Drive south towards Coolangatta in the first week of June and watch the whole southern Gold Coast transform. Cooly Rocks On takes over Marine Parade and Griffith Street for five days of chrome, music, and petrol fumes, with 900+ classic cars on static display and the kind of 1950s-70s energy that makes you believe this is how weekends should always feel. Entry to wander the car displays is free; the real cost is the risk of discovering your next obsession parked at the kerb.
What started in 2008 as a handful of mates with six acts and 1,500 people has grown into a 40,000-ticket phenomenon. The maths works out at roughly 8,000 people per day across those five days, and every single one of them seems genuinely here for the love of the thing.
Event Details
Dates: 3-7 June 2026
Location: Coolangatta — Marine Parade, Griffith Street and surrounding streets
Entry: Free entry to outdoor events
Official website: coolyrockson.com
Dates and details are subject to change — always confirm at the official website before you visit.
Getting There
Coolangatta is about 1 hour south of Surfers Paradise via the Pacific Motorway. Queensland Rail services run to Coolangatta Station. Street parking along Marine Parade and Griffith Street fills quickly during peak times, so arriving early is recommended. If you’re coming from across the NSW border, Tweed Heads is just minutes away.
What’s Nearby
Snapper Rocks offers world-class waves just minutes from the festival precinct, and Rainbow Bay and Greenmount Beach are ideal for a morning swim before the day’s events. Twin Towns Services Club is a short walk away for dining and entertainment, and Coolangatta’s beachfront location makes it easy to combine the festival with coastal walks and beach time.
Event Highlights
Classic Car Show n Shine
Location: Marine Parade and Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Over 900 incredible classic cars line the streets for the Show ‘N’ Shine — one of the largest gatherings of classic vehicles in Australia.
Live Music
Numerous artists performing live on stage around Coolangatta across multiple venues and outdoor stages.
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
Event Background
Cooly Rocks On emerged from the local car enthusiast and music community in Coolangatta — a group of people who loved their classics and saw no reason why the whole region couldn’t celebrate that passion together. They started small, as all good grassroots festivals do, and growth was organic. Word of mouth from car clubs, radio mentions in rock and roll circles, the numbers building naturally rather than by force.
The event’s success pivots on one crucial thing: it’s not trying to be authentic to an era. It’s celebrating the vibe of an era. The cars are real (serious enthusiasts don’t tolerate replicas), the music is genuine, and the people showing up — whether they’re arriving in a 1960s Chevie or walking with their kids — are there because something about that cultural moment still speaks to them.
By 2022, Cooly Rocks On had become the kind of event that moves hotel bookings for the week, fills restaurants early, and sends petrol-head couples from New South Wales down the highway planning their outfits. The transformation of the entire southern beachfront into a festival precinct happens so naturally that locals barely notice it’s starting until the first wave of classics rolls into town.
Nearby Accommodation
Coolangatta and nearby Tweed Heads offer a range of beachside accommodation, from family motels to holiday apartments. For a longer festival stay, our Coolangatta guide covers options with beachfront access and that authentic seaside town vibe. Book early — Coolangatta fills quickly for the festival.