The week-long expo has been held in the city during the month of May triennially since the inaugural event in 1988.
[4][5] However, it is also considered more generally as a celebration of the local beef industry in Central Queensland.
[7] Held at the Rockhampton Showgrounds in the suburb of Wandal, the event usually consists of cattle judging, a symposium, seminars, organised tours of local cattle properties, educational information for children, numerous trade exhibitions and live entertainment.
[8][9] In 2015, celebrity chefs at Beef Australia included Alvin Leung, Matt Golinski, Alastair McLeod and Ben O'Donoghue as well as contestants from television programs MasterChef Australia and My Kitchen Rules.
[14] Beef Australia also attracts Australian political leaders, who often use it to announce policies relating to the agricultural sector.