Tamworthians will have to drive a bit further for their country music fix on March 13-15 after it was announced the festival will be held at the Willowbank Raceway site in south-east Queensland with multi-platinum selling artist Lady Antebellum headlining.

However, for those country fans in Tenterfield, it’s welcome news, with the trip being cut by about four hours.

Headliners Lady Antebellum are no strangers to the region, having played the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre supporting Keith Urban in April 2011.

Tamworth festival favourite and ARIA and Golden Guitar-winner Troy Cassar-Daley is the only other artist announced to play the festival so far.

Rob Potts Entertainment Edge CEO Rob Potts said the site was more accessible by air, being an hour from Brisbane and Gold Coast airports and there were train and shuttle bus options.

He said there would be a much-expanded camping area and new “glamping” options. 

“The new larger site at Willowbank Raceway, south-west of Brisbane, opens up exciting options for us in the way we stage the event, along with greater catering and entertainment options, enhancing the festival experience for everyone,” Mr Potts said.

The festival was first held in Thredbo’s Snowy Mountains in 2008 and moved to Hope Estate in the NSW Hunter Valley in 2011 where it remained for four years. 

CMC Rocks’ promoters thanked their Hunter Valley partners for helping to establish the festival and supporting live country and roots music and thanked their loyal fans.

The full line-up of artists and ticket information will be announced in coming weeks.