Queensland’s calendar of cracking country music festivals kicks off in just over a week when CMC Rocks QLD rolls into Ipswich, west of Brisbane. And while Nashville might be the international home of country and western music, Queensland packs a punch when it comes to attracting global stars and their trusty guitars Down Under. From the glistening beaches of the Gold Coast to the open skies of Outback Queensland, it’s time to kick up the dust and go boot scootin’ at these seven rockin’ country music events.
1. CMC Rocks QLD
17 – 19 March 2023, BrisbaneWith a stellar line up of international acts like Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band and Kip Moore it’s no wonder CMC Rocks QLD in Brisbane’s west is one of the most popular live music events in Australia. Now in its 16th year, CMC Rocks QLD has garnered a cult following since its debut at Thredbo in 2008, finding its current home at Willowbank Raceway in Ipswich, Queensland, in 2015. It is now the Southern Hemisphere’s largest international country music festival. The event has seen country music’s chart-toppers belt out ballads across the raceway including Luke Combs, Lady Antebellum, The Chicks, and Luke Bryan. Ipswich, a 45-minute drive from Brisbane, buzzes with an electric energy as the festival rolls into town but the real action takes place at the onsite campsite where revelers congregate, Akubra and cowboy boots in toe. And while CMC Rocks QLD is sold out for 2023, the event deserves a spot on any future festival bucket-list.
2. Winton’s Way Out West Fest
31 March – 01 April 2023, Outback Queensland
Head way out west to Winton, home to an infamous dinosaur stampede, Waltzing Matilda and a whip-cracking celebration of all things country. The Winton Way Out West Fest brings together top Australian musical artists Andrew Farriss, Amy Sheppard and Melanie Dyer, mixed with some of the country’s most skilled professional bull riders, across two days of festival frivolities. For the first time in 2023, the festival presents BAD – bulls, bands, and bikes after dark – dubbed “the richest bull ride in the west” which will see PBR’s best kick up the dirt for a $50,000 prize.
Head way out west to Winton, home to an infamous dinosaur stampede, Waltzing Matilda and a whip-cracking celebration of all things country. The Winton Way Out West Fest brings together top Australian musical artists Andrew Farriss, Amy Sheppard and Melanie Dyer, mixed with some of the country’s most skilled professional bull riders, across two days of festival frivolities. For the first time in 2023, the festival presents BAD – bulls, bands, and bikes after dark – dubbed “the richest bull ride in the west” which will see PBR’s best kick up the dirt for a $50,000 prize.
3. Birdsville Big Red Bash
04 – 06 July 2023, Outback Queensland
Hailed as the “most remote festival in the world”, The Birdsville Big Red Bash is a must-do event for any live music fan. Festivalgoers make the annual pilgrimage to ‘Bashville’, located on the edge of the Simpson Desert, west of Birdsville, for four days of music mashed with camping and adventure. Celebrating 10 years “rockin’ the Simpson”, Aussie band Icehouse will headline in 2023 supported by a big-hitting lineup including country music favourite John Williamson and rockers Hoodoo Gurus.
While afternoons and evenings are spent grooving in the concert area, days are filled with sunrise yoga, helicopter rides above the desert, sand tobogganing down the 40m high ‘Big Red’ sand dune and a packed schedule of quirky activities. Join thousands of fellow ‘bashers’ at the annual world record attempt for the biggest Nutbush dance or don a tiara and tutu for the colourful Bashville Drag ‘drag race’ – both raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service. The dog-friendly event even caters to the four-legged kind with ‘Doggie Desert Fashion Shows’.
Hailed as the “most remote festival in the world”, The Birdsville Big Red Bash is a must-do event for any live music fan. Festivalgoers make the annual pilgrimage to ‘Bashville’, located on the edge of the Simpson Desert, west of Birdsville, for four days of music mashed with camping and adventure. Celebrating 10 years “rockin’ the Simpson”, Aussie band Icehouse will headline in 2023 supported by a big-hitting lineup including country music favourite John Williamson and rockers Hoodoo Gurus.
While afternoons and evenings are spent grooving in the concert area, days are filled with sunrise yoga, helicopter rides above the desert, sand tobogganing down the 40m high ‘Big Red’ sand dune and a packed schedule of quirky activities. Join thousands of fellow ‘bashers’ at the annual world record attempt for the biggest Nutbush dance or don a tiara and tutu for the colourful Bashville Drag ‘drag race’ – both raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service. The dog-friendly event even caters to the four-legged kind with ‘Doggie Desert Fashion Shows’.
4. NQ’s Rockin’ Country Music Festival
18 – 20 August 2023, Mackay Isaac
NQ’s Rockin’ Country Music Festival is a three-day event that will take over the Mackay Showgrounds in August to raise funds for Variety – the Children’s Charity, supporting children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability. While the 2023 line up is yet to be released (previous big-name acts include Lee Kernaghan, Wolfe Brothers, Christie Lamb and Troy Cassar-Daley), if previous years are anything to go by, the festival brings the party vibes and good old fashioned country hospitality in bucketloads.
