Caboolture Archives - Page 2 of 21

Bellmere Butcher Shop Surges to Top of Queensland Leaderboard

The Bellmere Butcher has surged to the top of Queensland’s All the Best butcher leaderboard, with owner Jackson Miano now leading the state-wide public vote just hours before the competition closes at midnight tonight.

With voting wrapping up on Thursday 28 May, the Bellmere shop has overtaken early frontrunners to sit in first place, ahead of Stafford Heights’ Rode Meats in second and Cannon Hill’s The Butcher Shoppe in third. The All the Best competition, now in its second year, asks Queenslanders to vote for their favourites across 15 categories spanning everything from bakeries and beaches to burger joints and barbers.

For Miano, the nomination landed as a welcome surprise after years of grinding away to build the business into something the Bellmere and Caboolture community could be proud of.

“We’ve been putting in the hard yards over the last couple of years, trying to build something pretty cool, so we think it’s good to be nominated,” Miano says.

From apprentice to TikTok-famous

Miano started out as an apprentice butcher 11 years ago. He met his now-wife Megan at the Caboolture shop, and the pair took over the business together more than three years ago. What followed has been a quiet revolution in how a local butcher shop can connect with its community.

The shop has built a loyal TikTok following, earning it a place in the broader “ButcherTok” movement, which has seen independent butchers across Australia use short-form video to pull back the curtain on their craft. The Bellmere Butcher’s most viral moment came from a single video made during the COVID-19 pandemic: a sausage stuffed with hot chips, rump steak and pepper gravy that has since racked up more than 700,000 views.

The team’s current project is even more ambitious, working toward a spicy ramen sausage with customer input driving the flavour brief.

“Twelve months ago, I didn’t think we’d be getting photos with customers, that’s for sure,” Miano says. “It’s really good to see a lot of people supporting local again.”

Photo Credit: *The Bellmere Butcher/Facebook*

The shop’s growth has been physical as well as digital. The team is preparing to move into a larger space within the same complex by the end of the year to meet demand.

The competition is friendly, but the stakes are real

Despite the leaderboard, the mood between competing shops is anything but hostile. Miano has been vocal about the sense of community the competition has sparked among Queensland’s independent butchers.

“Everyone is getting on and doing this social presence and really bringing the butchers alive together,” he says. “No matter who takes out first place will be well deserving of it. We’re trying to bring the butchering community back together. There’s definitely enough room for us all.”

Rode Meats owner Patrick “Will” Burgoyne echoes that view. His Stafford Heights shop only found out about its nomination recently and has since launched its own campaign to push up the rankings.

Rode Meats has become a household name across Brisbane partly through the work of teenage apprentice Ethan Johns, whose sausage-making videos have drawn enormous online audiences, including one clip that reached more than 5.8 million views. The shop is also expanding, with two new stores set to open within the next year, taking its network to six locations.

“There’s definitely no rivalry between butcher shops. It’s more small retailers against the big guys,” Burgoyne says. “There will be a lot of bragging rights, whoever comes out on top, but it’ll all be in a friendly manner.”

Both owners have promised one thing in common if they win: a celebratory sausage flavour made especially for the occasion.

How to vote before the window shuts

Voting closes tonight, Thursday 28 May, and every vote also enters the voter into a prize draw worth more than $1,800, including theme park annual passes, a Skypoint Dining experience and a Flight Centre travel voucher. Winners across all 15 categories will be announced on Wednesday 3 June, ahead of Queensland Day on Saturday 6 June.

Bellmere locals and Caboolture region residents can cast their vote through this link. Voters need to register with an email address before casting their ballot.

Published 27-May-2026

Featured Image Credit: The Bellmere Butcher/Facebook

Can a Robotic Hawk Save Moreton Bay Strawberries?

A robotic hawk has been flying above strawberry farms in Moreton Bay as growers in Bellmere battle flocks of lorikeets and corellas that can wipe out thousands of dollars’ worth of fruit in just days.

The drone, known as RoBird, sweeps low across the fields like a bird of prey, sending nuisance birds scattering above one of Australia’s largest strawberry-growing regions.

