Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Winton’s Outback Cinema Event
Imagine watching a classic Australian film under a vast, ink-black outback sky — no city glow, no distractions, just the stars above and a story unfolding on screen. That’s exactly what waits for you at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival 2026 in Winton, Queensland.
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is Australia’s only outback film festival and the world’s only festival dedicated to profiling and supporting the Australian film industry.
Running from 26 June to 5 July 2026 in Winton
This is one of the most genuinely unique events on the Queensland calendar — and one of the best reasons to finally make the journey west.
Whether you’re a lifelong film lover, an outback first-timer, or a family looking for something extraordinary during the school holidays, this guide covers everything you need to plan your trip.
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What Is the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival?
Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is a nine-day celebration of Australian cinema in the heart of Outback Queensland. Hosted in Winton since 2013, the festival brings films, filmmakers and film lovers together in one iconic outback town — from open-air screenings under the stars to special events with industry legends, it’s an experience shaped as much by the journey as the stories on screen.
Held in Winton, Queensland, this family-friendly festival offers an immersive experience that caters to diverse audiences, celebrating Australian storytelling against the stunning backdrop of the outback.
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is inspired by the Sundance Film Festival
— though its soul is entirely and unmistakably Australian.
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When and Where Is Vision Splendid 2026?
Vision Splendid runs across nine days in late June to July, combining film screenings with special events, conversations and community experiences. For 2026, the festival runs from 26 June to 5 July.
The primary venue is iconic. A highlight of the festival is its venue — the historic Royal Theatre, Winton’s open-air theatre. Established in 1918, it is one of only two remaining open-air theatres in Australia, making it a must-visit destination for film lovers and history buffs alike.
Winton, often called the Hollywood of the Outback, is a town celebrated for its deep connection to Australian film and beloved on-screen stories. Sitting in Queensland’s Central West, Winton is located in the heart of Outback Queensland, 177 kilometres north-west of Longreach and approximately 1,300 kilometres from Brisbane.
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What’s On: The 2026 Program
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 program, promising nine days of Australian cinema, special guests and once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the heart of Outback Queensland.
Each day typically includes daytime screenings and evening screenings, alongside curated events such as Breakfast with the Stars, an Opening Night Gala, and the short film competition.
Special Guests 2026
Each year, Vision Splendid welcomes a lineup of special guests to celebrate Australian cinema in Winton. In 2026, the festival welcomes renowned Australian director Kriv Stenders and Australian film and television actors David Field and Geoff Morrell.
A major highlight of this year’s program is the appearance of acclaimed director Kriv Stenders, who will travel to Winton to present a retrospective of his work and connect with festival audiences. Stenders’ visit comes at a significant moment for the region, as he prepares to direct a major feature film set to be filmed in Winton, with production anticipated to begin next year, offering a rare opportunity for the local community and festivalgoers to engage directly with a filmmaker shaping the future of Australian cinema in the outback.
Films & Events
The festival’s dynamic program features themed special events, Breakfast with the Stars, the unique Silent Night Experience, a film-student-led Short Film Competition and film location tours.
Showcasing the best new Australian films alongside a retrospective program, the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival ensures that authentic Australian stories reach appreciative audiences.
The 2026 lineup spans genres widely — from cult classics and dark comedies to Australian thrillers and bold new releases.
Among the highlights teased for 2026:
– A special 40th anniversary screening of an Australian classic under outback skies
– A cult favourite with live musical accompaniment under outback skies
– A documentary following Aboriginal Elder Maitland Parker’s fight to heal Country in the Pilbara
– A moving documentary following the fulfilment of David Gulpilil’s final wish to return home
Screen Queensland-supported projects, including Seven Snipers, showcase the strength of regional stories alongside a diverse slate of Australian voices
The festival also plays a vital role in the industry by supporting Queensland and Australian filmmakers, often providing premiere screenings for local productions that face distribution challenges.
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How to Get Tickets
Vision Splendid offers a mix of flexible film passes, season passes and individual tickets, depending on how you plan to experience the festival.
Individual Session Tickets
If you’re visiting Winton for a short time or just passing through, individual tickets are available for single film sessions. Individual session tickets go on sale once the full program is released, allowing you to book into specific screenings.
Individual ticket prices: Adult $25 | Local $18 | Concession $20 | Kids (3–10) $10 | Teen (11–17) $15 | Family Pass $65 (2 adults + up to 4 kids under 18).
Multi-Film Passes
Multi-film passes are the most flexible way to attend the festival. These passes allow you to attend any 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20 film screenings across the nine days of the festival — and you’re not locked into specific sessions or days when purchasing.
