Gympie Music Muster is more than just music
Now in its 43rd year, the Gympie Music Muster has grown to become one of Australia’s most recognised, iconic music events and has returned almost $21 million to community groups and charities.
Just an hour north of Noosa and the attractions of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Gympie Music Muster has been an institution among the state’s festivals and events since its inception in 1982.
Its community focus makes it unique. It is a not-for-profit festival proudly owned and run by the Apex Club of Gympie with a fundamental purpose which has never changed – to raise funds for those in need in local communities.
This community-based non-for-profit event is supported by many schools, charities, sporting and service clubs who each year work at the festival as a key part of their annual fundraising activities. It is estimated that the Gympie Music Muster has contributed more than $20.8 million to the community over the past 41 years.
So much more than just great music, the Gympie Music Muster offers a variety of music genres with nine stages and entertainment venues, a full program of activities including workshops and dancing, plus up to nine days free camping in the unique setting of the Amamoor State Forest.
More than 140 artists will perform at this year’s Muster with genres including country, blues & roots and rock with Aussie household names such as Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, Tex Perkins the Man in Black, Shannon Noll, Richard Clapton, James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, Joe Camilieri and the Black Sorrows, James Blundell, Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, and many more.
The Gympie Music Muster will be held from Thursday 21 to Sunday 25 August 2024.
Camping is free for four-day ticket holders, who can also camp from the Saturday prior to the festival (Saturday 17 to Thursday 21 August) which gives them time to go out and explore the region prior to the four main days of the festival. All entertainment is included in the ticket price – including live music and activities for the early campers.
The first Gympie Music Muster was held in 1982 as a celebration of the Golden Guitar win by the Webb Brothers.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
As well as more than 140 music artists over four days covering genres including country, blues and roots and rock, there’s heaps more to do and see at the Gympie Muster. Here’s just a small taste:
Bush Poets and Balladeers daily in the Great Northern Muster Club. A great way to start off your Muster day, the Bush Poets Breakfast is a Muster tradition. Each morning you can grab breakfast and settle down to watch the hilarious Bush Poets show.
Dancing - Line Dancing, Rock n Roll Dancing, Barn Dancing – the Muster has it all. Seasoned and beginners gather together and show off their moves.
Gympie Mazda Kids Country – open each day this is a fun place for parents to take the young ones to enjoy entertainment and activities.
The Bullride in the Newgen Muster Arena has become a favourite since it was introduced in 2022. See the action on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. On Thursday and Friday afternoon enjoy the Rooftop Express horsemanship performances
BOQ Gympie ‘Legends at Sunset’ – well-known artists perform on the Hill Stage daily at sunset.
Mothertone Muster Talent Search Competition with open and junior finalists performing each day. Winners perform on the Hill Stage on Sunday afternoon.
NAB Guitar Jam. Set in the Boss Hire Blues venue this popular sessions sees the best guitar artists perform together and show off their playing skills.
Muster Youth performances – the festival is proud of its reputation of providing a platform for emerging talent to perform.
Single Mingle hour in the Kombi Keg Bush Bar offers a great place to meet new people and the chance to have fun and win prizes.
The famous Bundy Crowbar venue transforms into a ‘nightclub’ with Dee Jaye Bux playing crowd favourites after the last live performance each night until 2.00am.
Relaxed camping vibe – bring your esky, light a fire and meet new mates.
Gympie Music Muster Line Dancing
CAMPING
The Gympie Music Muster is set in the Amamoor Creek State Forest located within the picturesque Mary Valley – famous for its national parks, rolling hills, B&Bs, farm stays and various outdoor activities.
Camping is free with the four-day festival tickets, and ticket holders can camp from the Saturday prior to the festival giving patrons up to nine days of camping and plenty of time to explore the region. Camp wardens are on site from this date to assist people with finding a space for their caravan, campervan, swag or tent.