The trial began in Bellmere in May through a partnership involving Hort Innovation, Canadian drone company AERIUM Analytics and the City of Moreton Bay.

The RoBird drone being trialled in Shepparton, Victoria between November 2025 and May 2026.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

For local growers, the problem has become hard to ignore.

During overcast weather, large flocks of birds descend on ripe strawberry fields and tear through fruit faster than workers can pick it. Farms near trees and bushland are often hit the hardest.

At TSL Family Farms in Bellmere, which operates under the Taste’n’See strawberry brand, growers have spent years trying to protect crops from repeated bird attacks. Some weeks bring losses that climb well into the tens of thousands.

According to the City of Moreton Bay, farms in the region can lose between $50,000 and $200,000 worth of strawberries within a single week during severe bird activity. This pressure lands heavily in a region where strawberries are a major part of the local economy.

Moreton Bay Plays Major Role in Australia’s Strawberry Supply

Moreton Bay produces about one in every four punnets of strawberries sold in Australia, with farms across Bellmere, Caboolture and surrounding districts supplying fruit to supermarkets across the country.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery with RoBird at Taste’n’See farms in Bellmere, Queensland.
Photo Credit: Supplied

The region’s strawberry industry contributes around $100 million annually and supports growers, seasonal workers, transport operators and local businesses tied to the harvest season. But protecting the fruit has become increasingly difficult.

Growers have long relied on gas cannons, reflective tape and noise deterrents to keep birds away. Many say the methods lose effectiveness once birds become used to them. Some systems have also caused frustration for nearby residents because of the noise during harvesting periods. This has driven interest in newer technology that can protect crops without harming wildlife.

A Drone Designed to Think Like a Predator

Unlike a standard farm drone, the RoBird is built to imitate the movement of a hunting raptor. The aircraft glides, circles and dives above strawberry rows in ways designed to trigger a natural fear response from pest birds. Instead of simply making noise, the drone attempts to convince birds that a predator is actively hunting nearby.

Earlier Australian trials reported by AERIUM Analytics showed strong reductions in bird activity and fruit damage after repeated flights over crops. Researchers involved in the project say the goal is to create a long-term deterrent rather than a short-term scare tactic.

The Bellmere demonstrations drew growers and berry industry representatives from across the region, including members of Berries Australia, who attended field trials to observe how the drone performed above local farms.

Farmers Hope for Relief Before Peak Season

Even small reductions in crop damage could make a major difference during harvest season. Rising labour costs, unpredictable weather and tighter profit margins have already placed pressure on Queensland strawberry farms in recent years. Losing trays of fruit to birds only adds to the challenge.

Drivers travelling through Bellmere during the growing season may now spot the dark-winged drone circling low above the paddocks while workers move through rows beneath it.

The national RoBird project is expected to continue until 2028 as researchers monitor how birds respond over longer periods and across different growing conditions.

A close-up image of the RoBird drone from AERIUM Analytics.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

Whether the robotic hawk becomes a permanent part of farming in Moreton Bay is still unknown. But for growers watching birds descend on valuable crops each season, the trial is giving the region a new option at a time when many say traditional methods are no longer enough.

Published 26-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

Bellara Home Care Nurse Recognised During International Nurses Day

A Bellara-based home care nurse who once worked in the laundry and dry-cleaning industry has spent the past 17 years helping older Moreton Bay residents stay in their homes instead of moving into aged care facilities, as demand for in-home support continues to grow across the region.

International Nurses Day will be marked on May 12, with Carinity recognising nurses working across Queensland, including Moreton Bay registered nurse Mark Lister. The long-serving nurse now works with Carinity Home Care, supporting seniors living throughout the Bribie Island and Caboolture region.

Lister moved into nursing nearly two decades ago after being inspired by family members already working in healthcare. Since joining Carinity, he has worked in several aged care roles, including frontline infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, his work focuses on helping seniors remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. That includes assessing new clients, developing falls prevention plans and providing clinical care to older residents across the Moreton Bay area.

