A full weekend of chrome and rock'n'roll in the Lockyer Valley: Krome Rock N Rods returns to Laidley Showgrounds on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026.
| When? | Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where? | Laidley — Queensland |
| Organiser | Krome Rock N Rods |
| Attendance | two-day festival |
| Since | 2023 |
Where most Australian show n shines run for a single morning, Krome Rock N Rods spreads across two full days. That format leaves room for live music all weekend, dancing and a market alongside the vehicle display, and gives visitors from outside the Lockyer Valley a reason to stay overnight.
Because the festival runs across two days rather than a single morning, accommodation becomes part of the plan for anyone travelling in. The organiser lists accommodation options for Laidley separately from the main ticket, and the showground setting means the site itself stays active into the evening rather than emptying at lunchtime. For visitors coming from Brisbane, the drive west is short enough to do either as a day trip on one of the two days or as a full weekend.
The event is held at Laidley Showgrounds, in the rural Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane. The showground setting gives the festival the space for a market area, food vendors and a stage in addition to the show field itself.
The vehicle brief covers American and Australian classics through to the 1970s, along with vintage and custom cruisers. Around them, the programme runs live rock'n'roll and rockabilly all weekend, with dancing, market stalls, food and retro entertainment aimed at the whole family.
With two-day festival expected, Krome Rock N Rods offers an exceptional cross-section of American car culture. The field brings together vehicles from every era, from concours restorations to personal builds, around the "hot rods, classics and rockabilly" theme.
Across the weekend:
Mark the window — Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026 — and plan to arrive early: the finest American cars are usually in place by mid-morning, and a crowd of two-day festival makes parking easier at the start of the day.
The event is held at Laidley, in Queensland. Check access, any shuttle services and parking on the official website, and consider car-sharing on the busiest days.
Bring sun or rain protection, comfortable shoes for walking the field, and a budget for food and trade stands. Photographers: the morning light does wonders for the chrome.
Enthusiasm for American vehicles keeps growing in Australia. Meets, clubs and shows multiply year after year, driven by a community that loves the style as much as the V8 mechanicals. Buyers today look for everything from 1960s and 70s muscle to modern pickups and imported youngtimers. Krome Rock N Rods (hot rods, classics and rockabilly) sits squarely within this movement and has, since 2023, drawn a loyal crowd that comes to admire, talk shop and sometimes leave with a new project in mind.
Australia applies a 25-year rule: vehicles built more than 25 years ago can be imported under the concessional pathway without full ADR compliance, while newer vehicles face a far more restrictive process. Registration, club permits and roadworthy inspections are handled state by state. Requirements change and differ between states: confirm the current rules with the Department of Infrastructure and your state road authority before committing to a purchase.
Events like Krome Rock N Rods are surrounded by marque clubs and regional communities. They share tips, spare parts and hands-on help, organise drive-outs and make it easier to source original components — an invaluable ecosystem when you own an American car and want to keep it on the road around Laidley.
Dreaming of joining Krome Rock N Rods in your own American car? Americars & Trucks sources, imports and registers US vehicles to order. We start from your brief — model, year, budget, condition — then find the car in the States and handle shipping, customs and registration.
We locate a vehicle matching your criteria on the American market, with inspection and photos, before any commitment.
Shipping, customs, testing and registration: we coordinate every step until you get the keys, in line with local rules.
Service, tyres and detailing: we prepare your American car so it shines on the field at Krome Rock N Rods.
| Step | Typical time | Order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| US sourcing | 5–10 days | per brief |
| Ocean shipping | 3–4 weeks | £1,300–2,200 |
| Customs (duty + VAT) | 3–5 days | by value |
| Testing & registration | 1–3 weeks | by provider |
Going from spectator to owner is simpler than it looks. From France and from Australia alike, Americars & Trucks supports enthusiasts who want an American car sourced, imported and registered with no nasty surprises. We know the US market, the buying channels, the auctions and the trustworthy sellers, and we filter for you the vehicles — hot rods, classics and rockabilly — worth the journey to a gathering like the one in Laidley.
Dreaming of a specific model seen on the field? We start from your criteria and hunt down the right car, with a detailed inspection report before any financial commitment.
Some collectible American cars appreciate over time. We steer you towards sought-after models, with the right mileage and condition, for a purchase that holds up over the years.
A reliable American pickup or SUV to drive all year? We target sound, well-maintained vehicles ready for local roads with no compromise on safety.
Every case is handled by a single point of contact, from the first search to the handover of the keys, via ocean shipping, customs clearance and registration. The goal is simple: that your next visit to Krome Rock N Rods is behind the wheel of your own American car, with complete peace of mind.