revenue, making it a vital part of the Outback.
Straight out of the chute are the big figures - $11,328,999 was spent in Queensland by overnight visitors to the 2023 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo. Of this figure, $7,396,076 was attributable directly to the Mount Isa economy.
The event was responsible for generating 45,414 visitor nights in Mount Isa. The majority of these nights were generated by intrastate visitors (27,480).
In just its third year and after taking Gold in the Festivals and Events Category at the Queensland Tourism Awards and winning the recent National Reconciliation Awards (Partnerships), the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships generated $3,138,437 in direct and incremental expenditure with $1,792,405 of this amount attributable to the Mount Isa economy. The event was responsible for 12,162 visitor nights in Mount Isa.
Last year was also one for the record books with the most entries in the event's then 64 year history, plus the highest number of junior and female entries ever.
Natalie Flecker, CEO of Isa Rodeo Limited said these figures showed what those involved in Rodeo have always known, that this event is a revenue juggernaut and flagship event for the region.
"Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is the Southern Hemisphere's largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world, and for 65 years it has created legends, crowned champions and united the whole Outback in a celebration of skill, competition and generational horsemanship. These latest figures are important because they put real value on the efforts of the whole community to create a world class event," she said.
"What does it take for this robust, mining town to host the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere and one of Queensland's major tourism events for the year? It takes community support, hard work, perseverance, an enormous logistics operation, pride, passion, positive energy and a determination to never lose sight of the vision forged by our rodeo forefathers.
"That vision was set in 1959 by a group of people with passion and an intrinsic sense of potential who formed the Mount Isa Rodeo. Their aim was to put the new, remote town of Mount Isa on the map and raise funds for charity organisations in the new city.
"Today, through 65 years of whip-cracking dedication, the Rodeo has evolved into an event of legendary status that this year included the Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Arena Ball, the Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame Dinner, Mount Isa City Councils' Isa Street Festival, the third Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships and the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo."
Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, said this year's Mount Isa Mines Rodeo will certainly be one to remember.
"I can't wait to get that famous red dust on my boots and celebrate 65 years of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
"Watching champions return to battle it out for the famous buckles, seeing newcomers become legends, and juniors rise up to carry on the important legacy of rodeo in the Outback.
"This year's event is set to inject more than $12 million into the region's visitor economy, providing a major boost to local accommodation and hospitality providers."
This year the event is attracting riders from across the world to literally throw their hats in the ring.
To mark 65 years of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo ten American Junior Bull Riders from Texas will compete in a Junior Bull Riding Championship created exclusively for them on Thursday morning, before they take on the Aussies in the Junior Bull Ride. It'll be a Trans-Atlantic showdown for the ages.
There's also the inaugural Trans-Tasman challenge, celebrating two of the greatest Indigenous rodeo families from each side of the famous ditch.
The Ah One x Church Family Trans-Tasman Indigenous Rodeo Challenge will see some of the best cowboys and cowgirls from New Zealand take on the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo champions on Thursday night. This Bledisloe Buck of rodeo has been created to pay tribute to George Ah One, known as The Carandotta Drover, and his family who walked the legendary CARANDOTTA horses over 200 kilometres from Carandotta
Station through to Kalkadoon Park for the annual Mount Isa ROTARY Rodeo in 1959. The family did this for over 20 years, and became revered for their horsemanship, and the bloodline of these horses, as a result of George's care, are still viewed as the best rodeo stock in the country.
While the Ah One name is legendary in Australian rodeo, the Church family is legendary in New Zealand. This multi-generational Māori rodeo family is the reigning national champions and celebrating these pioneers of indigenous rodeo heritage will create Trans-Tasman rodeo history.
The Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.
The Mount Isa Rodeo Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Mount Isa Rodeo Festival: August 3 to 11
All information and TICKETS ON SALE: Mount Isa Rodeo - Australia's Most Spectacular Rodeos
Tuesday 6th August: Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ Dinner Celebrating 65 Years of Rodeo
Celebrating the pioneers and champions of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with four new inductees announced.
Wednesday 7th August: Isa Street Festival
It's the party that only Mount Isa can throw, a true Outback celebration under a brilliant sunset, starring 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright and Band followed by Lucy Holmes, star of the 100% Kylie stage extravaganza.
Thursday 8th August: Zonta Bush Poet's Breakfast
Thursday 8th August: Mailman Express Races
Thursday 8th August: Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships
- The third year of the Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships will see more records set, and indigenous riders celebrated, and includes the first ever Ah One x Church Family Trans-Tasman Indigenous Rodeo Challenge.
- Rodeo Rock starring Kasey Chambers + Christine Anu.
- A Welcome to Country and cultural performance by the Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers.
- The 2024 logo has been designed by 19 year-old Kalkadoon graphic artist Alysha Blackey and this year's commissioned artwork a yidaki (digeridoo) by Yirandali and Ngnwun artist Jessie Wilson.
Thursday 8th to 11th August: Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
- Returning champions and contenders compete in the Southern Hemisphere's largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world.
- Entertainment: Brad Cox, James Johnston, Zac & George and Hindley Street Country Club.
- 10 American Jnr Bull Riders to ride against the Aussies in the Junior Bull Riding Championship.
- Saturday Grand Entry honouring the legends of 65 years of Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
- Bell and Moir Toyota Kalkadoon Bar and Grill, which sold out last year, returns.
- The Shank Brothers to host Australia's largest, richest and hottest Hot Wing Challenge and the new Rib Wrecker Challenge.
- Sunday Family Day with free face painting, balloon makers, entertainment and the Junior and Timed finals.
- Prosecco Paddock and the XXXX Beer Garden.