The Bellara-based service has become part of daily life for many local families caring for ageing parents and relatives at home. Across Queensland, demand for home care services has increased as more older Australians choose to age in familiar surroundings rather than move into residential care.

Long-Term Care Builds Strong Community Connections

Lister’s work regularly brings him into homes where families are managing complex health conditions, mobility challenges and social isolation among elderly relatives.

According to Carinity’s Bribie and Caboolture home care service, nurses and support teams assist seniors with clinical care, daily living support and health management while allowing them to remain connected to their local communities.

Carinity executive manager Heidi Wiebe said aged care nursing required patience, compassion and specialised skills, particularly when supporting older people with changing health needs. She said families and residents regularly expressed appreciation for the work performed by nursing staff across the organisation.

The organisation has operated community services in Queensland since 1949 through aged care, disability support, youth services and chaplaincy programs. Moreton Bay remains one of the growing regions for in-home aged care support due to its large retirement population and expanding senior community.

International Nurses Day Shines Spotlight on Regional Healthcare Workers

International Nurses Day is held each year on the birthday of modern nursing founder Florence Nightingale. The annual event recognises nurses working across hospitals, aged care, disability support and community healthcare services.

While many healthcare workers are seen in hospitals and emergency departments, home care nurses often spend years building relationships with residents inside local neighbourhoods and retirement communities.

In Bellara and the surrounding parts of Moreton Bay, those visits can involve everything from wound care and medication management to helping older residents avoid falls and hospital admissions.

For families balancing work, caregiving and medical appointments, home nursing support has become an important part of keeping elderly relatives safe and connected to the community.

Published 11-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: Supplied

Caboolture Man Fighting for Life After Alleged Pub Robbery Turns Violent

A 31-year-old man was left fighting for life after he was allegedly robbed and attacked outside a hotel in Caboolture, with police seeking three people who fled before officers arrived.

Queensland Police said the incident happened at a licensed premises on Aerodrome Road on 10 May.

Police allege money was stolen from the man inside the venue’s pokies area before the situation moved into the hotel car park.

Police Investigate Violent Confrontation Outside Hotel

According to information released by Queensland Police, the man confronted the group outside the venue shortly after the alleged theft. The man was struck with a bottle before suffering a stab wound to the neck during the altercation.

The injured man was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition. Police said three people fled the scene on foot before officers arrived.

As of the latest available police information, no arrests had been announced.

Police Appeal For Witnesses In Caboolture

Queensland Police said investigations into the alleged robbery and assault are continuing.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the Aerodrome Road area, to contact police.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Published 10-May-2026

Caboolture Hooning Complaints Rise By More Than 30 Per Cent

Hooning complaints across the Caboolture Police Division have risen sharply, with preliminary police figures showing a more than 30 per cent increase as residents in nearby communities report repeated dangerous driving, burnouts and convoy-style activity.

Complaints Rise Across Caboolture Division

The Caboolture Police Division recorded 351 hooning-related traffic complaints in 2025, up from 262 in 2024.

The increase of 89 complaints has sharpened attention on road safety concerns across the area, including in Elimbah and Moodlu, where residents have described hooning as becoming more frequent over the past 18 months.

Locals have reported burnouts on main and residential roads, groups of vehicles travelling together, smoke reducing visibility and near-misses at intersections. Concerns have also been raised about loud tyre noise frightening horses and dogs, along with skid marks affecting local streets.

Elimbah And Moodlu Residents Report Repeated Incidents

Residents in Elimbah and Moodlu have described a shift from occasional incidents to repeated activity several nights a week.

The behaviour reported by locals includes vehicles gathering or travelling in groups, burnouts near roads used by residents, and smoke creating visibility concerns. Some residents also said repeated complaints had left them feeling their concerns were not being adequately addressed.

The issue has become both a safety and amenity concern for affected communities, with residents pointing to risks for road users, pedestrians, animals and nearby properties.

Caboolture hooning complaints — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Police Patrols Continue In Caboolture Area

Police said officers were aware of concerns in the Elimbah area and were following up information provided by the community.

