Cooly Rocks On Festival

Cooly Rocks On is an annual event celebrating the cars, music and culture of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Cooly Rocks On is a three-day event held in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia over the Easter long weekend. Established in 2008, it has grown to become one of Australia’s largest indoor/outdoor rock events, attracting over 40,000 music fans each year to enjoy performances from established and emerging artists across multiple stages and venues.

Event Highlights

Classic Car Show n Shine

Location: Marine Parade and Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Live Music

Numerous artists performing live on stage around Coolangatta.

More details to come closer to the event date.

More Things to do in Coolangatta

• Explore the beaches
• Check out Snapper Rocks
• Visit Twin Towns Services Club
• Explore the Tweed – beautiful untouched beaches, river fishing, and more.
• More about Coolangatta

Accommodation in Coolangatta

Coolangatta has a wide range of accommodation options and can easily cater to the budget traveler, family holidayer, or luxury seeker.

Event Background

The idea for Cooly Rocks On was formed in 2007 when a group of local friends decided to organise a small one-day music event to energise the quiet Easter holiday period in Coolangatta. In March 2008, the inaugural festival was held at the Rainbow Bay Saints sports club featuring 6 acts and drawing a crowd of 1500 people.

Word of mouth and social media proved highly effective in promoting the festival, resulting in steady growth over subsequent years. By 2011, Cooly Rocks On had expanded to 2 days with over 10,000 tickets sold. It had cemented itself as a must-attend music event for rock fans on the Gold Coast and beyond.

Major milestones in recent years included relocating to the larger venue of Kirkwood Road in 2016 to accommodate bigger crowds. Popular international acts like Eskimo Joe, Hoodoo Gurus and Violent Soho have also headlined the festival. The 2022 edition saw over 70 performances across 4 indoor/outdoor stages, with 40,000 tickets issued across the 3 days.

Cooly Rocks On has blossomed into a major contributor to the Gold Coast’s events calendar, proving that great rock music and an intimate festival experience can succeed on the iconic holiday destination. Its growth highlights the growing demand for quality boutique festivals in Australia.