Rockynats 05 to move from Easter long weekend to start of Qld Easter school holidays

Organisers have decided to push Queensland’s largest car and bike festival back in 2025 after the curtain fell on the successful fourth edition of the event. Here’s why.

Cars in the Rare Spares Rockynats 04 Street Parade on March 29, 2024. Picture: Aden Stokes

Rockynats will return to Rockhampton in 2025 – but not on the Easter long weekend.

The fifth edition of Queensland’s largest car and bike festival will instead be held from Friday, April 4, to Sunday, April 6 next year.

The past four events have been staged over the Easter weekend, but the newly announced dates coincide with the start of the Queensland school holidays that run from April 5 to April 21.

The curtain came down on Rockynats 04 on Sunday night after three action-packed days featuring drags, burnouts, drifting and the ever-popular street parade.

Stanwell's Dean and Michelle Gregory on day three of Rockynats 04, Photo: Pam McKay

Organisers said it attracted a record number of entrants, visitors and programmed entertainment.

There were 1640 total entrants alone this year – 1563 cars and 77 bikes.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said Rockynats was now the region’s premier event and drawcard.

“I want to see Rockynats continue to grow long-term and see even more people participate in the fun and excitement this event brings,” he said.

“Rockynats brings thousands of people to our region each year and energises our city and I want to see that benefit going back into local jobs and local business.

Driver Mark Anderson and Riley Pym get ready to tear it up in the burnouts on day three of Rockynats 04. Photo: Pam McKay

“We know that many local hospitality and retail businesses are choosing to shut over the long weekend and therefore are missing out on that economic activity.

“Seeing Rockynats return in 2025 with new dates during the Easter school holidays but outside the long weekend will mean they see the benefits of those thousands of visitors coming into the region and those visitors in turn will have even more options and opportunities to enjoy our local cafes, restaurants and retail. “

Advance Rockhampton tourism and events manager Zac Garven said organisers had “listened and learned” from running the event for four years.

Justin and Jackson Lyman at Rockynats 04 showgrounds precinct. Picture: Aden Stokes

“Operating a major event across multiple public holidays creates supply challenges and cost increases for critical infrastructure and staffing required to run the event,” he said.

“It also limits the number of hospitality venues available for visitors to our region.

“We are committed to working closely with residents and businesses to mitigate as much disruption as possible while maximising opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the increased visitation in the region during the full Easter holidays, not just the long weekend.

“With over 60,000 visitations expected for the 05 event, the festival is anticipated to be bigger and better than 2024.”