Tourism QLD

Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast has much more than kangaroos and cuddly koalas. Take a walk on the wild side with tigers, rhinos and cheetahs; Giant Tortoise, Colossal Komodo, Red Panda; hand-feed elephants and crikey – the crocs!

We welcome readers in Auckland and Wellington. Also readers who have picked up their Tourist Queensland in Queensland.

INSIDE Gemfest celebrates 25th Anniversary

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www.coralcoveapartments.com.au.

CORAL COVE APARTMENTS

Norfolk Island – another world away, and so close “Eventures� in the Outback Handy tourist websites There’s plenty to do in Brisbane Fraser Island wins prestigious award Sailing season in The Whitsundays

Whale Watching comes to Hervey Bay

Blackwater truck

Step back in time

DISCOVER ... Luxury @ Bowen

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Visit our Historical Village

" " TV’ channels " ! " ! spa " " restaurant

BOOK TODAY!!!

Phone: (07) 4791 2000

Email: stay@coralcoveapartments.com.au

International Phone: 61 7 4791 2000 Website: www.coralcoveapartments.com.au

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Come to the Sunday Market Days July 28-29 Arts Crafts Woodworkers & Markets Aug 26 - Sept 30 - Oct 28 - Dec 2

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CALLIOPE RIVER HISTORICAL VILLAGE

Bruce Highway - 6 klm north of Calliope Cross Roads, Gladstone

Capture the market in Queensland’s richest mining towns.

Advertise in the Coalfields Express Delivered into homes in mining towns and mining camps around Queensland.

THE VOICE OF THE COALFIELDS

Phone 1300 758 184

or email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au

PHONE 07 4975 7883 - Email: harveyh@bigpond.com N E W R A I LWA Y M U S E U M N O W O P E N

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Norfolk Island – a lush beautiful island in the South Pacific Welcome Tourist Queensland readers to this lush beautiful island in such close proximity to Australia and New Zealand.

This green island paradise is found in the middle of the South Pacific ocean and is just 35 kms square in size with 32 kms of coastline.

On Norfolk the only fast food is pulled fresh from the soil or sea. Where there are no traffic lights. Where you can still park your car with the keys in the ignition.

On Norfolk you won’t find any railways, port or harbours or even busy roads for that matter. There are 80 kms of laneways across the island and cows still have right of way. When supplies come by ship, jetties on either side of the Island are used to send small boats out to the bigger ships to ferry in 5 tonnes of supplies at a time.

Time moves slowly. Elegant convict-built Georgian buildings are still in daily use and the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) is now World Heritage Listed as part of the Australian Convict Sites inscription.

Climate – In a word –comfortable. One of the many blessings is a subtropical climate with summer averages from 23 to 25c and winter from 17 to 20c during the day and rarely below 10c at night. Average rainfall is 1328 mm per year with wettest months May to August; driest November to

Hibiscus RESORT & MOTELS

January. Norfolk Island is nearly a straight line across from Byron Bay. Population – The small but perfectly formed world of Norfolk is home to around 1800 but in peak tourist season the numbers swell to 2800. Sometimes tourists combined with temporary residents can exceed the permanent population but there’s plenty of wide open space for everybody.

Norfolk is an island of unspoiled natural beauty, where the locals tread lightly upon the earth. They are a unique people, descendants of the famous Bounty mutineers. The islanders speak their own special language, and will welcome you in their own unique way.

How to get there

Air New Zealand now operates twice weekly flights to Norfolk, from Sydney and Brisbane, (taking under three hours) and every Sunday from Auckland. The cruise ship market is growing with P & O making some port calls throughout the year.

Australian citizens must have either a passport or get a Document Of Identity from the passport authority to travel to Norfolk Island. All visitors must hold a return airline ticket and have accommodation information to provide to immigration staff.

Experience a holiday so relaxing, it will permeate every fibre of your being.

WINTER SPECIAL FROM AUD$98.00

Check our website for details! www.hibiscus-resort.com

NORFOLK ISLAND’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME

ESCAPE FROM THE CITY WINTER TO NORFOLK ISLAND fishing, diving, snorkelling, golf and beautiful Emily beach secluded by reefs, waiting for you!

4 Central Locations to Choose From 1, 2 & 3 Self Contained Apts.

Perfect for Couples, Groups, Families or Individual Travellers Swimming Pool (Aloha) Rental Cars Group Discounts available Airport Transfers 1/2 Day Island Tour BBQ’s, Guest Laundries Guest Lounge (Aloha)

Hibiscus Resort & Motels will be honoured to be your host while you are enjoying yourself on Norfolk Island.

T: Int+6723 22325 F: Int+6723 22908 E: hibiscus@ninet.nf W: hibiscus-resort.com PAGE 2

Gone catchin’

Islanders call fishing “catching”.

The waters are so full of fish that catching one (actually tens of kilos) is the norm. You can reel in delicacies like succulent Sweet Lip ( Trumpeter) Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Trevally and Kingfish to name a few.

