The Rylstone-Kandos Show, held on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February, once again proved why it remains one of the premier events on the New South Wales agricultural show calendar, with support from local businesses including Raine & Horne Rural Kandos, led by Nicole Stearman.

Held at the picturesque Rylstone Showground, the show has been running for an impressive 87 years. This year, Raine & Horne Rural Kandos proudly supported the event as one of approximately 30 sponsors, with Real Estate Assistant Agent Josh Stockwell playing a hands-on role coordinating sponsorships behind the scenes.

“I’m lucky enough to work with the show to team and drive local sponsorship and engage regional businesses to support regional events” Josh said.

A full-blown country fair

Described by Josh as “a uniquely Australian country fair, on steroids,” the show features livestock competitions, equestrian events, dog exhibitions, photography displays, local produce and more that bring together the many facets of rural life.

But beyond the competition ribbons, the event serves a deeper purpose. “Kandos was built on agriculture and industry,” Nicole Stearman explains. “It’s about bringing the community together and recognising what we do well — whether its great animal husbandry, horsemanship, horticulture, cropping, or fibre production.”

For Josh Stockwell, the show is about honouring heritage and strengthening connection. “Having lived in a few of the world’s largest capital cities, it’s nice to come home and rejoin a community focused on connecting heritage, livelihood, and the future”.

Access for everyone

In recognition of cost-of-living pressures, the Show Society introduced initiatives to provide greater accessibility for families.

“The Show Society acknowledged that the cost of living has a real, tangible impact on how we hold space and engage with local events,” Josh said. “We wanted to make sure access for every family could be maintained to keep the spirit of the show alive.”

Every local school child received free entry, ride tickets, and show bag vouchers – all  aimed at eliminating barriers to access.

Behind the scenes, sponsorship has grown significantly. “In the past two years, sponsorship has grown by 150%, enabling us to bring more people to the show. These initiatives just wouldn’t happen without sponsors.” Josh says.

Showcasing Kandos to a wider audience

With thousands of people attending the two-day event and strong overnight visitation from Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley and Mudgee, the show also gives broader exposure for the region and the Raine & Horne Rural brand.

Nicole said, “Getting involved in local events is not only a social responsibility we have as a local business, but a corporate one. It’s here that we can help showcase our towns to new markets.

“On Friday, Josh showed a house to a Sydney couple and suggested they visit the show; two days later they shared ‘the show was phenomenal, we have to move here.’ This is how we help tree changers decide on whether Kandos and Rylstone are the towns for them.” 

With key rural listings located along Castlereagh Highway, increased traffic through the district delivers valuable exposure for lifestyle and acreage properties.

For example, Raine & Horne Rural Kandos has listed for sale a 100-acre lifestyle property at 5053 Castlereagh Highway, Capertee, complete with a two-storey homestead, studio, expansive shedding, horse stables and sweeping views across the Capertee Valley and all located less than two hours from Sydney’s edge.

The property is the site of the well-known Kadisha Herb Farm, which operated successfully for 40 years and was featured on SBS Food Lovers’ Guide, as well as in leading publications such as Vogue Living, The Land, and Qantas Magazine.

Rural market outlook

While the wider rural property market in Kandos, Gulgong, Rylstone and surrounding areas remains subdued, buyer enquiry levels for lifestyle acreage are holding steady.

“True rural acreage properties are few and far between, but we are seeing more people wanting them and coming in to talk to us about them,” Nicole Stearman said.

“It’s fair to say being part of major community events such as the Rylstone-Kandos Show is putting Raine & Horne Rural Kandos on the map for more rural buyers.”

Bucking Bull National Finals coming to Rylstone Kandos

Next month Rylstone are also hosting the Bucking Bulls National Finals and Raine & Horne Kandos is once again supporting the event.

“We’d love all our Raine & Horne family to come along and see how we put on a show in Rylstone. But buckle up, because this one is no country-fair,” Josh Stockwell said.

For all your rural real estate needs in 2026, contact your local Raine & Horne Rural office today.