Escape to the biggest picnic race in the world

Oakbank is a carnival like no other in the world. It rivals the Melbourne Cup in size and colour and it's 70,000 strong crowd annually on Easter Monday makes it the biggest Picnic Race Meeting on Earth. Easter Saturday attracts a crowd of approximately 45,000 and sets the scene for a fantastic carnival.

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Ode to Oakbank

Visions of the beauty of nature stir one’s blood and awaken tranquil memories;
Memories of the glory of multi coloured  flowers, trees, and lawns and one with
Pride and joy  recalls the magic of an amphitheatre carved by nature from the earth;
Blossoming from the benefits of the moon, sun, stars and human care;
To which women and men for one hundred and thirty five years have galloped to see;
What history has been able to supervise appears to be like a wink in time;
Because the carnival and festivities at Oakbank last for an eternity;
One is reminded of a sweet flowing river which flows forever and knows where it goes;
“Tis for sure to trace a course as the keeper of the flame of enjoyment’
True to the plans of all who organize this annual event to preserve “A People’s Party”;
Amidst a sight so vividly alive with it’s seamless beauty of scenery;
But above all it is the spirit of it all that envelopes your heart;
As it did to me last year and will do next year and forever;
The friendly ‘Hello”, “How are you Mate” “Join us for a celebration or two”;
Herald the feeling that you are welcome and at Home and they are glad to know you:
To share the banquet of life with each shake of the hand unlike so many places elsewhere the welcoming handshake seems to be with a closed fist it is that cold’
 “Tis not so at Oakbank at the Easter Carnival and always;
You can walk the course, sit on the log fence, talk to the horses and humans,
In a landscape tethered to beauty and so may I suggest you attend and be saturated
With the spirit of goodwill which permeates the celebration and spare a thought for me
Unable to attend but look forward to seeing you all next year
Please be assured that when the festivities conclude this year on Easter Monday,
You will be like me being carried on a woven carpet of golden memories.

Hon Tom McVeigh  Member of Federal Parliament for Darling Downs (Q’Ld) 1972-19-88;
Federal Minister !980-1983; Agent –General for Queensland based in London  1988-1991.

Must be an extra great Carnival if an event outside Queensland is described as ‘uper”

Details for 2010 packages, including Young Members click here.


Latest Media Releases:
— 100,000 vote Oakbank their Clear Favourite this Easter
— Escape to Oakbank for some real horsepower in 2010
— Oakbank is clearly still the worlds biggest picnic race meeting this Easter
— Prelude success today points to a Clearly great Easter
— Oakbank set to be a Clearly great carnival this Easter
— Oakbank 2010 Clearly set to be the best yet

Latest Results:
Trial results - Monday, 29/03/2010
Trial results - Monday, 1/03/2010
Annual report for 2009