Bag limits are generous, however Norfolk Island self imposes limits during breeding seasons to ensure there’s plenty of fish for tourists and locals all year round.

Scuba, Snorkel, Swim – these waters are home to over a hundred species of hard and soft coral, submerged in a pristine marine environment. There are dozens of sites to enjoy and no crowds. You’ll have the water all to yourself.

Same with swimming – have Slaughter to Emily Bay all to yourself. These two stunning pristine quiet beaches are most popular for swimming. Take a dip during a day of perfect temperature (which is almost every day).

You can also go kayaking, take a ride on the glass bottom boat and ask the guide to introduce you to exotic ocean foods like seaweed and ocean caviar.

All That Jazz – swinging summer coming up

Jazz fans should head to Norfolk Island in December. The seriously hot line-up for this year’s Jazz Festival from December 3 to 7 includes Neilsen Gough Quartet, Rick Robertson and the Feral Swing Katz.

“No-one else in the world can both sing and play the trumpet as well as Neilsen,” said famous jazz performer James Morrison.

Rick Robertson was born on Norfolk and is a descendant of mutineer Fletcher Christian. His sublime vocal and brilliant saxophone is sure to impress.

Feral Katz are wild, wonderful and groovy with their blend of 40s Swing, Classic Country and something called “Western Swing’.

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

Drama unfolding on Norfolk Island Norfolk Island Amateur Theatrical Society host a week, the first in October where groups from Australia and New Zealand compete for the TransTasman Trophy. Travel Centre’s seven night holiday packages start from $989 ex Brisbane (October 2 to 9) Packages include return airfare, twin share accommodation at Pine Valley Apartments, bonus seven day care hire per unit, meet and greet, “Walk In The Wild”, a rainforest walk, mini golf (golf your way through Norfolk history) and discount shopping card.

Hardy’s Golf Classic – $13,500

Norfolk Island Golf Club hosts the Classic where amateurs and professionals play side by side this August 27 to 30. Special packages from Brisbane (August 25 to September 1) start from $1014 per person twin share including return airfares, accommodation, car hire, shopping card a Walk in The Wild.

And don’t forget the Quilters’ Getaway October 20 to 27 – can you think of a better place to go quilting?

For the information packs free phone The Travel Centre Norfolk Island, 1800 1400 66, www. travelcentre.nf

Colony Lodge 4 Star Boutique Apartments Norfolk Island

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Ph: + 6723 22162 TOURIST QUEENSLAND

“Eden Park was the place to be�

Managing Editor of Coastline Newspaper Group, Michael McRae, was invited by Matthew Horton, (CEO of Horton Media Australia and printers of the company’s publications) to see Australia play Ireland in the Rugby World Cup. The Hortons were one of the families that founded New Zealand’s largest daily newspaper, the NZ Herald. “The atmosphere was electric that night, particularly at dinner before the game, with plenty of Irish visitors getting increasingly excited and a great opportunity for us Aussies to wear the Wallabies scarf,� said Michael “ Streets were blocked off for the huge crowd of 61,000 making their way to Eden Park; so well organised with everyone happy.�

He said the New Zealand tourism industry was full of innovative new ideas and a freshness that impressed the group of Horton’s Australian clients. “There was plenty of tourist information wherever we went from our arrival at the airport and Air New Zealand was great to fly with,� he said.

The visit included sampling superb NZ oysters, beers and wines at restaurants around the Viaduct;

“ Auckland’s answer to Darling Harbour in Sydney, the focal point of entertainment,� he said.

Coney Stanley Events were the organisers who ensured the visit to the World Cup included the best experiences the Auckland area has to offer. “They did a brilliant job with all running very smoothly,� said Michael.

Direct flights to Sunshine Coast Air New Zealand is set to begin two weekly flights to and from the Sunshine Coast Airport north of Brisbane from July 1 to September 18 on a seasonal trial connecting with Los Angeles, San Francisco and other northern US cities.

The new flights are described as a massive confidence boost for the region giving tourism operators an incredible opportunity to grow their share of this important market. New Zealand accounts for 30% of the Sunshine Coast’s international visitors.

This Tourist Queensland paper is available at pick up points in Auckland and Wellington. Any comments to michael@coastlinenews.com.au

Michael McRae from Tourist Queensland paper, rugged up for a day on Auckland Harbour, with “Smokin' Joe� Stanley, a talented and brave rugby player who made 49 appearances with the All Blacks and Julie Coney who had a successful netball career with New Zealand's national team, the Silver Ferns.

There’s plenty to do in Brisbane this winter The Jersey Boys.

TOURIST QUEENSLAND HOLIDAY SPECIALS Here some of the many holiday specials in this paper.

Go to www.coastlinenews.com.au for more

BRISBANE

Hotel George Williams

WEEKEND SUPER SPECIAL Fri, Sat & Sun nights From $95 per room per night Mention Tourist Qld to redeem this offer.

