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QLD Tourism News in Your Language

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Queensland Secures Influential Cruise Event for 2013


Tourism Queensland will have exclusive access to sell Queensland to influential cruise industry VIPs at the world’s largest cruise shipping trade show in Miami next year. After years of bidding to host the Cruise Planners Luncheon at the Cruise Shipping Miami Exhibition, Tourism Queensland will have the honour in 2013. 

Cruise Shipping Miami is the world’s leading cruise industry exhibition, for the past few decades it has been the meeting place for cruise industry leaders looking for new products, services and destinations to visit. 

A highlight of the exhibition is the invitation-only Cruise Planners Luncheon, annually attended by 45 VIP cruise itinerary planners and cruise line owners. Queensland welcomed 328, 863 cruise passengers and crew to its ports during last year’s season.

(Source: Tourism on Q)

June Events in Queensland



There's something about "Maryborough" and listings for other events across Queensland such as Jumpers and Jazz Festival, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and many more for June.

Please note, this listing is based on events supported by Events Queensland and is not an exhaustive list of events for this period.)
For more events during this period please refer to www.queenslandholidays.com.au/events 

MAJOR EVENT: Cairns Airport Adventure Festival
27 May - 4 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Phone: 07 3868 2444
Web: www.cairnsadventurefestival.com.au

Set in one of the world's most iconic tropical locations, the 2012 Cairns Airport Adventure Festival features 10 jam-packed days of events for people of all ages and abilities including: Urban Hotel Group Ironman 70.3; Coral Coast Triathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge, Quicksilver Reef Swim - Green Island, The Cairns Post Run for Cairns and Challenge Junior - a triathlon designed especially for kids! Plus there's plenty of entertainment with a free community concert.

The pinnacle event of the festival is 'Cairns Airport Ironman Cains' a gruelling iron-distance triathlon that features a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike leg that travels one of the most scenic coastal roads in Australia towards Port Douglas and a 42.2km run that includes the Cairns Esplanade before finishing in the heart of Cairns.

Classic Country Music Stampede
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Maryborough
Web: www.classiccountrymusicstampede.com.au

The Classic Country Music Stampede is a great weekend of classic country music with some of Australia's finest artists performing live. Artists who have confirmed their attendance for the 2012 festival include: Craig Giles, Kinta, Ian B Macleod, Reg Poole, Laura Downing, Peter Pratt and Lindsay Waddington, Sandy Atkinson Pedal Steel Guitar, Phil and Chris Coad, The Band Just Jack. Camping is available at the showgrounds.

SEASON OF SAILING: Etchells Australian Winter Championship
7 - 10 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.mooetchells.yachting.org.au
Enjoy world-class sailing held close to the shores of Mooloolaba Beach with Olympic, World Champion and America's Cup sailors competing in the three-day international competition.

Jandowae Timbertown Festival
8-11 June 2012
Where: Jandowae
Web: www.jandowaetimbertown.org.au/

The Jandowae Timbertown Festival is a biannual community festival which has been held since 2001 and celebrates the contribution that the timber industry and workers have made to the heritage and economy of Jandowae. The festival is also a celebration of the thriving local agricultural and manufacturing industries that sustain Jandowae, and of the many talented and proactive community groups that make it such a great place to live, work and play.

Boyne Tannum Hookup
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Tannum Sands
Web: www.boynetannumhookup.com.au/

Separated by the Boyne River the towns of Boyne and Tannum have united to host one of Australia's best fishing competitions. It features not only a great contest, with boats and camping trailers up for grabs, but entertainment from Dave Hodge (the barefoot fisherman) and top musicians as well as the tag fish tank and excellent fishing and boating displays. The Hookup is also a charity event with all proceeds from the competition and merchandise going to the Bushfire Brigade.

Cooktown Discovery Festival
8 - 11 June 2012
Where: Cooktown
Web: www.cooktowndiscoveryfestival.com.au

The Cooktown Discovery Festival is an annual event held in Cooktown, Far North Queensland, to celebrate the landing of Lt. James Cook at the Endeavour River in 1770 and his meeting with the local Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji people. For 50 years, the people of Cooktown have come together every June to celebrate this historic event by staging a fully costumed re-enactment of Cooks landing and his time spent in this tropical paradise with the local Bama (aboriginal people).

