Journey to Queensland’s far north and discover Qld Music Trails: The Tropics — a vibrant celebration of music, movement, and deep cultural connection, set against the stunning natural beauty of Tropical North Queensland.
It begins on Friday 17 October at the Tanks Arts Centre with the Futures Summit, a powerful daytime gathering for the next generation of Indigenous artists and leaders, featuring performances by Miss Kaninna, and 3% alongside mentoring sessions and cultural exchange.
That evening, the site transforms for the Blak Rising Showcase, an electrifying open-air concert beneath the stars, showcasing rising First Nations voices including Miss Kaninna, Jada Weazel, Dean Brady, Tjaka, and R3B.
The trail builds toward a massive day of celebration on Saturday 18 October, as Dream Aloud Festival takes over Munro Martin Parklands with music, storytelling and cultural pride at its core. Featuring an all-star, all-First Nations lineup including Budjerah, Kaiit, South Summit, DENNI, 3%, Dubbzone, Kaweyova, and Normey Jay, and hosted by the magnetic Zipporah Corser-Anu, the festival is a full-day celebration of sound, culture and connection. The event opens with a Welcome to Country from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Traditional Owners, grounding the experience in the stories and spirit of place.
Across the trail, you’ll find not only incredible performances, but also First Nations food, artisan markets, creative workshops, art installations, and immersive cultural moments. All curated in close collaboration with community, and grounded in the knowledge and vibrancy of Country.
The Tropics Trail
October 9 - 12
Mareeba, Cairns Hinterland
October 16
CAIRNS / GIMUY
October 17
October 18
Cairns / Gimuy
October 24 - 26
Yungaburra QLD
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.
A space for connection, learning and creative exchange between young artists, industry leaders and community. Full program details to be released soon.
Blak Rising Showcase
Friday 17 October
Guided by the power of music and grounded in culture, this special evening invites audiences to gather and celebrate the next wave of First Nations voices.
Set beneath the stars and rainforest canopy of Far North Queensland, this electrifying showcase features a standout lineup of emerging artists, including Miss Kaninna, Jada Weazel, Dean Brady, Tjaka, and local rising stars R3B. Blak Rising is more than a gig – it’s a gathering place. A space where stories are shared, spirits lifted, and the future of First Nations music takes centre stage. From raw anthems to genre-defying beats, each performance is grounded in culture and driven by creative fire. The night doesn’t end with the music – the entire Tanks precinct will pulse with Blak DJs, live dance, food trucks, pop-up bars, and vibrant art installations.
Presented by Tanks Arts Centre, Blak Rising is a full-sensory celebration of contemporary Indigenous creativity and a bold reminder of the voices shaping tomorrow.
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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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