1800 064 858

WHITSUNDAY

AUSTRALIA

Martinique

Central Apartment Hotels

Pay for 3 nights and stay for 4 For a one bedroom apartment only

Phone 4948 0401

Sunday night Special $99 - Here

is a huge discount.

Stay two consecutive nights and pay $99 for a Sunday night

Phone 1800 077 777

Contact Us

Phone: 1300 758 184 Phone: 07 4153 1133 Fax: 07 4153 3821

Email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au Post: Coastline Newspaper Group - PO Box 1775, Bundaberg 4670 www.coastlinenews.com.au Some photos in this Tourist Queensland courtesy of Tourism Queensland

We publish:

COALFIELDS EXPRESS for our mining towns Printed July 16 - August 13 - September 10 October 29 and November 26 BUNDY BOOK - Printed October 1 TOURIST QLD - Printed December 17

ADVERTISING BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Brisbane’s arts scene is bursting at the seams.

From the colourful, to the inspiring and the exclusive, Brisbane is positively glowing. Rush head first into a colourful ecosystem of insects with Cirque du Soleil’s big top creation of OVO . This critically acclaimed, family-friendly production opens 14 July at QPAC. Bookings 136 246 Also at QPAC, enjoy famous hits from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys from July 13. The story of blue collar boys who became a worldwide music sensation with hits like Sherry Baby, Walk Like A Man, Oh What A Night. Huge stars, and all before they were 30. Bookings 136 246.

Mark your calendars for August 23 for the Hamburg Ballet, Philharmonic Orchestra and State Opera making their Australian debut.

Twelfth Night Theatre Bowen Hills presents The Man In Black, a two hour tribute to the magnificent music of Johnny Cash plus the story of his rise to stardom. Starring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four. July 13, 14, 15, bookings Tickemaster 1300 723 038. The Queensland Art Gallery will unveil a Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado, an exclusive survey of the history of Spain and Spanish art from the 16th century to the early 20th century. The exhibition runs from 21 July until 4 November. Uncover the mysteries of ancient Egyptian civilisation at Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb, at the Queensland Museum South Bank and receive startling insight into life, death and the afterlife of mummy of Nesperennub, a prized treasure of the British Museum. The exhibit is open until 19 August.

Festival of Food & Produce – aah, delectable Brisbane! Tastebuds are in for a treat July 16 to 29 at various venues around the city involving chefs, restaurants all celebrating local produce.

Delectable Brisbane is packed with home-grown food, music, interactive gardens and chef demos. www.delectable.qld.com.au.

Markets in overdrive – As well as farm fresh food you can pick up other gems including vintage or handmade finds. Try South Bank Young Designer Markets, BrisStyle Indi Twilight or the Valley Markets for one-off fashion. Grab the fresh tasty stuff at Jan Power’s Farmers Markets around Brisbane; Boggo Road Markets, North Street Organics, or Eagle Farm Markets.

BUNDABERG’S ONLY FULLY LICENSED THAI RESTAURANT

Try something special in food cuisine authentic Thai food ( ! ( takeaway ( # # ! ' " ' ( $ ' " & " Monday ( " ' Welcome

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Capture the market in Queensland’s richest mining towns.

Ph 4153 1881

Blackwater truck

Advertise in the Coalfields Express

Delivered into homes in mining towns and mining camps around Queensland.

THE VOICE OF THE COALFIELDS

Phone 1300 758 184 or email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

PAGE 3

The Ekka - where country and city meet Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Show is scheduled for August 9 to 18 with Ekka Day, a public holiday in the city on August 15.

Along with Sydney and Melbourne the Ekka (exhibition) is one of the top three agricultural shows in Australia and draws more than 600,000 visitors each year.

Celebrating Queensland’s lifestyle, industry and heritage is a meeting of country and city, the Ekka is both a festive, carnival-style event with sideshows, showbags, thrill rides, plenty of food stalls, with a wide-ranging agricultural exhibition of farm animals, birds and beef cattle; fruits of the land, arts and crafts.

How to get there – avoid traffic and parking hassles by taking public transport. TransLink can advise you on 131230 and there’s a train platform in the middle of the Ekka with loop services every 10 minutes between Roma Street, Central and Fortitude Valley. Bus stops are around the Ekka perimeter.

Gold Coast welcomes first Scoot passengers to Queensland

WEEKEND SUPER DEAL!

Heart of FRIDAY • SATURDAY the City • SUNDAY QUOTE FROM PLEASE Mention when booking COALFIELDS EXPRESS when you book Tourist Queensland Newspaper to take advantage of this offer FROM

$95

$105

per room | per night | Room only - Subject to availability per room | per night | Room only - Subject to availability

• Roma Street Transit Centre - 200m

Roma Street Transit Centre - 200m • Queen Street Mall - 100m

Queen Street Mall - 100m

Stroll to Southbank theBridge - 100m • Stroll to Southbank via the via Kurilpa Kurilpa Bridge - 100m

BOOK BOOKNOW: NOW:1800 1800064 064858 858 317 - 325 George Street, Brisbane Qld or visit our website www.hgw.com.au

317 - 325 George Street, Brisbane Qld or visit our website www.hgw.com.au

The Gold Coast has welcomed the first Scoot passengers flying direct from Singapore into Queensland onboard flight TZ6 as part of a deal worth $65 million to the local economy.

Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey was at Gold Coast Airport to greet Singapore Airlines’ new low-cost carrier Scoot on its inaugural flight into Queensland.

“Scoot will operate five weekly services between Singapore and the Gold Coast, opening the doors for more than 100,000 extra international travellers to visit our shores each year,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The arrival of this flight is the result of extensive negotiations and a fantastic partnership between the airline, Tourism

Aruba Sands Resort at Beautiful Broadbeach STAY 7 only pay for 6 June. to Dec. 31 Subject to availability

Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Tourism Australia and Gold Coast Airport.

“It’s a positive sign for our industry, has the potential to inject up to $65 million per year to the local economy and will open up more overseas markets.”

Ms Stuckey said Singapore was an important international gateway to Australia with connections to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US. “Scoot has also announced ports in Tianjin and Bangkok providing greater access for Chinese and Thai visitors to fly onestop to the Gold Coast,” she said.

Nestled on the Nerang River with ocean views and surrounded by tropical gardens, our spacious self contained apartments will bring you the pleasure and adventure of the one of the most desirable beach holiday destinations. Conveniently situated in Surfers Paradise just far enough away from the hustle and bustle, yet ideal for that short walk to restaurants, cafes and patrolled beaches.

• Outdoor heated pool & spa • Indoor spa & sauna At Aruba Sands we offer a choice of luxury air-conditioned studio, one and two bedroom fully self-contained apartments. Relax and enjoy the location of Broadbeach with your family and friends.

Property Features: Aruba Sands Resort • Heated pool & Spa (winter months) is central to: • Outside entertainment area • Jupiters Casino • Basement Mini Gym • Pacific Fair Shopping Complex • Security parking • Gold Coast Convention Centre • Fully landscaped/BBQ & sunbaking area • Broadbeach Mall • 3 Storey walkup • One block from patrolled Gold Coast • On site management & reception beaches • Theme park & tour bookings at reception • Wireless (charges apply) • No schoolies permitted

11 - 17 Philip Avenue, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland 4218 Ph. 07 5538 8155

Email: holiday@arubasands.com.au PAGE 4

Website: www.arubasands.com.au

• Gym • BBQ area • Free foxtel • Tour desk • Secure underground car park

Call today and mention this ad for SPECIALS & BOOKINGS: 1300 798 760

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

What’s Cookin’ on the Coast Surfers Paradise Festival – to July 14.

The annual community celebration of music, food, fashion, film and art is a key driver of the Gold Coast’s long-term cultural development. Across the four weekends Surfers precinct becomes a dynamic, inclusive and interactive event space and hub of creativity.

It has local and international talent within the streets and venues across an accessible mix of family entertainment, street markets and short film screenings.

Major events include Launch It Beach Concert, A La Carte In The Park, Australian Street Entertainment Championships and Oneway www. surfersparadise.com. Phone 5584 3700

Broadbeach Restaurant Week – July 13 to 22

Theme Parks VIP Pass – get yours now!

Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild are offering a new VIP Pass giving 13 months of unlimited entry to these amazing theme parks until June 30, 2013 for just $89.99 for renewing pass holders and $99.99 for new customers.

Plus, if you are renewing before August 31 you can renew four passes for the price of three – wow!

Renew or purchase your new VIP Pass at ThemeParks.com.au or call 133 FUN. Why not stay at Sea World Resort & Water Park

TER, ESCAPE WIN E M SO WITH SUN FUN IN THE

from $99 per night*

includes complimentary wine/chocolates on arrival *1 brm apartment, 7 nights Great specials for travel dates between 12/6/12-20/12/12

A selection of dining experiences to choose from at a price designed not to break the budget. The individually selected chef inspired menus offer a choice of either $35 or $55 three course set menus for lunch or dinner. Due to the anticipation of Broadbeach Restaurant Week, bookings will be essential. Visit the website for the full guide of participating restaurants and sample menus. www.broadbeachgc.com phone 5539 8416

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

with the VIP Pass package, phone 1800 074 448 or visit SeaWorldResort.com.au for a great family getaway.

(deal excludes school holidays)

1,2 & 3 bedroom fully self-contained beachfront apartments on The Esplanade

220 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads, Qld 4220 Ph: +61 7 5535 7188 - stay@burleighresort.com.au www.burleighresort.com.au

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

PAGE 5

Meeting the needs Stanthorpe and of Chinese visitors “The Man In Black”

by Sherry Barnes

Australian tourism businesses will have access to new funding support and training to meet the needs of the growing number of Chinese visitors to Australia.

