From the Coast to the Dust: Clinton | Eidsfold | Bucca QLD

The weekend saw us heading from Clinton, a busy suburb in Gladstone Qld, all the way to rural QLD. Having left from Newcastle it meant five days of driving; three days to get there, and two between each gig. With the caravans on the back (which handled the trip with no issues whatsoever), it meant that we had to go slightly slower than usual and by the fifth day the kids were well and truly over being in the car.

We arrived in Clinton on Friday afternoon exhausted and in need of stretching our legs. We set the caravans up out the front of the Harvey Road Tavern where Catherine was playing and got to work setting up. The night was long, but it was made better with the resident face painter who kept the kids entertained while Catherine and Ben talked logistics with the staff. The night ran well with two support acts opening up for Catherine. Katelann Maree and Amanda Heartsong, who Catherine mentored in the academy made the drive to come out and play and stayed with us over the entire weekend.

Amanda Heartsong

 Amanda Heartsong was first out for support. With her long wavy hair out and dressed in Kasey Chamber’s poetry line, Amanda looked naturally at ease as she took the stage. Her music followed; a constant beat of classic covers with a few originals thrown in to keep the audience chatting and enjoying the night.

Katelann Maree followed. Katelann’s music tells the story of her life through the tumultuous and vulnerable to the confident and resilient on the other side. Her vocals reflect that. Katelann wipes the stage with her soft and alluring sound and blows the audience away with her captivating strength.

 A measly four hours’ drive from Clinton and we ended up at the Star Hotel in Eidsfold. The place where the roads meet from North, South, East and West. Eidsfold was a beacon, a meeting place for everyone. And that’s exactly the vibe it has. When we pulled up at the hotel, we were immediately greeted by Kinta and Rick, their three children and their dog Flossy and they showed us their grand plans for the night.

Katelann Maree

They’d organised the road to be closed off and a jumping castle to be bought in. There was ice cream and a BBQ, a hot food truck and a coffee truck. Catherine’s gig was turned into a full-blown family event for the whole town to enjoy. Exactly the aim of the Bush Pubs Tour and what Kinta and Rick are trying to achieve after taking over the running of the pub.

After being shown around we were able to settle into our Jayco caravans for some down time until the show began. Music began in the late afternoon with Richard Waterson and if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were listening to Chris Stapleton. A fantastic voice and person, Catherine was enthralled by the Brisbane musician, who’d come out to support Eidsfold.

The next day we didn’t want to leave. We slowly said our goodbyes to Kinta and Rick and headed North-East to Bucca. A small two-hour drive compared to previous days, which was a nice change.

Rick and Kinta, Eidsfold Hotel

Bucca Hotel

We came into Bucca completely taken by its beauty. We crossed the local water hole where several families picnicked, while the kids played in the water and headed up the hill to the Bucca Hotel. As we looked up the hill we were greeted by a full pub and music already playing and we couldn’t help but want to be part of it.

We parked the vans at the back of the pub overlooking a tree filled valley and headed inside. The gig was a great end to an awesome weekend. The crowd was friendly and ready to dance, and the food was delicious. Even the staff and publicans joined in on the fun.

The next morning, we started the day off with some exercise lead by Katelann, who’s also a personal trainer and owns Miles Golden Gloves in Miles QLD. We followed it up with a relaxing swim in the freshwater hole before making our way back to the vans to plan out our next week on the road.

 See you at the pub!

Exercising at the water hole at Bucca

HOME IS WHERE YOUR FRIENDS ARE: BALLIMORE | OLD BAR | ELLALONG NSW

The iconic Hair of the Dog Inn was our first stop over the weekend in Ballimore NSW. With a total population of 64 within Ballimore itself, it was surprising when the pub grew to over 170 people.

We pulled up at the pub with our Jayco Newcastle caravans hitched on the back. Brad, the 24-year-old owner, quickly mowed the area so we could comfortably park the vans across from the pub, ready for the night. With the vans in view from the stage, it was perfect for putting the boys to sleep during the show, and it meant that we could have a sneaky drink afterwards while keeping a close eye on them.

The night was filled with friendly locals and passers through. Even the staff found time to entertain my little one, Avery while I made coffee from the back of our Navara.

Piper Rodrigues.

