Rockynats 2023: Full program, road closures, opening times

Get ready to fill your tanks with three days of high octane events when Rockynats 03 kicks off this weekend. FULL GUIDE.

Preparations for Rockynats 03 are well and truly underway with precincts being set up, hundreds of cars rolling into town and a jam-packed schedule of high octane events for attendees.

This year’s Rockynats, which takes place this weekend, will be the first time the event hasn’t been affected by Covid-19.

Events will include show ‘n shine, street drags, burnouts, drifting, the street parade, Mulletfest, RockabillyNats pinup competition, a tattoo show and much more.

Advance Rockhampton executive manager Greg Bowden said the event injected millions into the local economy.

“Rockhampton is quickly becoming a hub for high-quality events in Central Queensland. Rockynats alone attracts 15,000 visitors and injects over $5 million into the region’s economy,” he said.

“Rockynats is for much more than just car lovers. Even if you can’t change a tire or tell the difference between a Mustang or a Mazda, you’ll love the Rockynats off-track entertainment.”

There are still tickets for the event available, but the discounted prices will finish as soon as Rockynats kicks off on Good Friday.

Platinum tickets are sold out, but Gold tickets, which give you access to the water taxis, are still available.

Visit the Rockynats website to purchase tickets or passes.

See the full guide of what’s on and road and car park closures below.

Rockynats 03 will kick off on Good Friday. Photos: Kentos Komms

Road closures

Throughout the Rockynats event there will be a number of road closures especially around the CBD.

See the full list of road closures below.

Dates and times may be subject to change.

CBD EVENT OPERATING HOURS

Saturday, April 8

6am: CBD closes to general foot traffic

8am: CBD opens to entrants

9am: Spectator gates open

6pm: Gates reopen to general foot traffic

Sunday, April 9

6am: CBD closes to general foot traffic

8am: CBD opens to entrants

9am: Spectator gates open

6pm: Gates reopen to general foot traffic

STREET PARADE ROUTE 

The Rockynats Street Parade Map.

There have been some slight changes to the Street Parade route from Rockynats 01 and 02.

Traffic control and police will be onside to facilitate the road closures.

Road closures for the street parade will take place from 11.30am until 4.30pm on Friday, April 7.

• Lion Creek Road/ New Exhibition Road (Showgrounds entry)
• Lion Creek Road and Luck Avenue
• Lion Creek Road and Harmon Street
• Sheenan Access Road and Lion Creek Road
• Haughton Street and Wandal Road
• Duncan Street and Lion Creek Road
• Norman Street and Wandal Road
• Cavell Street and New Exhibition Road
• Denison Lane and North Street
• East Street and Fitzroy Street
• Graeme Acton Way and Exhibition Road (Showgrounds entry)
• Hall Street and Lion Creek Road
• Rove Area – no fixed location

CBD PRECINCT

Rolling road closures on Quay street from William Street to South Street. No parking 3-12 April, 2023

Road closures on the corner of:

• Victoria Parade and Cambridge Streets April 2-9 April
• Derby Street (above Quay Lane) April 8-9
• Stanley Street (above Quay Lane) April 8-9
• Quay and South Streets April 8-9
• Quay and Francis Streets April 8-9
• Quay Lane and Francis Streets April 8-9
• East and Francis Streets April 8-9
• East and South Streets April 8-9
• Bolsover and South Streets April 8-9
• Stanley and Alma Streets April 8-9
• Derby and Alma Streets April 8-9
• William and Alma Streets April 8-9
• East and Fitzroy Streets April 8-9
• Bolsover and Denham Streets April 8-9
• Denham and Alma Streets April 8-9
• Archer and East Streets April 8-9
• Royal and East Streets April 8-9

NORTHSIDE – BURNOUTS PRECINCT

Reaney Streets April 8-9: Full closure between Goodsall Street and The Common – Local traffic and competitors only must have vehicle pass.

Goodsall Street April 8-9: Partial Closure between cricket ground car park entry point to Reaney Street – Local traffic and competitors only must have vehicle pass.

Robert Clarke Drive April 2-14: Full closure Boat Ramp accessible from April 10.

CBD CAR PARKING AREAS CLOSURES

CP1. Quay Street Lower Level Car park April 2-11.

CP2. Quay Street Car park April 2-12.

CP5. Victoria Parade Car park April 2-12.

CP6. East Street Car park (exit closed) April 6-9.

CP7. Northside Boat Ramp Car park March 27-April 14 (Boat Ramp Car park will be accessible March 27 – April 7 with traffic management).

What’s On

Friday

AUTOBARN SHOWGROUNDS PRECINCT

10:30am: Precinct Open

10:30am – 6:00pm: Helifish CQ Joy Flights

10:30am – 11:30am: Live Music – PistonFist

11:30am – 12:00pm: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

11:30am – 1:00pm: RockabillyNats Pin-Up Competition presented by CQ Pinups

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

1:00pm – 1:45pm: Live Music – Dave Dow

1:30pm – 3:30pm: CANNA Street Parade

3:00pm – 8:00pm: Rev’s Paint Supplies Elite Show

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

4:00pm – 4:45pm: Live Music – Cynic Tailor

5:00pm – 5:30pm: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

5:00pm – 5:45pm: Live Music – Dave Dow

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Rev‘s Paint Supplies Unveil Show

6:00pm – 6:45pm: Live Music – Kapricorn

6:00pm – 8:00pm: Drive-In Movie presented by Total Tools: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (M)

6:30pm – 7:30pm: Starting Line presented by Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton

7:00pm – 8:00pm: Live Music – PistonFist

8:00pm: Fireworks

8:30pm: Precinct Closes

Rockynats 03 will kick off on Good Friday. Photos: Kentos Komms

Saturday

AUTOBARN SHOWGROUNDS PRECINCT

9:00am: Precinct Open

9:00am – 6:30pm: Rev’s Paint Supplies Elite Show

10:00am – 10:30am: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

10:00am – 10:45am: Live Music – Cynic Tailor

10:00am – 12:00pm: Burson Grass Driving Competition

10:00am – 4:00pm: Insane Performance Dyno Competition

10:30am – 11:00am: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

11:00am – 11:45am: Live Music – Larren Bean

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

12:00pm – 12:45pm: Live Music – Kapricorn

1:00pm – 1:25pm: FMX KAOS Stunt Show

1:00pm – 4:00pm: Burson Grass Driving Competition

2:00pm – 2:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

3:00pm – 3:25pm: FMX KAOS Stunt Show

3:30pm – 4:30pm: Tattoo Competition presented by Hello Stranger Tattoo Parlour

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

5:00pm – 5:30pm: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

5:00pm – 5:45pm: Live Music – Larren Bean

6:00pm – 6:45pm: Live Music – Zac Cross Band

7:00pm – 7:45pm: Live Music – PistonFist

8:00pm – 9:00pm: Live Music – Dragon

9:30pm: Precinct Closes

BUDDYS FIRE BURNOUT PRECINCT

9:00am: Precinct Opens

10:00am – 12:00pm: Burnout Qualifying – Open Class

12:00pm – 1:30pm: Burnout Qualifying – Pro Class

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Live Music – Piston Fist

2:30pm – 4:30pm: Burnout Qualifying – Open Class

4:30pm – 6:30pm: Burnout Qualifying – Open Class

6:30pm – 7:30pm: MulletFest – Adults Competition

7:00pm – 8:30pm: Burnout Qualifying – Pro Class

8:30pm: Precinct Closes

CBD PRECINCT

9:00am: Precinct Opens

9:00am – 4:00pm: SWL Racing 4x4 Display

9:00am – 4:00pm: Finch’s Mitre 10 Show n Shine

9:00am – 4:00pm: Bike Showcase

9:00am – 5:00pm: Cars, Coffee & Cruising sponsored by Bob’s Bulk Booze

9:00am – 5:00pm: Garrett Motion Street Drags

9:00am – 5:00pm: Drift World Passenger Hot Laps

10:00am – 3:00pm: DJ Philiky in the SWL Racing 4x4 Zone

11:00am: Drift World Exhibition

1:00pm: Drift World Exhibition

3:00pm: Drift World Exhibition

6:00pm: Precinct Closes, CBD Opens to Public

Sunday

Rockynats 03 will kick off on Good Friday. Photos: Kentos Komms

AUTOBARN SHOWGROUNDS PRECINCT

10:00am: Showgrounds Open

10:00am – 2:00pm: Burson Grass Driving Competition

10:00am – 2:00pm: Thunder Run – Departs the Autobarn Showgrounds

10:00am – 4:00pm: Rev’s Paint Supplies Elite Show

10:00am – 10:45am: Live Music – Cynic Tailor

10:30am – 11:00am: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

12pm – 12:30pm: Road to Rockynats Champion – Grass Driving

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

12:00pm – 12:45pm: Live Music – Larren Bean

1:00pm: Rockynats Champion Display

1:00pm – 1:25pm: FMX KAOS Stunt Show

1:00pm – 1:45pm: Live Music – Cynic Tailor

1:00pm – 4:00pm: Insane Performance Dyno Competition

2:00pm – 2:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

2:00pm – 2:45pm: Live Music – Larren Bean

3:00pm – 3:25pm: FMX KAOS Stunt Show

3:00pm – 4:00pm: Atomic Cut Throat Beginners Pin Up Parade

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton Pro Wrestling

4:30pm – 5:30pm: Live Music – Piston Fist

5:00pm – 5:30pm: Hot Wheels Show presented by Total Tools

6:00pm – 7:00pm: Full Throttle Awards

7:00pm – 8:00pm: DJ Philiky Pit Stop Party

8:00pm: Fireworks

8:00pm: Precinct Closes

BUDDYS FIRE BURNOUT PRECINCT

10:00am: Precinct Open

10:30am – 11am: Road to Rockynats Champion – Go Woah

10:30am – 11:30am: MulletFest – Junior Competition

11am – 12:30pm: Burnout – Open Class Final

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Break and Grandstand Changeover

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Live Music – Piston Fist

1:30pm – 3:00pm: Burnout – Pro Class Final

4:00pm: Precinct Closes

CBD PRECINCT

9:00am: Precinct Open

9:00am – 9:30am: Road to Rockynats Champion – Street Drags

9:00am – 4:00pm: SWL Racing 4x4 Display

9:00am – 4:00pm: Cars, Coffee & Cruising sponsored by Bob‘s Bulk Booze

9:00am – 4:00pm: Drift World Passenger Hot Laps

9:00am – 4:00pm: Finch’s Mitre 10 Show n Shine

9:30am – 1:00pm: Garrett Motion Street Drags Finals

10:00am – 3:00pm: DJ Philiky in the SWL Racing 4x4 Zone

11:00am: Drift World Exhibition

1:30pm – 4:00pm: Garrett Motion Street Drags Grudge Runs

1:00pm: Drift World Exhibition

3:00pm: Drift World Exhibition

5:00pm: Precinct Closes, CBD Opens to Public