A Hitlist of Annual Gold Coast Events

Find an event that sparks excitement and save the date for your next visit to the Gold Coast.

If you’ve been eyeing a trip to the Gold Coast but you’re looking for a sign on when to make the journey exactly, consider planning your visit around one of the city’s biggest and best events.

From feel-good festivals and incredible art exhibitions to hearing the roar of the crowd at an action-packed sporting event, mark your calendar right now — future you will not regret it!

Music events on the Gold Coast

Put on your dancing shoes and discover the festival side of the Gold Coast’s music scene.

Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival

Held in the bustling Broadbeach precinct, Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s largest free music festivals. Showcasing authentic blues music over four full days and nights, the lineup features both national and international artists on multiple stages.

cheerful crowd singing at Blues on Broadbeach — Sing your heart out at Blues on Broadbeach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

While you’re in town, discover more things to do in Broadbeach including getting to know the vibrant dining scene and nightlife.

a brightly lit concert stage during the Blues on Broadbeach 2021 — You’ve got no choice but to party all night. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Next event: 18 – 21 May 2023

Groundwater Country Music Festival

Another Broadbeach beauty is Groundwater Country Music Festival , bringing catchy riffs to the coast. Gathering some of the best artists in the industry, this is the perfect three-day event for country fans who love a good party.

Next event: 20 – 22 October 2023

Cultural events on the Gold Coast

Celebrate the city’s talented pool of artists right by the beach or sip a beer or five in the spirit of learning.

Gold Coast Film Festival

Bringing film to life in a distinctly Gold Coast way, the 12-day Gold Coast Film Festival puts on a show with more films, panels, parties, pop-up cinemas, and special events. The festival also attracts high-profile Australian film industry guests reinforcing the Gold Coast as one of Australia’s leading filmmaking destinations.

Next event: 19 – 23 April 2023

Cooly Rocks On Festival

Head to Coolangatta and be transported back in time as you celebrate the motors, music, and lifestyle of yesteryear at Cooly Rocks On Festival . For vehicle enthusiasts, the streets will be lined with over 900 incredible cars, scooters, and bikes, and if you put on your best dancing shoes, you can boogie on down to the best rock ‘n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and tribute artists from around the world. Last but not least, plan to spend some time shopping for a range of retro goods and vintage finds at the beachfront markets.

Next event: 7 – 11 June 2023

BLEACH* Festival

Want to feel inspired? As the Gold Coast’s annual contemporary arts festival, BLEACH* Festival celebrates the city’s most adventurous artists and welcomes renowned Australian and international collaborators.

Utilising the stunning natural landscape, the festival puts on a range of events showcasing incredible arts and cultural experiences such as dance, theatre, installations, opera, and more.

Every act is hand-picked to challenge expectations and change perceptions.

colourful designs at Bleach Festival 2020 — Stumble upon colourful art installations. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Next event: 3 – 13 August 2023

Pacific Airshow

Set to be the largest Airshow to ever take place in Australia, Pacific Airshow is a three-day weekend event featuring heart-pumping aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s finest aviators. This family-friendly show over Surfers Paradise is impressive no matter your age — prepare for four-plus hours of in-your-face flying!

Next event: 18 – 20 August 2023

SWELL Sculpture Festival

Queensland’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition SWELL Sculpture Festival comes to Currumbin Beach every year to celebrate art, culture, and community. With over 70 large-scale contemporary and thought-provoking sculptures to see, it’s worth taking your time at this event to learn about the story of each.

Next event: 8 – 17 September 2023

Crafted Beer & Cider Festival

Held over two epic days, the Crafted Beer & Cider Festival in Broadbeach is your opportunity to get up close and personal with brewers and try some of the 400+ new and exciting brews on offer. Some of Australia’s most popular acts will hit the stage over the weekend, and you can also chomp your way through the huge selection of food trucks.

Next event: 9 – 10 September 2023

Sports events on the Gold Coast

With the city’s persona of an active and healthy lifestyle, it’s no wonder sports events are extremely popular here. Get yourself front and centre as a participant or cheer on your favourites.

Pho3nix Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial

Grab your friends, family, work colleagues, or teammates together and get along to this year’s Pho3nix Gold Coast Tri – Luke Harrop Memorial , with the best triathletes in the world battling it out. Starting at Broadwater Parklands, swim 750 metres, cycle 20 kilometres, and run five kilometres. If you have kids feeling inspired to see what it’s all about, make a weekend of it and bring them down to the free “Try a Tri" in the Pho3nix Kids Triathlon.

Next event: 1 – 2 April 2023

Swim the Gold Coast

Fancy a competitive dip? Swim the Gold Coast is a marathon open water swim for teams, duos, and individuals featuring both 10-kilometre and 21-kilometre distances, spanning the length of the Gold Coast from Kirra Beach in the South to Surfers Paradise in the North.

Next event: 6 May 2023

Gold Coast Marathon

Playing host to eight races, the Gold Coast Marathon attracts participants of all ages and abilities around the world. With a reputation for its flat and fast course, run alongside beautiful beaches, from Paradise Point in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south. This event is a wonderful opportunity to get outdoors, challenge yourself, and raise funds for your chosen charity.

Next event: 1 – 2 July 2023

The Gold Coast 500

For Queensland’s largest car event, hit the beach-side race circuit in Surfers Paradise to see the biggest names in motorsport at The Gold Coast 500 . What’s extra special about this event is that the track is just three kilometres long, yet it’s a 300-kilometre race so drivers have to complete the circuit 100 times — it’s a spectator’s dream! Stick around for more entertainment over the weekend.

Next event: 27 – 29 October 2023

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival

Kick off the new year with entry to the most prestigious horse racing carnival in Queensland, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival . Held every January, there are plenty of events to get excited about over the 10-day carnival, but special mention goes to its hero race day which has cemented its reputation on the international racing scene.

Next event: January 2024

Gold Coast Open

Taking place at the iconic Burleigh Heads, some of the best Australian and International surfers will compete in the three-day Gold Coast Open . Much more than a professional surfing competition, this event celebrates the surf and coastal culture the region is renowned for.

While you’re in town, here’s your guide to exploring Burleigh Heads, including where to eat, play and stay.

Next event: February 2024

Looking for somewhere to stay? Here are 13 incredible Airbnbs on the Gold Coast.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

The annual Gold Coast events worthy of planning a trip around