QMF presented QLD Music Trails – The Reef from 2 to 4 July, drawing crowds of locals and travellers alike to explore the Whitsunday coast like never before. Audiences joined us to enjoy tranquil lakes and sparkling beaches.

From Tide to Town

This year the Trail focused on the tropical coastline to build a trail where music, culture and community came alive at every moment. More than a festival, the Reef Trail is a celebration of place, creativity and connection, designed to immerse you in the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Queensland’s Whitsunday coast.

The Trail began inland at Lake Proserpine, where rolling hills and still waters created a relaxed lakeside setting for an afternoon of live music, local flavors and family-friendly experiences. The journey rolled on to the Airlie Beach Foreshore, which was transformed into a vibrant amphitheater where audiences celebrated music in one of Queensland’s most iconic seaside locations

Building on the strong success of previous years, the Reef Trail 2026 achieved a 48% increase in attendance compared with 2025. Direct visitor nights across the host community increased by 95%, while out-of-region visitation grew by 90%. These results further demonstrate Queensland Music Trails’ growing contribution to cultural tourism and regional economic development.

Support from Partners

Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, said QLD Music Trails’ contemporary music events celebrate Queensland’s rich stories, vibrant communities and stunning landscapes.

Ahead of the Trail, Minister Langbroek said:

“The Reef Trail audiences are set to enjoy outstanding live music experiences with popular Australian artists including Boy & Bear and Queensland’s Jem Cassar-Daly in idyllic tropical locations.”

“The Queensland Government invests in Queensland Music Festival and its presentation of the QLD Music Trails to deliver uniquely Queensland arts experiences, a key priority of our 10-year arts and culture strategy, Queensland’s Time to Shine, and its vision for a statewide vibrant arts scene.”

The impact is felt right across the region. As Ry Collins, Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, put it:

“Live music is a part of our identity, for music lovers right around the country to see what we have to offer — not just as a region, but as a music destination.”

As QMF continues to strengthen partnerships across the state, we acknowledge the invaluable support of our collaborators, communities, artists, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Together, we are shaping a distinctly Queensland experience that delivers lasting cultural, social, and economic benefits while contributing meaningfully to the growth of the regional visitor economy in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

We’re thrilled to be heading back to the Whitsundays in 2027 for another Reef Trail, and we can’t wait to see this community come together once again.