Plan to Bring Red Bull Air Race to Gold Coast

THE Queensland Government and Red Bull Air Race supremos are in talks to lure the lucrative event to the Gold Coast, The Gold Coast Bulletin reports. 
 
The event, which features displays of high-speed aeronautical acrobatics, has long been coveted by the city's events and tourism officials because it attracts an international television audience of millions of people.

The Broadwater has been discussed as the site for a potential race due to its picturesque nature and the Surfers Paradise skyline in the background.

Government officials travelled to Sydney in March for talks with air race organisers, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

A senior council source confirmed the Gold Coast had been involved in bidding for the event.


But he said  Premier Campbell Newman's tight rein on the budget had put the process on hold.

"It would be a good event to snare. It's been watched by millions of people around the world," he said.

There is tough competition to host the Australian leg of the event, with Perth, Sydney and Melbourne all believed to have rival bids in place.

It had previously been held in Perth from 2006 to 2010, but there was no event in 2011 or this year as the series is being revamped.

According to figures from the WA Government, more than 300,000 people attended the inaugural Perth air race in 2006, which pumped $14 million into the local economy.

A spokeswoman for Queensland's Tourism and Major Events Minister Jann Stuckey said Events Queensland was not involved in a bid for the 2014 air race, but could not rule out other years.

"The Newman Government is committed to major events on the Gold Coast as part of our plan to make Queensland Tourism number one again," she said.

"The budget outlining our funding commitment to events will be handed down next month."

Pilots in the event fly through a track of inflatable air gates and reach speeds of up to 370km/h.

It is watched by millions of people in more than 100 countries.

In 2010, former Events Queensland boss John O'Sullivan confirmed luring the famed race to the Sunshine State was on the agenda.

"We are looking at a number of events, not just for the Gold Coast but also for Queensland and certainly the Red Bull Air Race is one of those we are looking at," he said.

Queensland's 2012 Bucket List

According to the Mayan Calendar the end of the world is nigh. Hmmm... Sounds like a great reason to set a travel bucket list for 2012.

Achieve personal goals, give back to the environment, splurge on a rock-star experience and have no regrets when that dreaded December date comes around.

1. Eat a Curry Camel Pie from the Birdsville Bakery

It's a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll, but it's worth the trip! If you haven't been outback before, don't miss all the action of the 130th anniversary of the iconic Birdsville Races this August. Of course, no trip to Birdsville would be complete without tucking into a Curry Camel Pie from the Birdsville Bakery.

www.birdsvillebakery.com

2. Compete in the Gold Coast Marathon

Forget freezing in New York, or jostling for space in Paris - Achieve a huge goal closer to home and run the picturesque coastline course of the Gold Coast Marathon.

www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au

3. Go wine tasting like a rock star

There's simply no better way to get acquainted with Queensland's burgeoning wine scene than with a wine tasting tour with Pterodactyl Helicopters. Enjoy picturesque views of the Fassifern Valley as you chopper between some of South East Queensland's best boutique wineries for tastings and lunch.

www.pterodactylhelicopters.com.au

4. Become a whale researcher in Hervey Bay

Wally and Trish Franklin from The Oceania Project know whales. They've been conducting their research trips in the protected waters of Hevey Bay for the past 23 years and anyone can join them. This year, live and work on their research vessel Moon Dancer for a six-day stint during the whale season to be involved in vital whale research.

www.oceania.org.au

5. Catch a wave at Seventeen Seventy

Still a relatively 'secret spot', even amongst Queenslanders, this gorgeous beachside haven happens to be home to eastern Australia's most-northern surf break. It also boasts one of the best beachfront camping spots on offer.

www.queenslandholidays.com.au

6. Dive the Yongala

If you haven't got your dive licence yet, make this year the cut-off and experience one of the world's top dive sites just off the coast of Townsville. The S.S. Yongala sank in 1911 with the loss of all aboard creating one of Australia's most intriguing maritime mysteries as she lay undiscovered for more than half a century.

www.yongaladive.com.au

7. Help a just-hatched turtle make its way to sea at Mon Repos

You don't have to be a rum drinker to enjoy a trip to Bundaberg with the annual attraction of the turtle nesting and hatching at Mon Repos an affordable and must-see event for every age.