NQ’s Rockin’ Country Music Festival is a three-day event that will take over the Mackay Showgrounds in August to raise funds for Variety – the Children’s Charity, supporting children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability. While the 2023 line up is yet to be released (previous big-name acts include Lee Kernaghan, Wolfe Brothers, Christie Lamb and Troy Cassar-Daley), if previous years are anything to go by, the festival brings the party vibes and good old fashioned country hospitality in bucketloads.
5. Gympie Music Muster
24 – 27 August 2023, Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Gympie comes alive in August when the legendary Gympie Music Muster returns, bringing with it some of the biggest names in Australian country music. Toe-tapping tunes of Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Brand, Kasey Chambers, Casey Barnes and Busby Marou will echo across the Amamoor State Forest, headlining more than 100 performers taking to the stage across the four-day festival. The event was first held in 1982, intended as a standalone, one-off occasion, but has since grown into one of the biggest country and western celebrations in the country, raising millions of dollars for local charities. Away from the mosh pit, punters can upskill with dance lessons, join a bush poets’ breakfast or get hands-on with one of many bush-style workshops.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Gympie comes alive in August when the legendary Gympie Music Muster returns, bringing with it some of the biggest names in Australian country music. Toe-tapping tunes of Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Brand, Kasey Chambers, Casey Barnes and Busby Marou will echo across the Amamoor State Forest, headlining more than 100 performers taking to the stage across the four-day festival. The event was first held in 1982, intended as a standalone, one-off occasion, but has since grown into one of the biggest country and western celebrations in the country, raising millions of dollars for local charities. Away from the mosh pit, punters can upskill with dance lessons, join a bush poets’ breakfast or get hands-on with one of many bush-style workshops.
6. Savannah In The Round
06 – 08 October 2023, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Head for the hills where the music comes alive at Savannah in the Round. Held over four nights at the Mareeba Rodeo Arena (Kerribee Park) in the Atherton Tablelands, Savannah in the Round is one of the newest country music festivals to drop in Queensland (first held in 2021) and has been gaining speed as a must-see event on the calendar. Revelers wanting to make the most of the multi-day event stay close to the action and come together with like-minded musos to celebrate all things country at the onsite campground. The artist schedule for 2023 is yet to be announced but with crowd favourites like Vanessa Amorosi, Brad Paisley, Amy Sheppard, John Williamson, Lee Kernaghan, Christie Lamb, Jasmin Rae, Tex Perkins and Richard Clapton taking to the stage in the past, this year’s lineup is sure to blow a few boots off.
Head for the hills where the music comes alive at Savannah in the Round. Held over four nights at the Mareeba Rodeo Arena (Kerribee Park) in the Atherton Tablelands, Savannah in the Round is one of the newest country music festivals to drop in Queensland (first held in 2021) and has been gaining speed as a must-see event on the calendar. Revelers wanting to make the most of the multi-day event stay close to the action and come together with like-minded musos to celebrate all things country at the onsite campground. The artist schedule for 2023 is yet to be announced but with crowd favourites like Vanessa Amorosi, Brad Paisley, Amy Sheppard, John Williamson, Lee Kernaghan, Christie Lamb, Jasmin Rae, Tex Perkins and Richard Clapton taking to the stage in the past, this year’s lineup is sure to blow a few boots off.
7. Groundwater Country Music Festival
20 – 22 October 2023, Gold Coast
Country and coast collide when Groundwater Country Music Festival bumps into the beachfront hub of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. The free event takes place in late October across three days of music and a country street fair atmosphere that spills out across Kurrawa Park and surrounding streets. 2023 marks ten years since the inaugural event (known then as the Broadbeach Country Music Festival). Away from the stage, the festival brings the community together with arts and crafts markets, cornhole games, carnival rides, DJ performances and country karaoke.
There you have it, seven sensational country music festivals that will have you rockin’ and rollin’ across the Sunshine State until the cows come home. Head to queensland.com to find even more marvellous music events and discover what’s on across Queensland in 2023.
*Source: Tourism and Events Queensland
Country and coast collide when Groundwater Country Music Festival bumps into the beachfront hub of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. The free event takes place in late October across three days of music and a country street fair atmosphere that spills out across Kurrawa Park and surrounding streets. 2023 marks ten years since the inaugural event (known then as the Broadbeach Country Music Festival). Away from the stage, the festival brings the community together with arts and crafts markets, cornhole games, carnival rides, DJ performances and country karaoke.
There you have it, seven sensational country music festivals that will have you rockin’ and rollin’ across the Sunshine State until the cows come home. Head to queensland.com to find even more marvellous music events and discover what’s on across Queensland in 2023.
*Source: Tourism and Events Queensland
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