News

Rockin’ artist lineup announced for Cooly Rocks On 2024!

Returning to yesteryear from 5-9 June 2024, Cooly Rocks On is gearing up for yet another massive festival with a rockin’ artist lineup announced! Featuring some of the best homegrown and international rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, swing and tribute artists, it’s going to be one big celebration of music from the good ol’ days.  Check…

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Get to know Dwight Icenhower!

Coming to Cooly Rocks On for the first time is internationally renowned Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) Dwight Icenhower!  Making his long awaited return to Australia, Dwight is set to bring the King’s iconic performances straight from the United States to Coolangatta from 5 – 9 June 2024. Get to know more about Dwight below! With…

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Be part of the 2024
Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant!

The beloved Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant returns for 2024, celebrating the timeless fashion, hair and makeup of yesteryear.  This crowd favourite event, combining elements of the ‘Classic’ and ‘Rockabilly’ pageants invites Pin-ups from diverse backgrounds to showcase their style and flair. If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a Pin-up, get to…

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Lookin’ back on Cooly Rocks On History!

As we gear up for another massive Cooly Rocks On from 5 – 9 June 2024, let’s do what we do best and take a step back in time together and reminisce about the beginning of Cooly Rocks On! First known as the WinterSun Festival, the vibrant event was introduced to the area in the…

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Celebrate The King of Rock ‘N’ Roll at Cooly Rocks On 2024!

On January 8 2024, Elvis fans around the world celebrated what would’ve been the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 89th birthday!  There’s no doubt that Elvis Presley’s influence will continue to live on for years to come and this year’s birthday celebrations demonstrate just that. For the lucky fans who were in Memphis USA, Graceland…

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Three International Elvis Tribute Artists are coming to Cooly Rocks On 2024!

Elvis fans rejoice! We’re thrilled to announce that Cooly Rocks On will be welcoming not one, not two, but three incredible international Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) to the festival in 2024! Cooly Rocks On returns to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast from 5 – 9 June 2024, celebrating all things motors, music and lifestyle of…

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Your 2023 Cooly Rocks On itinerary!

With Cooly Rocks On just around the corner, have you started planning out your festival schedule? Kicking off from Wednesday 7 June, take a step back in time in the iconic precinct of Coolangatta to celebrate the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear! With so much to see and do, we’ve got you covered with…

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Festival partners give Cooly Rocks On fans the chance to win big!

In what seems like a downpour of opportunity, 2023 Cooly Rocks On partners are giving festival fans the chance to win big! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a good freebie?! Here’s a list of all of the wonderful things you could win at this year’s festival! The team from America’s First Motorcycle Company, Indian…

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Top 5 things to do on the Southern Gold Coast!

Are you heading down to Coolangatta for Cooly Rocks On this 7-11 June? Why not make the most of your visit to the beautiful Southern Gold Coast by adding a few more days to your trip for a holiday you’ll never want to end!  Here is our list of top five activities you can fill…

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JUST IN: The 2023 Cooly Rocks On Program & App!

The countdown to Cooly Rocks On is well and truly on with the release of the 2023 festival program and app!  Returning to the iconic beachside precinct of Coolangatta from 7-11 June, the festival program demonstrates why there are plenty of reasons to make the pilgrimage this year! Check it out for yourself below.   …

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Check out these retro Gold Coast motels & hotels!

The celebration of yesteryear doesn’t need to stop at the festival! If you’re planning to visit the Gold Coast for Cooly Rocks On, make sure to check out these Gold Coast hotels and motels and book your stay before all the rooms are taken. The Pink Hotel Located right in the heart of the festival…

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a couple dancing in the sun at cooly rocks on
Get your dancing shoes on and get rockin’ at Cooly Rocks On!

When there’s music, there’s dancing! The 50s, 60s and 70s were known for having the most energetic dancefloors, which means we can’t not recreate this magic at Cooly Rocks On! If you’re looking to rock ‘n’ roll dance or swing dance, then keep reading to see what we’ve got planned at this year’s festival! Swing…

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The history of the impressive Goggomobils at Cooly Rocks On!

Amongst the many impressive vehicles you’ll see at Cooly Rocks On in its famous Show ‘N’ Shine, there’s often a collection of small but eye-catching cars that always takes everyone’s fancy – the Goggomobils. Petite in its design, the Goggomobil was first introduced and manufactured by Hans Glas GMBH in Germany. After noticing the high…

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Maizie May after being crowned Miss Cooly Rocks On 2022 holder her bouquet and crown
All Things Vintage Fashion with 2022 Pin-Up Pageant Winner Maizie May

The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is an annual celebration of the differing lifestyles, cultures, fashions, hair and make-up of the eras gone by. With three exciting rounds in the contest, the pageant gathers Pin-ups from across the world where they can showcase their unique takes on the ‘Classic’ and ‘Rockabilly’ styles we know and love….

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a man and a woman dancing together in the middle of the dance floor with a band playing in the background
Cooly Rocks On unveils massive artist lineup for 2023!

