The Tropics Trail returns for 2025 from October 9 to 26 2025, championing the powerful voices, stories, and spirit of First Nations culture through an immersive, music-led journey across Tropical North Queensland.
At the heart of the Trail is Dream Aloud Festival on October 18 2025 — a bold and growing celebration of Indigenous artistry and leadership. Taking over Cairns (Gimuy) this October, Dream Aloud brings together some of the country’s most exciting First Nations talent and cultural leaders for three unforgettable days of music, conversation, and connection.
It all builds to Saturday’s Dream Aloud Festival, a high-energy celebration of music and identity, featuring trailblazing artists and unmissable performances under the tropical sun.
Extend your journey with partner events like Shine On Gimuy, Savannah in the Round, and the Tablelands Folk Festival — each offering unique ways to experience the rich cultural and natural beauty of the region.
Join us on The Tropics Trail as we honour the world's oldest living culture, spotlight the next generation of storytellers, and celebrate the powerful role of music in connecting us all.
The Tropics Trail
October 18
Cairns / Gimuy
Thursday 9 October to Sunday 12 October
Just 7km from Mareeba and an hour from Cairns, Savannah in the Round is North Queensland’s premier country, rock and roots music festival, held at the iconic Mareeba Rodeo Arena on the Savannah Way.
The 2025 lineup features Zac Brown Band, James Reyne, Jackson Dean, Kasey Chambers, and many more. Your armband includes access to the festival precinct, reserved seating, and front-of-stage viewing at the Cape Stage each evening.
Three support stages—Big Top Music Hall, Bull Bar, and Backyard Stage—run day and night. On-site camping includes amenities, 24/7 security, and free shuttles to Mareeba from Thursday to Sunday.
Shine On Gimuy
Thursay 16 October
Heralding the beginning of Shine On Gimuy Festival is the Calling Country Ceremony–a coming together of First Nations clan groups to the Gimuy/Cairns area and surrounding region, hosted by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples.
“Our performance is a call and response ritual, featuring dance and song cycles that uniquely honour
totemic, ancestral, country, and cultural expressions. It’s about new visibility for the age-old traditions
and ceremonies, relevant of Tropical North Queensland and rainforest Bama”
- Rhoda Roberts AO, Artistic Director.
Stay tuned! Another exciting event coming soon...
Dream Aloud Festival
Saturday 18 October
Get ready, Gimuy! Dream Aloud Festival is back, lighting up Munro Martin Parklands on 18 October 2025! Hosted by the iconic Zipporah, the festival brings a stacked all-First Nations lineup to the Tropics, including Budjerah, Kaiit, South Summit, DENNI, 3%, Dubbzone, Normey Jay and Kaweyova.
First Nations artisan stalls will bring the park to life with vibrant paintings, textiles, food and more. The day kicks off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Carl Fourmile and Minjil, Traditional Owners of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Peoples, before launching into a deadly program celebrating culture, connection and First Nations excellence.
Tablelands Folk Festival
Friday 24 October to Sunday 26 October
The Tablelands Folk Festival is a vibrant, community-run, three-day music festival held in the heritage village of Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia, celebrating folk traditions through music, storytelling, circus, dance, and crafts. It's known for its diverse lineup of local, national, and international acts, and takes place on the 4th weekend of October each year.
Cairns (Gimuy) and the Great Barrier Reef offer plenty of spectacular experiences across the region.
For the adventurous, dive or snorkel among Australia’s greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef, cruise along the Daintree River, glide above the rainforest on the Skyrail, or enjoy a scenic flight over the lush, rainforest-clad mountains.
If you're looking for something a little more relaxed, indulge in food and wine trails, explore intriguing museums, browse markets with bursting with local treasures, or unwind at some of the nation’s top spas and wellness retreats.
QMF respectfully acknowledges the Gimuy Walubara, Dulabed, Mallanbarra, Bindabarra, Badjabarra, Gulgibarra, Mandingalbay, and Wadjanbarra Yidinji, and Djabugay, Yirrganydji, Muluridji, and Gunggandji Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, waters and skies where The Tropics Trail unfolds. We extend our respects for their enduring connection to the remarkable terrain, where creative works take place, performances resonate, and celebrations come to life. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to all First Nations peoples of all communities who also work and live on this land. We recognise the importance of First Nations leadership and collaboration, and QMF commits to walking together on a journey of shared learning and cultures.
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