Tour of Toowoomba 201214-17 June 2012
Where: Toowoomba
Web: www.touroftoowoomba.com/

If you're into cycling, then Toowoomba is the place to be for the FKG Tour of Toowoomba. You'll have the opportunity to be part of an action packed weekend of cycling. The choice is yours - either enter the Endeavour Challenge, a sport open to all recreational cyclists, or be there to see the top teams in Australia compete in the grueling three day FK Gardner and Sons Construction Tour of Toowoomba. Other highlights include a Sports Dinner. This National Road Series three day event is an initiative of the Toowoomba Cycling Club and supported by both Cycling Queensland and Cycling Australia.

Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge
16 June 2012
Where: Hughenden
Web: www.porcupinegorgechallenge.com.au

Some call it Queensland's Grand Canyon but it's better known as Porcupine Gorge. This event is not only to challenge serious competitors but to give the opportunity for locals and adjoining communities to enjoy the wonderful natural attraction of the gorge whilst walking with friends. Competitors travel from vast distances to compete in the 8 kilometer event; some who camp at the Gorge for the weekend enjoy more than just the challenge. Categories include Open Men's, Ladies and Under 16 and Under 12 section for boys and girls, with the overall winner taking pride of place on the perpetual trophy. A special perpetual trophy is also awarded to the first local Flinders Shire resident past the post.

Surfers Paradise Festival
20 June - 14 July 2012
Where: Surfers Paradise
Web: http://www.surfersparadisefestival.com

Surfers Paradise Festival is an annual community celebration of music, food, fashion, film and art and a key driver of the Gold Coast's long-term cultural development. Across the four weekends of the festival, the Surfers Paradise precinct becomes a dynamic, inclusive and interactive event space and a hub of Gold Coast creativity. The free event platforms local and international talent within the streets and venues of Surfers Paradise, across an accessible mix of family events, exhibitions, live music, street markets and short film screenings.

Mackay Tinnie & Tackle Show
23 -24 June 2012
Where: Mackay
Web: http://www.mackaymarinefestival.com.au/

Fishing, big and small boats, engines, jet ski's, ski boats and getting on the water... what more could a family want? At Mackay's ultimate marine event - The Mackay Marine Festival - you will find all this and more. The Mackay Tinnie and Tackle Show is a fantastic showcase of everything the region's marine industry has to offer. There are also plenty of activities for the kids from Marine and Fishing Workshops through to face painting and rock climbing walls. Part of the Mackay Marine Festival, it's all happening at the Mackay Marina.

Sail Mooloolaba
23 -30 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.sailmooloolaba.yachting.org.au

Sail Mooloolaba is an annual sailing event that brings together junior, youth and senior sailors from the east coast of Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, across large and small dinghies, and monohull and multihull keel boats, to race in a two-day regatta on the beautiful waters off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride
24 - 30 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Web: www.ridefnq.com

Get outback! The Coast to Coast Bike Ride began through the Cairns School of Distance Education P&C Association in 1996/97 to initially address the need to build a multi-purpose activity centre for the school site in Cairns. The event is now a seven day Cairns to Karumba bike ride that will see bicyle riders travel through the outback towns of the iconic Savannah way. Riders can join the back along the way or travel the entire 780km ride.

Mary Poppins Festival
27 June - 1 July 2012
Where: 
Maryborough
Web: www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au

Mary Poppins mania hits Maryborough, the birthplace of author P.L. Travers, this June and July. Closet nannies emerge, vintage prams hit the streets, there is chalk art, music, a parade and fireworks. Here are a few little-known connections between Maryborough and the Mary Poppins novels (of which there were eight). Did you know that...

Travers' father was the bank manager in Maryborough just like her character Mr Banks The building where Travers lived is just a short stroll from Maryborough's majestic Queens Park, which bears strong resemblance to the park of the novels near the Banks' home, frequented by Mary Poppins and her young wards Travers' first Mary Poppins novel included a party at the zoo among the animals. 

