Dust off your boots and pack your hat, because the Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) is saddling up for its 13th year. Returning to Broadbeach from Friday 16 October to Sunday 18 October 2026, the free, family-friendly event promises three days of live music, line dancing, and coastal sunshine.

A Stellar Mix of Local and International Talent

Leading the 2026 lineup is Australian country icon Kasey Chambers, who returns to the festival with her full band. Celebrating a career that includes 13 ARIA Awards and 17 Golden Guitars, Chambers will bring her vast catalogue of hits to the shoreline stages.

“Always happy to be playing back at one of my favourite music festivals in Australia – Groundwater! I’ll be bringing my full band and playing a bunch of my old songs in my set as well as a few new ones and favourite covers. Looking forward to seeing that street fill up with all you music lovers,” said Kasey Chambers.

New Zealand country powerhouse Kaylee Bell joins the lineup following a massive year of international touring.

“So excited to be playing Groundwater again! Queensland is our favourite place to play, and we can’t wait to see all our Gold Coast fans again,” said Kaylee Bell.

The festival also welcomes international acts like Canadian JUNO Award winner Ruth Moody, who makes her Groundwater CMF debut alongside fellow Canadian Josh Stumpf and honky-tonk musician Jake Penrod. Local country standouts including The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, and ARIA chart-topping debutants Kingswood ensure there is something for every fan.

Festival Director Mark Duckworth noted the diversity of this year’s offering.

“We continue to be inspired by the rise of country music in Australia and to be able to present Groundwater Country Music Festival in such a uniquely Gold Coast setting is such a highlight,” said Mark Duckworth. “The line up brings together everything from current pop country and Americana to bluegrass, folk, and traditional honky tonk and even a little Outlaw.”

Beyond the music, Groundwater CMF is a major economic driver for the region. Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell MP, highlighted the financial benefits of the beachside celebration.

“The Groundwater Country Music Festival is set to generate more than 63,500 attendances across the multi-day event, injecting close to $17 million into businesses, venues and operators across Broadbeach, the wider Gold Coast and Queensland,” Minister Powell said.

Gold Coast Acting Mayor Cr Mark Hammel echoed this sentiment, praising the event’s ongoing success over its 13-year history.

“Thirteen years ago, the Gold Coast dared to be different, launching the first Groundwater festival for our city,” he said. “Our city has always promoted a ‘yes’ mentality. Yes to great events, yes to having-a-crack and yes to securing the best country stars for a three-day spectacular, set against the iconic Broadbeach foreshore and skyline. I’ve dusted off the Akubra and will be there for Groundwater 2026. Make that a yes from me’’.”

With beachside bars, open-air stages, bluegrass breakfasts, and after-dark celebrations just steps from the sand, Groundwater CMF 2026 is shaping up to be an unmissable weekend.

2026 Groundwater Country Music Festival Lineup

Kasey Chambers
Kaylee Bell
The Wolfe Brothers
Beccy Cole
James Blundell
Kingswood
Tyla Rodrigues
Lane Pittman
Henry Wagons
Andrew Swift
Hayley Jensen
Pete Denahy & The Surreal McCoys
Jake Penrod
Sweet Talk
Ruth Moody
Denvah
Austin Mackay
Sterling Drake
Josh Stumpf
Jarrad Wrigley (2026 Star Maker)
Midnight Chicken
Dear Tommie
Michael Honan
Taurean Thompson’s Outlaw Country Sessions
Josie
Brewn
RB Brothers
DJ Colonel’s Country Music Cottage
Bluegrass Breakfast with Huxley & Friel
Country Calling Showcase
Beachside Line Dancing with Chris Watson & More

See you at Groundwater Country Music Festival on October 16 to 18

Groundwater Country Music Festival is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.