The relaxed vibe was contagious, and the crowd was pumped for a night of music. Piper Rodrigues opened up for Catherine, a singer who Catherine mentored in the Academy of Country Music in Tamworth earlier this year. Piper (19) who is new to the music industry, is beginning to build her confidence in her music. Her sweetness captures her audience, with the crowd clapping and cheering in encouragement. Piper set the stage ready for a promising night of great music and the dancing continued well into Catherine’s set.

Catherine finished up, leaving the crowd wanting more and while we sat quietly with our last drinks, we listened to the locals continuing on inside the pub.

Flow Bar, Old Bar NSW.

We woke up early the next morning having to travel from Ballimore all the way to Flow Bar in Old Bar on the coast. We decided to leave the cars hitched for the night so that we could wake up and jump in the car ready to tow the vans. It was a long day and we arrived at Old Bar around 5pm.

The good thing about this gig was the easy set up. Not having to lug the PA into the gig meant that Catherine and Benny only needed to set up Catherine’s merch and do a quick sound check, so the night was pretty relaxed after that.

Compared to the country vibe of the night before, Flow Bar was more of a beachy atmosphere and it was a pleasant surprise to see and hear the love and cheers for Catherine from the locals.

Mikey Pye

Mikey Pye graciously gave up his time, having travelled from Bathurst NSW to have a jam. So, what was usually a two piece was now a three piece and Catherine and Benny loved jamming out a bit more than usual. The night was a sell-out with people cramming into the back of the pub to watch the show.

The last show of the weekend was much closer to home, which meant that we could head home afterwards for a couple of days before hitting the road for the next ten weeks.

The drive out to Ellalong near Cessnock NSW was beautiful. Rolling hills of green, spotted with black cows is one of the best sights. Ellalong Hotel is situated overlooking grassy hills and the locals came out to support great music.

Sammy White, Catherine Britt and Kora Naughton.

Kora Naughton (18) opened the show. She drew the crowd in with her airy sweetness and blew them away with strength and edge. Her debut album, Ride or Die was released in 2018 and Kora is currently writing songs for her next project.

Sammy White followed. Having opened the show at Flow Bar the night before for Catherine, Sammy made the drive down to Ellalong to support her again. Sammy, who is this year’s Toyota Star Maker, dazzled them with her authentic and raw song writing backed up by her freshly modern country sound. The crowd loved her and by the time Catherine came out they were pumped to hear some more heart-felt country music.

It was clear just from getting to know the friendly staff at the Ellalong Hotel that the pub was a meeting spot for the locals who sat around and chatted while the kids danced the afternoon away. A great end to a busy weekend.

A few days off now before we hit the road for nearly ten weeks straight of caravanning and music fun. Time to prep the vans and get them ready for the long haul.

Ellalong Hotel, Ellalong NSW.

AUSTRALIA ZOO VS WESTERN PLAINS ZOO

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been lucky enough to visit not one but TWO great zoos in Australia. The Australia Zoo in Beerwah QLD and The Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo NSW.

Two zoos separated by 900km and two states, and two zoos that are completely different. My intention was to give a detailed comparison of the two, but after seeing both, I realised that you really can’t compare the two. Where Western Plains Zoo is designed to feel more like a safari, Australia zoo is more hands on with reptile and animal encounters.

So, with that in mind, I couldn’t look at them comparatively because BOTH are just as amazing as each other, but in different ways.

AUSTRALIA ZOO:

Australia Zoo, QLD.

Australia Zoo encapsulates everything that Steve and Terri Irwin stand for. Both wildlife warriors throughout their lives, these values were embedded in their children, Bindi and Robert as well as everyone that works at the zoo.

When you enter the zoo, the ‘zoo crew’ are set up waiting along the footpaths with reptiles and other animals for you to get up close and personal with. The zoo crew are committed to making your visit memorable and their love for animals shines through as they passionately answer any questions you might have about their animals and reptiles while you pat them. And believe me, they know a lot about them!

Animal Hospital, Australia Zoo.

The zoo has an Africa exhibit filled with rhinos, zebras and giraffes (amongst other animals), as well as a tropical climate at Bindi’s island where she filmed Bindi, the Jungle Girl. Here, you can visit Bindi’s treehouse as well as the boa constrictors, lemurs, parrots, aldabran tortoises and red-eared sliders.

