Queensland Music Festival (QMF), Media Release, 20 May 2026
Turquoise waters, wide open skies and live music in unexpected locations define one of Queensland’s most striking regional music experiences as Qld Music Trails arrives in the Whitsundays with The Reef Trail.
On song from 2 to 4 July 2026, The Reef Trail invites audiences to experience the Whitsundays through music across two unforgettable settings: Lake Proserpine and Airlie Beach Foreshore.
Intimate live performances unfold against some of North Queensland’s most celebrated landscapes, pairing Australian artists with places that shape the region’s rhythm.
The Reef Trail features performances from much-loved Australian acts including Boy & Bear and Queensland’s own Jem Cassar-Daley and Tjaka, alongside Mid Drift and Kaylee West.
Presented by Queensland Music Festival (QMF), Qld Music Trails–The Reef Trail forms part of a statewide vision to champion Australian artists, regional stories and music experiences that exist beyond traditional venues.
QMF Chief Executive Daryl Raven said The Reef Trail captured the essence of what Qld Music Trails was created to do.
“The Reef Trail brings music into places where Queensland landscapes, regional communities and culture do the storytelling,” Mr Raven said.
“Qld Music Trails invite audiences to travel differently, to slow down, to follow the music and to discover regions through shared moments rather than set itineraries.
“The Trail begins inland at Lake Proserpine, where rolling hills and still waters create a relaxed lakeside setting for an afternoon of live music, local flavours and family-friendly experiences.
The journey will then roll on to Airlie Beach Foreshore, transforming into a vibrant amphitheatre where audiences can celebrate music in one of Queensland’s most iconic seaside locations.
As a cornerstone of Qld Music Trails, The Reef Trail reflects a broader vision to connect audiences with music, culture and place through carefully curated journeys across the state.
Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek said Qld Music Trails’ contemporary music events celebrate Queensland’s rich stories, vibrant communities and stunning landscapes.
“The Reef Trail audiences are set to enjoy outstanding live music experiences with popular Australian artists including Boy & Bear and Queensland’s Jem Cassar-Daly in idyllic tropical locations,” Minister Langbroek said.
“The Queensland Government investsin Queensland Music Festival and its presentation of the Qld Music Trails to deliver uniquely Queensland arts experiences, a key priority of our 10-year arts and culture strategy, Queensland’s Time to Shine, and its vision for a statewide vibrant arts scene.
“Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said The Reef Trail is a fantastic example of how cultural tourism supports the local economy while giving visitors a new reason to explore the Whitsundays.”
From Lake Proserpine to Airlie Beach Foreshore, this Trail invites people to stay longer, experience more and connect with our Whitsunday region in a different way,” Mayor Collins said.
Whether travelling to an iconic destination or discovering a new side of the Whitsundays, Qld Music Trails–The Reef Trail is an invitation to explore Queensland’s coast on your terms.
Plan your Reef escape now at qldmusictrails.com/trails/the-reef/.
Qld Music Trails–The Reef is proudly presented by Queensland Music Festival in partnership with Whitsunday Regional Council.
Queensland Music Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