Multi-film passes are purchased like a gift voucher; once the full program is announced, you can redeem your pass for individual film sessions that suit your schedule.
A 3-film multi-pass starts at
Adult $65 | Concession $48 | Teen (13–17) $36 | Child (3–13) $24.
Special Events
Special events are ticketed separately and are not included in multi-film passes or Season Passes. Tickets for special events are released alongside the full program and must be purchased separately.
Book tickets at visionsplendidfilmfest.com or via the festival’s TryBooking page.
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How to Get to Winton
Getting to Winton is part of the adventure. You have several options:
By Air: Flights are available to Winton departing from Townsville every Tuesday and Thursday with Regional Express (REX). Winton Airport is located 5km from the town centre.
For travel from Brisbane, you can also fly direct with QantasLink to Longreach, where car hire is available.
By Train: You can travel to Winton by rail — the Spirit of the Outback, operated by Queensland Rail, has services twice weekly from Brisbane to Longreach, with a rail coach link to Winton.
By Road: Winton is located on the Matilda Highway and is fully accessible via sealed bitumen roads. By road, it’s 177 kilometres from Longreach and approximately 1,350 kilometres from Brisbane.
The majority of roads in Outback Queensland, when travelling between towns, are sealed and in good condition — easily travelled in a regular car without the need for a 4WD.
By Coach: Greyhound coach services operate from Brisbane to Mount Isa and back, stopping in Winton, with reclining seats, in-seat USB chargers and a generous baggage allowance included.
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Where to Stay in Winton
Accommodation is limited in Winton, and festival week fills fast. During major events or festivals, accommodation can book out months in advance, so don’t leave this until the last minute.
Here’s a quick guide to your options:
- North Gregory Hotel — The personality of the North Gregory Hotel reflects the history and ambience of yesteryear whilst providing all the comforts of today. Find modern, comfortable hotel rooms with their own private ensuites above the pub, or book one of 15 unpowered van sites out the back.
- Winton Outback Motel — A 25-room property with a mixture of Queen, King and Family rooms in Standard as well as Premium options.
- Rangelands Outback Camp — An exclusive 6-tent camp for only 12 pampered guests. Sitting atop a jump-up on the vast Rangelands Station, the camp combines incredible views of the outback with luxury digs — and an on-site gourmet chef uses local produce to elevate classic outback dishes. Perfect for travellers who want the outback without roughing it.
- Crackup House — The Crackup House is the quirkiest accommodation in the West, a genuinely memorable Airbnb that’s become a local legend.
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Things to Do in Winton Beyond the Festival
Make the most of your time in the region.
Winton offers easy access to two of the region’s standout natural attractions: the dramatic sandstone formations of Bladensburg National Park and the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, home to world-class fossil discoveries and sweeping views over the surrounding plains.
Thousands of footprints at Lark Quarry Conservation Park tell of a day 95 million years ago, when a herd of small dinosaurs were chased by a meat-eating theropod, creating a stampede — the only confirmed dinosaur stampede site on Earth.
The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a museum so steeped in Australiana that the architecture itself references the landscape and history of the local region — fitting, since Winton is the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda and Qantas, and holds the title of Australia’s Dinosaur Capital.
For more Queensland outback experiences and guided tours, explore Queensland Traveller’s tours directory or browse our full guide to Queensland’s most remarkable destinations.
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Top Tips for Planning Your Festival Trip
1. Book accommodation now. Festival week in Winton books out early — don’t wait.
2. Buy your multi-film pass first. Multi-film passes are the most flexible option, covering any 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20 screenings — and you’re not locked into specific sessions when you purchase.
3. Budget separately for special events. Special events like Breakfast with the Stars are ticketed and priced separately from standard film screenings.
4. Pack for outback winter nights. June and July in outback Queensland bring cold nights — temperatures can drop sharply after sunset under that famous open-air theatre sky.
5. Hire a car or drive yourself. The roads between towns are sealed and in good condition — easily travelled in a regular car. A road trip along the Matilda Highway is an experience in itself.
6. Allow extra days. Vision Splendid is designed to be experienced as more than just a screening — it’s an opportunity to visit a remarkable outback town and make the journey part of the story.
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Plan Your Visit
- Festival Dates: 26 June – 5 July 2026
- Location: Winton, Outback Queensland (centred on the Royal Theatre)
- Tickets & Passes: visionsplendidfilmfest.com
- More QLD Outback Tours: queenslandtraveller.com/queensland-tours/
There are travel experiences you plan, and then
