Country Fest Queensland 2026: Your Complete Guide to Townsville’s Big Country Music Festival (June 12–13)
Pull on your boots and dust off that Akubra – Country Fest Queensland 2026 is almost here, and North Queensland is ready to party.
Taking over Cluden Park in Townsville across June 12 and 13, this two-day, family-friendly festival with kids 0–9 FREE will deliver a premium country music experience that North Queensland audiences typically have to travel for.
The festival is headlined by global country star Morgan Evans, alongside multi–Golden Guitar Award winners James Johnston, Max Jackson, The Wolfe Brothers, and Zac & George.
Whether you’re driving up from Cairns, flying in for the weekend, or you’re a Townsville local who’s had the date circled for months, this is your complete planning guide to one of the biggest events on the Queensland events calendar.
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What Is Country Fest Queensland 2026?
Country Fest QLD is set to become a must-attend event on the North Queensland calendar, bringing together music lovers, families, and visitors for an unforgettable weekend of entertainment.
Great Northern Brewing Co. presents Country Fest Queensland 2026, proudly supported by Townsville City Council through the team at Townsville Enterprise.
Festival owner Regan Anderson has an ambitious vision for what this event can mean for the region:
“We need to make North Queensland the next Tamworth when it comes to Australia’s country music scene.”
The Fast Facts:
- 📅 Dates: Friday 12 – Saturday 13 June 2026
- 📍 Venue: Cluden Park (Townsville Turf Club), Race Course Road, Townsville QLD
- 🎟️ Tickets: On sale now at tickets.countryfest.com.au
- 👨👩👧 Ages: All ages — kids 0–9 FREE
- 🎸 Stages: Country Trucker Cap Main Stage + Carmichael Ford Entertainment Stage
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The 2026 Lineup: Who’s Playing at Country Fest Queensland?
Friday 12 June — Night One
The Friday lineup features James Johnston, The Wolfe Brothers, Rachael Fahim, Jake Whittaker, Josie, Luke Geiger, and Y.O.G.A.
Friday night is headlined by James Johnston, one of Australia’s most decorated country artists.
Johnston said, “I’m so pumped to be heading back to Country Fest this June. It’s been a few years since I’ve played in Townsville and I can’t wait to get back up there and party with you all.”
Sharing the stage with him are The Wolfe Brothers — perhaps the hottest act in Australian country music right now.
The Wolfe Brothers took home five Golden Guitars in January at the 2026 Australian Country Music Awards, including Album of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year, and Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
With 15 Golden Guitars lined up on their trophy shelf, 4 ARIA nominations and two Countrytown wins, the Wolfe Brothers are Australia’s most awarded country rock duo in history.
Catching them live in Townsville just months after their Tamworth sweep is genuinely special.
Saturday 13 June — Night Two
The Saturday lineup features Morgan Evans, Zac & George, Max Jackson, Robbie Mortimer, Sara Berki, Lewis Love, and Cameron Cusack.
Saturday is headlined by Morgan Evans — an Australian country music star who has become a genuine global name.
International success followed with his 2017 hit “Kiss Somebody” and his 2018 album Things That We Drink To, which won the ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2019. Evans’ music, featuring chart-topping singles and emotionally raw songwriting, has resonated with fans globally, amassing over 800 million streams.
In September 2025, Evans announced he had signed with Virgin Music Group, with his studio album Steel Town released in March 2026.
Expect him to be road-testing new material fresh from the album.
Joining him is Max Jackson,
who was named female artist of the year for the second year in a row at the 2026 Golden Guitars.
This is a stacked Saturday night by any measure.
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Beyond the Music: What Else Is at the Festival?
Country Fest Queensland isn’t just a concert — it’s a full-on country lifestyle event.
