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.

The Reef Trail:  5 - 15 June 2025

Explore the spectacular country and Great Barrier Reef sights including Townsville, Magnetic Island, Lake Proserpine, Cape Hillsborough and Mackay – 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 Between the Tides events, featuring Xavier Rudd and Kee'ahn on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June.

For more information, here's everything you need to know about the Queensland Music Trails 2025.

Australian Open Lawn Bowls:  7 - 20 June 2025

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: 14 - 15 June 2025

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: 15 June 2025

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 includes IRONKIDS, a safe and simple course that 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:  22 June 2025

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 (4 May), Hamilton Island Triathlon (15 November) and Hamilton Island Ocean Swim (16 November).

Outback Queensland Masters:  21 June – 25 July 2025

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: Mitchell, Augathella, Blackall, Alpha and Richmond, before finishing in Karumba 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:  27 June – 4 July 2025

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:  28 June 2025

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.

July

Mackay Festival of Arts: 1 - 31 July 2025

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.

Gold Coast Marathon:  5 - 6 July 2025

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.

Big Red Sunset Concert:  8 - 10 July 2025

An intimate sunset concert featuring the legendary John Williamson atop the iconic Big Red sand dune in Australia's majestic Simpson Desert.  Only 1000 tickets available each night for this never to be repeated event.

Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair:  10 - 13 July 2025

Australia's finest arts fair returns to celebrate vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Explore fashion, performance art, painting and more at CIAF, and immerse yourself in an experience you'll want to repeat year after year.

Abbey Medieval Festival:  11 - 13 July 2025

Experience life in the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East, from 600 to 1600AD at the Abbey Medieval Festival located just north of Brisbane. The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, together with re-enactors, jousters, performers, food vendors and merchants, deliver one of Australia’s premier living history events.

Jumpers and Jazz Festival:  17 - 27 July 2025

At this quirky winter festival in Warwick, you’ll find the locals have a way with wool, turning it into creative art forms around the city. There are tonnes of jazz performances, hands-on workshops, artist talks and the opportunity for visitors to knit their own tree creation.

Boulia Camel Races: 18 - 20 July 2025

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:  25 July – 3 August 2025

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:  26 – 27 July 2025

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: 7 - 17 August 2025

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:  7 - 14 August 2025

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.

Mount Isa Mines Rodeo:  7 - 10 August 2025

The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is where the romance of the Australian Outback meets the grit of a mining town, east meets west and man meets beast.  This is the Southern Hemisphere's largest rodeo and Australia's richest prize pool, attracting some 750 competitors from across Australia.

Taste Port Douglas Food & Drink Festival:  7 - 10 August 2025

Taste Port Douglas presented by the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is one of Australia’s premier culinary events and showcases the region’s best over an action-packed festival celebrating nothing but world-class food, beverage and talent.  Food lovers can immerse themselves in a dynamic four-day program executed by Australia's best chefs.

EKKA:  9 - 17 August 2025

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:  15 – 17 August 2025

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 2025. 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.

Hamilton Island Race Week: 16 - 23 August 2023

Set sail for Hamilton Island Race Week, Australia’s premier offshore sailing regatta. Expect thrilling yacht races and luxe island vibes against the backdrop of the stunning Whitsundays. Whether you're racing or spectating, this week-long celebration of sailing, sunshine, and social events is an unmissable Queensland experience.

Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival:  22 - 24 August 2025

From the bayside to the mountains, Moreton Bay is made for food-lovers. There’s no better time to sample the best of the region than at Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, which has quickly become one of the state’s most popular flavour fiestas. Set by the water’s edge, it promises a weekend of good bites and good times, with celebrity chef demonstrations, multiple stages of live music, and a seemingly endless array of food trucks and stalls to discover.

Gympie Music Muster:  28 - 31 August 2025

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 Adam Harvey, Choirboys, Daryl Braithwaite, Fanny Lumsden, Kasey Chambers, The Road Hammers, Sara Storer, Shane Nicholson, Thirsty Merc, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers and countless others - with more musicians to be added to the lineup as August draws closer.