Local patrols are using data and intelligence to identify hotspots linked to hooning and dangerous driving. Moreton Highway Patrol also conducts proactive patrols and speed detection in Caboolture, Elimbah and surrounding areas, including the Bruce Highway, using marked and unmarked vehicles.

Police have said unsafe driving behaviour is being targeted through road safety operations and patrols.

Wider SEQ Operation Adds Enforcement Context

The Caboolture concerns come amid wider anti-hooning activity across South East Queensland.

Operation X-ray Antler ran over four consecutive Saturdays from 4 October to 25 October 2025 and targeted hooning across several districts, including Moreton. The operation resulted in 405 traffic infringement notices.

The operation involved visible and covert enforcement strategies, including the use of unmarked motorbikes to patrol known hotspots. It also recorded notices to appear, drink-driving charges, drug-driving charges, vehicle impoundment or forfeiture actions and evade-police matters.

Public Reports Sought On Dangerous Driving

Police have urged anyone who witnesses hooning or dangerous driving to report it through Policelink.

For Caboolture-area residents, the complaint figures point to a continuing local road safety issue. With reports increasing and patrols continuing, police are using community information, data and intelligence to identify hotspots and respond to dangerous driving.

Published 1-May-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Clayton Park Is Getting Its Biggest Upgrade in Years, and Beachmere Families Won’t Have to Wait Long

Construction is underway on a major upgrade to Clayton Park near the Beachmere foreshore, with new playground equipment, barbecue facilities and improved amenities set to be completed by late June 2026, weather permitting.

The $800,000 project marks the park’s most significant upgrade in years, backed by a $500,000 funding commitment and a $300,000 contribution, transforming the existing green space into a more accessible, well-equipped destination for families, visitors and local residents of all ages.

New equipment across the whole park

The upgrade centres on a brand new all-ages playground featuring slides, a swing bay and a carousel, built on accessible rubber surfacing that supports safer play for children of all abilities. A new shade structure will sit above the play area, addressing one of the most common limitations of existing outdoor playgrounds in Queensland’s climate.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Beyond the playground itself, the project also delivers new picnic shelters, new barbecue facilities, sandstone block seating and renewed gardens throughout the park. The combination of shaded seating, cooking facilities and new planting is designed to make Clayton Park a more comfortable and welcoming space for extended family visits, not just a quick stop.

Clayton Park upgrade — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

A park that already does a lot

Clayton Park sits close to the Beachmere foreshore and is already one of Beachmere’s most versatile outdoor spaces, featuring grassed areas, a dog off-leash area, footpaths, fixed exercise equipment and a large skate bowl.

The adjacent caravan park and motel make it a regular stop for visitors to the region as well as a daily destination for local families. The playground and barbecue upgrade builds on that existing footprint without displacing any of the current facilities.

Construction is expected to be complete by late June 2026. Until then, a section of the park may be impacted while works are underway. For the latest updates on construction progress, follow the City of Moreton Bay’s Facebook page.

Published 30-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Caboolture Hospital Launches Queensland-First Post-Discharge Support Service

Caboolture Hospital has launched Queensland’s first nurse-led Medical Discharge Support Service, giving patients from both medical and surgical wards a direct line to an expert clinical nurse consultant for up to 30 days after they leave hospital, in a move that aims to significantly reduce unnecessary emergency department presentations across the Moreton Bay region.

The service, led by Clinical Nurse Consultant Lynette Smith, officially commenced on 30 March 2026. The service operates as a phone-based point of contact, allowing patients to consult the nursing team from home regarding recovery concerns. This provides an immediate alternative to presenting at an emergency department or seeking a standard GP appointment for non-urgent post-hospital queries.

“Patients can contact the service within 30 days of leaving hospital to receive advice and support from our nursing team,” Smith said. “We’re helping with all aspects, from wound care and pain management to answering questions about recovery and coordinating referrals to GPs or outpatient services.”

The model makes Caboolture Hospital the first site in Queensland to extend the discharge support concept beyond surgical patients to cover medical ward discharges as well.