www.queensland.com/turtles

8. Go glamping on Orpheus Island

Leave the tent pitching and bush toilets behind you, and discover the world of glamping on Orpheus Island. Recently re-opened following an extensive refurbishment, this exclusive island just off the coast of Townsville provides a refreshing new option for island hoppers. New eco tents are due to open in March 2012.

www.orpheus.com.au

9. Give back to our planet with Eco-Barge in the Whitsundays

Since kicking off in 2009, Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. has hauled more than 59,000 kilos of marine debris from the Whitsundays. Founder Libby Edge and some dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly as guardians of our oceans to remove the threat of marine debris from turtles and other marine animals.

www.ecobargeservices.com

10. Become a Master Chef

Sign up for one of Vanilla Zulu's six-week cooking courses to brush up on your skills in the kitchen, or lack thereof. Brisbane's newest cooking school also offers Gluten-Free Cooking Classes and 'Men Behaving Badly' men's classes. You can even bring your own wine to enjoy with your gourmet creation when you finish.

www.vanillazulu.com.au

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Chinese vote Queensland Number One Green Tourism Destination

Queensland has been voted the ‘Green Tourism Destination of the Year’ by more than 4.2 million readers of China’s Travel Weekly tourism trade publication, said Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt today.

The announcement was made at the 2011 China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards in Beijing overnight. Ms Jarratt said the award was a massive coup for Queensland.

“It’s wonderful to hear Queensland has been chosen as the top green tourism destination in the world by millions of Chinese travel industry members,” Ms Jarratt said.

“This achievement comes less than two months after the Premier’s trade mission to China where she unveiled ‘Project China’; a plan to attract more high-spending Chinese visitors, develop new airline and travel trade partnerships and help Queensland tourism operators cater for Chinese travellers.

“This result shows the hard work of Tourism Queensland is delivering results for Queensland and boosting the state’s profile as an eco-friendly holiday destination.

“Queensland was chosen as one of the top three green tourism destinations in the world by the selection panel and we went head-to-head with Norway and New Zealand before being voted into the number one spot by Travel Weekly China readers in an online poll.

Ms Jarratt said the award win could not have taken place within a more significant international market and was cause for optimistic forecasting.

“China is Queensland’s fourth largest and fastest growing international market with 197,000 Chinese visiting our state in the year ending March 2011, 29 percent more than the year prior,” Ms Jarratt said.

“The Chinese are also big spenders, outlaying $388 million on their trips to Queensland during the same period, a significant $62 million more than during the previous year.

“But with Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years this is no time to rest on our laurels.

“It’s vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to make sure our Chinese friends have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland truly is where Australia shines.

“Winning this ‘Green Tourism Destination of the Year’ award will not only put Queensland front-of-mind with our current and potential Chinese trade partners, but hopefully also capture the attention of millions of Chinese holidaymakers.”

Ms Jarratt said the award win was a sweet reward for Queensland’s tourism operators, particularly those who have participated in ‘China Ready’ training and Tourism Queensland’s Sustainable Regions Project.

“The Sustainable Regions Project is Australia’s first state-wide sustainable tourism project which aims to reduce the environmental impact of tourism by working with regional operators to help transform Queensland into a domestically and internationally-recognised sustainable tourism destination,” she said.

“The project has been a resounding success after being piloted in seven Queensland regions including Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Mackay Hinterland, Winton, and after running in Agnes Water/The Town of 1770 and the Capricorn Coast post pilot stage.

“An Eco-Efficiency Sustainable Regions Project is also wrapping up on the Gold Coast in partnership with the Gold Coast City Council and 10 Sunshine Coast event-focused tourism businesses are completing a Sustainable Regions program, funded through the $12 million State and Federal Governments’ tourism recovery package.

“Through the pilot stage of the project nearly 66 businesses across the state committed to reducing their combined carbon footprint by 1,237.76 tonnes of CO2 annually – that’s the equivalent of taking 289 cars of the road for a year!

“Queensland has some of the world’s most amazing natural environments and experiences on the planet, so it’s in the best interest of all to ensure we protect and sustain the natural beauty of our state.”

(Source: tq.com.au)