Two of the Childers Festival’s popular ticketed experiences are set to return, offering visitors and locals a unique way to connect with the region’s culture, landscape and heritage.
Opera by the Lake and the Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tours are once again part of the 2026 festival program, providing immersive and memorable experiences beyond the main festival day.
Opera by the Lake
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Redbrook, Opera by the Lake brings together acclaimed soprano Suellen Cusack and Brisbane based ensemble Divina.
The outdoor performance will feature a mix of opera, musical theatre and crossover favourites, with piano and string arrangements creating an intimate concert atmosphere.
Guests are invited to bring a picnic and settle in along the lake’s edge to enjoy world class music in a relaxed and scenic setting.
As a signature Childers Festival event, Opera by the Lake continues to offer a distinctive blend of performance, setting and shared experience.
When: Saturday 25 July
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Lake Redbrook Holiday Retreat, Childers
Tickets: $65
Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tours
For those looking to explore the region’s rich agricultural story, the Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tours provide a rare behind the scenes look at sugar cane production.
Guests will travel through local cane fields before witnessing the striking spectacle of a cane fire, an increasingly rare sight.
The experience also includes insight into how harvested cane is transformed into sugar, offering a deeper understanding of one of the region’s key industries.
The tour concludes with a home-style barbecue, providing an opportunity to unwind and enjoy the region’s hospitality.
When: Thursday 23 July and Friday 24 July
Time: 4 to 9 pm
Where: Tour departs from Isis Golf Club
Tickets: Adult $55 | Child 12 to 17 $30 (event not suitable for children under 12 years)
Both events highlight the diversity of the Childers Festival program and showcase the unique experiences available across the four-day celebration, concluding with the main festival day on Sunday 26 July.
Tickets for Opera by the Lake and the Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tours are available now.
