The Gold Coast was alive with country spirit over the weekend as tens of thousands of fans flocked to Broadbeach for the 12th Groundwater Country Music Festival 2025, celebrating three unforgettable days of live music, dancing, and connection.
Live performances, beachside line dancing, and family fun took over the Broadbeach precinct as fans soaked up sets from Australian icons and international stars alike, all set against the festival’s signature beachfront backdrop.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said Groundwater Country Music Festival 2025 has once again cemented its place as one of Australia’s leading country music events.
“The energy and atmosphere across Broadbeach over the past three days has been incredible, with tens of thousands of country music fans coming together to enjoy world-class performances in a truly iconic coastal setting,” Mr Warn said.
“Festivals like Groundwater Country Music Festival play a vital role in showcasing the Gold Coast’s vibrant cultural scene, while also delivering strong economic outcomes for our city, driving visitation, supporting local businesses and highlighting the city as a premier events destination.”
It’s expected that more than 60,000 people turned out across the three days of the festival, surpassing last year’s attendance, with a potential economic impact of more than $15 million for the city.
Alongside International performances from Jackson Dean, Shane Smith and the Saints and Nikki Lane, the festival showcased the spirit of collaboration and community that defines Groundwater. Lane Pittman joined The Wolfe Brothers on stage, Dylan Wright performed alongside Abbie Ferris, and Troy Cassar-Daley shared the spotlight with Duncan Toombs and Boness Brothers, creating unforgettable surprise moments for fans and highlighting the camaraderie between established and emerging artists.
Experience Gold Coast Executive Director of Events, Avril Harris, said one of the best things about Groundwater is the way artists interact, not just with the audience, but with each other.
“We’ve seen Troy Cassar-Daley get up on stage multiple times across the weekend, performing alongside local and emerging artists,” Ms Harris said.
“It’s created a real sense of community, not just among the audience, but also within our incredible lineup of performers.”
“Being able to jump up with Duncan Toombs was such a great moment to be part of and then getting up with the Boness Brothers, who did a lot of work with me last year, was really special,” Troy Cassar- Daley said.
“Whether they’re playing outside a pub, busking on the street or putting on a show, it’s always a pleasure to see them doing what they do best. I think it’s our job to help bring those next-gen artists along for the ride and share the joy of this music with them.”
The festival kicked off Friday night with Gold Coast local Casey Barnes, who took over Surf Parade, followed by a huge Saturday night with The Wolfe Brothers. The weekend closed on a high note with Jackson Dean, all the way from the US, before a powerful headline set from Troy Cassar-Daley.
“This is one of the most incredible festivals I’ve ever been to, anywhere in the world. I’ve played quite a few, in some wild places, but this one has been really awesome,” Jackson Dean said.
“It’s fantastic to be back here on the Gold Coast. It’s always a rocking time at Groundwater.”
“Groundwater is one of my absolute favourite festivals to play in Australia, and I was so excited to be back,” Sara Berki said.
“Seeing that huge crowd at the main stage was just incredible and the energy was unreal. What makes this festival so special is the location, right by the water with that cruisy, laid-back Gold Coast vibe, and the chance to reconnect with other artists and fans who really show up and make it feel like one big country family.”
As the final notes faded, the festival wrapped up on a high, a testament to the growing strength of Groundwater Country Music Festival’s reputation as a world-class celebration of country music, culture, and connection by the coast.
The festival acknowledges the support of its sponsor family including City of Gold Coast, The Star Gold Coast, EVENTelec, Griffith University, KIX Country, 102.9 Hot Tomato, ABC Country, Countrytown and charity partner Farm Angels.
Groundwater Country Music Festival is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.