The wait is over, the artist lineup for Cooly Rocks On 2023 has just been announced!  Returning to the iconic precinct of Coolangatta from 7-11 June 2023, this year’s lineup features a massive selection of international and national artists from around the world. With a mash of rockabilly, swing, and rock ‘n’ roll, the music…

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Fire Up Fridays – Learn more about the cars from yesteryear!

We can’t be transported back to the days of yesteryear without transforming the streets of Coolangatta. To do that, every year Cooly Rocks On gathers hundreds of classic cars, hot rods and more for our Show ‘N’ Shine to help turn back the clock on this iconic precinct. Many of these beauties join us at…

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red graphic image that says international elvis tribute artists announced
Top International Elvis Tribute Artists set to perform at Cooly Rocks On 2023!

It wouldn’t be a travel back in time to the 50s, 60s and 70s without the king of rock ‘n’ roll. Widely considered the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the world, we’re so excited to welcome Shawn Klush to Cooly Rocks On 2023!  Shawn tours extensively around the world, but his Cooly Rocks On headline…

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antique cars parked by the beach
Cooly Rocks On awarded top honour at Queensland Tourism Awards

As planning begins to take shape for the 2023 festival, we’re already heading into the new year with a jump in our step! The prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards was held recently on the Gold Coast, and we’re beyond thrilled to have been awarded GOLD in the Major Festivals and Events category.  The Queensland Tourism Awards…

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gold coast airport
Touchdown… at Cooly! Gold Coast Airport joins as a Support Partner.

Now boarding – Cooly Rocks On 2023! We’re thrilled to announce our latest Support Partner, Gold Coast Airport. Step foot into yesteryear from the moment you land and waste no time in arriving at the heart of the festival! Located only a couple kilometres away from Coolangatta with a drive of fewer than 5 minutes,…

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Record crowds rock to the tune of yesteryear at Cooly Rocks On

Well, it’s another one for the history books! Across the five picture-perfect days, there was no shortage of dancing, singing, revving and good vibes as we took a step back in time to celebrate the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear.  While record crowds shaked, rattled and rolled through Coolangatta for this year’s festival, we…

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Welcoming our 2022 Festival Partners

In 2022, we can’t wait to return to the picturesque beachside destination of Coolangatta to deliver yet another memorable year celebrating the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear. Now,  before we get the party started, we’d like to introduce our 2022 Festival Partners and thank them for helping to make Cooly Rocks On 2022 the…

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2022 Program revealed

As the countdown begins for Cooly Rocks On, the full festival program has been released with something on offer for everyone. Whether you have an appreciation of classic cars, love watching live music or enjoy celebrating and paying homage to the lifestyle of years gone by, Cooly Rocks On 2022 has it all.   As Cooly Rocks…

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Coolangatta set to ‘rock on’ with sounds of yesteryear!

Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for Our 2022 Lineup is here! Not only are we bringing the sweet sounds of revving engines to the streets of Coolangatta, but we’re also bringing a packed lineup of national and international artists across five action-packed days, 8-12 June 2022. That’s right! We’re turning back…

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Cooly Rocks On bigger than ever!

And that’s a wrap. Cooly Rocks On bigger than ever in 2021! After a short hiatus due to COVID-19, Cooly Rocks On dazzled crowds as it transformed Coolangatta into a colourful explosion of sound and culture, proving once again why it is a favourite amongst rock ‘n’ roll fans and nostalgia lovers of yesteryear! Blessed…

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Cooly Rocks On supports Surf Life Saving

Cooly could be considered the birthplace of Surf Lifesaving Queensland with the first recorded rescue in Queensland being at Coolangatta in 1909 and the first Queensland surf lifesaving club known as Tweed Heads & Coolangatta, being established just a few years later 1911. After patrolling our beach for over 100 years and with our festival…

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Things to do in Coolangatta while you’re at Cooly Rocks On

We know that one of the reasons our fans love Cooly Rocks On so much is because of the many surprise and delights experienced while exploring the festival precinct in between the festival program. So, we’ve gathered a list of some of our favourite things to do and places to visit in Coolangatta while you’re…

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Shannons are back for Cooly Rocks On 2021

Long-time partner Shannons will be back again in 2021 for another fun-filled festival. You’ll be able to find the Shannons team in Queen Elizabeth Park with their Super Rig Truck taking centre stage. They will be hosting their popular Garage Torque sessions and will have legendary V8 Supercars driver Jim Richards making a special appearance…

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In conversation with 2019 Miss Rockabilly

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a beauty queen? We recently had the pleasure of catching up with the 2019 Miss Rockabilly winner, Kitty La Vie, to talk about all things rockabilly pageants and her experience in competing for the crown. What was your favourite part about competing for the Miss Rockabilly…

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2019 Miss Cooly Rocks On Miss Cherry Amour
We caught up with the 2019 Miss Cooly Rocks On winner, Miss Cherry Amour

We had the pleasure of catching with the 2019 Miss Cooly Rocks On winner, Miss Cherry Amour to discuss all things pinup pageants, from the moment she fell in love with pin up culture and vintage glamour to the moment she decided that she would compete for the Miss Cooly Rocks On crown. What did…

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IT’S HERE! THE 2021 LINE UP ANNOUNCED

The moment you’ve all been waiting for…the 2021 Cooly Rocks On line up has been announced! Get ready to shake, rattle and roll at Australia’s largest Rock ‘n’ Roll and nostalgia festival to a rockin’ line up of rockabilly, swing and rock ‘n’ roll artists from across the country.  This year’s festival will feature top…

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Cooly Rocks On welcomes Indian Motorcycle
Cooly Rocks On welcomes back Indian Motorcycle to our 2021 Festival as a Major Partner

The last time Indian Motorcycle was at Cooly Rocks On was June 2019. Sadly due to Covid-19 our 2020 festival was cancelled but in 2021 Indian will be back bigger than ever with their multi-story Indian Motorcycle HQ and a full range of Indian Motorcycles on display and we could not be more delighted. Indian…

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Cooly Rocks On welcomes the spirit of VIVA in 2021

Australia’s largest Rock ‘n’ Roll and nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On will return to the stunning Coolangatta beachfront in June and will welcome the spirit of VIVA Surfers Paradise with five days of Elvis activity to be added into an already bursting program, bringing ‘The King’ to Cooly. So get ready for a colourful explosion of sound…

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Cooly Rocked the QLD Tourism Awards winning Bronze for Best Major Festival and Event

The team behind Connecting Southern Gold Coast are celebrating after the ninth annual Cooly Rocks On Festival was named a Bronze winner of the Best Major Festival and Event in the state at the QLD Tourism Awards held Friday November 9 on the Sunshine Coast. Setting record numbers from June 5 to 9 this year,…

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Cooly Rocks On music to tourism industry’s ears

The Southern Gold Coast’s annual nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On, celebrated record growth in 2019, with Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, releasing the official festival statistics with Connecting Southern Gold Coast CEO, Josh Martin, in August. More than 120,000 people attended Cooly Rocks On this year – generating nearly $7 million for the Gold…

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Relive the best moments with Shannons at Cooly Rocks On 2019

On June 5 – 9, Coolangatta came alive for Cooly Rocks On 2019, Australia’s favourite nostalgia festival celebrating the 50s, 60s and 70s. Hundreds of custom, classic cars and hot rods packed the streets for the highlight of Cooly Rocks On – the Show ‘n’ Shine. With every vintage and classic, make and model imaginable,…

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Cooly Rocked On with Record Crowds

Celebrating cars and culture from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, Cooly Rocks On, June 5 to 9, took over the streets of Coolangatta with record crowds of over 120,000 attending the retro festival over the five days. This year, Cooly featured an incredible entertainment line-up of Rock’n Roll, Rockabilly and Swing mixed with a schedule…

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Shannons Brings Cars and Legends to Cooly 2019

Celebrate the history of the Racing Mustang and our legends of the track at the Shannons Hub during Cooly Rocks On 2019. At Cooly you’ll be able to see the 1978 Porsche 911 driven by Jim Richards in the Shannons Classic Rallye at Targa Tasmania this year. Check out the video below. You’ll also find an incredible Classic…

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Introducing our GROW BOLD Festival Ambassador!

Cooly Rocks On™ and Feros Care have announced the first ever GROW BOLD Festival Ambassador! The winner is… Rachaelle La Belle! Proving you can live your BOLDEST life no matter what age, Rachaelle has entered her first Pin Up contest at 50 and is a finalist in this year’s Miss Rockabilly Pageant! As the GROW…

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Castrol Celebrates 100 Years in 2019

The world’s leading lubricants brand, Castrol, will be rocking on with us in 2019 as a Major Partner at this year’s Cooly Rocks On. The manufacturer, distributor and marketer of premium lubricating oils and greases to the automotive, industrial, marine and aviation industries will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2019. Established on 1 July 1919…

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Are you our Grow Bold Festival Ambassador?

Cooly Rocks On™ and Feros Care are looking for the first ever GROW BOLD Festival Ambassador! If you’re coming to Cooly from June 5 – 9, enter the competition to WIN the title of GROW BOLD Ambassador and follow all the major events across the 2019 Festival: Bust out your best moves at the Rock ‘n’…

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Cooly Rocks On™ takes over the Southern Gold Coast in 2019

Celebrating cars and culture from the 50s, 60s and now the 70s, Cooly Rocks On™ is back from June 5 to 9, 2019 with a completely free daytime line up. No longer simply a nostalgia festival celebrating the 50’s and 60s era, Cooly Rocks On™ is now immersed in cars and culture up to and…

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Cooly Rocks On™ Festival delivers for the Gold Coast

New data released today shows the Gold Coast’s iconic Cooly Rocks On™ Festival generated more than $6 million for the local economy this year. Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the event proved the importance of major events in supporting the Gold Coast’s tourism economy. “Cooly Rocks On™ lured more than 110,000 people…

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