Mulletfest 2025 Crowns New Kings and Queens of Kurri Kurri's Iconic Hair

The Chelmsford Hotel in Kurri Kurri once again transformed into the epicentre of Australia's most iconic hairstyle this past weekend, as Mulletfest 2025 held its grand final. After a national tour spanning 16 regional towns, the countercultural celebration returned to its Hunter Valley heartland to crown a new roster of champions, with Daniel Cooper taking out the coveted top honour of best overall mullet.

A Celebration of Larrikin Spirit and Community

Now in its eighth consecutive year, Mulletfest has grown from a quirky local pub idea into an international phenomenon. Founded by the self-styled 'Mullet Queen' Laura Johnson, the event is less about mere hair and more about embracing a unique sense of community and belonging. It's a gathering where, as one contestant put it, everyone at the edges is welcome.

The atmosphere at the Chelmsford on Saturday, December 6, was electric, filled with what organisers describe as happy outcasts, larrikins, and big-hearted ratbags. For winner Daniel Cooper, the event's magic lies in its people. "They're good people," he said, reflecting on the friendly handshakes and compliments from fellow contestants. "Some things just work. There's something in deep... You can just let your hair down. Literally."

Meet the Champions: From Extreme to Grubby

The competition featured a diverse range of categories, celebrating every iteration of the classic business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back style. The Extreme Mullet category was won by 73-year-old John White from Weston, whose stunning, braided white mane was dyed a vibrant blue for the occasion.

"I grew up here," Mr White said in his soft, raspy voice, reminiscing about a Hunter childhood of unlocked doors and bike rides from Weston to Cessnock. A self-described daredevil, he grew his hair long when it was still taboo. "Stuff 'em," he said with a wicked smile. "I do it for me, not for you... You don't give up on fun."

Darryl Belcher travelled up from Richmond to claim the Grubby Mullet title. His voluminous, curly mane, which he described as a transformed mohawk thanks to a motel hairdryer, gave him a lion-like appearance. Other key winners included Chase Abernethy (Ranga Mullet), Peter Saggus (Vintage Mullet), and Jesse Rich (Rookie Mullet).

More Than a Haircut: A Link to the Past

For many attendees, Mulletfest is a tangible connection to a bygone era and a specific Australian spirit. John White's stories painted a picture of a different Hunter Valley—one with outdoor swimming pools, picture theatres, and community gathered around the first television set in a shop window.

This sense of place, of a culture that gets in your bones, is what the event captures so perfectly. It's a defiant, joyful hold on to individuality and communal fun. As the mullets were judged and champions crowned, the message was clear: the iconic haircut, and the culture it represents, is alive, well, and thriving in the heart of Kurri Kurri.

Full List of Mulletfest 2025 Winners: