Planning for Queensland's $20 million Music Trails initiative is cutting a path to the State's Outback for 2023 to secure good jobs and enhance our great lifestyle.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government's 2022-23 Budget had invested $20 million in Queensland Music Trails over three years.
"Our investment in Music Trails is designed to put Outback Queensland on the world map as a music festival destination," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Since the launch of the Queensland Music Trails program local Mayors have been calling in to nominate their region for a place on the trail map.
"Eight more Outback communities are signaling their enthusiasm to get involved and it's easy to see why.
"A Music Trail pilot last year in Jimbour, Charleville and Quilpie supported 33 jobs and delivered nearly $8.5 million for the Outback visitor economy.
"Work has started on the Outback roll-out of Queensland Music Trails from May in Longreach, Winton, Blackall, Roma, and Toowoomba.
"The Outback leg will feature performing arts experiences that put the region's amazing landscapes and unique audio environment in the limelight.
"We're expecting to encourage up to 11,000 music fans and explorers to travel to the Outback for live music experiences that contribute to local visitor economies."
Last year, Australian music icons Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton played Music for Stargazing at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville.
Murweh Shire Council Mayor Shaun Radnedge is excited about securing a repeat performance.
"To see young and old community members dancing and singing and being exposed to great musicians is life-changing," Mayor Radnedge said.
"We are proud supporters of the Outback Music Trail and I personally applaud the Palaszczuk Government for investing in this program – we are absolutely thrilled."
Queensland Music Festival CEO Joel Edmondson said the feedback they are receiving so far on the Queensland Government's $20 million investment in the program has been very positive.
"People are thrilled that this investment has been made, seeing it as building the cultural tourism profile of regional Queensland," Mr Edmondson said.
"It's a great example of tourism and the arts creating something unique for Queensland."
Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland Music Trails were part of reshaping of our visitor economy towards 2032, as recommended by the independent Tourism Industry Reference Panel.
"We're building a pipeline of great legacy events and visitor experiences on Queensland's green and gold runway to 2032," Mr Hinchliffe said.
