Rockynats 2025 Preview

Rockhampton is revving up to host Rare Spares Rockynats 05 from 4–6 April 2025, a three-day celebration of horsepower and automotive culture. It's Queensland's largest, loudest, "lairiest" car and bike festival – a high-octane carnival of burnouts, drifting, drag racing and more. Set along the city's riverfront streets and the Rockhampton Showgrounds, Rockynats takes over the town with engine roars and screeching tyres. This year's event falls in the school holidays (but avoids the Easter long weekend), meaning families and travellers can enjoy everything open with no holiday closures. If you love street machines or just epic entertainment, Rockynats 2025 is geared up to be bigger and better than ever.

Major Attractions and Racing Events

Rockynats packs in a huge line-up of attractions for petrolheads and casual fans alike. Here are some of the key events and highlights you won't want to miss:

Burnout Championship

Tyres will fry as Australia's best burnout drivers push their machines to the limit. There's a massive $40,000 prize pool on offer across the weekend, with $24,000 just for the burnout competitions. Expect heavy hitters from the burnout scene (like Ryan Pearson in his wild supercharged Holden "HOLDON") lighting up the pad with smoke and fury. Winners even snag spots to compete at Summernats in Canberra, so the burnouts will be all-out!

Street Drag Racing

Experience the thrill of legal drag racing on a public street. Rockynats is unique in running "no-prep" street drags right in downtown Rockhampton on Quay Street. Big-tired, high-horsepower cars will battle from light to light in front of the pub crowd – an only-at-Rockynats spectacle. A bunch of cash and prizes are at stake for the fastest street machines, and reigning champ Paul Butler will be back in his notorious "NANA" Holden Gemini to defend his title.

Street Parade

The festival's signature Street Parade will see over 1,000 custom cars and bikes rumble through the Rockhampton CBD in an incredible rolling display. Crowds line the streets as classics, hot rods, muscle cars, bikes and wild custom creations cruise by in a procession of pure automotive eye-candy. It's a family-friendly opener that brings the whole city out to cheer.

Show 'N' Shine & Elite Pavilion

By day, hundreds of gleaming show cars and bikes will be on display in Show 'N' Shine competitions, with entrants polishing their paint and chrome to perfection. For the true connoisseurs, the Elite Pavilion (Elite Hall) will unveil a select few never-before-seen custom builds to the public. In fact, Drag Challenge legend Chris Kaarsberg is set to debut his freshly rebuilt seven-second LX Torana drag car at Rockynats 2025 – one of several elite machines having their grand reveal. If you love top-tier workmanship and outrageous mods, the Elite show is a must-see.

4×4 Off-Road Zone

New for Rockynats in recent years, the 4x4 Zone showcases the brutish side of motoring. 60 of Australia's toughest off-road rigs will be on show, hand-picked by 4x4 guru Dave Casey. Expect lifted trucks, rock crawlers and adventure-ready 4WDs flexing their suspension. This zone will also feature fun extras like an off-road RC (remote control) racing track for some mini racing action. It's heaven for off-road enthusiasts and anyone impressed by big, capable 4x4s.

Dyno Challenge

The dyno cell will be pounding as high-powered cars compete to put up the biggest horsepower numbers. Last year's Rockynats dyno champion, Cody Hunt, is returning with his Holden VE ClubSport R8 wagon – a car that put down over 1,800 hp (around 1,340 kW) at the wheels in 2024! This year Cody's wagon is packing an even larger engine, so spectators can expect some record-shattering pulls on the dyno. If ear-splitting engine fury is your thing, don't miss the dyno competition and its quartet of turbo and V8 monsters screaming for glory.

These are just a few of the adrenaline-fueled attractions on the program. From dawn till dusk each day, Rockynats will be brimming with fast cars, burning rubber, and pumped-up crowds enjoying the show. Whether you're into drag racing, drifting or dazzling show cars, there's no shortage of action.

Special Guests and Live Entertainment

Rockynats isn't only about machines – it's also a full-on festival with a stacked entertainment lineup.

Saturday Night Concert

On Saturday night, the live music stage will roar to life with Australian rock legend Pete Murray headlining a major open-air concert. Pete Murray's crowd-pleasing set of hits will keep the energy high after the day's racing excitement. He'll be joined by supporting acts (including rising star Demi Casha) to round out a night of great tunes and good vibes.