The problem it was built to solve

The statistics behind the new service reveal the scale of the gap it fills. Queensland data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program shows that one in ten post-operative patients presents to an emergency department within 30 days of being discharged, often with questions or concerns that do not require emergency-level care.

Photo Credit: Clinical Excellence Queensland

For a busy regional hospital like Caboolture, which serves one of the fastest-growing catchment areas in Queensland, that translates to a significant and largely avoidable burden on its emergency department. Patients who have just had surgery or been discharged after a medical admission are often uncertain about what is normal in their recovery, when to worry, and who to call. Without a clear answer, many default to the ED.

The Discharge Support Service is designed to be the answer to that question. A trained Clinical Nurse Consultant on the other end of a phone call can assess a patient’s concern, provide clinical advice, arrange a referral to an appropriate service or, where genuine emergency care is needed, direct the patient accordingly.

Built on an award-winning foundation

The new service extends the proven model of PODSS, the Post-Operative Discharge Support Service first developed and piloted at Metro North Health’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service in Brisbane.

PODSS was designed specifically for surgical patients and proved its value quickly. In its first five weeks of operation at STARS, the service received more than 305 calls covering everything from pain management and wound care queries to more serious complications requiring rapid referral.

The results were strong enough that six further Queensland hospitals, including sites in Mackay, Cairns, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Ipswich and on the Gold Coast, have since adopted the model. Several hospitals, including Queensland Children’s Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital, have chosen to self-fund ongoing PODSS operations based on the clinical outcomes and high patient satisfaction they experienced.

Caboolture’s Discharge Support Service takes that foundation and widens the net. Where PODSS covered surgical patients, the new service also encompasses patients discharged from medical wards, the first time this expanded model has been implemented anywhere in Queensland.

“I’m passionate about making a positive difference in our patients’ recovery journeys and ensuring they feel supported once they leave hospital,” Smith said.

A phone call that can change a recovery

For Caboolture and Moreton Bay residents who have recently been discharged from Caboolture Hospital’s medical or surgical wards, the Discharge Support Service is available for 30 days from the date of discharge. Patients with concerns about their recovery, wound care, pain levels or any aspect of their post-hospital health are encouraged to use the service rather than waiting or presenting to an emergency department for non-urgent concerns.

For more information about the Discharge Support Service and other services at Caboolture Hospital, click here or call Caboolture Hospital on 07 5433 8888.

Published 29-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Metro North Health

Construction Starts on Beachmere’s $295 Million Over-50s Waterfront Community

Construction has officially begun on GemLife Beachmere Waterfront, a $295 million over-50s land lease development on Gillian Street in Beachmere that will deliver 335 homes across a 62-hectare site beside the Caboolture River, with first residents expected to move in by the end of 2026.

GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich marked the start of works at a sod-turning ceremony on 23 April, joined by local community representatives.

The three-year project is expected to create around 400 jobs across housing construction, resort amenities and road upgrades, including new turning lanes and the widening of a section of Beachmere Road. A further $2.5 million will be spent on infrastructure as part of the development.

For a coastal township that has long sat in the quieter corners of Moreton Bay’s growth story, the scale of investment arriving on Gillian Street represents a significant shift.

A site designed around what’s already there

One of the most striking aspects of GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is how much of the 62-hectare site will remain untouched.

More than 80 per cent of the site will remain untouched, headlined by a 52.1-hectare wetland reserve. GemLife will rehabilitate this natural corridor before formally transferring the land to the City of Moreton Bay as a permanent, protected public asset.

At the heart of the site, an existing 1.1-hectare artificial lake with a tidal connection to the Caboolture River will be preserved and enhanced as a central feature of the community. A network of walking and cycling trails will thread through the wetland reserve, giving residents direct access to one of the bayside region’s most significant natural corridors.

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is located 58 kilometres north of Brisbane in Beachmere, a coastal rural town, close to Beachmere Shopping Centre, local restaurants and Main Beach, with Caboolture just 15 minutes away.