A standout was the animal hospital, which you can pay to go and take a look at. The animals and vets are all behind glass windows, but you can stand and watch them tend to the sick and feed the babies in the incubators and honestly, Avery loved this.

Hot Tip: Don’t go on a 40-degree day unless you hire a cart. The sun reflects on the footpath and whether you’re wearing a hat or not, you still get burnt in the face. Plus, the walk between some of the exhibitions is LONG and after a while the heat is nearly unbearable. Take plenty of water!

WESTERN PLAINS ZOO:

Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo NSW.

The Western Plains Zoo on the other hand is much more like a safari. Where you can comfortably walk around at Australia Zoo, your best to either hire a bike or cart, or take your own car around to the Western Plains exhibits in the 5km loop.

While there are some of the same animals in both zoos, the difference is that Australia Zoo has a strong focus on reptiles such as crocodiles, where Western Plains Zoo has a lot of larger, furry animals such as monkeys and lions, as well as less known animals such as the Addax, Blackbuck, Banteng and Tahki.

Amongst the zoo is the Billabong Camp – a campground set up for groups of four or more in permanent tents. They provide dinner and breakfast and you get to listen to the nearby lions roaring during the night. What an experience.

Western Plains Zoo is also set up for you to climb onboard a safari truck and head into the enclosure with the giraffes, white rhinos, Eland and Blackbucks. With the Asian elephants and cheetahs next door, the exhibit feels like you’ve flown to Africa for the day and you’re adventuring in a real-life safari.

A standout is that you can drive your car around the zoo and stop where you like, making the whole experience quite comfortable when you have young kids with you. Plus, there are great parks and rest areas you can stop for lunch at along the way. The café at the start/end of the 5km loop overlooks the spider monkeys and lemurs jumping and swinging through the trees on their own island, only meters away.

Overall, both zoos have their standouts, and both are completely different experiences. Both are educational and fun, but where Western Plains Zoo has larger animals that you can’t touch, Australia Zoo is more about getting up close and personal, so it depends on what kind of experience you’re after.

We loved them both and would recommend getting to each of them at some point with the kids. It’s a great day out, a full-on day that will see your kids climbing into bed happy and exhausted, giving you some time for a much-needed night cap.

ONE OF THE BEST KID-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN TAMWORTH NSW. DID I MENTION IT’S FREE!

This year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival has been huge and between Benny’s gigs we wanted to find something we could do with our little man. We’d heard great things about Tamworth’s Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground, so we jumped in the car and took Avery to see the animals. We weren’t disappointed!

When we arrived, the first thing we noticed was that it was completely FREE! There was a sign and a tin for donations though to help with maintaining the facility, which we were happy to contribute to. But what a great way to engage and introduce the kids to the native animals without emptying your wallet!

The park is well tended with a large variety of native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, cockatoos, emus and Indian peacocks. There was also a large aviary which you can enter to explore while you try to spot the different species. But watch out for the bossy ducks who love your feet.

There were talking cockatoos and corellas who were worth having a chat to too. Avery found them hilarious and we spent some time trying to get them to talk.

The Adventure Park also lived up to expectations. It was well thought out with two distinct areas. One for under-5s and one for over-5s. The playground was engaging with areas to inspire children to use their imagination, as well as encouraging them to use their fine and gross motor-skills. There was also barbecue facilities and rustic, yet clean bathrooms.

The day was really fun. Avery fell asleep in the car on the way home, which is a sure sign of an energy-filled and entertaining experience.

HOT TIPS:

-       Don’t go when it’s scorching hot.

-       Keep your eyes out for snakes. We were there for five minutes and a massive brown snake slithered across the path in front of us. To be fair, there was a sign to warn you to be alert for snakes.

-       Wear good footwear and take plenty of water. (Note: there are bubblers, but we found these were a bit hot due to the day being hot).

TIPS FOR A KID-FRIENDLY TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

The annual Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) is one of the largest music festivals in Australia. The ten-day event celebrates country, folk and bluegrass amongst other various blends of modern country music, while supporting and nurturing community and culture.

Overall the festival is kid-friendly and one I would recommend putting on the bucket list.

