As part of her journey towards the Telstra Road to Tamworth Final in Tamworth next January, Nikki will progress to the next stage of the program - which includes a performance at one of Sydney's biggest sporting events - the Sydney Telstra 500 V8 Supercar event held at Sydney Olympic Park in December.

Boot Camp is a music development workshop where aspiring musicians will gain valuable experience and insights from a network of music industry professionals including songwriters, publishers, established artists and industry organisations.

Telstra Area general manager Wally Donaldson said as part of the camp, Nikki will perform in front of thousands of V8 Supercar fans together with The McClymonts and past Telstra Road to Tamworth winners, to the biggest audience of their careers.

"It is a big thrill to see Nikki's dreams given a rocket with this win. Her heart is set on music, and it would be fantastic to see someone with so much talent from the Cairns heat hit the big time," he said.

Originally from the Gold Coast, Nikki moved to Cairns a few years ago to take up a role as a sports journalist at a local television station. While she combines her love of sport as her full-time job, Nikki's other passion in life is centred around her music, having studied music throughout school on scholarship.

"I've grown up with music my whole life and I took a break for a little bit when I left school before getting back into writing and performing about nine months ago," she said

"I saw the Telstra Road to Tamworth as a potential opportunity to grow as a musician and I'm absolutely stunned to have won the Cairns heat and be heading to Sydney to perform at the Sydney Telstra 500 - combining sports and music, that's a pretty good deal."

If successful at Boot Camp, Nikki will receive $1000 cash and progress through to the Telstra Road to Tamworth Finals held during the 2011 Tamworth Country Music Festival next January alongside seven other performers.