Television viewers in Queensland were transported to the Whitsundays for a travel special on the Airlie Beach Festival of Music.
A production team from the popular Channel 7 program Queensland Weekender travelled to Airlie Beach for the 2018 festival, capturing footage from the main stage at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, as well as festival venues at Fish D’Vine, Port of Airlie’s La Marina and Fish Bar, and accommodation partner atHotel Group at Water’s Edge.
Festival founder Gavin Butlin said he couldn’t wait to see the town come alive on television and he encouraged everyone to tune in.
“Having Queensland Weekender come to Airlie Beach during the weekend of the Festival of Music was an enormous coup,” he said.
It’s one of the busiest weekends of the year when the town is looking and sounding its best, and I’m so excited to be showcasing our wonderful musical community across the state.
Gavin Butler
Fish D’Vine and Airlie Beach Rum Bar co-owner, Kevin Collins, said the atmosphere during filming at his restaurant had been electric.
“It was absolutely rocking and just like the Airlie Beach of old that made the Whitsundays famous all over the world as a great, fun place to come on holiday,” he said.
“To quote Mollie Meldrum: ‘do yourself a favour’ and don’t miss it this year.”
Managing Director for atHotel Group, Jeff Aquilina, said this was why his company had been proud sponsors of the event since its inception in 2013.
“The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is an incredible festival showcasing local, interstate and international artists, and a time when Airlie Beach comes alive,” he said.
“We are thrilled to be involved and we look forward to partnering with the festival again in 2019.”
Tourism Whitsundays chief executive officer, Tash Wheeler, whose team helped facilitate the filming opportunity, said she was delighted to have built such a strong partnership with Queensland Weekender.
They love our special part of the world and this particular episode featuring the Airlie Beach Festival of Music will be a chance for us all to relive the amazing atmosphere that descends upon Airlie Beach during that weekend.
Tash Wheeler Tourism Whitsundays
The 2019 Festival will take place from November 8-10, with the first major line-up announcement to be released in March.
Mr Butlin said this year’s headliners would be “must-see” acts and he warned it was likely the event could sell out.
“We’re advising festival fans to get in early this year, especially now when there are discounted ticket rates,” he said.
