Waroona Rodeo 2026: Bulls, Barrels And A Preston Beach Weekend

What The Charla Downs Waroona Rodeo Is

The Charla Downs Waroona Rodeo is run by Double Barrel Entertainment, an events company that runs a string of country rodeos, including Toodyay and Boyup Brook this spring. The Shire of Waroona lists the 2026 event for Saturday 21 November at Charla Downs, Fawcett Road, Waroona, and describes it as a day of bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing and roping, with food trucks and live music through the day.

The ticket page adds more detail. It describes a full points rodeo, live country music bands, food stalls, clothing vendors and market stalls, with a fully licensed bar. The event is open to all ages, and there is on-site camping for the Friday and Saturday nights for people who want to stay right at the grounds.

Details like the band line-up are announced by the organiser through its own channels closer to the date, so check the Double Barrel Entertainment website and social pages in the weeks before you go.

The Day's Timetable, Hour By Hour

The organiser's ticket page sets out the main times for Saturday 21 November 2026. Use them to decide when your group actually needs to leave Preston Beach, because not everyone will want to be at the gate when it opens.

Times can shift on the day with the number of competitors and the weather, so treat the published times as a guide and check the organiser's updates in the final week.

Tickets, QR Codes And The No-Refund Rule

Tickets are sold through the organiser's official link on Iwannaticket, which is linked from the Double Barrel Entertainment website. At the time of writing the ticket page lists children 12 and under as free, says online tickets are cheaper than the gate with $5 extra at the gate, and does not show the adult price in its summary, so open the ticket page itself for the current adult price before you plan the budget.

Three rules on the ticket page matter more than the price. First, entry is by QR code: the page says no QR code means no entry. Have every ticket downloaded to a phone before you leave Preston Beach, because mobile reception at a rural venue on a busy day is never something to rely on. Second, the organiser states clearly that it does not offer refunds. Third, if your plans change, the organiser directs resale through Tixel only.

Rodeo Events Explained For First-Timers

If you have never been to a rodeo, the first hour can feel like a blur of gates opening, dust and announcers. Knowing the basics makes it far more fun to watch. The Australian Professional Rodeo Association rule book lists eight main competition events: saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, rope and tie, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping. Not every rodeo runs every event, so check the program on the day.

The Riding Events

Bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback bronc are the roughstock events. Under the association's rules, riders must stay on for eight seconds to record a qualified ride. If a rider touches the animal, their own body or their equipment with their free hand during the ride, they are disqualified, which is why you will see riders holding that arm high and clear.

Scoring is shared between rider and animal. Two judges each mark the stock and the ride from 1 to 25 points, giving a total out of 100. A big score needs a hard-bucking animal and a rider who matches it, so a wild ride that looks impressive from the stands can still score modestly if the animal did not buck strongly.

The Timed Events

Barrel racing, roping and steer wrestling are races against the clock. In barrel racing, horse and rider run a set pattern around barrels as fast as they can. In the roping events, competitors chase down and rope a calf or steer, alone or in pairs. These events move quickly and are often the ones younger children enjoy most, because the result is easy to follow.

Bringing Children And The Junior Rodeo

The Shire lists the rodeo as an all-ages event and the ticket page lists children 12 and under as free, which makes it one of the better-value big days out for a family in the region. The junior rodeo is listed for the Saturday morning, so families who want to see young riders compete should aim to be through the gate early.

Junior events under the professional association's rules include junior steer riding, junior bull riding and junior team roping, and helmets are compulsory for juniors. It is a good way for children to see competitors not much older than themselves, and it usually gives younger spectators something to cheer for before the main program starts.

A rodeo day is long, loud and often hot and dusty in late November. Bring hats, sunscreen, refillable water bottles and snacks, and agree on a meeting point near a landmark you will all recognise, such as the bar, the main grandstand area or a particular food truck. Younger children often do best with a plan to leave after the main event rather than staying for the bands.

The Rules At The Gate: What Not To Bring

The conditions of entry on the ticket page are strict and clearly written, so it is worth reading them before you pack the car. These are the ones most likely to catch visitors out.

On payments, the organiser says EFTPOS is available at the bar and at some food vendors, but recommends bringing cash because machines can drop out. A modest amount of cash in small notes covers food trucks, market stalls and a round of drinks if the card readers go down.

Camping At The Rodeo Or Sleeping At The Coast

The rodeo offers on-site camping, and for some groups that is part of the fun. The ticket page lists a two-night camping pass running from Friday noon to Sunday noon at $45 per person aged 13 and over, with children 12 and under free and competitors camping free in a designated area. Check-in is listed from noon to 10pm on Friday 20 November and 7am to 5pm on Saturday, with check-out by noon on Sunday 22 November.

It is worth reading the camping conditions closely. The page says there are shared portable toilets but no showers, so campers need to bring their own if they want one. Drinking water is not available, so campers must bring their own. Vehicles must stay put once set up under a no-movement policy, generators can run only from 9am to 9pm, and groups must arrive together to camp together because spots are not held for later arrivals. Curfew is listed as 1am on the shindig and rodeo nights, and minors cannot camp without a responsible legal guardian.

