Great Barrier Reef Festival

Great Barrier Reef Festival 🪸Airlie Beach’s signature celebration of reef, community, and creativity. Join us in 2026 from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August!

The Great Barrier Reef Festival is a celebration of life at the physical and spiritual heart of the reef. For more information visit www.greatbarrierreeffestival.com.au

🎂🎉 WE'RE TURNING 25! 🎉🎂Can you believe it? The Great Barrier Reef Festival is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2026! 💙🐠🪸...
04/06/2026

🎂🎉 WE'RE TURNING 25! 🎉🎂

Can you believe it? The Great Barrier Reef Festival is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2026! 💙🐠🪸

For 25 years, our community has come together to celebrate the reef, the Whitsundays and everything that makes this place so special. From fireworks and street parades to reef-themed fun, live entertainment and unforgettable festival moments, it's been one incredible journey.

Now it's time to celebrate our biggest birthday yet! 🥳

Tell us below:
🎈 What's your favourite Great Barrier Reef Festival memory?
📸 Do you have a photo from a past festival?
🎭 Which event do you never miss?

Let's take a trip down memory lane as we count down to our 25th Birthday Festival this August! 💙🪸

🌊⚓ Coral Sea Marina is back on board as a Silver Sponsor of the Great Barrier Reef Festival!As one of the Whitsundays' m...
03/06/2026

🌊⚓ Coral Sea Marina is back on board as a Silver Sponsor of the Great Barrier Reef Festival!

As one of the Whitsundays' most iconic waterfront destinations, Coral Sea Marina shares our passion for celebrating the reef, our community and the incredible place we call home.

Together, we're bringing four days of reef-inspired fun, colour, entertainment and community celebrations to the Whitsundays💙🐢✨

Here's to another fantastic festival and another year celebrating the Great Barrier Reef.

🔥 REVVIN’ THE REEF IS BACK 🔥Powered by Hog's Breath Cafe Airlie Beach Registrations are now OPEN for one of the loudest,...
30/05/2026

🔥 REVVIN’ THE REEF IS BACK 🔥
Powered by Hog's Breath Cafe Airlie Beach

Registrations are now OPEN for one of the loudest, proudest, chrome-filled highlights of the Great Barrier Reef Festival!

We’re talking hot rods, muscle cars, classics, bikes, trucks and EVs rolling into Airlie Beach Main Street for a full-on celebration of horsepower, heritage and community spirit 🏁

Whether it’s polished paint, roaring engines or something a little different in the shed — this is your chance to put it on display in front of thousands of festival-goers right in the heart of Airlie Beach.

📍 Saturday 1 August 2026
📍 Airlie Beach Main Street
💰 Entry: $15 per car/truck | $10 per motorbike

Trophies up for grabs (Top 10 vehicles as voted by the crowd) 🏆
Plus live music, street atmosphere and lots of prizes!

Register Here 👉 https://bit.ly/Revvin_Reef

TOMORROW NIGHT, please come and support our friends at Whitsunday Marine Conservation Inc.  for the Welcome Whale Event ...
29/05/2026

TOMORROW NIGHT, please come and support our friends at Whitsunday Marine Conservation Inc. for the Welcome Whale Event 2026 at Airlie Beach Foreshore 🐋

This special Reconciliation Week event is a chance for the community to come together with the Traditional Owners of the Whitsundays to celebrate the return of the whales and the deep cultural connection the Ngaro people hold with them.

Expect storytelling, song, dance, kids’ activities and cultural sharing, all honouring the whales as they return to our waters to breed and give birth.

Then finish the evening with a family movie under the stars 🎬 Free W***y 2

A beautiful night by the sea, full of culture, connection and community 🌊

🍔 FOOD VENDORS WANTED 🍟Expression of Interest are open for food vendors at the Great Barrier Reef Festival busiest night...
26/05/2026

🍔 FOOD VENDORS WANTED 🍟
Expression of Interest are open for food vendors at the Great Barrier Reef Festival busiest night! 🌴✨

Set against the Airlie Beach foreshore, this huge festival evening attracts 6,000+ locals and visitors enjoying:
🎶 Live entertainment
🎬 Outdoor movie
🎆 Spectacular firework… and a massive night of community celebrations!

