Yesteryear rolled back into Coolangatta for Cooly Rocks On with the long-awaited return of the beloved Saturday Night Car Cruise.
The sold-out event saw 250 classics, hot rods, muscle cars and more cruise through the streets of the iconic beachside destination, much to the thrill of onlookers.
“We were stoked to successfully bring back the car cruise this year and give enthusiasts another opportunity to show off their pride and joy,” said Major Events Gold Coast Director of Festivals and Events Mark Duckworth.
The highly anticipated Cooly Rocks On Show ‘N’ Shine again proved why it’s an annual drawcard for car enthusiasts from all over the country with almost 900 vehicles on display stretching for two kilometres.
“I am a car head, and this was on the bucket list, I had to get up here from Victoria to have a look. Booking for next year!” – Scott, Car Enthusiast.
The Gold Coast turned on its famous winter sunshine for the tens of thousands of fans who donned their best vintage threads and up dos to take a trip down memory lane over five action-packed days.
“Last year we had record crowds of more than 136,000 and this year felt just as busy if not bigger,” said Mark. People come for the music, the entertainment and of course for the cars, and the attention to detail in the fashion, the Show ‘N’ Shine, it’s what makes this festival such a unique experience that people want to come back for year after year.”
Cooly Rocks On welcomed acts from around Australia and the world, including the artist known as the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the world Shawn Klush (USA), Swedish rockabilly trio The Go Getters and Japan’s master of Samurai rock ‘n’ roll Johnny Pandora just to name a few.
New Zealand’s Che Orton took out the prestigious Cooly Rocks On Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest for 2023 and will now represent the festival at Elvis Week in Memphis, USA later this year.
“Just so happy and proud to be able to represent Cooly Rocks On and Australia in Memphis this August. It’s a dream come true to be able to go back to Graceland.” – Che Orton, Cooly Rocks On UETA Contest winner.
Brisbane’s Sim Lovett, who grew up in Hong Kong and goes by the name Bunny Boulevard, was crowned this year’s Pin-up Pageant winner.
“The Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant is the epitome for us girls, it’s not all about winning but about enjoying the process amongst our tight knit and supportive community,” – Sim Lovett, Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant winner.
Lovers of nostalgia filled the streets, restaurants and hotels bringing a welcome boost for the local economy. Accommodation houses reported they were fully booked over the festival and were already three quarters full for next year’s Cooly Rocks On. Restaurants, bars and cafés said they had a bumper five days.
Festival goers were just as ready to dig deep to support the official Charity Partner for Cooly Rocks On, MND and Me Foundation for a chance to win a 1954 Chevrolet Hot Rod Pick Up Truck.
Affectionately known as ‘Daphne’ the bright orange beauty has been restored to its vintage look and feel complete with a brand new V8 engine. More than $50,000 worth of tickets were sold across the festival with all proceeds going directly to Motor Neurone Disease research.
Cooly Rocks On wraps for 2023 with thanks to our Sponsor Family: City of Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland, Gold Coast Airport, Indian Motorcycle, Shannons, Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance (YRACA), Clean Vibes, EVENTelec and 92.5 Triple M.
Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On, has once again proven why it’s an unmissable annual event for lovers of motors, music and the lifestyle of yesteryear. Get ready for more rock ‘n’ roll, dancing and revving engines this time next year when we do it all again in spectacular fashion from 5-9 June 2024.
