Launching on ANZAC Day, The Dustarena will debut alongside a brand-new live show, The Dusty Hour, a twice-weekly spectacle of music, comedy, circus, and Outback storytelling performed under the vast Outback Queensland sky.
Built with support from the Queensland Government’s Building Bush Tourism Program, along with a passionate tribe of volunteers and family, The Dustarena is the final part of the evolution of The Crackup Sisters’ arts precinct Crackup Corner.
“Perfectly timed with Winton recently being recognised as the first official International Dark Sky Community in Queensland, it means visitors will experience something truly magical with stars in the sky and stars on the stage of The Dustarena,” said Winton Shire Council Mayor, Cr Cathy White.
“With the opening of The Dustarena, Winton is set by adding a vibrant new dimension to our town’s creative and cultural offering, giving visitors another great reason to stop, stay and experience Winton.”
“This is creativity in its rawest form, under the stars, in the dust, in the Outback,” said Amanda-Lyn Pearson, Co-Creator, Director and big sister of the Crackup Sisters.
“Most creative work happens behind closed doors in cities. Here, everything is out in the open, the artists, the process, the performances. Visitors can see the magic being made.”
The Dustarena will host live performances, circus, stunts, music, and storytelling, bringing visitors face-to-face with Outback creativity in a venue unlike any other in Australia.
The launch is on ANZAC Day, a time the Crackup Sisters say will be honoured with the same spirit of resilience, humour and community that defines Outback life.
“Winton has incredible history, with the largest number of volunteers per capita in Australia during World War I,” Pearson said.
“To officiate the opening of The Dustarena we have created a whip cracking performance team in Winton with participants ages ranging from 4 – 58 years old. We are delighted to be sharing the skill of Australian stockwhip cracking and how we create choreographic performances with locals. Headed up by runner up Queensland Whipcracking champion and one of the choreographers who worked on the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games the community performance will see The Dustarena cracking.
“This work is all about embedding skill and opportunity in our local community with access to some of the best creatives in the country, thanks to support from the Queensland Government and Winton Shire Council through the Regional Arts Development Program.
“This Anzac Day weekend we’ll be celebrating the freedom and life that the ANZAC spirit gave us with laughter, music, and yes… even a human cannon.”
Following the grand opening, audiences and guests will be a part of the premiere of The Dusty Hour, which will also be presented every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the tourism season until October.
Set in The Dustarena, the show blends circus, music, comedy, and the unpredictable magic of Outback performance, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for travellers passing through the heart of Outback Queensland.
The Dusty Hour is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Creative Australia Regional Arts Fund, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.
The Dustarena forms part of the broader Crackup Corner Creative Arts Precinct, a rare and remote hub where locals and visitors alike can experience the full creative process.
The precinct includes:
Together, the precinct is helping position Winton as one of Australia’s most unexpected creative destinations, where circus, comedy, music, and storytelling collide with ancient Outback Queensland landscapes and skies.
When? 25th April 2026, 5pm – 7.30pm
Where? 100 Elderslie Street, Winton QLD
Tickets for the Grand Opening, Yard Tours and performances throughout the season can be booked online here.
Amanda-Lyn Pearson, Co-Creator, Director and big sister of the Crackup Sisters.
Cr Cathy White, Mayor, Winton Shire Council
Krista Hauritz M 0421 148 098