Queens Park once housed a zoo and an aviary In the novel and film Admiral Boom is a former naval officer who lived next door to the Banks family and fired his cannon to mark the hours. In Maryborough, during Travers' parents' time a cannon was fired every day at 1pm to let the workers in the cane fields know to come in for lunch

History aside - this is fabulous fun! Head to Maryborough in June and July and enjoy this wonderful family festival.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Go Run in Queensland - Running News Australia

There are some excellent fun runs and half to full marathon races coming up in the next few months. Here is two great events you can participate in in the sunny state of Queensland.
Mackay Marina Run
When:
3 June 2012
Where: Mackay
Web: www.mackaymarinarun.com
The BMA Mackay Marina Run is the signature running event for the exciting and expanding city of Mackay. The event showcases the spectacular features of this tropical coastal city and celebrates the role that fun and fitness has in the community. While attracting running enthusiasts from around the country it also has a key focus of attracting first time competitors through the provision of a half marathon, an eight kilometre run, a five kilometre fun run, corporate challenge and three kilometre junior dash. There is also entertainment including traditional jazz and rock n roll to enhance the great feel to the event. What's more, significant funds are raised for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon (MAJOR EVENT)
When: 30 June - 1 July 2012
Where: Southport, Gold Coast
Web: www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon, a major Australian running event will feature a marathon, half marathon, 10 kilometre run, five kilometre challenge and junior dash races for the kids over four kilometres and two kilometres. More than 25,000 people from around the world are set to participate and enjoy the spectacular Gold Coast views and great atmosphere along the course. The event also includes a bumper ASICS Sport and Leisure Expo for running and fitness enthusiasts.

Go Run in Queensland - Running News Australia

Monday, May 21, 2012

Ticket Prices to the Queensland Bledisloe Frozen at 2011 Prices

Australian Rugby Union has announced tickets to the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test at Suncorp Stadium in October had been frozen at 2011 prices.

The decision to maintain last year’s prices came despite the corresponding game last year, which the Qantas Wallabies won securing their first Tri Nations title in a decade, selling out in fifteen minutes.
ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, said while it would have been easy to increase ticket prices after last year’s sell out, ARU was determined to reward Queensland fans for their ongoing support of the game.

“The atmosphere created at last year’s Suncorp Test between the Qantas Wallabies and the All Blacks was electric and we want to encourage that atmosphere and the sea of Gold that came with it to return again this year,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We also wanted to show the fans in Queensland how much we appreciate their loyalty and support of the Qantas Wallabies and Rugby in Queensland.

“As per last year an Adult ticket can be purchased from just $84 and a family ticket for four from $189. We believe it represents excellent value for money to what could be the Test that decides the Bledisloe.”

Tickets to the highly anticipated trans-Tasman clash will go on sale on Tuesday, 17 July, through Ticketek.

Tickets to the opening Test of the Castrol Edge Wales Tour, on Saturday 9 June at Suncorp Stadium, will go on sale on through the Ticketek website on Tuesday 22 May and will be priced at similar levels to when the Welsh visited in 2003.

Tickets for the Test between the Qantas Wallabies and Wales – the two countries which clashed in the Rugby World Cup bonze playoff – will start from $49 for adults and $98 for a family of four.
Those prices represent an increase of just $8 for adults and $16 for families compared to the 2003 ticket prices.

Mr O’Neill said ARU wanted to ensure Test tickets remained as affordable as possible.

“Over the last few years we have focused on ensuring ticket prices to Qantas Wallabies Tests are appealing to families and Rugby fans,” Mr O’Neill said.

“That is why we have decided to keep tickets to the opening Castrol Edge Wales Test in Brisbane as close to the 2003 prices as possible.

“The Welsh showed in last year’s Rugby World Cup and again on our spring tour that they are a good side who will play entertaining and attacking Rugby.

“The Castrol Edge Wales Tour will be an exciting Test series and I am sure demand for tickets will be great, not just because of the price of tickets, but because they will be three excellent Tests.”

Get nearby accommodation at Metro Hotel Tower Mill in Brisbane

(Source: www.brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Brisbane Tourism News: Food Festival First for Brisbane "Delectable"

Brisbane is set to become the winter culinary capital following the Queensland Government's announcement that the riverside city will host a brand new food festival - delectable - from 16-29 July.

An initiative of the Queensland Government through Events, delectable will celebrate Queensland produce, farmers and chefs, and bring to life key outdoor spaces across Brisbane through an exciting program of music, food and entertainment.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk welcomed the announcement and said delectable was sure to be a popular fixture on Brisbane's event calendar.

"delectable Brisbane will provide visitors and Brisbane residents alike with the opportunity to indulge in 13 days of home-grown food, music, interactive gardens, educational programs and chef demonstrations," Cr Quirk said.

"I want Brisbane to be Australia's new world city and events like this will help strengthen that reputation, by showcasing our excellent local restaurants, producers and chefs."

Launching delectable on 16 July will be the delicious. Produce Awards 2012 - to be presented in Queensland for the first time in its seven year history.