What life inside will look like

The $15.5 million Country Club will anchor the community’s social heart, overlooking both the lake and the Caboolture River. Inside, residents will find an indoor heated pool, cinema, hall, bar and café, salon, golf simulator, lawn bowls, art room and dance floor, alongside a separate Summer House with an outdoor pool.

The homes themselves are designed around the sub-tropical climate, with open-plan indoor-outdoor living, generous outdoor spaces, solar panels connected to battery storage and access to GemLife’s 5G wireless internet network. Two-bedroom plus multipurpose-room homes are priced from $815,000. A weekly site fee covers all maintenance, management and amenities, with no stamp duty, entry or exit fees applicable.

Meeting a real gap in Moreton Bay’s housing supply

The Beachmere development addresses a genuine and growing demand. Early interest shows a distinct regional draw; while around a third of enquiries are coming from locals within a 30-kilometre radius, nearly half are from buyers in the 30 to 100-kilometre bracket looking to secure a spot on the coast.

The land lease model GemLife uses is distinct from a traditional retirement village. Residents own their homes outright and lease the land beneath them, retaining 100 per cent of any capital gains if they choose to sell, with no exit fees attached. That structure, combined with a one-level home format right-sized for active over-50s, has driven strong demand across GemLife’s existing Moreton Bay communities.

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is GemLife’s fourth land lease community in Moreton Bay, joining GemLife Moreton Bay in Burpengary East, GemLife Bribie Island and GemLife Elimbah, bringing the total number of homes it is delivering across the region to more than 1,685.

The City of Moreton Bay is expected to welcome 210,000 additional residents over the next two decades, and GemLife has consistently positioned its regional investment around that long-term trajectory.

When to expect the first homes

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront will be released to market in June, in line with the opening of its onsite sales office. The first homes are expected to take shape from mid-2026, with first residents anticipated to move in before the end of 2026.

For more information or to register interest, visit click here or contact GemLife directly on 1800 GEMLIFE.

Published 27-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: GemLife

25,000 Tickets Gone in 12 Hours: How Caboolture’s Medieval Festival Became Australia’s Best

The Abbey Medieval Festival has sold out all 25,000 tickets for its 35th anniversary edition in under 12 hours, just weeks after winning gold at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be officially crowned Australia’s best festival.

The sell-out, which crashed the ticketing website under the weight of demand, caught even the organisers off guard. Events and Public Programs Manager Joel Stephens said the scale of the response was unlike anything the festival had experienced before.

“Selling out so quickly was a definite surprise,” Stephens said. “We were not expecting the huge demand we saw yesterday and a full sellout in less than 12 hours. It shows how popular and exciting the festival is.”

The ticketing platform buckled under the surge. Stephens acknowledged the team had made some improvements to the booking process before the sale opened, but the adjustments had the opposite effect to what was intended.

“It was a little bit of a perfect storm, to be honest,” he said. “We made some improvements to the process, made a few tweaks and unfortunately they backfired a little bit. But we’re constantly working to improve the systems and structure in place and deliver the smoothest experience possible to our customers.”

All tickets, including Saturday, Sunday and the Friday Family Fun Day on 10 July, are now fully sold out. No further tickets will be made available. Organisers recommend using the official resale partner Tixel for those seeking returned tickets.

From Queensland Gold to National Champion

The sell-out arrives at the peak of a remarkable run for the festival. In November 2025, the Abbey Medieval Festival took gold at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Awards in the Festivals and Events category, becoming the state’s nominee for the national competition.

Then in March 2026, it went all the way, winning gold at the prestigious Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, beating more than 170 finalists across 26 categories to be recognised as Australia’s best festival. Perth’s Subi Blooms x Gather festival took silver, while South Australia’s Streaky Sounds Music Festival claimed bronze.

From Abbey Medieval Festival's Facebook post — Photo Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival/Facebook

Stephens said the national result caught the team just as off guard as the ticket sell-out.

“We won the Queensland Tourism Industry award late last year which put us in the running for the national awards and were not expecting to take that out,” he said. “So we’re really honoured the judges looked at the festival we offer and had the same feeling the public does.”

The award recognised not just the scale of the event but the effort behind it. The festival runs with more than 300 volunteers and draws more than 1,000 reenactors, performers and speciality stallholders to Abbeystowe each July.

