Australia’s largest ever wartime re-enactment event brings history to life

Drawing together military enthusiasts from all over the country, the Anzac legend is celebrated at Emu Gully in the most accurate modern re-enactment in the Southern hemisphere, with the country’s largest collection of tanks, troops and war planes battling it out in an incredible display of simulated explosions, gunfire, and combat.

Queensland’s annual Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular is a trip back in time for visitors of all ages, using interactive features such as unique tours of trenches and air raid bunkers, rides in military vehicles, servings of authentic food and live music to re-create life as World War 1 soldier.

The event aims to immerse all visitors in the lifestyle of both soldiers and ordinary people in the wartime era, with two action-packed days of thrilling battle re-enactments, tours of army encampments, live music, and army-themed rides, assisted by more than 10 re-enactment groups from across Australia.  

“This event brings together people who have a real passion for the ANZAC legend, and want to ensure that all our future generations feel the same way” said Event Director, Barry Rodgers. “Not only are all our military vehicles and firearms historically accurate, but the weekend is a lot of fun with simulated trench and Light Horse battles, our most exciting aerial displays yet, and spectacular pyrotechnic effects.

“It truly is an amazing experience and gives young and old a real insight into the World War One era in a more interactive and entertaining way than a textbook ever could,”
Mr Rodgers says.

With five battle re-enactments per day and the biggest ever collection of original and restored war planes fighting in the sky overhead, it really will take a full day to experience all the Spectacular has to offer, and the young children won’t miss out with an ‘Animals that Went to War’ petting zoo and a model tank display.

 “We have made sure that people of all ages will have a great time, from the laser skirmish, ‘Animals that Went to War’ petting zoo and Vietnam tunnels for the kids, to the fiery battle re-enactments and 1940s music and fashion for the adults, it’s the ideal unique event for the whole family,” Mr Rodgers says.

The popular network of WWI trenches has been enhanced with an underground bunker, furnished with a WWI telephone system, a gramophone, and visitors will receive a serving of bully beef, biscuits and a mug of hot tea, so they can experience just how the troops lived, ate and entertained themselves during their long stays in the trenches.

In an exciting first, a replica Anderson bomb shelter will give attendees a realistic portrayal of what it would have been like to endure an air raid, complete with a complex sound system that fully simulates the terrifying bombs falling and exploding all around.

As a memento of the Spectacular, a photo booth will allow individuals and couples to snap a sepia-hued photo in authentic period costume. Costumes of a Light Horseman, an airman, a soldier, a nurse and a lady of the 1940s will be supplied, to add to the feel that the visitor has really gone back in time.

Supported by the Regional Development Program of Tourism and Events Queensland, the Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular is held in Helidon Spa, Toowoomba, on May 18 and 19, and more information and tickets can be found on the website .www.airandlandshow.com.au


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