Event guide · Festivals
Country music festivals: Queensland and beyond
Queensland does country music festivals better than anywhere. Picture a forest muster outside Gympie, a beach party at Broadbeach, red dirt at Birdsville and the north's own big weekends at Mareeba, Townsville and Charters Towers. Here's the calendar, north first, with what makes each one worth the drive.
Part 1 · 4 events
North Queensland festivals
Our own backyard: the Tablelands, Townsville, the Goldfields and the outback.
No. 01Atherton TablelandsOctober
Savannah in the RoundMareeba
- Where
- Kerribee Park (Mareeba Rodeo Grounds), 614 Dimbulah Road, Mareeba · Tropical North Queensland (Atherton Tablelands)
- When
- October. 2026: 8 – 11 October. 2027: dates to be announced; early-bird tickets on sale Monday 19 October 2026.
Four days of live music, camping and country culture "where the Outback meets the Tropics". Savannah runs multiple stages at the Mareeba rodeo grounds, with food and bars and onsite camping.
Fast facts
- Four days of live music; onsite camping; multiple stages.
- 2026 ran 8 – 11 October.
No. 02TownsvilleApril
Country Fest QueenslandTownsville
- Where
- Townsville
- When
- 2026: 12 – 13 June at Cluden Park. 2027: returns 16 – 17 April.
A two-day destination country festival that started in the Mackay and Whitsunday region and moved to Townsville, supported by Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise. Its inaugural festival drew 11,000 patrons. In 2026 there was no camping at Cluden Park, so plan to stay in town.
Fast facts
- Inaugural festival drew 11,000 patrons (Mackay & Whitsunday region).
- 2027 announced lineup includes Sam Barber, Brad Cox, Lane Pittman and Hayley Jensen.
Real photoNo. 03Charters TowersMay
Charters Towers Country Music Festival
- Where
- Charters Towers Showground (Mary Street), with a float parade through the CBD · Charters Towers
- When
- The May Day long weekend. 2027: 30 April – 2 May, the festival's 50th-year celebration.
Since 1978 the Charters Towers Country Music Festival has grown into one of Australia's largest country music festivals, with leading professional artists, a talent quest and songwriting competition, and a parade of floats through the heritage CBD to kick things off. 2027 marks 50 years of country music in the Towers.
Laurence has headlined the festival in multiple years and has a Category Win at the Charters Towers Country Music Festival.
Fast facts
- Since 1978; "one of Australia's largest country music festivals".
- 2027 = 50 years.
- Talent quest and songwriting competitions.
- The Capella CMF in Central Queensland starts a few days after it finishes, so fans often do both.
Sources
- nationaltribune.com.au/townsville-s-the-barnyard-band-to-rock-the-red-dirt-at-mount-isa-mines-rodeo-2026
- townsvilletimes.com.au/townsville-band-joins-mount-isa-rodeo-lineup
- charterstowerscountrymusicfestival.com/past-winners
- townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au/events/charters-towers-country-music-festival-56f1ce12f817dd0a30613abc
- charterstowerscountrymusicfestival.com
- capellaevents.com.au/about-the-festival
- charterstowerscountrymusicfestival.com/"
No. 04Flinders ShireJuly
Hughenden Country Music Talent Fest
- Where
- Hughenden · Flinders Shire, outback north-west Queensland
- When
- July. 2026: 17 – 19 July.
A grassroots talent quest weekend in the outback, with Saturday and Sunday competition sections for juniors, adults, duos and over-50s, a bar and Lions kitchen, and special performances by music students from The Cathedral School, Townsville.
Part 2 · 6 events
Around Queensland
From the forest at Amamoor to the sand dunes of Birdsville.
No. 05South East QueenslandMarch
CMC Rocks QLDIpswich
- Where
- Willowbank Raceway, 38 Champions Way, Willowbank (Ipswich) · South East Queensland
- When
- March. 2027: Friday 19 – Sunday 21 March, the 20-year celebration.
Billed as Australia's biggest international country music festival, CMC Rocks brings the big American names to Willowbank, with three days of music and onsite camping. It started in Thredbo in 2008 and, fun fact for the north, had a stint in Townsville before settling in Ipswich, its home since 2015.
Fast facts
- "Australia's biggest international country music festival".
- From the inaugural 2008 event in Thredbo, through the Hunter Valley, Townsville and now Willowbank.
- 25,000+ people travelled to Ipswich for CMC Rocks 2026.
- 2027 headliners: Brooks & Dunn, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde.
No. 06Wide BayAugust
Gympie Music Muster
- Where
- Amamoor Creek State Forest, about 40 km south-west of Gympie · Wide Bay
- When
- The last full weekend of August. 2027: 26 – 29 August.
"Australia's original music festival in the forest." The first Muster in 1982 celebrated the Webb Brothers' Golden Guitar win and raised money for the community. More than four decades later it's one of the country's most-loved festivals: four days of country, roots, folk, blues and rock under the gum trees, with thousands camping onsite. It's still owned by the Apex Club of Gympie and run as a not-for-profit.
Fast facts
- Began 1982, celebrating the Webb Brothers' Golden Guitar win.
- More than $21.8 million returned to community groups and charities.
- Owned by the Apex Club of Gympie; a not-for-profit and registered charity.
- About 40 km south-west of Gympie, around two hours north of Brisbane.
No. 07Gold CoastOctober
Groundwater Country Music FestivalBroadbeach
- Where
- Broadbeach precinct, Gold Coast
- When
- October. 2026: 16 – 18 October.
Country music on the beach. Groundwater turns the Broadbeach precinct into three days of free live music, and 2026 was its 13th year. The lineup mixes Australian stars and international acts; 2026 included Kasey Chambers, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers and Beccy Cole.