Fun Competitions

For added Aussie flair, some beloved off-track contests will return as well. Festival favourites like the cheeky Mulletfest (a competition celebrating the best mullet hairdos) and a high-octane Tattoo Competition are on the agenda. These fun contests bring out big personalities and give festival-goers a chance to participate in the action – whether you're flaunting an epic hairdo or some cool ink, you could take home a title! It's all in good fun and adds to the colourful atmosphere.

Rockabilly Sunday

Sunday's entertainment takes a retro turn. The final day is also known as Rockabilly Sunday, bringing a dose of vintage flair to Rockynats. There will be live rockabilly bands playing toe-tapping tunes and the popular Rockabilly Pin-Up Competition where entrants dress in 1950s style for the title. Even a beginners' fashion parade is planned, so everyone can get into the retro spirit.

Closing Celebrations

After trophies are handed out on Sunday afternoon, the weekend wraps up with the Full Throttle Awards ceremony followed by the Pit Stop Party – a closing celebration featuring TikTok sensation Playlunch, a Melbourne-based band known for their upbeat pop-punk jams. Playlunch will ensure Rockynats ends on a high note, sending off the crowd with one last burst of music and excitement.

New Themes and Additions for 2025

Each year Rockynats introduces fresh elements, and 2025 is no exception. Organisers have added some exciting new themed zones and events to make Rockynats 05 the most diverse outing yet.

Little Tokyo

One of the headline additions is "Little Tokyo", a vibrant new precinct celebrating Japanese car culture. In Little Tokyo, fans of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars will be in heaven – the area will feature the CBD Drift Precinct for drifting demos, plus a static display of Japan's hottest modified cars as part of the Hardtuned JDM Showcase.

You can wander among sleek Nissan GT-Rs, turbocharged Toyotas and other JDM icons, meet their owners and drivers, and even witness ear-splitting rev battles where high-performance engines duke it out in a test of pure sound and power. To complete the cultural experience, Asian-inspired street food vendors will be on hand in Little Tokyo serving up delicious eats. This new zone will add an exotic drift-heavy flavour to Rockynats, tapping into the booming interest in Japanese imports and drift style.

Big Truck Display

At the opposite end of the spectrum, big rigs are joining the party in 2025. A brand-new Big Truck Display will showcase Australia's shiniest prime movers (semi trucks) in all their chrome-plated glory. These giant rigs – from show-ready Kenworths to custom freightliners – will be parked up for attendees to admire up close. It's a rare chance for truck enthusiasts and kids (who always love big trucks!) to see these massive machines beyond just glimpses on the highway.

More Entertainment

The off-track entertainment program has also been supercharged with new additions. For the first time, there will be a Speedway demo event, bringing dirt oval racing action to the Rockhampton Showgrounds. Combine that with jaw-dropping freestyle motocross (FMX) stunt shows by the FMX Kaos crew, and Friday's showground schedule is set to be a thrill-fest.

Another fun new twist is the remote-control car racing – miniature off-road RC cars zipping around a course, which promises laughs and thrills for all ages. And in case that's not enough, Rockynats 2025 will even feature live professional wrestling matches at the grounds, bringing some bodyslams and suplexes into the mix.

From drifting imports to monster trucks, and motocross jumps to wrestling showdowns, the new attractions this year truly run the gamut. It's clear the organisers want to offer more than just a car show, making Rockynats a multi-faceted festival experience for everyone.

Ticket Prices and Festival Schedule

Mark your calendars – Rockynats 2025 runs from Friday, 4 April to Sunday, 6 April 2025, with automotive action and entertainment from morning till night each day. Here's a quick look at the festival schedule and what to expect on each day:

Friday, 4 April

The event kicks off Friday morning at 10am and will open with cruising and qualifying action. By the afternoon/evening, the Rare Spares Street Parade winds through the CBD, featuring hundreds of cars in a grand cruise to officially open Rockynats. Friday also sees the start of the burnout competitions, street drag heats, drifting demos and show 'n' shine displays. In the evening, head over to the Rockhampton Showgrounds for family-friendly night events – including a taste of dirt track speedway racing, high-flying FMX motocross stunt shows, and even some RC car racing to keep the kids entertained. It's an action-packed first day that sets the tone for the weekend.

