Tom Curtain is an award-winning Australian country musician, horseman, entertainer, and founder of Katherine Outback Experience. He tours Australia with horses, working dogs, and live music from October to April, and performs at his Katherine, Northern Territory property from April to October.
Tom’s Story
Tom discovered his passion for songwriting while working in the stock-camp of Mt Sanford Station, 500km south of Katherine, NT. What started as singing around the campfire led to the release of his first award-winning album Smack Bang in 2004. He went on to tour with some of Australia’s biggest country music names including Sara Storer, The Sunny Cowgirls, Pete Denahy, and The Davidson Brothers.
After stepping away from music to focus on his horse-training business and family, Tom relocated to Katherine, NT. When the 2011 Live Beef Export Ban cut station budgets overnight, he launched Katherine Outback Experience in 2013, a tourist venture celebrating life on the land through horse-starting, working dog demonstrations, live music, and bush humour.
Katherine Outback Experience
Katherine Outback Experience (KOE) operates on Tom’s property in Katherine, NT from April to October each year. The show blends real horse-starting demonstrations, working dog performances, original live music, and outback storytelling. KOE won Gold for Best Tourist Attraction at the 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, and the Chairman’s Award for Tourism Excellence at the 2021 Brolga NT Tourism Awards. KOE was then inducted into the Hall of Fame for winning gold consecutively 3 years in a row.
Music
Tom returned to music in 2017 with Territory Time, which debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Country Music Chart. The duet Never Never Land with Luke O’Shea won two Golden Guitars at the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Awards. His sixth album, Here’s To You, was released in 2025. All albums are available in the online shop and on Spotify.
Awards
- 2025 — Qantas Australian Tourism Awards: Gold, Tourist Attraction (Katherine Outback Experience). Hall of fame induction for winning 3 x years consecutively.
- 2024 — Qantas Australian Tourism Awards: Gold, Tourist Attraction (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2023 — Qantas Australian Tourism Awards: Gold, Tourist Attraction (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2023 — Tamworth Country Music Festival: Inducted into Hands of Fame
- 2023 — Excellence in Accessible Tourism (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2021 — Qantas Australia Tourism Awards: Gold, Tourist Attraction (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2021 — NT Tourism Awards: Best Tourist Attraction + Chairman’s Award for Tourism Excellence
- 2018 — Golden Guitar Awards: Heritage Song of the Year + CMC Video Clip of the Year (Never Never Land)
- 2018 — Southern Stars Independent Country Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year
- 2018 — Australian Tourism Awards: Bronze, Tourist Attraction (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2017 — NT Tourism Business Growth Brolga Award (Katherine Outback Experience)
- 2013 — Ultimate Colt Starting Horsemanship Challenge Winner, Young Guns Division
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tom Curtain?
Tom Curtain is an award-winning Australian country musician, horseman, and entertainer. He is a Golden Guitar winner, founder of Katherine Outback Experience, and has released six studio albums. He splits his year between touring nationally and performing at his Katherine, NT property from April to October.
What is the Katherine Outback Experience?
The Katherine Outback Experience (KOE) is a live tourism show on Tom Curtain’s property in Katherine, Northern Territory. It combines real horse-starting demonstrations, working dog shows, live country music, and bush humour. KOE operates from April to October each year and won Gold for 4 years at the Qantas Australia Tourism Awards.
Has Tom Curtain won any awards?
Yes. Tom Curtain has won multiple Golden Guitar Awards including Heritage Song of the Year and CMC Video Clip of the Year for Never Never Land with Luke O’Shea. Katherine Outback Experience won Gold at the 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Tom was inducted into the Tamworth Country Music Festival Hands of Fame in 2023 along with the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for consecutively winning three years in a row.
Where does Tom Curtain perform?
Tom Curtain tours Australia from October to April each year with horses, working dogs, and original music. From April to October he performs at Katherine Outback Experience in Katherine, NT. Tour dates and tickets are available at tomcurtain.com.au.
How do I book Tom Curtain for an event?
Contact the team via the form at tomcurtain.com.au/contact/ or email [email protected]. Tom is available for corporate events, festivals, and keynote speaking engagements.
What albums has Tom Curtain released?
Tom Curtain has released six studio albums: Smack Bang (2004), Heatwave, Territory Time (2017, debuted #1 on iTunes Country Chart), We’re Still Here (2019), Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us (2022), and Here’s To You (2025). All available in the online shop and on Spotify.