That suits seasoned campers with a well-set-up rig. For couples, families and groups who would rather finish the night with a hot shower, a proper bed and a quiet morning, a base at Preston Beach is the alternative. The trade-off is the drive back after the bands, which needs a sober driver and some care on country roads at night.

Getting There From Preston Beach And Driving Back At Night

The Shire of Waroona puts Preston Beach about 32 kilometres west of the Waroona townsite. The rodeo address on the ticket page is the corner of Fawcett Road and Berry Road, Waroona, so put that exact address into your maps app before you leave and allow roughly half an hour each way, plus extra time for traffic and parking around the gates.

The drive home is the part to plan properly. The venue has no BYO, the bar is listed as open until 11:59pm, and there is no public transport information listed for the event. Choose a designated driver before the day, and make sure that person has food and plenty of water through the afternoon and evening. If nobody in the group wants to drive late, leave after the main event and catch the early part of the bands instead.

Wildlife is the other reason to take it slowly. Kangaroos graze around Preston Beach and the edges of Yalgorup National Park, and the RAC notes that animals are most active at dawn and dusk. Its advice is to use high beams when driving at night where it is safe to do so, watch for reflecting eyes in the distance, and if an animal appears, brake but do not swerve, because swerving can put the people in the car at greater risk. Seeing one kangaroo or roadkill is a sign to slow down, as more animals are often nearby.

Friday Night: Settle Into Preston Beach

Arriving on the Friday gives the weekend a much better rhythm than driving down on Saturday morning and heading straight to the arena. Preston Beach is small and easy to learn in an hour. The Shire describes the settlement as having a general store with fuel bowsers, a community centre and a 9-hole golf course, with a children's playground, lawn, shade trees, free electric barbecues and an ablution block with universal access near the shoreline.

For a Friday meal out, the Visit Waroona café listings show Footprints Cafe at 56 Mitchell Road, Preston Beach, open on Fridays from 4pm to 8:30pm, Saturdays from 8am to 8:30pm and Sundays from 8am to 2pm, and closed Monday to Thursday. Hours in a small coastal town can change with the season, so confirm before you go.

The Preston Beach Golf Club, at 33 Panorama Drive, describes itself as a friendly club that welcomes everyone for play on set days and casual games. Its website lists contact details and a 2026 calendar for members. If a round of nine holes on the Friday afternoon appeals, contact the club ahead of time about visitor play and fees, as these are not published online.

Saturday Morning In Waroona Before The Gates

Waroona is the obvious place for breakfast or an early lunch on rodeo day, because you are already heading that way. The Visit Waroona listings show Cafe Waroona at 97 South Western Highway, open 8am to 3pm on weekends, and Pinjarra Bakery at 36 South West Highway, Waroona, open 7am to 3:30pm on weekends. Both are handy for a coffee and something filling before a long afternoon in the sun.

The Waroona Visitor Centre at 37 South Western Highway is listed as open daily from 9:30am to 3:30pm. It has maps, local advice and an art gallery of regional work, and outside you will find Mooriel the Cow, the town's much-photographed statue, which is decorated for different seasons. It makes a quick, easy stop with children before the rodeo.

If the group would rather eat a proper pub meal after the main event and skip the bands, the listings include the Drakesbrook Hotel Motel at 8229 South West Highway and The Rec Waroona at 16 Fouracre Street, both with weekend hours into the evening. Check the current hours directly, as they can change.

Sunday Recovery: Preston Beach At Its Best

After a long rodeo day, Sunday is when Preston Beach earns its place in the weekend. Visit Waroona describes the beach as having expansive sandy shores and calm waters suited to swimming and family outings, with a gentle slope suitable for all ages and improved access and facilities for people with disability. It also notes that dolphins are often spotted cruising along the shoreline.

Late November is well into spring, and on a fine, settled morning the beach is an easy place to swim, walk and fish. Check the weather and ocean conditions before swimming, stay within your ability and keep children within arm's reach in the water.

The Lake Clifton Cafe at 3234 Old Coast Road is listed as open from 8am to 2pm on every day except Tuesday, and the Lake Clifton Tavern and Motel at 3236 Old Coast Road is listed as open daily from 11am to 8pm for pub meals. Both sit on the road north towards Mandurah.

Inland, Drakesbrook Weir, also known as Lake Moyanup, near Waroona has upgraded facilities including toilets, a nature playground, a swimming area, beach sand, electric barbecues, shelters and a pontoon, according to the Shire. The waters are closed to motor boats except electric-powered ones, and dogs are not allowed on the grassed and beach areas. Visit Waroona advises checking health advisories before swimming there.

For a quieter grown-up stop, Drakesbrook Wines at 84 Prince Road, Waroona, is listed as open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm for tastings on its deck. Nominate a driver, as always.