In saying this, not everywhere within the festival is suitable for the little ones. Having our three-year-old in tow means that we’ll miss some great performances. Location being the main factor. Some of the pubs and hotels are not set up to cater for children, which is totally fine and, in all honesty, I’m all for a little R&R from the rugrats every now and then.

But, spending time with our little man and introducing him to the soul-filling music that Tamworth offers is worth missing those things. There is so much to take in and our little guy has his eyes permanently fixed on the big guitar.

To make your TCMF a holiday your kids will talk about, I highly recommend the following:

PEEL STREET

This is where community and culture explode into life. What a vibe! The street is closed off during the festival while thousands of people roam and wander, stopping to listen to the talented musicians. Buskers are set up not only on every corner, but in little nooks in shopping centres, cafes and market stalls and food stalls line the road.

THE FAMILY ZONE

This area is set up with rides, food stalls and games to keep the kids occupied. Situated along Kable Avenue, the area includes Dodgem cars, a ferris wheel, jumping castle and a slide as well as a monster truck ride, which our little man LOVED. This is just to name a few. There’s also a Family Zone Stage in the area! To find out the line-up for the Family Zone Stage, go to the TCMF website.

FREE CONCERTS IN TOYOTA PARK AND THE FANZONE

The free concerts are totally worth it for the little ones who get to sit and watch a concert while your wallet stays closed. Both areas are set up for you to sit and relax and enjoy some great music, while the kids dance and let off some steam. Fanzone is located in Peel Street.

FESTIVAL FRINGE

The 'Festival Fringe' runs on selected nights in Fitzroy Street Plaza. It includes fire performers, comedy contortionists, unicyclists, circus acts and other street performers as well as buskers and special pop up performances!

There is also face painting between at certain hours!

THE CALVACADE

The calvacade is a procession of utes and cars showcasing not only the musicians from the festival, but also anyone who has registered their ute and decorated it in the parade’s theme. This usually occurs on the last Saturday of the festival.

THE GOLDEN GUITAR

The giant golden guitar is worth a look at the very least. I’d go as far as to say it’s worth a selfie. Take the kids, do some poses and then check out the tourist centre and wax museum.

THE PLAYGROUND

Spend hours at the Tamworth Regional Playground where children will find endless fun. It has a skywalk, three giant slides, four towers, a bike track, junior and senior fitness circuits, a dual flying fox and a waterfall with a three-metre sway bridge. Parents, there’s also a café/restaurant where you can take a well-earned break.

The experience is one to remember. I totally get why it’s considered one of the coolest music festivals in the world. It’s stinking hot, but that’s easily forgotten with a cold drink and great Aussie music.

The Straight Road: Bourke | Pallamallawa NSW

The road out to Bourke was long, red and straight. SO straight that not even the white lines that ran along the side of the road could keep its steadiness. With little signal, our convoy stayed fairly close together as we watched the kilometres tick by.

The wind was so bored that it danced with the dust, creating red whirly winds amongst the dry shrubs. It was a sight; A long, straight and beautiful sight.

Port of Bourke Hotel.

We reached the Port of Bourke Hotel around 5pm. A little later than usual and we rushed to set up the stage while the boys ran themselves crazy in the dirt.

I set up the merch while Catherine and Benny checked sound and then decided to try to wrangle the kids.

The night was tiring after spending two days on the road to get there. But the show was one of the best, with requests and shouts for some of Catherine’s classics like 46 Miles to Alice. The crowd danced until the lights came on and the buzz left a smile on Catherine’s face as the night ended.

The next day was another long drive from Bourke to Pallamallawa – a massive 5 hours. But with the vans and the kids, it took a few hours longer.

Already running late, we stopped an hour out of Moree NSW to grab a quick bite after travelling through lunch. It was a small roadside house that had been turned into a café and was guarded by two large Irish Wolfhounds. The scene reminded me of something from a horror movie, but I pushed aside my irrational fear and pushed Benny into the café first. After my heart settled, we relaxed enough to enjoy one of the best schnitzel sandwiches I’ve ever had.

When we returned to the car fifteen minutes later, we realised we’d made a rookie mistake, one that we’d been pretty good at remembering up until now … We left the car connected to the caravan, which flattened the battery.

A minor panic later and several attempts at starting the car, a farmer turned up with a jumper pack and soon we were back on the road.

