The Abbey Medieval Festival Caboolture

The Abbey Medieval Festival Tournament Weekend is back from 8 – 9 July 2023! With its kaleidoscope of music, colour, pageantry, and time transforming ways, The Abbey Medieval Festival calls to us now more than ever! 

About the 2023 Abbey Medieval Festival

Time Travel is real!!!

It’s true! Every year when the planets align a certain way, a time portal opens up on Abbey Place, Caboolture. Step through the portal and slip back hundreds of years to the Middle Ages. The air rings with the clashing of swords, the ground shudders to the thundering of hooves, and crowds cheer the clang of lance upon shields! Meanwhile, maidens dance to the tunes played on pipes and drums. The Abbey Medieval Festival invites you to experience the sounds, sights and smells of this magical medieval era for yourself.

Don’t worry, slipping through the time portal is entirely reversible – and you’ll still have a phone signal and access to flushing toilets – but for two whole days you can immerse yourself in another world entirely.

The Abbey Medieval Festival is an annual highlight. The highly anticipated Tournament Weekend happens this year on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July 2023. It attracts over 1000 world-class Medieval re-enactors keen to give you a taste of what life in the Middle Ages was like. It is one of Australia’s premier living history events, providing Festival-goers with an engaging and immersive experience of the Middle Ages.

When was the medieval period?

The medieval period covers a time from around 600-1600CE, from the fall of the Roman Empire through to the beginning of the enlightened Renaissance Period. That’s a lot of years! Medieval literally means Middle Ages. Wikipedia does justice to this period here.

What was the medieval period like?

For peasants, the medieval period was a simple time of hard work farming the land for their lords and living in simple huts, often with their farm animals to provide warmth. Their diet would have comprised of a lot of gruel, stew and porridge with a bit of salt-meat through the winter.

Some people were skilled craftsmen and artisans and enjoyed a slightly higher status. They would have been blacksmiths, tailors and shoemakers, basket weavers, saddlers, coopers (barrel makers), wainwrights (wagon builders), carpenters and builders, amongst many other trades.

If you were wealthy or a landowner, you might have lived in a manor house or castle and had servants of your own. You would have enjoyed lots of fancy roast meats, tasty pastries, and delicious banquets, with entertainment provided by travelling musicians, storytellers, actors and jesters.

The medieval period was also a time of brave knights and fair maidens, fabled dragon-slayers, jousting and battles, castle building, and marauding Vikings! It wasn’t all hard work in the Middle Ages; people enjoyed many public holidays and festivals based around the religious calendar and traditional pagan celebrations, and the Abbey Medieval Festival perfectly recreates the atmosphere of these fun occasions.

Abbey Medieval Festival 2023 

Kids Dig It! – Medieval family fun 

Kids Dig it! mini Medieval Festival runs ahead of the ‘Tournament Weekend’, from 26-30 June 2023. It features many of the experiences on offer over the main festival weekend, but with a special focus on making them fun and engaging for the younger members of the family.

The Abbey Museum will welcome families for a special week full of medieval-themed fun activities for the kids and, of course, parents. The week will be jam-packed with fun things to keep your young squires or maidens entertained and engaged during the school holidays with plenty of opportunities for hands-on fun and education. 

Kids can:

• practice archery
• design their own heraldry and paint it on a shield
• decorate a princess hat (hennin), a crown, or a mask
• uncover medieval artefacts in the archaeological dig
• train like a knight and learn about weapons
• play medieval games like skittles, battledore, quoits and Nine Men’s Morris

Come and enjoy the adventure as history is brought to life. 

Knighting ceremony

This year, you can join the Knighting Ceremony held inside the beautiful Abbey Church on Friday 7 July. Entry is ticketed, however, there is limited space so booking is essential. 

Tournament weekend

On 8 and 9 July 2023 relive the days of yore and experience the sights, sounds, tastes and aromas of the Middle Ages! Step back in time and immerse yourself in the colour and pageantry of the Medieval World. There will be fighting displays, jousting, falconry, dancing, music, drama and presentations of medieval arts and crafts. Wander around the medieval encampments and talk with re-enactors as they go about their day, or stroll through the markets where you can purchase all manner of medieval wares or delicious foods. The festival is jam-packed with things to see and do.

