Country music, Gold Coast sunshine, and three days of free live music in the heart of Broadbeach. If you’ve been looking for an excuse for an October escape, Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) might be it.

Running from 16–18 October 2026, Groundwater CMF fills Broadbeach with live country music across stages, streets, parks, bars, and venues, with the beach, restaurants, and nightlife all close by.

This year’s line-up includes Kasey Chambers, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, and more.

• Explore Groundwater CMF

And from the lower South, getting there is straightforward. Jetstar flies direct between Dunedin and the Gold Coast, so you can turn the festival into a few days in the sun without adding another Australian airport to the journey.

Photo: Groundwater CMF

Make it a five-night Gold Coast getaway

If Groundwater is the reason to go, you can use the extra time around the festival to make a proper Gold Coast break of it.

Thursday 15 October – Fly Dunedin to the Gold Coast
Take the direct Jetstar service from Dunedin, check in, and get settled in Broadbeach before the festival begins.

• Book Dunedin to Gold Coast flights with Jetstar

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October – Groundwater CMF
Spend three days dipping in and out of free live music throughout Broadbeach. Between sets, you’ve got the beach, cafés, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife within easy reach.

Monday 19 October – Your Gold Coast day
Give yourself a full day beyond the festival. Head to the beach, explore the hinterland, visit an attraction, go shopping, or simply take the day at Gold Coast pace.

Tuesday 20 October – Fly direct home
Head back to Gold Coast Airport for the direct Jetstar flight to Dunedin.

Photo: Experience Gold Coast

Got a little more time?

Turn the festival into a full week on the Gold Coast.

Follow the same Thursday-to-Monday plan, then use Tuesday and Wednesday for more of the destination before flying home later in the week.

You could spend the extra time exploring beyond Broadbeach, heading inland to the hinterland, adding a theme park day, finding a new favourite restaurant, or simply leaving more room for the beach.

For ideas, itineraries, dining, attractions, and things to do across the region, Experience Gold Coast is a good place to start.

• Find more travel inspiration with Experience Gold Coast

Photo: Groundwater CMF

Planning your trip

Groundwater CMF is free and non-ticketed, so there’s no festival ticket to organise before you arrive. Broadbeach also makes an easy base, with accommodation, festival venues, restaurants, and the beach close together.

If you like to know exactly how things work before you travel, Gold Coast Airport has practical information on arrivals, transport, airport facilities, and getting your trip underway.

• Plan your arrival at Gold Coast Airport

Broadbeach has plenty of accommodation within easy reach of the Groundwater CMF precinct, including event partner The Star Gold Coast. Staying nearby means the festival stages, beach, restaurants, and nightlife are all close at hand.

• Explore Groundwater accommodation

Photo: The Star Residences Gold Coast

Ready for your Gold Coast event fix?

Groundwater CMF gives you three days of country music in Broadbeach. Add a few days of Gold Coast sunshine around it, and you’ve got an easy October getaway with a direct flight there and back.

Useful links:

Groundwater CMF · Jetstar direct flights · Experience Gold Coast · Gold Coast Airport

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