Make It A Country Music Fortnight

The rodeo is not the only country night in Waroona this spring. The Shire of Waroona lists Tom Curtain's Country Boys, Cowgirls and Horses Tour at the Waroona Showgrounds on the South Western Highway on Friday 6 November 2026, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. It is an all-ages show with horse training and working dog demonstrations, audience interaction for children and about two hours of live country music from Tom Curtain, Chris Matthews and friends. Tickets are through the event's Humanitix page linked from the Shire listing.

Double Barrel Entertainment also lists the Toodyay Rodeo on 24 October and the Boyup Brook Shindig and Rodeo on 30 and 31 October 2026. Both are a long way from Preston Beach, so they are separate trips rather than add-ons to a coast weekend.

Where Gracie & Dan's Coastal Retreat Fits Your Rodeo Weekend

Gracie & Dan's Coastal Retreat is a raised timber home in Preston Beach with 180-degree views over Lake Preston and Yalgorup National Park. It works well for this trip because it gives a rodeo crowd exactly what the on-site campground does not: hot showers, real beds and a quiet place to wake up.

The house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms for up to five guests. Bedroom 1 has a queen bed and an ensuite with a walk-in rain shower and double vanity, and Bedroom 2 has a tri-bunk with a double bed below and a single bunk above. The main bathroom has a shower over a corner bath, which is welcome after a dusty day at the arena.

Practical details matter on an event weekend. There is self check-in with a secure lockbox and parking for five cars, two undercover and three on the driveway behind an electric gate, with room behind the gate for a boat, trailer or caravan. The laundry has a front-loading washing machine, handy for rodeo clothes before the drive home.

For the Friday and Sunday, the covered gazebo deck has a long timber dining table under festoon lights, with an undercover outdoor kitchen, gas barbecue and sink beside it. The listing puts the Preston Beach Golf Club a two-minute walk away and the beach a 12-minute walk away, so the whole non-rodeo part of the weekend can happen on foot.

Who This Rodeo Stay Suits, And How A Group Uses It

A group of friends or two couples can split the bedrooms easily, with the queen room and ensuite on one side and the tri-bunk room for the rest. The house sleeps up to five, so the whole group can share one or two cars to the rodeo, which keeps parking simple at the gates.

A family with children is another natural fit. Children 12 and under are listed as free at the rodeo, the house has a fully fenced yard with play equipment, and the listing mentions a baby swing and gym rings in the backyard. A family can do the junior rodeo and main event, then head home before the bands for baths and an early night.

Couples who come mainly for the music can treat the house as a quiet retreat between nights out. The living room has a wood fire, a smart TV, leather recliners and split-system air conditioning, and the Starlink Wi-Fi reaches every room. On Sunday, the deck and the lake views make it easy to do very little.

The listing welcomes one dog by approval. Remember the rodeo itself does not allow pets, so a dog-owning group should check the house rules and plan the dog's Saturday before booking.

A Three-Day Rodeo Weekend Itinerary

Friday 20 November: Arrive And Slow Down

Arrive in the afternoon, check in and take the short walk to the golf club or the beach. Footprints Cafe is listed as open on Friday evenings, or use the outdoor kitchen for an easy barbecue. Download your rodeo tickets, charge phones and put cash aside before bed.

Saturday 21 November: Rodeo Day

Have a slow start, then head to Waroona for breakfast or an early lunch and a stop at the visitor centre. Aim to be at Charla Downs around 1pm with hats, sunscreen and water, settled before the 2pm main event. Families wanting the junior rodeo should arrive soon after the gates open at 9am. Stay for the bands from 5:30pm if your driver is fresh, or head back at dusk and take it slowly on the road.

Sunday 22 November: Coast And Home

Sleep in, then walk to the beach for a swim or a walk if conditions suit. Have a late breakfast at Footprints Cafe, which is listed as open from 8am to 2pm on Sundays, or call in at the Lake Clifton Cafe on the way north. If you are heading inland, Drakesbrook Weir or Drakesbrook Wines makes a gentle last stop.

What To Pack For Rodeo Day

Dress for a long outdoor day. A broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and closed shoes or boots suit a dusty arena and grassed parking. A light jacket is worth throwing in the car for after dark, because evenings can cool off quickly once the sun goes down.

Take refillable water bottles for everyone, snacks for children, a small first aid kit and a portable phone charger. Cash in small notes is useful given the organiser's advice that card machines can drop out. A couple of foldable chairs or a picnic rug can make the afternoon more comfortable, but check the attendee checklist for anything the venue does not allow.

Leave the glass, the esky full of drinks, the portable speaker and the dog at home, because all of these fall foul of the conditions on the ticket page. For the Sunday, pack swimwear, beach towels and a hat for Preston Beach.

Before You Leave Home: Your Rodeo Weekend Check

Ready to plan the weekend? See the full details, photos and availability for Gracie & Dan's Coastal Retreat at Preston Beach, or book your stay with WTP Holiday Homes. For more ideas around Preston Beach and beyond, browse the WTP holiday home guides.