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Byron Shire
July 10, 2026
Local NewsFeatured

The cars roar in for Cooly Rocks On

By Jeff Dawson

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Photo gallery by Jeff Dawson

Australia’s favourite celebration of ’50s and ’60s nostalgia took over Coolangatta and Tweed Heads again over the long weekend.

More than 1,000 custom and classic cars and hot rods roared into town, providing the perfect backdrop for a range of rock’n’roll and rockabilly bands, buskers, Miss Cooly Rocks On and Miss Rockabilly pageants, retro markets, and the much-loved Cooly Rocks On Street Parade.

Brand new free events added to the Cooly Rocks On mix this year included fireworks, drive-in movies under the stars at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, pinball competitions, skydiving displays and a giant skating rink erected right alongside the boat harbour.

But as always it was the big ole automobiles that drew the most attention.

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Cooly revs on

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With more 1,300 cars participating this year’s Cooly Rocks On, there may have been a few overheated radiators as the parade of ‘50s and ‘60s automobiles took to the streets of Coolangatta, Kirra and Tweed Heads for the Show’n’Shine.
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Is there anything more beautiful than a 1962 Holden EK Special Station Wagon? Especially when it’s painted the pale blue of a perfect day and its chrome is so polished I am momentarily blinded as I negotiate my Subaru through crowded Coolangatta.
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Cooly Rocks On again in style

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Thousands lined the streets for the Cooly Rocks On street parade on Saturday in Coolangatta. More than 1,000 hot rods, custom cars, retro performers and bands kicked off the final weekend of the annual festival.
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Cooly getting ready to Rock On

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Fans of rock’n’roll, rockabilly, classic cars, hot rods, and the nostalgia and fashions of the 50s and 60s will converge on the Southern Gold Coast and Tweed from May 30 to June 9 for Cooly Rocks On.
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Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire