​Get ready to step back in time. Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On, is taking over the Gold Coast in Coolangatta right now, kicking off Wednesday June 3 to Sunday June 7. Celebrating everything yesteryear, the five-day event brings a bygone era to life with classic cars, rock ‘n’ roll music, and vintage lifestyle celebrations.
With 57 bands and over 200 performers across 14 stages and venues, there is plenty to see and do. The festival is free to attend, though select special experiences are ticketed. If you are heading down this weekend, here are the must-see highlights.
Classic Cars and Kustom Kulture
For motoring enthusiasts, the renowned Show ‘N’ Shine presented by Autoglym is the ultimate highlight. Spanning nearly two kilometres across six precinct zones, the display features over a thousand classic cars, muscle cars, and hot rods manufactured on or before 1979. There is even a dedicated 80s Zone returning for its second year, showcasing vehicles from 1980 to 1985.
Make sure you check out Shannons Insurance, who are unveiling their SuperRig 2.0 for its national debut, complete with vintage engine start-ups, 70s vehicles, and Supercar athlete appearances. If two wheels are more your style, Indian Motorcycles is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a beachfront headquarters full of iconic bikes.
On Saturday night, Marine Parade comes alive for the iconic Saturday Night Car Cruise. Families can grab a spot at one of the four dedicated viewing areas to watch a vibrant procession of timeless machines glide through the streets.
Down at the southern end of Marine Parade, Kustomville offers a unique kustom culture experience. Here, you can check out lowbrow art, sleds, and street machines, and witness a live rebuild of a hot rod from start to finish by some of the world’s best outfitters.
Elvis, Pin-Ups and Live Music
It would not be Cooly Rocks On without the King. The Elvis Precinct hosts some of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists, including international stars Jimmy Holmes and Taylor Rodriguez, alongside Australian favourites like Jack Gatto, Charlie Gaylard, and Brendon Chase. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest runs across three days, with the winner heading straight to Graceland in Memphis.
Vintage fashion is also front and centre. While the Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant officially awards its Classic and Rockabilly titles on Friday afternoon, you can spot the glamorous finalists wandering through the festival all weekend.
If you want to join the action, there are free dance floors and workshops scattered throughout the precinct. Whether you prefer swing dancing or rock ‘n’ roll, you can easily find your rhythm and soak up the retro atmosphere.