Pally Pub, Pallamallawa, NSW.

We made it to the Pally Pub around 5pm again and after a slightly stressful set up with the van, Benny took off to help load in the gear for the night.

With its small-town vibe and friendly faces, the Pally pub welcomed us with open arms. The night encompassed what the Bush Pub Tour is all about; Family and friends coming together to chat and have fun. The party ran late, with the crowd mulling around laughing and chatting and I fell asleep listening to country music well after Catherine had finished up.

Both Bourke and Pallamallawa were stand out gigs supported by Charlie Scott and Natalie Henry.

Charlie Scott

Charlie Scott is an Americana musician who resides in Brisbane and performs with warmth and soul. With influencers such as Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and Brad Paisley, Charlie played those well-loved, crowd favourite songs with heartfelt rawness.  

Natalie Henry

Natalie Henry drove out from Newcastle NSW to support Catherine and let me tell you that her song writing is something to talk about. She started her career in music at the age of 34 and has written songs that embody her colourful life. Natalie’s music is powerfully feminine with an undertone of a gentle vulnerability. Her Americana writing style is worth the drive to come out and take a listen to.

The weekend was one spent mainly on the road, which meant tired parents and energetic kids. But we made it through and as I sit here writing this, I’m already pumped for the next weekend of music and fun.

See you at the pub!

The Green Drought: Nevertire | Sandy Hollow NSW

The drive out to Nevertire was anything but tiring, with Benny on ‘Nevertire’ dad jokes the entire way.

Catherine drove out without the van for this leg, while Benny and I took our home on four wheels.

Nevertire Pub NSW

I must admit, the name of the town Nevertire is quite ironic. Made up of one street of houses a block back from the pub, there wouldn’t be too much to do in the area unless you visited the town of Warren just down the road, or the Nevertire Pub.

The pub itself is worth waking up for. Ran by three sisters – Harriet, Georgia and Tori, the girls are fun, quirky and welcoming. It’s clear the pub is a hub for the locals. The kids come in to buy cans of soft drink and chips, while the workers finish work and go there for a good meal and a well-earned drink.

Nevertire Pub, NSW

The girls had organised a truck to be backed into the beer garden as the stage for the night. While Avery ran around with Banjo, Harriet’s little boy, I helped Benny and Catherine unpack and set up for the night.

The crowd arrived early on, with people arriving from as far North as Temora NSW for the evening. Surprisingly, the crowd was younger than expected, the Jackaroos and Jillaroos from nearby farms had all come out to see Catherine and celebrate one of their birthdays, so the vibe was focused on celebrating and friendships. A vibe that the whole Bush Pubs Tour is centred around.

We hung around the next day until after lunch. Having no gig on the Saturday night, it meant we could take our time to get to Sandy Hollow for Sunday’s gig.

With the car lugging the van up and down some large hills on the way to Sandy Hollow, it was no wonder we didn’t get in until after 7pm. The drive wasn’t stressful though, with a view of lush green rolling hills, it was welcome after years of brown.

I’m told though, before you get excited, that the drought is far from over. We are seeing what’s called a ‘green drought’. The water has only hit the surface. A lot more rain is needed to pull us out of the dry that we’ve experienced. But, it’s a good start. The animals have some water and green grass to chew on and that’s a relief.

Sandy Hollow, NSW.

The little town of Sandy Hollow is beautiful. Planted in the valley between large rocky mountains, the view is certainly easy on the eye.

We woke the next morning and fed the horses and had a moment to really take the whole place in. I think both Catherine and I decided that we wouldn’t mind buying land out this way. A great place to sit and write….

The crowd filtered in from lunch time. Catherine and Benny had already set up, so we relaxed down the back in the caravan, talking and lunching.

Three musicians had come out to support Catherine, all from the Academy of Country Music in Tamworth, where Catherine had mentored before the start of this year’s Country Music Festival.

Logan Hoswell, Piper Rodrigues and Tameka Kennedy (in order above) had twenty minutes each to captivate the crowd, which they did easily and by the time Catherine arrived on stage, the crowd was well in the mood for some good country music.

The afternoon was made better with Catherine’s parents making the trip out to see the show, along with Hank and Moss, who had stayed home with daddy for this leg of the tour. It was an afternoon of fun and family that really left warmth in your heart.

We left Sandy Hollow around 6.30pm for a quick trip back to Newcastle to see friends and family before we head off on Thursday to Bourke NSW.

See you at the Pub!

The first signs of Red Dirt: Armatree | Tullamore | Woodstock NSW

This leg of the trip was chaotic to say the least, but pulling into the Armatree Pub on Friday afternoon was like a refreshing river amongst a brown and dusty land.

Armatree Pub, NSW

Caravans lined the edge of the pub and people carried their chairs over to the grass ready for an evening of good music. Like a moth to a flame, people sat around the firepit and along the back of the pub while we unpacked. Even though it was hot, it’s still funny how people are drawn to sit around a firepit – empty or not.

I battled the three boys. While Avery (3) and Hank (2) fought over cars, I cuddled Moss (5 months). It’s not hard to keep Moss happy that’s for sure and with the amount of cooing women around, he certainly had a lot to smile about.

The boys ran themselves to sleep, and I was able to sit down just in time for Catherine’s gig.

Catherine chose a red dress for the night – fitting considering it was Valentines Day, and after a successful night (even after a snake slithered onto the dance floor) we sat around, taking a moment to stop and appreciate the less chaotic.

Tullamore, NSW

The next day we left mid-morning on our way to Tullamore, NSW.

I’ll take a minute here to point out the super woman that Catherine is. This weekend she had Hank, Moss and her dog Rascal all while hitching and towing her 23ft Jayco Starcraft! On. Her. OWN! I was gobsmacked!

So our convoy of Jaycos continued to Tullamore. We decided we’d grab supplies at Tullamore for the rest of the weekend, but as we pulled into the town we realised the grave mistake we’d made. There was a service station – opened only on occasion, and the pub. Full stop, the end.

The main street (the only street) was lined with vacant or abandoned shop fronts like it had been pulled from a movie. I could almost hear the main theme music from ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ featuring Clint Eastwood.

Kelly Brouhaha

The night was filled with fun and laughter and surprisingly there were people that must have come from all around. Avery and Hank had their first bush bath after they practically rolled in a mud puddle and they both went down without too much of a fight.

It was lucky because this time, I got to hear Kelly Brouhaha, a musician from Queensland who usually tours with Beccy Cole, who supported Catherine in Armatree and now tonight. And can I just say, what a talent! With a bluesy sound, Kelly’s unique and soulful voice is complemented by her finger-pickin’ guitar skills, and she is worth a listen!

Clancy Pye

Tullamore was gifted with not one, but three support acts. Clancy Pye, Oberon born and bred, looked completely at home on stage. The crowd was captivated by her, setting the scene for Kelly and Catherine to follow.

Josh Maynard was first up and drove three hours to support Catherine. From Cowra NSW, Josh warmed up the audience, and from the caravan as I put the boys down to bed, his acoustic rock sound lulled them to sleep.

Josh Maynard

We were up early the next day, packing the vans ready to head to Woodstock. We said our goodbyes to Kelly, who had joined our convoy over the past two days and headed North- East to Dubbo for a gig.

The pub was kind enough to make us bacon and eggs rolls to get us on the road and by 9am we were off again. The roads around Tullamore are a sight to see at the moment, with the carnage from the rains. With our country going from severe drought, to flash flooding, the trees couldn’t cope, and so brittle branches were piled high on each side of the road. It looked like a tornado had hit town.

We made our way through the large puddles still lapping the roads and made it to Woodstock just after lunch ready for a 2pm gig.

Josie and Catherine.

The pub had a welcoming vibe and it wasn’t long until families and friends turned up. Kids ran along the grass near the stage, playing tips and catch, while Josie Laver, Catherine’s support for the afternoon, entertained them.

Josie, who’s influences include the likes of Eva Cassidy, Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch, warmed up the crowd, ready for a relaxed afternoon of music and fun.

The boys enjoyed an afternoon of music followed by an evening bush bath on the lawn. We ended the weekend with a home-cooked meal and a cozy bed, and after the chaos of three boys, the travel and unpacking and packing up gear, we were zonked.

A few days off now to have a look around the area before we head to Nevertire NSW for the next run.

A bush bath for Hank and Avery in Woodstock, NSW.