"We are really pleased to be hosting the delicious. Produce Awards in Queensland for the first time and to support the delectable festival and local growers and producers,” delicious. Editor in Chief Trudi Jenkins said.

"The Produce Awards encourage, showcase and reward producers, build awareness of culinary regions and recognise fresh, seasonal food that is produced with integrity and using ecologically sustainable farming methods and production processes."

ARIA restaurant Owner and Chef, Matt Moran is a judge of the delicious. Produce Awards 2012 and will showcase his expertise and award-winning menu at Delectable.

"We are thrilled to be participating in Delectable. It's great to have an event that is all about fresh local produce happening here in Brisbane," Mr Moran said.

"At ARIA we are passionate about local, fresh produce and so this event will be great to showcase the great producers of Queensland. We are thrilled to be participating in the event."

A highlight of the delectable program will be the Food Bowl event - offering visitors the opportunity to taste and experience menus from some of Brisbane's most sought after restaurants in one location including Shinichi Maeda of Sake Brisbane, Tank's Alastair McLeod, Matt Moran of ARIA and David Pugh of Restaurant Two.

delectable will be held from Monday 16 to Sunday 29 July 2012 in Brisbane.

Food Festival First for Brisbane

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Virgin Adds Gladstone Flights

“We’re pleased to be able to provide these additional services to the Gladstone community in recognition of the support they have given to Virgin Australia. 

“Having commenced (services using the ATR turboprop aircraft) late last year, it is very pleasing to see such a positive response to the introduction of competition to the route. Our value for money fares and timetable clearly appeal to both the corporate and leisure markets.

“Connection times in Brisbane also mean that our guests can connect to our domestic and international services or onto partner airlines,” she says.

“We now operate more than 200 ATR flights each week within Queensland, the ACT and New South Wales. The ATR is proving to be an extremely popular aircraft across our network,” she adds. 

Virgin Adds Gladstone Flights

Queensland Gets Exposed to 40,000 Cruise Passengers

Video clips of Queensland will be beamed to approximately 40,000 passengers on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) thanks to a filming familiarisation in the state this week.

The famil, organised by Tourism Queensland and Abercombie and Kent, is taking an RCCL representative on a tour of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland.

“This visit is a huge coup given the international exposure for Queensland and global reputation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines,” Hayes said.

“Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is a world-recognised cruise company with a fleet of 20 ships and a fleet capacity of 51,468. Its ships visit destinations such as Alaska, Asia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and South America. This famil is allowing the cruise line to film and eventually showcase to its passengers some of the fantastic experiences Queensland has to offer and hopefully entice them to book a cruise to the Sunshine State.

“I understand four of the company’s cruise ships will visit Australia next year which will allow approximately 40,000 passengers to collectively make 20 port visits in Queensland.”

Hayes said that while in Brisbane, the RCCL rep would cruise the Brisbane River and visit a local wildlife sanctuary.

“They will also taste some Brisbane cuisine when they visit the new restaurant precinct at South Bank and do some wine tasting in the Greater Brisbane region,” he said.

“They will visit a zoo on the Sunshine Coast, take in the art and craft delights of the Gold Coast hinterland and stop into Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. They will then head to Tropical North Queensland where they will experience the iconic Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest and local Indigenous culture.

“All this will be captured on film which will then be displayed onboard all Royal Caribbean Cruise vessels visiting Australia next year.”

Tourism Queensland has increased its focus on the cruise industry in response to the continuous growth the cruise market has experienced in recent years.

Between 2010 and 2011 cruise shipping generated an estimated AUD368 million in Queensland. During the same year, 328,863 passengers visited Queensland ports, an increase of 2.8% compared to 319,761 passengers the previous year.

Hayes said following the familiarisation Tourism Queensland would hold a number of ‘Cruise Market’ industry workshops in mid-May and throughout June.

“These workshops will provide local operators with the fundamentals about the cruise market and explain the benefits of the market,” he said.

A list of locations and dates for the workshops are detailed below:

Cairns – 9:30am-1:00pm, Friday 11 May at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
Brisbane – 10:00am-1.30pm, Monday 4 June at Moda Events Portside
Gold Coast – 9:00am-12:30pm, Tuesday 5 June at Southport Yacht Club
Whitsundays – 8:45am-12:30pm, Wednesday 13 June at Peppers Coral Coast Resort, Airlie Beach

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)