Off-Track Entertainment

Good times for the whole family over the rare spares rockynats weekend

The Rare Spares Rockynats 05 family entertainment program will be filled with events, competitions, hands-on activities and entertainment spread across all three main Rockynats precincts.

All off-track entertainment is included in the ticket price - there’s no more to pay.  

Both the young and the young at heart love the Rockynats buzz - what’s not to love about exploring everything on offer in Rockhampton’s iconic CBD and around the Showgrounds? Then there’s the drive to the high-octane Buddy’s Fire Burnout precinct, or a unique Rockynats Water Taxi ride back to the CBD.

Concerned about accessibility? We’ve got you sorted. There’s accessible parking at all precincts, plus free bus transport every 15 minutes. If you don’t want to park, just pick up a scooter for the short hop between precincts. And when you need a rest, there’s no shortage of great cafes, outdoor areas and restaurants to refuel you and the family.

Live music

There’s nothing like live music to bring a festive atmosphere to the FMX Kaos Showgrounds Precinct - guaranteed to entertain all ages. 

At Rockynats 05 we are excited to welcome legendary Aussie singer-songwriter Pete Murray to headline Saturday night's entertainment at the FMX Kaos Showgrounds Precinct bringing his iconic surf-roots sound to Central Queensland's biggest car and bike festival.

Known for chart-topping hits like "Better Days", "So Beautiful", “Feeler” and latest feel-good, summer-single “Wouldn’t It Be Good”,  Pete Murray promises an unforgettable evening of music that captures the spirit of Australian rock. Pete will be supported by up-and-coming artist Demi Casha.

Support artists in 2025 include great local artists including Larren Bean, Jordan King, Chris Bax Band, Channel 56, Ben Brady’s Blues, Scott Foden and Average Like Barry plus Kenny and the Nitro Rockers bringing their renowned rockabilly vibes to the festival lineup.  

The Full Throttle Awards on Sunday kicks it up a notch with band Playlunch delivering a cocktail of late 90s and early 2000s Aussie nostalgia with their Bogan Funk bangers giving entrants and spectators an opportunity to celebrate the weekend. There’s always a bar, plenty of food choices and seating undercover at the Showgrounds.

In 2023 legendary rockers Dragon, celebrating 50 years as a band, brought the nostalgia and latest hits. Judging by the mosh pit that quickly formed with an enthusiastic crowd that kept yelling for more, Dragon hit just the right note. 

Family events

Rockynats is proud to go the extra mile to cater for all ages and preferences, bringing in arena entertainment with a regular program running the whole long weekend.

FMX Kaos Stunt Team 

We are excited to welcome the FMX Kaos team as the official naming sponsor for the Showgrounds Precinct in 2025! 

FMX Kaos have taken FMX entertainment to an all-time new level performing the most death-defying stunts that can’t be matched by any entertainment team the world over.

The Kaos team are bringing big names to Rare Spares Rockynats 05 and we can’t wait to see what they deliver in Centre Ring!

Rev Up the Fun with Our Junior Racing Experience!

We’re thrilled to bring the Rev It Up Racing Junior Racing Experience to Rockynats in 2025 proudly sponsored by Pedders Rockhampton. 

• Junior Racing Simulators - Four racing simulators tailored for kids and families with realistic designs for an epic race against each other!
• Kids' Pit Stop Challenge - Test your skills by changing the tyres on a mini race car as fast as you can! Use a real rattle gun and compete for the top spot on the leaderboard.
• Drag Racing Challenge - Go head-to-head and put your reaction time to the test with a full-sized drag racing light setup.
• Podium Photo Op - Take your place on the winner’s podium and capture the moment!
• F1 Photo Booth - Strike a pose as if you're in a Formula 1 car and take home a unique souvenir!

Big Truck Display 

Hold onto your steering wheels folks, we’ve just added a shiny new Static Truck Display to the FMX Kaos Showgrounds Precinct! 

Off-Road RC Racing 

Get ready for an electrifying new activation at Rare Spares Rockynats 05! In collaboration with the Rockhampton Radio Control Car Club (RRCCC), we’re bringing the excitement of Off-Road RC Racing to the FMX Kaos Showgrounds Precinct. Over three action-packed days, a competition-level track will host races, demonstrations, and pop-up shops. 

What is RC Racing? Off-Road RC Racing is the ultimate test of speed, precision, and skill. High-performance remote-controlled vehicles take on challenging terrains, navigating obstacles and racing to achieve the fastest lap times. This adrenaline-fueled sport combines expert driving skills with meticulous vehicle tuning, creating an exhilarating experience for participants and spectators alike.

Kids Activity Zone from Maggie Moo

Located in the Walter Pierce Pavilion at the FMX Kaos Showgrounds Precinct parents can rest their weary feet while the kids join Maggie Moo for some fun activity stations including drop-in colouring in tables (with prizes in different age groups), cardboard car creating, sensory tables with cars and motorbikes, racing ramp to either use Matchbox cars on, or the cars they have built.

Professional Wrestling

Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton, along with a stellar lineup of invited wrestlers, holds on adrenaline-pumping pro wrestling displays throughout Rockynats. Hosted inside a pavilion at the Showgrounds, the crowd gets involved cheering on the underdog and booing the villains. It’s all in the name of fun and theatrical talent - but with huge and awe-inspiring athletic ability and serious muscle.

The Wrestling Allegiance of Rockhampton puts on a good show. With 20 talented wrestlers featuring in over 30 matches across the weekend, this off-track element brought excitement for fans old and new.

In the style of 60s, 70s and 80s pro wrestling phenomenon, the Rockhampton club has big plans for more thrilling action and will be sure to bring back the ‘King of Rockynats’ prize - and many more.

In 2025 you'll find the pro-wrestling has moved to it's own dedicated pavilion - the McCamley located next to the Elite Pavilion. 

Family-friendly competitions

Yes, there’s room for you if you’re keen to join in one of our classic competitions at Rockynats - Mulletfest, the RockabillyNats pageant or the Tattoo competition.

RockabillyNats

The hugely popular RockabillyNats competition is all about fun, individuality and creative flair. Sit back and enjoy the fun of a pageant as the entrants show off their style, and cheer them on for ‘having a go’.

What’s it all about? Competition host Cherry Bombshell says that the RockabillyNats Pinup Competition is an opportunity for participants to meet like-minded individuals and make life-long friendships.

Our finalists showed off their talent at the Showground Precinct with loads of support for our RockabillyNats. Not ready to compete professionally but would love to hop on stage? Join CQ Pinups on stage  as part of their Beginners Fashion Parade. 

Follow the CQ Pinups Facebook page for more information.

Mulletfest

Although Rockynats is held on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, there’s no fish in sight - it’s all about the hair. If you’re wanting to step up and shake your mullet locks all for a good cause, start growing it now for 2025.

The mighty Mulletfest explained

Mulletfest celebrates the hairstyle that’s business at the front, party at the back. Mulletfest is open to entrants young and old, and fundraises for a great cause. The atmosphere is great and entrants of all ages enjoy massive crowd encouragement - some players even dress in theme.

This iconic event raises money and awareness for the Mark Hughes Foundation, providing research and care for those who have been diagnosed with brain cancer. Mulletfest organiser Laura Johnson runs similar events right around the country.

Tattoo Competition

The tattoo competition needs no explanation if you’ve got awesome ink, just show up and show off to the judges and spectators - that’s all there is too it. Proudly presented by the awesome team at Mulletfest. 

Stay tuned for updates on our off-track program!