The 2026 Beachfest weekend has been and gone, delivering some serious nostalgia, and a powerful economic boost for the region.
From 27–31 May, near-perfect weather set the stage for five days of chrome, cruising and coast-wide celebration. Visitors travelled from across Australia and beyond, filling accommodation houses, supporting local businesses and injecting valuable spending into the area.
While activity built steadily throughout the week, Saturday delivered the headline moment. Caloundra’s CBD was packed, with streets, cafés and businesses buzzing as record crowds soaked up the atmosphere. Sunday maintained the momentum, closing out the festival with another strong turnout.
Beachfest’s vehicles remain the star attraction, and 2026 delivered in style, with 650 registered entrants, vehicles travelling from Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, and two cars crossing the Tasman from New Zealand.
A group of 15 New Zealand spectators also extended their stay to further explore the Sunshine Coast.
Beyond the cars, a packed program kept entrants and spectators engaged throughout the week. Highlights included the Wednesday welcome event, Thursday’s sponsor night at Bowden’s Own in Warana, and Friday’s SuperCruise, which drew large crowds and praise for its safe, family-friendly atmosphere.
Organisers thanked the Caloundra community, local businesses, volunteers, Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland Police and event partners for helping deliver another successful festival.
For local operators, the impact was clear. Monique and Matt from Drift Bar and Greedy Gringo described Beachfest as “absolutely fantastic” for local business, while Craig Williams from Thirsty Beaver called it the biggest turnout since 2018.
Beachfest continues to strike a balance between activation and authenticity, attracting new visitors, encouraging longer stays and strengthening Caloundra’s reputation as a vibrant coastal destination. With record crowds and glowing feedback, it remains one of the region’s flagship annual events.
Full article at caloundra.com.au
Article courtesy caloundra.com.au
Images: Dan Martin Media, Bluey’s Photography
