Venture to the Western Downs Region of Queensland, Australia, to explore the wild landscape and unique local culture. Known as the Melon Capital of Australia, Chinchilla produces 25 percent of the country’s melon supply and celebrates the wealth of melons every other February during Melonfest.
Just less than 200 miles from Brisbane and 50 miles from Dalby, Chinchilla is the perfect escape during your trip to the Outback. Conveniently located along Warrego Highway, visitors can easily explore the beautiful region from Brisbane to the Darling Downs for the world’s largest melon festival.
Plan ahead for next year’s festival, Feb. 14–17, 2019, and prepare to get messy. The three-day weekend boasts a variety of entertainment for families and guests of all ages. Kids enjoy their own movie night, street parade and science demonstrations along with a slew of melon-centric entertainment and activities.
© Lizgiv | Dreamstime.com
Dive into some watermelon slices of your own during the free feast or cheer on the melon chariot races while participants pull carts to the finish line over broken watermelons.
Older kids and adults strap on watermelon shoes and compete for the best time in melon skiing — picture a slip-and-slide track filled with chunks of watermelon while wearing watermelons as skis.
Melon bungee is great for the kids and team building as groups of four are tied together in a square by bungee straps and have to reach melons by pulling against each other. The main melon event is an Ironman circuit with competing men and women running, sliding and crawling their way to victory — all with melon in hand, of course.
If all the messy competition isn’t your family’s speed, head to a movie premiere, melon farm tour, museums and art exhibits or the melon market for some shopping. Between the photography competition and watermelon weigh in, there will be plenty of family-friendly and mess-free competitions to attend over the long weekend.
Big melon eaters or not, the family will not go hungry at Melonfest. Check out the festival feast kicking off the festivities on Friday night. Preview last year’s menu and check back as the festival gets closer for more up-to-date information on events and information.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedNorth America
Apr 17, 2024A New, Family-Friendly Hotel Opens on Orlando’s Universal Boulevard
Family travelers to Orlando have a new option for family- and pet-friendly accommodations thanks to the recent opening of Hotel Landy, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Located on Universal Boulevard and minutes from theme parks, the convention center and the airport, Hotel Landy takes over the former Hotel Kinetic, joining Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection.
Sponsored Content
Make the Most of Hamad International Airport When Transferring
Making travel plans can be exciting; did you know planning on how to spend time at the airport the right way can enrich the overall trip experience? As a transfer hub, traveling through Doha's Hamad International Airport is a unique experience, as waiting never feels like waiting at one of the best airports in the world.
Cruising
Apr 15, 2024Some of Europe’s Best Day Cruises
A week cruising along the Danube or the Rhine may be the stuff of dreams for many, but family travelers can enjoy views from the water in ways kinder to the family budget. Many riverside cities offer scenic cruises, and some Baltic or Mediterranean ports have daytrips to nearby islands or coastal attractions. In several cities you can cruise the canals, and in Switzerland you can spend a day cruising on Lake Geneva, with sightseeing stops in lakeside towns.
Multigenerational
Apr 15, 2024Enjoy Multigenerational Travel in New York with Motto by Hilton
Family Travel Agent recently found family travel will continue to grow this year, as 81 percent of families expressed their likelihood of traveling in 2024. Of that group, more than 50 percent plan to take part in multigenerational travel. If that multigen travel is taking place in New York City, two hotels, Motto Times Square and Motto Chelsea, prove ideal options.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Cruising
Apr 10, 2024Explore Holland America Line’s “Nieuw Amsterdam’s” Kids Club
Don’t think a cruise with Holland America Line is just for adults. Aboard the cruise line’s Nieuw Amsterdam ship, a dedicated Kids Club ensures family travelers of all ages have a good time both at sea and port.
ShareThis