Medieval banquet 

The Medieval Banquet on 1 July 2023 is a truly immersive experience for die-hard medieval fans, food buffs and anyone looking for an evening of food and entertainment that is totally out of the ordinary. 

As the sun sets over Abbeystowe, you are invited to celebrate an authentic Medieval Feast.

Guests are treated to an authentic medieval banquet with dancing, music, and all manner of traditional entertainment. Whilst attending in costume is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged to get you into the spirit of the event.

Tickets go on sale on June 1, 2023, must be pre-purchased for this limited seating event. 

Tickets for all of the 2023 Festival events are on sale here now.

The Abbey Medieval Festival tournament weekend

The Tournament Weekend is the highlight of the Abbey Medieval Festival program. It’s an amazing weekend that you need to see to believe! This year’s dates are Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July 2023.

What will we see at the medieval tournament weekend?

The Abbey Medieval Festival is an authentic medieval experience, with over 1000 enthusiastic re-enactors bringing the Dark Ages, Middle Ages and early Renaissance Period to life. You will see many medieval villages and encampments recreating the life of ordinary peasants, Vikings, Ottoman Empire Turks, campaigning knights and travelling entertainers. There will also be craftsmen and women demonstrating their skills, historical re-enactments and competitions, and so many things you can experience for yourselves.

Here’s a rundown of some of the things to expect:

Jousting

Everyone loves the jousting! Brave knights on horseback thunder towards each other as they use their lance to try to knock their opponent out of their saddle. The Joust at the Abbey Medieval Festival depicts a 15th century tournament. The best of Australian jousters will compete for the title!

Turkish Oil Wrestling

Carried out with traditional rituals and customs of the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish Oil Wrestling has been a star attraction of the Abbey Medieval Festival for over 10 years. The Janissary Barracks take great measures to ensure the authenticity of this great sport of medieval Ottoman Turkish culture. The tight short leather trousers, called Kispet, are even imported from Turkey!

Oil wrestlers from across Australia participate in this competition at the Abbey Medieval Festival.

Sword Combat

Trained re-enactors will demonstrate the skills and training required to wield a sword and other weapons in battle.

Animals

From the heavy horses used to pull wagons and carry knights into battle, to the smaller and lighter ladies horses, demonstrations of hunting and herding animals like dogs and falcons, farm animals reared for food and pelts, and even the humble honey bee, which was so important to farmers and for the production of honey and mead.

Re-enactments

So many re-enactments! Professional re-enactors will show you how to lay siege to a castle as well as demonstrate what life was like in the different camps.

Food & drink

Taste the Middle Ages with traditional food and drinks on offer, including a medieval hog roast, banquets (bookings required), and food stalls selling traditional medieval flavours. Hot chips, spuds, and burgers are available for those with more modern tastes.

Entertainers

Everything from troupes of belly dancers and gypsy dancers, to roving jugglers, jesters, puppeteers, storytellers, and actors – there’ll be plenty of people willing to entertain your kids!

Archery

There is standard ‘aiming-for-the-target archery’, and also the highly skilled horseback archery and moving target archery. You can even have a go at firing an arrow yourself.

Markets

There are lots of stalls to browse for souvenirs and reproduction medieval goods. You’ll find everything from toys and costumes, to sweets, pottery, stained glass, woven goods, leatherwork, jewellery, imitation armoury and weapons, carvings, artwork and a whole lot more. There are around 60 authentic stalls to visit!

Music

Enjoy the historical sounds of the Dark Ages through to the Higher Middle Ages, with Gregorian chants, harpists, lute players, pipes, drums and singers as the musical entertainers stroll through the camps and put on shows.

Costumes

Lots of them, and not just the re-enactors! The Abbey Medieval Festival is the premiere event of its kind in Australia. Re-enactors and participants have beautifully crafted costumes from the medieval period and Dark Ages so you can expect to see peasants in their rough garb, princesses in finely woven silks, knights in full chainmail and plate mail, monks, nuns and Templars in their religious habits, Turks from the time of the Crusades, and characters from traditional medieval festivals relating to the seasons and nature.