Those who want to get to Gympie even earlier (from 3 August) and are fully self-sufficient can purchase a Rope Off ticket – further information and ticket prices are on the website.
Campsites are a generous size, up to 100sq m for up to a maximum of six adults per site. Campers can enjoy a relaxed setting and bring their own beverages to enjoy by their own campfire. Sites are unpowered however generators are permitted.
All campgrounds have toilets and showers. Drinking water refill stations and dump points are provided plus pump outs and water top ups are available for a fee through the event supplier.
Camping essentials available in the campgrounds from 17-25 August include firewood and ice delivery plus there is a Muster General Store for all the essentials and freshly baked QCWA scones.
Domestic animals including dogs are not permitted. If you have a certified assistant dog, please see the information and policy on the website.
The festival is held towards the end of winter, and while the days are usually warm and pleasant, once the sun goes down the evenings are cool and overnight temperatures can be very cold. Campers should take sufficient warm clothing and bedding, a hat and wet weather gear.
THE GYMPIE REGION
There’s so much to see and do within a short drive of Gympie which boasts one of Queensland’s most enviable locations.
Rainbow Beach is often ranked as one of the best beaches in Australia and rated as one of the best and most scenic in the world.
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts can access Double Island Point and Inskip Point which is the southern gateway to K’Gari (Fraser Island) the world’s largest sand island. Visitors must make the trek to the Carlo Sand Blow, a sea of sand created by thousands of years of wind. It is a photographer’s dream overlooking the coastline from Double Island Point to Inskip Point and makes the perfect spot for those spectacular sunset shots.
The sheltered coast and safe waters of Tin Can Bay make this serene little coastal town perfect for sailing, kayaking and fishing. It is one of only two places in Queensland where you can hand feed a dolphin.
The Mary Valley is renowned for its country hospitality and is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Take your time to explore country villages of Imbil, Kandanga, Dagun and Amamoor - the home of the Gympie Music Muster. The fertile land grows some of Queensland’s best local produce, which you can taste at local markets or farm gates.
To the west of Gympie are the quiet villages of Kilkivan and Goomeri, both with their own unique charm and the perfect place to stop on the way to the South Burnett Wine Region.
The Sunshine Coast is Gympie’s neighbouring region to the south. You will be spoilt for choice of places to visit and see; Noosa is only an hour drive from the Gympie Muster festival site.
Muster-goers are encouraged to visit nearby attractions before and after the event and some popular attractions include:
Riding the Mary Valley Rattler which departs Gympie Station and return several times a week including every Wednesday – just before the start of the Gympie Music Muster.
Visit Borumba Dam
Take a short drive to Imbil & check out the local pub or grab a bite to eat at the bakery or popular Wild Vine Café.
Gympie Regional Gallery is situated in the town’s main CBD area, it is open Tuesday through to Saturday.
Get back to nature! The Gympie region has endless places to visit and explore not too far from the Muster including the Amamoor State Forest and Mothar Mountain Rockpools
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
The Gympie Music Muster is proudly supported by the Gympie Regional Council and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
National sponsors include:
- OPTUS
- Great Northern Brewing Co
- Bundaberg Rum
- Ariat
- Akubra
Local sponsors include Campbells Truck and Bobcat and Landscape Supplies, NewGen Caravans, Skillcentred Queensland and Boss Hire.
Photo of Denvah our 2023 Muster Talent Search Winner, she made the 2024 Australian Idol Top 3 & is performing this year
TICKETS
Four-day festival tickets are on sale now, limited single day tickets will be available from 1st June when the program and playing times are released. Teen tickets available at discounted prices and children 12 years and under are free.
Banjo’s Tent Motel is perfect for those who just want to arrive, and the work is all done - tents include stretcher beds, mattress & linen plus you receive a hearty daily hot breakfast. Bookings for Banjos are currently available but may sell out in the lead-up to the festival.
For ticket bookings and further information, visit the official website.
