One of the largest music festivals touring regional Australia has dropped its only north Queensland leg due to 'logistical challenges and financial pressures.'
Groovin the Moo (GTM) has announced it will tour six states and territories in April and May this year.
The touring music festival will return to South Australia and Western Australia for the first time since 2019.
However, the Townsville leg has been dropped, despite it drawing a crowd of about 15,000 in 2019.
"Despite immense effort, it is with great sadness that we advise that GTM is unable to return to Townsville in 2023," organisers said in a statement.
"We have loved calling Townsville our Queensland home over the years, but post-pandemic touring life is harder.
"The logistical challenges and increased financial pressures are too great and, unfortunately, we are not able to return to the top end in 2023."
Promoter Steve Haplin thanked stakeholders involved with the Townsville leg after "years of magical memories".
"Groovin the Moo has been in Townsville since 2008 and we've loved every year of it," he said.
"Post COVID-19 pandemic touring life is hard and the key ingredients; patronage, resourcing, freight, and infrastructure that help make up the eco system of a music festival are all still in a precarious position."
Festival moves to Sunny Coast
The regional festival's north Queensland leg has been swapped for a new Sunshine Coast stopover at Kawana Sports Western Precinct on April 30.
Tourism body Visit Sunshine Coast's Matt Stoeckel said the festival would have a positive impact on the whole region outside of the traditional peak tourism period.
"The flow on effects from visitors are felt not only in very typical tourism businesses like accommodation and attractions and tours, but also in local restaurants," Chief executive Mr Stoeckel said
"And that flows on to our local producers and farmers and all the way down the chain."
He hoped the region would become the new home to more events like Groovin in the Moo into the future.
"Given our close proximity to Brisbane and other major markets means that we are a very natural choice for event organisers to host their their music event or other events here on the Sunshine Coast," he said.
The statement from GTM did not indicate that organisers had plans to return the event to Townsville in 2024.
"GTM may look to return to Townsville in future years," the statement said.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was "disappointed to hear about the cancellation".
"I'd really love to see the festival come back to Townsville," she said.
The festival will also tour through Wayville, Maitland, Canberra, Bendigo, and Bunbury from April.