A consortium led by training company AVANA has received a $600,000 Australian Government grant to provide training and support programs to tourism businesses to increase understanding of Chinese visitor demands and develop products to suit them.

The grant was awarded under the Welcoming Chinese Visitors program which is one of four Strategic Tourism Investment Grants so far awarded under the four-year, $40 million T-QUAL Grants program.

Through this program AVANA will raise the level of Chinese cultural awareness in the tourism industry through a nationally recognised training

curriculum, a national system of trainers, an online academy and research and promotion activities to ensure awareness of the program.

"China is Australia's most important tourist market at a current value of about $3.5 billion,” said Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson.

"Tourism operators will need to work hard to realise a projected doubling in this figure by 2020, when more than a million Chinese travellers are expected to visit Australia.

"These new training opportunities will assist tourism operators and are based on extensive research conducted within China working with major tour operators and members of government.

"Welcoming Chinese Visitors aims to reach at least 11,000 Australian tourism industry employees in its first round, with an emphasis on training key decision makers."

Kenny Rogers heads Music Muster line-up

Did you know music superstar, the late and great Johnny Cash had a special connection with Stanthorpe?

Our own Australian singer James Blundell who was born and raised in Stanthorpe starred in a Brisbane musical in 2010, as one of the original Million Dollar Quartet – Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash .

It brought back special memories of meeting Johnny and Carl Perkins at the Country Music Awards in Nashville in the early 90s.

Johnny Cash had visited Stanthorpe several times to stay with his personal physician, a heart specialist in Liston, just over the New South Wales border. He performed at a hastily arranged charity concert with wife June Carter and his son John Junior in May 1991, an occasion Stanthorpe local John Tomkins will never forget.

“A makeshift backing band was put together with John playing bass guitar;

The Optus Gympie Music Muster is going to be HUGE this year with superstar Kenny Rogers joining our own fabulous Beccy Cole, Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Shannon Noll, The McClymonts, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson and too many more to list.

I was given the number to ring where he was staying and it was like Fort Knox trying to get through,” he said.

It’s on August 23 to 26 with pre-festival entertainment kicking off for early birds from August 21. The Muster is held in Amamoor Creek State Forest 40 km from Gympie.

“Then came this unmistakable voice, “Hi, this is Johnny Cash.”

Over the past 30 years the Muster has raised over $14 million for charity with over 50 local Community Groups working with the Apex Club. Come celebrate the essential Australian musical experience. Tickets on sale now www.muster.com.au

“When I asked if we needed a practice session he said “Hell no, you play country bass don’t you?”

“The locals knew Johnny visited

from time to time with June Carter shopping at the supermarket for supplies – she particularly loved pavlovas,” said John.

Who filled out the Ansett label?

In 2007, at a Christies Auction in London, Johnny Cash memorabilia on offer included four photographs of the superstar, June and John Junior at a charity concert in Stanthorpe in May 1991 plus an Ansett Airline luggage label filled out in an unknown hand with Johnny’s name and address.

Also auctioned was the acoustic guitar labelled “made expressly for Australian Music Supplies” and signed by Johnny, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Slim Dusty.

Twelfth Night Theatre in Brisbane is where you can catch The Man In Black July 13, 14, 15. Two hours of Johnny’s magnificent music with Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four.

Bookings Ticketmaster 1300 723 038

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relax@coolumcaprice.com.au A Y 2 3 R D A U G U S T S U N D A Y 2 6 T H A U G U S T 2 0 1 2 www.coolumcaprice.com.au PAGE 6

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TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Sunshine Coast Super Pass Three great attractions – one low price!

Save money, enjoy great flexibility and experience three of the Sunshine Coast’s top attractions UnderWater World, Aussie World and Big Kart Track – with this one great-valued combo pass!

At UnderWater World, discover the amazing creatures of the deep blue in Queensland’s largest aquarium. You will be enticed by over 5,500 weird and wonderful sea creatures and enjoy up to 16 presentations, talks and feeds daily – the Seal Show is a must see!

Next, get your thrills at Aussie World, a theme park home to 30+ games and rides suitable for all ages, including the water ride Plunge, thrill ride Redback and fun Giant slide! All of this is located right next to the iconic Ettamogah Pub for those who want to cool down with a cold one at the end of the day!

Finally, end your Sunnie stay in a big way with laps at the Big Kart Track, Australia’s largest commercial go-kart track! Its main draw card is the 1.2km racetrack packed with straights, bends, chicanes, and hair-rising hairpins! This attraction is fun for the whole family, as there are tracks for children as well!

You are free to visit these three exciting attractions at your own pace; experience all of them in one day, over several days or over several weeks! Don’t miss the highlights on your holiday -

Luxury 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments

All with Panoramic Ocean Views & Spa WINTER SPECIAL

Pay 3 - Stay 4 Pay 5 - Stay 7

Includes School Holidays

Best in Rainbow Beach

Kiwis can fly direct to Sunshine Coast

From July 1 through to September 18 on a seasonal trial, Air New Zealand will conduct twice weekly flights to and from Auckland on Tuesdays and Sundays with additional visitors expected to inject about $5 million into the local economy.

About $1 million has been spent on a new departure lounge, with customs, immigration and quarantine facilities able to be dismantled and converted for use by domestic passengers.

With more than 70,000 visitors from across the Tasman holidaying on the Sunshine Coast each year, they are already warming to the idea of flying there directly this winter.

experience three of Sunshine Coast’s most popular attractions with the Sunshine Coast Super Pass! $79.95 for adults, $59.95 children three to 12 years.

Available only through www.ticketmates.com.au or email michelle@ticketmates.com.au

Konga coming to Caloundra

www.rainbowsea.com.au

1800 833 588

The annual Etchells Australasian Winter Championship attracts the best one-design sailors in Australasia to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast for four days of intense sailing competition. The event is held in June over the Queens Birthday Long Weekend.

The Queens Birthday holiday will be in October in 2013.

3 Sunshine Coast Events Queensland Garden Expo at Nambour, July 6 to 8

This Garden Expo is a three day festival of gardening attracting 28,000 green thumbs and novice gardeners from across Queensland and interstate. Ideally situated to showcase all the best of subtropical gardening on the beautiful Sunnie Coast.

I am gr8ful Women’s Trans Ocean Golf Challenge

Founded in Perth two years ago The Jungle Body offers four unique classes that span dance, fitness, toning, hip hop and hardcore training. *

Most popular is Konga fusing salsa, dancehall, disco, toning tracks working out to numbers by Beyonce, Rihanna, Pitball, Michael Jackson.

Local Angelica Dellaway, one of the most experienced dance fitness teachers in Queensland will launch Konga on Saturdays in Caloundra to her dedicated following of students.

* Conditions apply

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

There are clips to watch on YouTube with more detailed information on the upcoming Caloundra classes on www.thejunglebody.com.au WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

Australia vs New Zealand in a unique ladies golf tournament July 15 to 21, at Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort and Twin Water Golf Club. This five star affair has many excited players and their non golfing partners accommodated at the luxurious RACV Noosa Resort in a wonderful week of trans ocean rivalry. www.transoceanchallenge.com.au

Reality Bites Festival – Cooroy, July 26 to 29

At Cooroy there will be the only Australian literary festival focusing on non -fiction. It introduces audiences to Australia’s best writers of literary non- fiction, creating opportunities for debate and information exchange on current issues and fosters an appreciation of regional writing.

The program includes author talks, panel discussions, workshops and interviews, with a bookshop where you meet authors and buy their books.

In its fifth year, Reality Bites is appreciated as a friendly stimulating event held in and around the library in Cooroy. Phone 5447 7063.

PAGE 7

Come to Caloundra - stay at

MOORINGS BEACH RESORT JUST RELAX

Situatated on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast The Moorings Beach Resort is the perfect destination for your next holiday. Overlooking the magnificant Pumicestone passage our resort offers spacious self contained accommodation, to fit everyone’s style.

Studio, 1,2 & 3 Bedroom apartments are available or treat yourself to our Penthouse suite! The complex is fully secured with on-site managers. Heated pool, Kiddies pool, Spa, Steam Room and Gym all easily accessible on site.

Walking distance to shops and restaurants.

Go to www.mooringsbeachresort.com.au for more details

MOORINGS BEACH RESORT

Phone 07 5492 1388 ★★★★★

88 The Esplanade, Golden Beach, Sunshine Coast 4551

Our New Zealand friends welcome

Element on Coolum Beach

Luxurious Self Contained Accommodation in the heart of Coolum Beach

• Fully Self Contained • Heated Swimming Pool • Cable TV • Room Service Available • BBQ Facilities

From $159.00 per night

Affordable Family Friendly FREE use of Row Boat, Kayaks, Adult Bicycles, Fishing Rods, DVD’s, Pool, Spa and Private Jetty Weekend or Holiday Accommodation

Cayman Quays p: 1300

139 744 / +61 7 5455 1777

e: stay@elementoncoolumbeach.com.au PAGE 8

w: www.elementoncoolumbeach.com.au

100 Hilton Terrace, Noosaville Phone: 5449 7922 www.caymanquays.com.au

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Sunshine Coast discover something new each time you visit

Rattling the pans...

Introducing one of our top chefs… the local produce they use, special dishes and their favourite restaurants.

Dynamic duo delight in local produce

Relive the beach holiday of your childhood or discover something new each time you visit. The coastal communities of Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum, Noosa, and Tewantin, each provide their own individual style of Sunshine Coast culture. Just minutes to the west the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, and the hinterland is where you’ll find art galleries, antique shops, romantic getaways and gourmet foods at Maleny and Montville – soak up some countryside serenity.

A Family Affair – Sunny days, safe beaches and awe-inspiring scenery can deliver a holiday to cater for the most active and thrill-seeking family.

Kids are kept happy fishing, visiting attractions such as world famous Australia Zoo, Aussie World, Ginger Factory, Underwater World & Mooloolaba; canoeing or wandering the markets. Factor in something for Mum and Dad – a well deserved massage, quiet rainforest walk, round of golf or a romantic dinner in the mountains or by the sea.

Things to do – You’re never short of activities whether you’re in the mood to get physical or put your feet up, you’ll find something. Fishing and diving are superb and the golf courses world class. From exciting theme parks to tranquil national parks, fresh food trails to pampering spa treatments, the choice is yours.

Stride out on the Sunshine Coast Great Walk

Rainbow Beach.

It’s much cheaper than a health camp, but this challenge requires a truckload of self-discipline.

Walk off your excess with The Cooloola Great Walk, a stunning 102km fiveday trek that links the Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach. Designed as a five-day odyssey, the trek has four camping areas for well-deserved overnight breaks.

Walkers pass through a diverse range of scenery including tall eucalypt forest, dry coastal woodlands, heath land plains, rainforest, perched lakes, high dunes and spectacular scenic lookouts at Double Island Point Lighthouse Rainbow Beach and Carlo Sand Blow. www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-cooloola/about.html TOURIST QUEENSLAND

by Sherry Barnes Scott Hardy and wife Jessica of Food@Eumundi are committed talented chefs with a wealth of experience in some of the finest 5 star hotels and restaurants in Australia and the UK. (The Oak Room at Danesfield House, The Ivy and The Riverside where Scott was executive chef, plus Sofitel, Hilton, Hyatt and Inter-Continental Hotels).

“We’ve also had the privilege of working alongside inspirational well-known chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Guy Grossi and Bill Granger,” said Scott who had his apprenticeship at Pier 9 in Brisbane and the Novotel in Coffs Harbour.

Married for eight years, Scott and Jess, a pastry chef specialising in wedding and celebration cakes, always dreamed of opening their own restaurant to create unpretentious, yet professional food with friendly service and the chance to get to know their customers.

“We decided on Eumundi as it’s an amazing town with a great sense of community and access to superb fresh local produce which we are passionate about,” said Scott. Locally sourced are Kenilworth Yoghurt, Gympie Goats’ Curd, Mooloolaba seafood, organic honey and Noosa Reds tomatoes.

Everything is made “in house”, pasta, dukkah, tapenades, pesto, jams and Jess’ puff-pastry; with Scott’s favourite creations Spring Rolls with spanner crab, local whitefish, rice noodles with chilli, lime, ginger caramel and twice cooked Sticky Pork Belly with salted peanut brittle.

“When we take our February break we love Sydney’s Rockpool and Bill’s, Melbourne’s Vue de Monde, Luke Mangan’s Salt on the Gold Coast and Matt Moran’s Aria in Brisbane,” he said. “I’ll also never forget Gordon Ramsay’s in Chelsea – hideously expensive but out of this world.”

Food@Eumundi was awarded Best Restaurant and Caterer 08/09 at the Eumundi Business Awards with Scott a finalist last year in Country Style Magazine’s Country Chef Award. They are open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday to Saturday, plus Sunday Brunch with folk-band music.

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

North facing 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments t 0DFBO WJFXT MBSHF CBMDPOJFT BOE DPVStyBSET t #BTFNFOU DBS QBSLJOH XJUI MJGU BDDFTT UP BMM MFWFMT t )FBUFE QPPM TQB TBVOB

nt 50 metres from Maroochydore beachfro 6 Aerodrome Road, Maroochdyore 4558

Ph: (07) 5443 7774 Email: enquiries@key-largo.com.au

www.key-largo.com.au

RATES FROM

$100

NIGHT FOR 2

PAGE 9

The Queensland Coast Monthly Special 25% discount on bookings 3 Nights or more…….

(Conditions Apply)

Our boutique apartments are located opposite popular Lammermoor Beach and boasts the largest 2 & 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartments on the Capricorn Coast.

These beautiful apartments contain ultra modern décor, have a fully equipped kitchen & indoor laundry. The complex has secure undercover parking with lift access. The large resort style pool captures the relaxed feel of Yeppoon & is surrounded by tropical gardens, with BBQ facilities. Internet access available.

Short & long term bookings welcome.

Spoil yourself – book today…..

from Cooktown to Coolangatta

AT A GLANCE Climate: Temperate / Tropical / Humid Size:1,300,000 sq kilometres Capital: Brisbane Population: Circa 4.2 million

Ideally situated between Whitsundays and Fraser Island Perfect for self drive - only short distance inland off coastal highway

FOR

2 day 2 night Kroombit Outback Adventure Campervans Welcome Direct flights from Brisbane to Biloela available

Email: lochenbar@activ8.net.au Web: www.kroombit.com.au

96-98 Scenic Highway, Lammermoor Beach, Yeppoon, QLD

Phone: 61 7 4992 2186

!"#$"%"&'()*& +,-&.""& The experience of a life!me!

