There’s something inherently funny about country music on the Gold Coast: one minute you’re in your boots, the next you’re watching the sunset over the ocean with a cold drink in hand. Somehow, it works. And Groundwater Country Music Festival is back to prove it.
Returning to Broadbeach from 16–18 October 2026, the festival has unveiled a seriously stacked lineup led by Australian country icon Kasey Chambers, New Zealand powerhouse Kaylee Bell and festival favourites The Wolfe Brothers.
The three-day beachside celebration will also feature Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Kingswood, Tyla Rodrigues, Lane Pittman, Henry Wagons, Hayley Jensen, Ruth Moody, Pete Denahy & The Surreal McCoys, Jake Penrod, Jarrad Wrigley and plenty more.
Chambers returns with her full band, promising old favourites, new songs and a few covers — basically, the exact kind of set you want when the sun is going down and Broadbeach is starting to feel like the best place in the country.
“I’m always happy to be playing back at one of my favourite music festivals in Australia,” Chambers says.
Kaylee Bell is also heading back to Groundwater after a huge run of international success, including more than 100 million catalogue streams, her global breakout hit ‘Keith’ and stadium shows supporting Ed Sheeran.
Alongside the big names, Groundwater 2026 is making plenty of room for new talent and genre curveballs, with festival debuts from Austin Mackay, Kingswood, Dear Tommie and 2026 Toyota Star Maker winner Jarrad Wrigley.
Expect bluegrass breakfasts, beachside line dancing, outlaw country, folk, honky-tonk, sunset sessions and the kind of festival wandering where you can accidentally stumble into your new favourite artist.
Now in its 13th year, Groundwater CMF remains one of Australia’s most unique music festivals: free, family-friendly and set just steps from the sand. In other words, leave the festival mud at home — this year, it’s all about the beach, the boots and a very good excuse to sing along loudly.
Groundwater Country Music Festival runs from 16–18 October 2026 at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.