There are competitions and prizes for the best fancy dress. Dressing up isn’t compulsory, and you’ll see plenty of visitors in their modern fashions, but if you want to add that extra element of fun to your day there’s no finer excuse to put on your best medieval costume!

How do we get to the Abbey Medieval Festival?

You will find the Abbey Medieval Festival at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, 1-63 The Abbey Place (off Toorbul Point Road), Caboolture.

Parking on-site is free but limited. Members of the local fire brigade will be on hand to direct you to nearby parking spots (a gold-coin donation to the fire brigade is welcome!). Disability parking is available. We recommend catching the free bus from the Caboolture Train Station. Free shuttle buses also run from the specially secured festival car park on Pumicestone Road at Elimbah. VIP parking is available for VIP ticket holders. The festival itself takes over the expansive space around the Abbey Museum.

However you travel to The Abbey Medieval Festival, we recommend you plan ahead and aim to get there early.

How do we get tickets to The Abbey Medieval Festival?

Early bird tickets are available until the 31 May. If you miss out on those you can still save by buying tickets online. You can buy individual or family tickets for the day or the whole weekend.

What else should we know about The Abbey Medieval Festival?

There are some restrictions as to what you can and can’t take with you:

• No dogs or other animals. Please leave your pets at home. There will be lots of animals to see at the festival, and your own pet would be happier and safer at home.
• Weapons. If you plan on enhancing your costume with your own sword, bow and arrows, knife, or other medieval weapon, organisers request that you complete a form online to gain permission to bring your weapon with you. Weapons that are clearly toys and part of a child’s costume, such as a blunt wooden sword or plastic, are ok.
• You’re welcome to bring your own food and picnics (please be mindful of littering). Camp chairs and picnic blankets are welcome too. No glass is permitted.
• Alcohol is available to buy on-site (traditional beers, meads, cider and wines). BYO is not permitted.

Other things to be aware of:

• Be sure to pre-book your ticket to the joust. If you wish to experience this spectacular event, it is advisable to pre-book online early! No Joust tickets will be available on the day. The Joust arena opens 30 minutes prior to each session.
• ATMs are available, and – just like in medieval times – cash is king! Wi-fi is limited at the Abbey Medieval Festival so Eftpos machines, though available, often don’t work. Cash is recommended.
• Toilets, baby change facilities, and First Aid facilities are available.
• Most of the Abbey Medieval Festival is accessible to wheelchair users and prams. Paths are mainly gravel or grass and relatively flat. A drop-off point for the elderly and disabled is located about 70m from the entrance. A disability car park is available for patrons with a permit.
• New for 2023 is the Sensory Quiet Space Tent.

Best Abbey Medieval Festival accommodation

We always buy weekend tickets to the Abbey Medieval Festival and love to make a weekend getaway of the event. The best way to do that is to book accommodation nearby!

There is a range of resort style accommodation, boutique motels, and guest houses to suit families, groups of friends, and all budgets. You can choose to stay inland in Caboolture itself, by the beach for ocean views, or even over the bridge on Bribie Island. We’ve picked out ten of the best, with a handy map and descriptions below:

Chateau Tonnelle – holiday home

This holiday home is perfect for a group of history loving friends. It has four bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, and all the facilities and privacy you could want. It’s located in Caboolture close to bus routes and just a 12-minute drive from the Festival.

• Entire home
• 4-bedroom – sleeps 8
• Free parking
• Washing machine
• Free Wi-Fi

Find more details about Chateau Tonnelle here.

Caboolture Central Motor Inn, Sure Stay Collection by BW

Conveniently located and great for large groups, the Caboolture Central Motor Inn offers apartments and rooms with multiple bed configurations. Look for the historic church at the entrance!

Caboolture Central Motor inn is only a 10-minute drive from the Festival and within easy metres of the Caboolture Train Station, from where you can catch the free Abbey Medieval Festival shuttle bus.

• Facilities for disabled guests
• Room service
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Family rooms

Check availability at Caboolture Central Motor Inn here.