What July 10-12 Holds for Ticket Holders

For the 25,000 people heading to Caboolture on 10, 11 and 12 July, the 35th anniversary edition promises everything that has made the festival a national landmark event, with the added weight of a milestone year.

Photo Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival/Facebook

The festival spans approximately 600 to 1600AD in European and Middle Eastern history, and the programme brings that breadth to life across three days. The Moreton Bay Medieval Joust Championship, where Australia’s top jousters compete at speeds of 30 kilometres per hour, runs three sessions on both Saturday and Sunday, with the grand final on Sunday at 3pm to crown the new champion.

Knight combat, Turkish oil wrestling, archery, Birds of Prey demonstrations, storytelling, period music, traditional dancing and interactive encampment activities fill out the programme across the weekend.

The Friday Family Fun Day on 10 July is the festival’s sensory-friendly day, designed to welcome visitors who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour, including people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome and acquired brain injury. The Knighting Ceremony on Friday is a separate, strictly limited ticketed event.

Kids Kingdom, a dedicated children’s activity area, operates on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the space transitions to the University Pavilion, with a schedule of presentations.

A New Festival Is Coming in September

The Abbey Museum is not stopping at July. Stephens confirmed the team is also developing a brand-new event: the Abbey History Festival, locked in for 26 and 27 September 2026.

“Our main festival does have a limit on the timeline in terms of the Middle Ages, so we’re looking to launch the Abbey History Festival,” he said. “This will bring a broader timeline of re-enactments, culture and food to our Abbey Precinct helping us celebrate 40 years of the Abbey Museum, which is what all this goes to support.”

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, which the festival exists to support, holds one of Australia’s most significant collections of medieval and ancient artefacts, including rare examples of European, Asian and Pacific material culture.

Getting to Abbeystowe

The festival is located at 1-63 The Abbey Place, Caboolture, off Old Toorbul Point Road. A free shuttle bus service operates every 30 minutes from Caboolture train station from 7.45am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Paid parking passes at $11 per vehicle are required for Saturday and Sunday on-site parking, with proceeds supporting the Wamuran Progress Society. Free parking is available on the existing site on Friday. A disability car park is available for permit holders, located approximately 250 metres from the front gate.

Festival ticket holders can also use their ticket for one free entry to the Abbey Museum before 30 September 2026. For more information, visit abbeymedievalfestival.com or contact the Abbey Museum on (07) 5495 1652.

Published 24-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival

Caboolture Crash Claims Life Of Three-Year-Old Girl During Evening Walk

A three-year-old girl has died after being struck by a ute while walking with her family in Caboolture, with investigations continuing into the fatal traffic incident.

Evening Walk Ends In Fatal Caboolture Crash

The incident occurred on 21 April near the intersection of Lynfield Drive and Toohey Street in Caboolture. The child was walking with her mother, grandmother and younger brother when, at approximately 6:47 pm, a Nissan Navara utility turning right from Lynfield Drive onto Toohey Street struck her.

Paramedics attended and treated the girl for critical injuries, however she died at the scene.

Family Seen Moments Before Collision

In the minutes before the incident, the family had been walking home from daycare along the road. CCTV footage captured the group shortly before the collision, showing an adult walking with the child and another woman pushing a stroller.

Two women and a male toddler were later transported to Caboolture Hospital in stable condition, experiencing emotional distress.

Caboolture crash — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Driver Assisting Investigation In Caboolture

The driver of the ute, a 49-year-old Caboolture woman, remained at the scene and is assisting police. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Investigators are examining the events leading up to the incident, including movements in the moments before impact. Police have urged anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from the area to come forward.

Tributes Mark Scene In Caboolture

Flowers and a small teddy bear have been placed at the site following the incident. The child has been described as affectionate and full of energy, with her loss reflected in tributes left at the location.

Investigation Continues After Caboolture Fatality

Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to establish how the collision occurred. Police continue to appeal for information that may assist in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash in Caboolture.

Published 23-Apr-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook