Travel to these winter events in Queensland

Travel back to the 50’s and 60’s as Cooly Rocks On swings into the Gold Coast for another year of nostalgia, music and culture. There'll be hot rods, kustom vehicles, lowbrow art, swing dancing, markets and more - including the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, with the winner heading straight to Elvis Week in Memphis, USA.

Australian Open Lawn Bowls: 8 - 21 June 2024

Make your way to the Gold Coast for the world’s biggest bowls festival. More than 3,500 bowlers from across Australia - and the world - are expected to attend the Open, which is also the richest bowls event in the world. You can even get a team together: entry is open to any registered bowler.

Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular: 15 - 16 June 2024

The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is the richest Clydesdale Show in the Southern Hemisphere, where the grand champions of the breed are judged, the Scottish heritage of the breed is shared, and the history of the breed in Australia – and in the Scenic Rim – is celebrated. Over two action-packed days, a full program of Clydesdale competition will take place in the main arena at the Boonah Showground, including led, carriage and harness classes and plenty more.

Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship: 16 June 2024

The Great Barrier Reef plays a stunning backdrop to the race that’s become the ‘must-do’ on the IRONMAN circuit. Swim beside a world-heritage wonder, bike race along coastline-hugging Captain Cook Highway from Cairns to Port Douglas, and run the Cairns boardwalk to finish in the heart of the city. The festival also incudes IRONKIDS, a safe and simple course will have kids swim in the Esplanade Lagoon, ride along the Esplanade main road, and run up The Boulevard, before experiencing that finish line feeling underneath the official IRONMAN Finishers Arch at the Lagoon Car Park.

Great Whitehaven Beach Run: 16 June 2024

Push yourself to the limits in a race that’ll take your breath away for more than one reason. Great Whitehaven Beach Run takes place on one of the world's most incredible beaches, where you can join runners for a half marathon, a 10km or 5km run along pristine white sand. There's kids races, too. 

The event is part of the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, which includes the Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon (5 May), Hamilton Island Triathlon (23 November) and Hamilton Island Ocean Swim (24 November).

Outback Queensland Masters: 15 June – 21 July 2024

Swap manicured greens for red dirt and tee off on the Outback Queensland Masters tour. Australia’s most remote golf series spans six iconic outback locations: Birdsville, Boulia, Winton, Barcaldine, and Charleville, before finishing in Quilpie for the Million Dollar Hole-In-One. In true Queensland style, there's parties along the route. Here's why you need to join the fun.

Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival: 21 June – 29 June 2024

Celebrate Australian film and culture under the stars in the ‘Hollywood of the Outback’, Winton. Inspired by Sundance, Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival includes a short film competition, nine days of movie screenings, industry workshops, location tours and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

Scenic Rim's Winter Harvest Festival: 29 June 2024

The signature event of Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, the Winter Harvest Festival is your invitation to spend the day sampling the very best of Brisbane’s thriving food bowl. Taste (and shop) local goodies, sip and savour local wines and beer, watch cooking demonstrations and meet the producers who give the region its heart and soul. There’s plenty of fun for families, all-day entertainment, and that country hospitality you know and love.

Mary Poppins Festival: 30 June 2024

Grab your umbrellas and head to Maryborough on the Fraser Coast to celebrate everyone’s favourite nanny. Mary Poppins’ author, P.L. Travers, was born in Maryborough in 1899 so in homage to her heart-warming tale, the annual event includes nanny races, chimney sweep challenges, sidewalk art and street theatre.

July

Mackay Festival of Arts: 1 - 31 July 2024

A festival that’ll excite all your senses, Mackay Festival of Arts boasts one of Queensland’s most diverse programs. From local art to food and entertainment, enjoy dance and cabaret, live music, comedy, visual arts, theatre – as well as a jazz brunch and endlessly popular Wine and Food Day.

Birdsville Big Red Bash: 2 - 4 July 2024

Located on the edge of the Simpson Desert in Outback Queensland, a towering sand dune gave birth to its bucket list namesake event, the Big Red Bash, where travellers can experience the thrill of a rock concert under one of the biggest star-studded skies in the world. A line-up including Tina Arena, Jon Stevens and Tim Finn will ensure 2024 is another sell-out festival, so scoop up tickets quickly!

Gold Coast Marathon: 6 - 7 July 2024

Pitted as Australia’s premier road race – and the first marathon in the country to hold an IAAF Road Race Gold Label – it’s hard to beat the Gold Coast Marathon based on pure scenery alone. Want to post your personal best? This flat, fast course which hugs the beach is the place to do it.

The Reef Trail: 5 - 13 July 2024

Explore the spectacular country and Great Barrier Reef sights from Mackay to Airlie Beach – all the while enjoying unique music experiences, world-class talent, rich First Nations culture and local hospitality on The Reef Trail. Make sure to catch the Coastal Concert Series, presenting Christine Anu on Saturday 6 July and Josh Pyke on Sunday 7 July, with Tia Gostelow gracing both nights.

For more information, here's everything you need to know about the Queensland Music Trails 2024.

Boulia Camel Races: 12 - 14 July 2024

Take a punt of a camel, watch a yabby race, have a yarn with locals at the local pub and listen to some true blue Aussie music with home-grown entertainers at the Boulia Camel Races.

Channel Country Music Muster: 15 – 21 July 2024

Throw your cowboy boots in the car and head west to Thargomindah, where five days of toe-tapping country music awaits at Channel Country Music Muster. Best yet, you can roll out your swag or pitch a tent on the festival grounds, so you won’t miss any of the action.

Jumpers and Jazz Festival: 18 - 28 July 2024

The Curated Plate has quickly become one of Queensland's favourite food festivals, and it's returning for another year of serving up incredible food and beverage experiences. Settle in and enjoy a jam-packed program featuring the producers, chefs, and makers from the region. There'll be unique events that pop up all over the Sunshine Coast, from long lunches to cruises.  

Australian Festival of Chamber Music: 26 July – 4 August 2024

Queensland’s gateway to the tropics offers more than adventures through the Wet Tropics and island escapes, especially when the world’s best chamber musicians arrive for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. The unique ten day program holds performances in Queens Gardens, Townsville's Civic Theatre, in enchanting cathedrals, and on Magnetic Island, complemented by signature food and wine events.

Yeppoon Running Festival: 27 – 28 July 2024

Want to test your limits at Central Queensland’s only marathon? You couldn’t pick a prettier course than Yeppoon Running Festival, where you’ll start by the glistening foreshore with unforgettable ocean views. The fast, flat road surface makes the course perfect for chasing a PB – and along with the marathon distance race there’s a half marathon, 10km, 5km and a 1.6km family fun run.

August

BLEACH* Festival: 1 - 11 August 2024

Dance with your toes in the sand, listen to storytellers and celebrate the Gold Coast’s vibrant community at BLEACH*. The festival showcases the coast’s incredible landscapes and unconventional venues to bring arts and culture performances that will move you.

Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing: 8 - 15 August 2024

The Whitsundays and sailing go hand-in-hand, so it’s little wonder that the Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing is considered one of the hottest events on the yachtie’s calendars. The action takes place around the breathtaking islands of the Whitsunday Passage, and if you need more than mesmerising scenery to keep you going, there’s plenty of activities and entertainment to keep both spectators and sailors entertained.

EKKA: 10 - 18 August 2024

The bush comes to Brisbane each August during one of Queensland’s most iconic and beloved events. The Royal Queensland Show (or Ekka to the locals) brings music, agriculture, arts, fashion, local food, wood chopping, sideshow alley and of course, the show’s famous strawberry sundaes. What show bag are you choosing this year?

Pacific Airshow: 16 – 18 August 2024

The largest airshow in the United States crossed the Pacific Ocean to bring aerial action to the Gold Coast for the very first time in 2023. An instant hit with the crowds, it's returning for another huge weekend in 2024. Over three days, visitors will experience jaw-dropping aviation antics high in the sky - while on the sand, there’s live music, food precincts and loads of entertainment.

Gympie Music Muster: 22 - 25 August 2024

Set on over 50 acres in Amamoor Creek State Forest Park, the Gympie Music Muster is one of Australia’s largest outdoor music festivals, showcasing everything from folk, bluegrass, balladeers, the gospel, blues and bush poetry. This year's lineup includes Lee Kernaghan, Kaylee Bell, James Johnston, Davisson Brothers Band (USA), Beccy Cole and countless others - with more musicians to be added to the lineup as August draws closer.