⚠️ Limited food vendor spaces available, by EOI Only

📅 Date: 31st July
💲 Vendor Fee: $150 for unpowered sites
🔗 By EOI Only, please email [email protected]

🌴 STALLS HOLDERS WANTED 🌴Be part of one of the Whitsundays’ biggest festival nights at the Great Barrier Reef Festival N...
26/05/2026

🌴 STALLS HOLDERS WANTED 🌴
Be part of one of the Whitsundays’ biggest festival nights at the Great Barrier Reef Festival Night Markets! ✨

This is your chance to showcase your products during a huge night of:
🎶 Live entertainment
🎬 Outdoor movie screening
🎆 Fireworks on the foreshore …and plenty more festival fun!

📅 Date: 31st July
💲 Site Fee: Starting at $50 for a 3x3 Stall
🔗 Book now: https://bit.ly/ReefFestEatStreet

⚠️ Limited spaces available 🔌 Please note all sites are unpowered

In celebration of national Volunteer Week, here’s a huge THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers! ❤️🩷🤍From the lantern ma...
21/05/2026

In celebration of national Volunteer Week, here’s a huge THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers! ❤️🩷🤍

From the lantern makers and parade marshals to setup crews, and survey champions, for the early mornings, late nights, problem-solving, heavy lifting, community spirit and passion you bring to the festival 💪😴🤔

Your time, energy and passion help bring the Great Barrier Reef Festival to life, creating unforgettable moments.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDWant to help shape the Whitsundays’ biggest community celbration? The Great Barrier Reef Festival is lo...
20/05/2026

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Want to help shape the Whitsundays’ biggest community celbration? The Great Barrier Reef Festival is looking for passionate people to join the team with opportunities to help across areas like:

🛶 Recyclable Regatta Co-ordinator & build friendly competition
🙌 Volunteer Co-ordinator
🤝 Community and School Liaison
☎️ Airlie Main Street Ambassador

Skills you might have:
✔️ Organised chaos management
✔️ Talking to humans without fear
✔️ Loving a spreadsheet just a little bit
✔️ Creative ideas at questionable hours
✔️ Ability to survive on coffee and festival energy

What you’ll get out of it:
💙 Be part of something that brings the community together
🎶 Behind-the-scenes access to festival magic
🤝 Meet great people and make valuable connections
🌴 Help shape one of the region’s most loved events
✨ Serious bragging rights

Can’t commit year-round? We’re also looking for volunteers to help during festival weekend with setup, event support, pack down and more.
If you’ve ever wanted to get involved, now’s the time 👇
https://bit.ly/ReefFest-Volunteer

The Great Barrier Reef Festival AGM will be held Tuesday 28 April from 4:00pm at the Airlie Events office.All are welcom...
14/04/2026

The Great Barrier Reef Festival AGM will be held Tuesday 28 April from 4:00pm at the Airlie Events office.

All are welcome to attend. Come along to hear updates, connect with the team, and support this volunteer-run festival.

For more information, please email [email protected]

The Great Barrier Reef Festival is proudly volunteer-run, and we’re on the lookout for our next Chairperson.We’re search...
07/04/2026

The Great Barrier Reef Festival is proudly volunteer-run, and we’re on the lookout for our next Chairperson.

We’re searching for a passionate COMMUNITY CHAMPION who’s keen to give back, bring people together, and help guide the festival into its next chapter — with exciting opportunities ahead as we look toward the 2032 Olympics. 🥇

You won’t be doing it alone. You’ll be supported by a dedicated and experienced committee that’s already committed to continuing the festival’s legacy.
Big ideas, great people, and being part of something the whole region loves.

✨ Lead a much-loved community event
✨ Work alongside a passionate team
✨ Help shape the future of the festival

No, it’s not a paid role — but it is a chance to make a real impact, build connections, and be part of something GREAT.

If you have leadership experience, a love for community, and the drive to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 🩵💙🤍

📩 Curious? Reach out to [email protected] to find out more

Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Whitsunday Regional Council | Mayor Ry Collins - Whitsunday Regional Council | Tourism Whitsundays

Address

Airlie Beach Whitsundays
Airlie Beach, QLD
4802

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