Best Western Caboolture Gateway Motel

This motel comes highly recommended. Rooms are basic but spacious with tea and coffee facilities, a fridge and a microwave. The Best Western Caboolture is on bus routes and a short walk from Caboolture Train Station. If you want to drive to the Festival, it will take you eight minutes.

• Facilities for disabled guests
• Daily housekeeping
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Family rooms

Check availability at Best Western Caboolture Gateway Motel here.

Caboolture Riverlakes Boutique Motel

Caboolture Riverlakes Boutique Motel offers a variety of rooms, studios and suites to sleep from two to five people. We recommend getting a spa room to soothe tired muscles after a day spent marauding at the Abbey Medieval Festival!

The motel is set in beautiful riverside grounds and rated excellent. It is a 12-minute drive to Abbeystowe from here.

• Facilities for disabled guests
• Room service
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Family rooms

Click here to learn more about Caboolture Riverlakes Boutique Motel.

Golden Sands at Beachmere – holiday home

Relax on the deck with a glass of mulled mead and listen to the waves hit the shore at the end of your garden – this little holiday home is right on the beach and beautifully presented. Five festival-goers will be very comfortable here, and it’s only a 12-minute drive to Abbeystowe.

• Beachside location
• Sleeps 5
• Beautifully renovated inside
• Free Wi-Fi
• Off-street parking for several cars

Check availability at Golden Sands at Beachmere.

Bayside Bliss – holiday home

This large family home backs straight onto the beach. It comfortably sleeps eight and boasts three bathrooms and a games room, plus all the facilities you could need. Ten-minute drive to the Festival.

• Beachside location
• Sleeps 8
• 3 bathrooms
• Huge outdoor entertaining area
• Free Wi-Fi and parking

Discover more about Bayside Bliss here.

BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort Bribie Island

Extend your stay and make a real holiday of it at the family-friendly BIG4 Holiday Resort. Abbey Medieval Festival is at the end of the Queensland winter school holidays, and there is always lots happening in the area. In fact, we have a whole list of FREE school holiday activities in Brisbane’s northside that is constantly updated.

The BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort Bribie Island has rooms that can sleep up to ten guests. Rooms are well equipped, and the resort has a fitness centre, heated outdoor pool, games room and heaps of other activities. Adventurous festival-goers can pitch a tent and camp on powered or unpowered sites for added medieval authenticity.

Adults will be pleased to know the Sandstone Point Hotel is just next door, and it’s just a 15-minute drive to the Abbey.

• Family friendly
• Multiple room configurations
• Heaps of on-site activities
• Convenience store and multiple dining options
• Facilities for disabled guests
• Powered caravan and tent sites

Book the BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort Bribie Island here.

Caboolture Motel

Very close to the train station – and the free shuttle bus – the Caboolture Motel has rooms that sleep up to four people. Accommodation is simple, and breakfast in your room can be arranged. The Abbey Museum is only ten minutes’ drive away.

• Room service
• Family rooms
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free parking
• Facilities for disabled guests

Check the Caboolture Motel availability here.

La Maison – holiday home

Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and beautifully presented, this lovely holiday home sleeps eight. It’s a 12-minute drive from here to the Festival, and the home is close to public transport.

• Entire home
• 4-bedroom – sleeps 8
• Free parking
• Washing machine
• Free Wi-Fi

Check availability for La Maison here.

Ocean Pearl – holiday home

This home has all the coastal vibes. It’s right on the beachfront and even has a bed shaped like a boat for one lucky individual. It will take you 13 minutes to drive from here to the Festival, and public transport is very close by. Sleeps 5.

• Beach access
• Free parking
• Fully equipped
• Three bedrooms, three bathrooms

Check Ocean Pearl’s availability here.

Where can I find out more about the Abbey Medieval Festival?

Go to the Abbey Medieval Festival website for updates.

Making the most of Brisbane Festivals…

• Find more Festival Fun for your family here.
• Lock in a great Medieval costume.
• Experience the biennial Out of the Box Festival at QPAC.

This article featured in Issue 28 of our printed magazine, published June 2018.