Karvan-saray

25/08/2026

We had a wonderful weekend at Southern Realm Festival 🪬
Thank you to the organisers, volunteers, reenactors, vendors, and to all who came for trading, henna, honey, or just to hangout

All weekend the whole of Boonah had such a chill vibe and genuinely fun festival, we’re excited to come back next time and meet you all again!!

Photos in Slide 2 and 6 by Matthew Benson

15/08/2026

Coming along to Southern Realm Festival?
Dress in your best whimsical, fantasy or historical outfit to enter the comp
🧚🏼‍♀️ ⚔️ 🧝‍♂️🧙‍♂️

HEAR YE, HEAR YE
A MOST MARVELLOUS GARB COMPETITION APPROACHES!

Gather your cloaks, polish your crowns, fluff your fairy wings and awaken whatever mysterious creature is hiding in your wardrobe!

The Southern Realm is searching for:

🧚 Junior Realm —> our finest young adventurers
🍄 Most Whimsical —> the most magical, peculiar and delightfully unexpected garb
👑 Best in Realm —> an outfit magnificent enough to turn the head of a monarch

Each category will be decided by People’s Choice, so prepare to charm the crowd! Prizes and eternal bragging rights await.

The festivities will begin in the Teviot Park Arena after the final joust each day.

There is no need to register. Simply listen for the Herald’s call, gather your courage and present yourself before the Realm!

Historical, fantasy, cosplay or something entirely of your own creation, all are welcome!

Mind the GOAT.....

09/08/2026

📜 THE REALM IS REVEALED! 📜

Good Peasants of the Realm, lend me your ear! 👂🏽👂🏾👂
The official Southern Realm Festival site map has arrived! Study it well and begin planning your adventure through bustling marketplaces, medieval villages, mighty arenas and hidden corners of the Realm.

🏇 TEVIOT PARK ARENA PROGRAM

SATURDAY

⚔️ 8:00am – Gates Open
⚔️ 9:00am – Opening Parade
⚔️ 10:00am – Jousting
⚔️ 11:00am – Side Saddle Display
⚔️ 12:00pm – Horseback Archery
⚔️ 1:00pm – Jousting
⚔️ 2:00pm – Side Saddle Display
⚔️ 3:00pm – Horseback Archery
⚔️ 4:00pm – Jousting
⚔️ 5:00pm – Gates Close

SUNDAY

🛡️ 8:00am – Gates Open
🛡️ 9:00am – Opening Parade
🛡️ 10:00am – Jousting
🛡️ 11:30am – Horseback Archery
🛡️ 1:00pm – Jousting
🛡️ 2:30pm – Horseback Archery
🛡️ 4:00pm – Jousting
🛡️ 5:00pm – Gates Close

But the Realm does not rest between arena spectacles!

Throughout the day, explore the living village and discover historical demonstrations, meet the re-enactors and learn about their crafts and equipment. Our local community groups will also offer activities including slow stitching, painting and blacksmithing.

The HEMA and Jugger arenas will come alive throughout the weekend with displays, competitions and opportunities to join in and have a go!

The Tavern will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm each day, overlooking the Buhurt Arena, where armoured warriors will clash in fierce battles throughout the day.

📅 22–23 August 2026
📍 Boonah Showgrounds

Program times and activities may be subject to change.

Gather your fellowship, study the map and prepare to enter the Southern Realm!

Proudly sponsored by:
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Valknut Meadery
Boonah Show Society
The Drunken Farmhand

Staying in the Scenic Rim:
Caravan parks: Boonah, Kalbar, Aratula
https://www.destinationscenicrim.com/accommodation/

https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/plan-your-stay/accommodation/

04/08/2026

Chance to Win a Double Pass for Southern Realm Festival 🏰🗡️

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Follow us KarvanSaray
2. Follow Southern Realm Festival
3. Like this post
4. Tag who you are bringing 🧚🏼‍♂️

Lucky winner will win 2 Adult passes to Southern Realm Festival (Saturday 22nd OR Sunday 23rd of August)
Entry closes 8pm on Sunday 9th of August

(giveaway will be on both our Instagram and Facebook)

21/07/2026

Hungry for more historical festival goodness this year?
Come along and see us again at Abbeystowe in September!
🐪🧿✋🏽🤚🏽

Don't be TARDIS... I mean, tardy! 🚨

If you're planning to travel through time to buy your tickets later... you might miss the First Release prices.

Abbey History Festival "First Release tickets" are already 50% SOLD and close next Friday 30th July (whichever comes first!).. after which prices revert to final release tickets.

Even the Doctor can't pop back to grab tickets once they're gone.

Book now to save!

See you in ancient History, from Ancient Rome to WWI ... no time machine required. Don't forget your Toga or Regency or 1920's costumes!

https://abbeystowe.com/history-festival/

Celebrating 40 Years of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

20/07/2026

We’re excited to be attending Southern Realm next month 🐪 🧿✋🏼
Are you coming along??
Make sure to visit KarvanSaray for Henna ✋🏽🤚🏽

20/07/2026

Lunch ! The women traditionally cooked and prepared meals and served to the men first before the rest of the encampment.
Served with a hot cup of tea or coffee 🫖

We have a recipe book available with these and a few other traditional 15th century dishes from the middle east

All day snacking: Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Roti or Turkish Bread, Pistachios, Marinated Olives

Labneh Dip, yoghurt dip with pomegranates, pistachios and traditional herbs and spices

Tagine Kefta M'Chermal, meatballs with herb and lemon sauce

Ras El Hanout Spiced Lentil Soup

Feta and Mint Salad

Jewelled Couscous, a twist on a persian classic: Morosa Polow

Kuku Sabzi, persian herbed frittata

Recipe book available

17/07/2026

The men's tent ⛺️ The men's role is to make coffee for the whole encampment.

In the 15th century middle east "The coffee divorce" was a tale spread throughout the land. Men treated their women with respect and kept them supplied with spiced coffee all day long, it was considered essential to household harmony.

16/07/2026

We had a great time at the Abbey Medieval Festival if you took photos with our camels in the Oasis please tag us 🐪