Saturday, 5 April

Saturday is typically the biggest day of Rockynats. The streets and venues will be buzzing with finals and showcases: expect the no-prep drag racing finals on Quay Street, burnout comp finals on the Northside pad, and all the show cars out on display in their full glory. The new Little Tokyo drift precinct will be in full swing as well, drawing drift fans. Off the track, Saturday hosts the fun Mulletfest and Tattoo Competition, so there's plenty happening everywhere. As the sun sets, thousands will gather for the huge open-air concert headlined by Pete Murray. The live music and festival atmosphere will carry late into the night – a perfect way to celebrate a day of horsepower heroics.

Sunday, 6 April

The final day of Rockynats 05 brings a mix of high-speed action and retro flair. Remaining motorsport events and displays continue (you might catch last chances to see the show cars or a drift demo), and judges will crown winners of the various car categories. Sunday is also Rockabilly Day, featuring live rockabilly bands and the Pin-Up Competition for those channeling their inner 1950s style. It's a great day to wander with the family, enjoy classic tunes, and maybe grab a milkshake from a food truck while checking out the vintage vibe. By late afternoon, the attention shifts to the main stage for the Full Throttle Awards ceremony, where the champions of Rockynats (from burnouts to show 'n' shine) receive their trophies. And to cap it all off, the Pit Stop Party closes the festival, rocking out with a performance by Playlunch and leaving everyone on a high note. It's the perfect wrap-up to three days of petrol-fuelled fun.

Tickets

Rockynats 2025 tickets are on sale now, with a range of options to suit your plans.

Single Day Options:

• One-day general admission (adult): $39.30 if purchased in advance

Multi-Day Passes:

• Adult three-day pass: $90.30
• Family 3-Day Pass (2 adults + 2 youth): $177.00, which covers the whole weekend for the whole clan
• Youth tickets (ages 13–17) and concessions: offered at discounted rates (e.g. around $49 for a 3-day youth pass)
• Children 13 and under: enter free with a paying adult, so you can bring the kids along without breaking the bank

VIP Experience:

• Platinum Pass (VIP): roughly $284 – this grants access to exclusive VIP areas and prime viewing spots across all precincts Friday through Sunday

Additional Options:

• Camping available if you want to stay close to the action, with affordable camping passes on offer for the weekend

Whether you're coming for one day or all three, it's wise to book early online (via the official Rockynats website) to secure your spot and lock in the best price.

In short, Rockynats is affordable and accessible, with tickets to suit enthusiasts, families and casual visitors alike.

Buy your Rocknats tickets here.

Who Should Attend?

Rockynats 2025 truly offers something for everyone. It's an unmissable event for car enthusiasts, travellers and thrill-seekers alike, and it has become a point of pride for the Rockhampton community, warmly welcoming visitors from all over. Street machine enthusiasts and racers will be in heaven with the sheer variety of performance cars, competitions and tech on display – whether you're into classic muscle cars, high-tech imports, or thumping V8 utes, you'll find plenty to drool over. Hardcore rev-heads come to compete or spectate, but you don't need to be a motoring expert to have a blast. The festival is extremely family-friendly, with entertainment for all ages and interests. Parents can bring the kids along for the rides, stunt shows and fun contests (and remember, kids go free with adult tickets). There are food trucks, live music, fireworks and carnival vibes to keep the non-gearheads happy as well. Tourists and general visitors looking for a unique Aussie experience will love the colourful blend of car culture and country town hospitality – it's a chance to see an entire city come alive with rumbling engines and celebration. In short, if you enjoy fast cars, loud engines, or just a great festival atmosphere, Rockynats is for you. From die-hard petrolheads to families on a weekend outing, everyone is invited to join the Rockynats 2025 party. Don't miss out on this fuel-burning, tyre-shredding extravaganza – it's set to be one of the most thrilling automotive festivals Australia has to offer! Start your engines and get ready – see you in Rocky this April for Rockynats 05!

Sources

• Rockhampton Regional Council: Rockynats Official Page
• Rare Spares Rockynats official site
• Rockynats Event Overview