Get your billy cart ready – Back to Bowra is on
Published on 07 November 2025
With less than two weeks to go to Back to Bowra, business owners are busy assembling parade floats and youth are working on their billy carts.
The much-loved event which brought the whole region together in Bowraville is happening again this year, to mark its 50th anniversary.
Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee said he was wrapped the event is happening again and that he plans to contest the Mayoral Cup billy cart race.
“I’ve got a beaut billy cart ready for Back to Bowra, hand-painted in Peter Brock’s racing colours,” he said.
“There will be something for everyone to enjoy at this great community event on 15 November, so whether you like listening to live music or playing tug of war with the kids, come along and be a part of this historic event in Bowraville.”
Back to Bowra Committee Vice President Barney Townley said with less than a fortnight to go to the event, it is important local business owners and producers sign up for a stall or build a float ready for the march down High Street.
“I can remember attending this event as a young child and it was the highlight of my year,” he said.
“We’re hoping this year’s event will be just as memorable, so we are urging local business owners and producers to book in a stall, build a float or just come along with your family and friends and join in the games.
“Importantly, if you have built a billy cart to enter, you need to get it scrutineered for safety at your local mechanic’s shop. I know Deputy Mayor James Angel is welcoming any carts to his service station at 60 High Street, Bowraville, for a check over.”
The last year Back to Bowra was held was in 2009. When the festival first started in 1975, it had a strong country flavour, with horses and sulkies driven down High Street and a 10-15 kilometre horse ride dubbed ‘Mullins mail ride’, in memory of the last horse-back mailman.
This year, Back to Bowra is being delivered with the support of sponsors: Nambucca Valley Tourism & Business Association, Fortade Group, BTC, and Nambucca Valley Council.
Back to Bowra Committee, through its tourism association, was successful in gaining a grant for $4995 in Round 1 of Council’s Community Grants Program.
Round 2 of the program is currently open to applications until 28 November 2025. Grants of up to $5000 can be awarded to eligible groups seeking to deliver events or programs with an alignment to the outcomes in the Community Strategic Plan available on our website here.