First Stop: Pittsworth | D’Aguilar QLD

Pittsworth, NSW

The first leg of the tour, we took off from Tamworth and headed to Queensland. Pittsworth was first up, a small town out from Toowoomba. The gig was initially booked at the pub, but with the event bigger than expected, it was moved to the town hall. The sound in the hall had Catherine excited. A large room, which could seat 800 people without too much trouble. The crowd began to turn up rather early. There was buzz about Catherine, but also talk of the local talent performing as support.

Amanda Faulkner

Amanda Faulkner, a local to the area, was a favourite. Amanda released her debut album in 2018 and received accolades for its rawness.

Pittsworth put on food and drink for the town, who danced and sung along throughout the whole night.

Benny Conicella, who is along for the ride playing bass on the tour, was chuffed to see his son Avery overcome his shyness to come up and sing his favourite Catherine song with her “I’m Gone”, which he calls “Alligator Baby”.

We left the vans in Brisbane for this leg of the tour, so we were put up in a nearby hotel. We were up early the next morning and on the road to D’Aguilar, QLD.

We reached the Dag Pub by mid-afternoon and we were all taken by its rustic, country vibe and old-school charm.

Driving to the gig, the area was surrounded by lush green bush which isn’t surprising since it sits in the D’Aguilar mountain range opposite the train station.

The night held a supportive crowd, one that was besotted with Catherine’s talent.

Chloe Styler was Catherine’s first support at the Dag Pub and with her unique, youthful and captivating voice, she has attracted a variety of ongoing loyal followers.

Chloe Styler

Melody Moko

Melody Moko, a Brisbane musician, was Catherine’s main support on this leg of the tour, who performed at Pittsworth and at D’Aguilar. Melody is due to release her new album this year, which she produced in Nashville last year. Her vulnerable, yet delicate sound is contrast to the strong and influential woman that is Melody. Her style and sound are similar to America’s Caroline Spence, which is someone worth aspiring to.

The weekend was topped off back in Brisbane celebrating Melody’s birthday at Fat Belly Jacks. Well worth the long drive for some Nashville inspired chicken!

TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020

This year there was a looming cloud over Tamworth as Catherine drove in. With the drought and the pending worries of bushfires, it was no wonder numbers were expected to be down for the festival.

Catherine settled in for the month, mentoring up-and-coming singers at the Country Music Academy.

Lyn Bowtell, Lachlan Bryan and Catherine Britt

Several days into the festival it became clear that Tamworth was never going to lay down without a fight. The locals, the visitors, the buskers, the market and food stall workers… everyone was pitching in. The supportive community even cheering on the Hay Runners driving through town to deliver bales of hay to those farmers who really needed it.

It was this sense of community - everyone coming together to support one another that really hit home for Catherine and one of the main reasons why she created the Bush Pubs Tour 2020.

In a town experiencing severe drought and a town that holds sentimental value for Catherine, it was fitting that Tamworth Country Music Festival be the start of the Tour. And in true Tamworth spirit, the community certainly delivered.

Her first show was a packed house at the Longyard Hotel in Tamworth, and it was here she announced her decision to reach out to the community to help her with her next album. A crowd-funding album that a record label can’t touch and one that her boys will have rights to when they grow up.

The Bush Pub Tour idea resonated with those true country music lovers and was inspired by Slim Dusty himself. A musician and a singer who took his music and entertainment to the pubs of remote Australia to bring the communities together. Through the primary communication of radio and the Bush Telegraph, Slim would see communities come out in droves. These pubs – the Bush Pubs - were a central point of meeting. A watering hole and a place to find support and spend quality time with family and friends. And today, these communities really do need our support.

Catherine was determined to follow in Slim’s footsteps and take her music to the bush. Why? To bring back what was lost and is really needed. Music and entertainment, community support and something to look forward to.

The Golden Guitar Awards 2020

This tour is going to be something extraordinary. One where Catherine is giving back to remote Australia to help bring towns and locals together. But also, one where she is relying on support from these communities to help her with her next album. And doesn’t that demonstrate how strong the Australian people can be!

Please jump on to her Pozible campaign at https://www.pozible.com/profile/catherine-britt and support Catherine so she can continue to bring back great music to those that really it need it.

See you at the pub!