Fast facts
- Three days of free live music, in its 13th year in 2026.
- Expected to contribute almost $17 million to the Gold Coast economy (Queensland Tourism Minister).
No. 08Central HighlandsMay
Capella Country Music Festival
- Where
- Capella Showgrounds Covered Arena, 23 Hibernia Road, Capella · Central Highlands (between Emerald and Clermont)
- When
- May, the week after Charters Towers. 2027: Tuesday 4 – Sunday 9 May.
A six-day country music festival in the Central Highlands, with main-stage stars, the Chad Morgan Memorial Walk Up for anyone game to have a go, an old-time dance in the pavilion raising money for the local ambulance committee, a bush poets' breakfast, and the CWA's Friday-night dinner.
No. 09MaranoaApril
Easter in the CountryRoma
- Where
- Roma · Maranoa, South West Queensland
- When
- Easter. 2026: 1 – 6 April.
Five days of country hospitality in Roma over Easter. Program highlights include the XXXX Easter Races, the XXXX Pro-Rodeo, a Country Music Concert and Outback Tucker Under the Stars, plus markets, historical tours, art shows and kids' activities.
No. 10Simpson DesertJuly
Birdsville Big Red Bashthe final one
- Where
- Big Red sand dune, near Birdsville · Simpson Desert, far south-west Queensland
- When
- 2027: 6 – 8 July, announced as the last ever Bash. Tickets on sale 12 November 2026, 10am AEDT. The 2026 event was cancelled after a one-in-50-year rain event flooded the site.
It started in 2013 with John Williamson singing an acoustic set on top of Big Red at sunset. Thirteen years later the "most remote music festival on the planet" is calling time with one last hurrah. It's known for Nutbush world records, Big Blue Day and the Bashville Drags, and it raises money for the RFDS and JDRF.
Fast facts
- 2027 is the final Big Red Bash.
- 2026 cancelled after site inundation, with the event 90% sold out.
- 5,838 people danced the Nutbush in 2023, a world record.
- 78,000+ people have made the trek since 2013.
- Gold for Festivals & Events, 2025 Australian Tourism Awards.
Part 3 · 2 events
The big ones interstate
Worth the trip south of the border.
Real photoNo. 11New England NSWJanuary
Tamworth Country Music FestivalNSW
- Where
- Venues across Tamworth, NSW (Peel Street, Toyota Park, TRECC, Town Hall, AELEC and more)
- When
- January. 2027: 15 – 24 January, the 55th festival, with the 55th Golden Guitar Awards on Saturday 23 January.
The heartbeat of Australian country music. For ten days every January, more than 700 artists play right across Tamworth, from free FanZone and Concerts in the Park shows to headline nights at TRECC and the Golden Guitar Awards, the pinnacle of Australian country music. The ABCRA National Finals Rodeo runs at AELEC during the festival.
Laurence has made multiple appearances at Tamworth, including The Kernaghan Spectacular (two years).
Fast facts
- 700+ artists over 10 days.
- Golden Guitars since January 1973 (launched by radio 2TM); first Golden Guitar to Joy McKean for "Lights on the Hill"; Slim Dusty won 37.
- The Golden Guitar trophy stands 24 cm high and weighs 1.5 kg.
- ABCRA National Finals Rodeo at AELEC: 3,000+ competitors, 10,000+ spectators expected.
No. 12Riverina NSWOctober
Deni Ute MusterNSW
- Where
- Deniliquin, NSW · Riverina
- When
- Early October. 2026: Friday 2 – Saturday 3 October.
Born in a drought in 1999 to bring visitors to Deniliquin, the Ute Muster made the town the self-declared "Ute Capital of the World". It now draws around 20,000 people for two night-time concerts, a day stage, ute competitions and free camping on the plains, with more than 1,000 volunteers behind it.
Fast facts
- Started 1999.
- About 20,000 people a year; 1,000+ volunteers; close to $100,000 donated back to community groups after each event.
FAQ
Festival questions, answered
What is the biggest country music festival in Australia?
The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the largest: ten days and more than 700 artists every January. CMC Rocks QLD at Ipswich bills itself as Australia's biggest international country music festival.
When is Tamworth Country Music Festival 2027?
15 – 24 January 2027, with the Golden Guitar Awards on Saturday 23 January.
When is the Gympie Music Muster?
On the last full weekend of August, in Amamoor Creek State Forest near Gympie. In 2027 it runs 26 – 29 August.
When is CMC Rocks 2027?
Friday 19 – Sunday 21 March 2027 at Willowbank Raceway, Ipswich.
What country music festivals are in North Queensland?
The big ones are Savannah in the Round at Mareeba (October), Country Fest Queensland in Townsville (returning 16 – 17 April 2027), the Charters Towers Country Music Festival (May Day long weekend; 30 April – 2 May 2027) and the Hughenden Country Music Talent Fest (July).
Is Groundwater Country Music Festival free?
Yes. Groundwater at Broadbeach is three days of free live music each October.
Is 2027 the last Big Red Bash?
Yes. The organisers have announced 6 – 8 July 2027 as the final Birdsville Big Red Bash.
How long has the Charters Towers Country Music Festival been running?
Since 1978. The 2027 festival marks 50 years.
Can we hire a country band for our own festival or event?
Yes. The Barnyard Band is a five-piece country show band from Townsville with its own 18,000 W PA, lighting and video, built for festivals, rodeos, B&S balls and community events. We bring full production within reasonable driving distance of Townsville and can fly in Australia-wide with a tech rider.
Running a festival or a country night?
We're a five-piece country show band with our own 18,000 W PA, time-coded lights and video, from the main stage to the after-party. Pick your date and venue for an instant estimate.