Beyond the star-studded lineup, festivalgoers can enjoy a vibrant mix of market stalls, food vendors, kids’ rides, and the Carmichael Ford Entertainment Stage.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect across the grounds:
1. Country Trucker Cap Main Stage — live country music all weekend on the iconic main stage.
2. Carmichael Ford Entertainment Stage — entertainment including line dancing, food-eating competitions, and more.
3. Jack’s Saloon by Jack Daniel’s — step into Jack’s Saloon with live music and country DJs for unforgettable vibes.
4. Market Stalls & Food Vendors — local produce, craft goods, and country-style eats.
5. Kids’ Rides — making this a genuine day out for the whole family, with under-10s entering free.
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Getting to Country Fest Queensland 2026
Getting There
Townsville Airport (TSV) is located just 3 miles (approximately 5 km) from the city centre, with regular flights from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, and Melbourne. From there, it’s a short drive or ride to Cluden Park on Race Course Road.
Shuttle Buses
Camping options close to the venue are being arranged, with free buses running to and from the campsites during the event, as well as services to and from The Ville Casino, accommodation houses, and other locations. This is the smart option — park your car, enjoy the show, and let the bus do the work.
Driving
Cluden Park is located on Race Course Road, Cluden — just a short drive from the Townsville CBD. Rideshare services are available throughout Townsville for those staying in the city centre.
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Where to Stay in Townsville for Country Fest
Townsville has a strong range of accommodation to suit every budget and travel style. Book early — a festival of this scale will fill rooms fast.
For Families & Mid-Range Travellers
Mercure Townsville is a resort-style hotel close to the city and a short drive from Cluden Park, with spacious rooms, a pool, spa, bar, and restaurant. It consistently earns strong reviews from families.
Aquarius on the Beach puts you steps from the Strand with beach access, free parking, and a pool — a great base to enjoy the city before and after the festival.
For Luxury Travellers
The Ville Resort–Casino is connected to the convention centre, within a 15-minute walk of the Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal, and organisers have confirmed shuttle services to and from the festival, making it one of the most convenient luxury options in town.
For Budget Travellers
Discovery Parks – Townsville offers family-friendly holiday park accommodation with free WiFi and is a solid budget-friendly option for those who want more space without the hotel price tag.
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Why Townsville Is the Perfect Festival City
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the city is proud to showcase itself as the events capital of northern Australia.
And the numbers back that up — the event is estimated to boost Townsville’s economy by at least $1.5 million dollars.
But beyond the economics, Townsville in June is simply a beautiful place to be. The wet season is well behind you, the days are warm and clear, and the city’s famous Strand beachfront is perfect for a morning stroll before you head to the festival grounds.
Climb Castle Hill for panoramic views of Magnetic Island, or explore the underwater world at the Museum of Underwater Art.
If you’re extending your trip, the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are just a short journey away.
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How to Get the Most Out of Country Fest Queensland 2026
6 Tips for a Great Festival Weekend:
1. Book accommodation now. Festival weekends sell out fast in Townsville, particularly hotels close to the CBD and shuttle routes.
2. Use the free festival buses. Leave the car behind, enjoy the full festival experience, and travel safely.
3. Wear layers. June evenings in Townsville can cool down, particularly later in the night under open skies.
4. Arrive early on both days.
Gates open at 2pm at Cluden Park — early entry gives you time to explore the market stalls and grab a feed before the big acts hit the stage.
5. Bring the kids. Under-10s are free, and the festival’s kids’ rides and entertainment make it a full family day out.
6. Check the official website. Head to countryfest.com.au for the latest set times, ticketing updates, and any new lineup additions.
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Tickets for Country Fest Queensland 2026
Tickets are now on sale
for Country Fest Queensland 2026. You can purchase directly through the official ticketing portal at tickets.countryfest.com.au. Single-day and both-day options are available, with kids 0–9 entering free. The festival is all ages.
Looking for more Queensland tours and experiences to combine with your Townsville trip? Browse our full Queensland tours guide for adventures across the state.
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Plan Your Trip to Country Fest Queensland 2026
There’s something genuinely exciting about watching North Queensland step up as a serious festival destination.
Organisers anticipate this will deliver an amazing new experience for Townsville and create something truly special for local audiences.
With a headlining lineup that punches well above its weight — a global streaming star fresh off a new album, Australia’s most decorated country duo riding a career high, and a supporting cast that represents the best of Australian country music right now — Country Fest Queensland 2026 is shaping up as the country music weekend of the year outside Tamworth.
June 12 and 13, Cluden Park, Townsville. Get your tickets, pack your boots, and don’t miss it.
