Step Back in Time at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

A Celebration of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Classic Cars 

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is a vibrant tribute to the 1950s and 1960s, bringing the golden era back to life with music, dance, fashion, and an incredible display of classic cars and hot rods. Held in the heart of Kurri Kurri, this annual event transforms the town into a nostalgic paradise where visitors from across Australia gather to revel in the retro atmosphere.

A Weekend Packed with Retro Fun 

The festival runs from March 28 to 30, 2025, offering an action-packed weekend filled with entertainment and activities. Stroll through the bustling Retro Market Place in Rotary Park, where vintage fashion, rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, and collectible treasures await. Car enthusiasts will be in for a treat at the Show & Shine event, where up to 400 stunning classic cars and hot rods will be showcased along Lang Street and Barton Street.

Live Music and Dance Performances 

Music is at the heart of the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival, with free live performances across multiple stages. From rock ‘n’ roll bands to dance demonstrations, the festival’s Main Stage in Col Brown Rotary Park and the Street and Sidewalk Stages along Lang Street will be alive with energy all weekend long.

Dress to Impress and Compete for Glory 

Fashion lovers can join the Best Dressed Competitions, celebrating the style and glamour of the 50s and 60s. Whether it’s a poodle skirt, a vintage suit, or rockabilly attire, festivalgoers are encouraged to dress up and immerse themselves in the retro vibe.

Evening Events and Ticketed Shows 

As the sun sets, the festival fun continues with ticketed evening events at various local venues. Rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly dances promise an electrifying atmosphere, where visitors can dance the night away to live music and retro beats.

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

Plan Your Visit 

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is free to enter, with ticketed events available for purchase online or at the Kurri Kurri Visitor Information Centre. Whether you’re a classic car enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a unique weekend getaway, this festival is an unmissable celebration of the past.

For full event details, program schedules, and ticket bookings, visit the official website: www.kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au.

Yes, Another 5 More ‘Big Things’ in NSW

Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri - Credit: Visit Kurri Kurri

Australia loves its oversized objects, and in NSW there are plenty of them. From giant animals to enormous ugg boots, here are 5 more iconic ‘Big Things’ in NSW to add to your road-trip bucket list.

1) The Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri

Perched on a tree trunk in this Hunter Valley town, the Big Kookaburra was built in 2009 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the town’s Hydro Aluminium with the emblem of Kurri Kurri, the kookaburra. While you’re in town, go on the Kurri Kurri Mural Walk, with more than 60 artworks painted across town (and a hidden kookaburra painted into each one!).

2) The Big Prawn, Ballina

The Big Prawn, Ballina

A symbol of Australian cuisine and classic Aussie summers, the Big Prawn is a coastal icon in Ballina. Taste the real thing at the Ballina Fishermen’s Co-op just down the road or head to Shelter at nearby Lennox Head for seafood served with modern flair. The 9m-tall prawn is just a 30min drive from Byron Bay and its famous beaches, or let the kids splash around on the waterslides at the Ballina Memorial Pool.

3) The Big Merino, Goulburn

The Big Merino, standing at 15.2m tall in Goulburn

The world’s biggest merino sheep was built just off the Goulburn exit on the Princes Highway in 1985 to celebrate the district’s 200-year-old fine wool industry. The three-story, 15m by 18m structure houses an exhibition and gift shop. Find another piece of history at the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and stay the night surrounded by actual sheep at Towrang Farmstay.

4) The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth

The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth

A 12m-tall replica of the famous Golden Guitar Award from Tamworth’s annual country music festival, the Big Golden Guitar stands alongside both The Country Music Wax Museum and the National Guitar Museum, the latter displaying 45 guitars autographed by global country music icons. Music lovers will also want to stop by the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Pair a golden icon with a golden stay at five-star Powerhouse Hotel by Rydges.

5) The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour

The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour

A must-stop on the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip, the Big Banana is a bright beacon of Coffs Harbour’s banana farming industry (though these days the region is more famous for its blueberries). After your selfie, head into the Big Banana Fun Park, with its giant slide, water park, mini golf course and famous frozen choc-coated bananas. After the fun, stretch your legs with a paddleboard session run by Aboriginal-owned Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours.

There is something for everyone at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival.  Credit: Visit NSW

There will be lots of free entertainment, including - 

• live rock and roll bands and 50s music
• classic cars displays
• retro market stools
• dancing competitions and
• retro fashion parades

There will also be -

• night time dance and music events at local venues
• 50s fashion parade and
• high tea

The festival’s main event is free to the public, with ticketed event options taking place at local Kurri Kurri businesses throughout the weekend.

So, polish your car, press your dress and shine your shoes, we're bringing back the good times

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival 

24 to 26 March 2023

For more information visit kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au

Kurri Kurri Visitor Information Centre

199 Lang Street, Kurri Kurri NSW 2327
P: (02) 4936 1909

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival on this weekend

18 – 20 March 2016

The Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is now in its second decade and has established itself as one of the Hunter’s premier festivals, featuring all things rock n roll, cars, music, fashion and dancing.

The weekend attracts crowds of people to our town, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind in Australia and a feature tourism event.

We welcome visitors from every state and are proud to showcase our region through this quality event, which has something for all ages.

Visitors to the festival enjoy participating in best dressed competitions, talent quests, car competitions and a range of free entertainment and ticketed events.

Dressing up and dancing in the streets is just part of the fun!

Our new website has a brand new easy-to-use format and contains all of the information that you need to ensure a great day out at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival.

Whats on 

Rock 'n' Roll

Classic Cars & Hot Rods

Fabulous Fashions

Retro Market Stalls

Dance Demonstrations

Parades & Talent Quests

Sideshow Alley

Ticketed Dance Events

...and much more

http://www.kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au

Coalfields Steam 2015

Coalfields Steam will be held at Richmond Vale Railway Museum on Sunday 7th and Monday 8th June 2014.

This annual event recognises the history of steam in the coal mining and railway industries.

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located in the old Richmond Main Colliery site, Main Road 135, Leggett's Drive, Richmond Vale 4kms south of Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, N.S.W.

Marjorie, a 0-4-0 saddle tank steam engine, will be running along the Mulbring Road branch line with a demonstration consisting of restored non-air coal wagons that were used widely on the Richmond Vale Railway and will also run passenger trains to Pelaw Main along the restored passenger line.

There will be a display of miniature steam engines of various sizes including ride-ons, many of which will be in steam.

The mining museum will be open with its extensive collection of mining equipment, the majority of which are artefacts from the local area. The entry building will house a photographic display and miniature steam machinery and live steam engines will also be found there. Guided tours around the former Richmond Main Colliery may be available on the day.

Date:7 - 8 June 2015
Venue:Leggetts Dr (Main Road 135), Richmond Vale
Audience:Adult, Families, Kids, Seniors, Youth, Groups
When:10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost:$16.00 Adult, $11.00 Concession, $7.50 Child (5 - 16 years), Child under 5 FREE.
Organisation:Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Contact:02 4001 0197, Email: rvrminfo@richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org
Website:www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

Kurri Kurri is located in the Lower Hunter Valley Region of NSW Australia. Each year thousands of people flock to the town to join in the festivities of the Nostalgia Festival.

 

The Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is in its 10th year and is recognised as a NSW Tourism Flagship Event.
 
The weekend attracts over 40,000 people to the region and town centre and is all about Rock n Roll, Classic Cars, Hot rods, Fashion and the 50's and 60's.

There are lots of great 'rock n roll' and 'rockabilly' dances put on throughout the local clubs and pubs and on Saturday and Sunday the main street and Rotary park is transformed into all the glory of a bygone 50’s and 60’s era.

There’s a classic car and hot rod 'Show and Shine' both Saturday and Sunday with over 400 cars on display, entertainment, rock n roll dance workshops, main stage entertainment, talent quests, feature bands, markets stalls, Vegas wedding renewals, side show alley and much more.

Many local businesses, community groups and volunteers join forces to make this event the success it is, bringing over $3 million into the local economy and district over the weekend.

We welcome visitors to Kurri Kurri from all over Australia, and can’t wait to see the swing skirts and dancing shoes as we celebrate a weekend of Nostalgia.

For more information -
Jodi Tweed, Community Project and Festival Manager

(02) 4936 1909

vic@kurrikurri.com 

To see details of the full weekends festival program see the website  http://www.kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au