The Southern Realms Festival

Come down to the Boonah Showgrounds for a day of family fun, featuring battles and entertainment in the form of Jugger and Buhurt!

Jugger:

A fast-paced, fully inclusive mixed-team sport, Jugger combines the speed of touch football with the thrill of fencing. Played across Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and now proudly brought to the Southern Realm Festival by the Australian Jugger League, Jugger is easy to pick up but full of tricks to master.

Two teams of five face off: four armed players, the Enforcers, defend the fifth player, the Qwik, whose mission is to carry the game ball, the Skull, to the opposing goal, the Mound, to score points. As the drumbeat marks the rhythm of play, Enforcers duel to tag opponents, clearing a path for their Qwik, while the opposing team does the same. Tagged players sit out for five beats of the drum, known as stones. Two halves, each lasting 80 stones, determine the winner.

This thrilling mix of speed, dueling, and team strategy makes Jugger a frantic, athletic spectacle. Watch the games, enjoy the show, and if you’re brave, pick up a spar and join the field as a new recruit to feel the rush of Jugger firsthand!

Buhurt:

Step into the world of medieval combat with Buhurt! Competitors clad in full armour take to the wargrounds with weapons of steel, engaging in full-contact team battles. Precision, strength, and strategy are key as fighters clash in a spectacle of historical skill and raw power. Buhurt is not just a fight, it’s a living display of martial history, where every strike and block pays homage to the knights of old.

Medieval Village, Markets, and Fare:

Wander through a charming re-enactor village and meet the inhabitants, who will gladly share tales of their craft and the life of medieval folk. Explore bustling market stalls brimming with wares, and enjoy hearty fare from wandering food vendors to keep your strength up for the battles and festivities ahead.