Let the humpback whales amaze you with their close encounters, magical songs, spectacular breaching and their ul!mate display of trust.

~ Free Whale documentary DVD ~ Freecall: 1800 620 322

!"#$%&''%()*% +%,-".+$% "/0123

Phone: +61 741 243 222

www.tasmanventure.com.au Hervey Bay - Home of the Humpbacks

4)*%+%#/5/26.%2/56%)"#$7%86%+*6%)((6*/"0%+% 1-06%./9:)-"2%()*%,-".+$%"/0129;%% ,2+$%<%"/0129%:)"96:-2/=6#$%+".%>+$%)"#$%&''% ()*%,-".+$%"/0123

?*+=6#%@62866"A%B%C-"6%2/##%DB%E-0-92%<FB< GH-92%@6%@))I6.%=/+%:6"2*+#0*)->;:)5;+-%)*%./*6:2#$%2)%6+:1% >*)>6*2$;%?6*59%+".%:)"./2/)"9%+>>#$;%

%:6"2*+#0*)->;:)5;+-%%J%%BKFF%FLL%LLL

TRILOGY

SURFERS PARADISE Modern, fully self-contained Apartments - great location close to Beach, Shops, Transport.

Panoramic Ocean Views GUARANTEED

From $149 pn in a 1 Bedroom

• 1, 2 and 3 bedroom self contained units

From $200 pn in a 2 Bedroom

• 4.5 star resort accommodation

From $270 pn in a 3 Bedroom

• Located 250 metres from the heart of Airlie Beach

What about a Penthouse for Only $360 pn!

• Private Balconies from all Units

$5 BREAKFAST DEAL Pay only $5 extra per person for breakfast first morning, & one hour late checkout on departure.

• BBQ area and tropical garden terrace • Gymnasium • "Wet edge" lap pool and heated spa • Free Tour Desk facility • Onsite Managers

Call 1800 138 888

• Undercover parking

or outside Australia

0800 587 610

PAY 3 NIGHTS AND STAY 4 NIGHTS

reservations@trilogygoldcoast.com.au

• Applies to 1 Bedroom Apartments only

or visit trilogygoldcoast.com.au or email

One FREE Night On Us!!

Valid October 31st 2012 *Subject to availability

18 Golden Orchid Drive, Airlie Beach Qld 4802 Conditions Apply.

Valid for travel from 1 May to 20 Sept, 2012, events and holidays excluded.

Phone: 07 4948 0401

International Phone: 61 7 4948 0401

Email: info@martiniquewhitsunday.com.au Website: www.martiniquewhitsunday.com.au

Hervey Bay and Fraser Island Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island hugs the Hervey Bay coastline, protecting it from ocean swells.

Dotted along the Bay’s 14km Esplanade are alfresco cafes, restaurants, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and vibrant marina – all with great views .

Safe waterways and beaches make it irresistible for young and old where you can swim, fish, dive, windsurf, kayak and sail all year round.

“Don’t miss” list • Indulge in sumptuous seafood caught in local waters – no fresher than this!

Whale watching season in Hervey Bay

• Walk along, or cast a line off the famous Urangan Pier (and watch the pelicans sailing peacefully by) • see the Botanic Gardens, a green sanctuary growing out of 6000 year old sand dunes •make a splash at Wet Side, the new water park • alfresco dining with million dollar views to Fraser Island • don’t just gaze at Fraser – go there! Catch the cat from River Heads and be dropped onto the Heritage listed world’s largest sand island.

On Fraser Island be dwarfed by ancient rainforests, relax in Champagne Pools frothy bubbles, a magical place of powder- white sand and crystal clear blue-green lakes – so many ways to enjoy the wonders of nature.

PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION

Whalewatch with the Experts

Hervey Bay’s best whalewatch choice is Pacific Whale Foundation, a research organisation that pioneered humpback whales studies in the Bay in 1987.

The Humpback Whale Watching capital of the world is Hervey Bay as its pristine waters play host to these majestic mammals annually and to celebrate their arrival, the Bay comes alive for the month of August. Hosting events, incorporating live music, markets, workshops, an illumination parade, lectures, aquatic events, arts, sculpture, carnival rides, fireworks and fun, it’s fabulous for everyone.

This year it’s exciting to announce the Festival is bigger than ever and spans a full month, packed with a range of events. Here is the proposed programme which may be subject to change.

Saturday August 4 – Blessing Of The Fleet, Buccaneer Drive Urangan, 3.30pm to 7.30pm

$85Adults

HALF PRICE KIDS 7-14

FREE* KIDS 6 & UNDER ΎKŶĞ ƉĞƌ ƉĂLJŝŶŐ ĂĚƵůƚ

Join us for a morning or sunset whalewatch

ͻ On Hervey Bay’s smoothest, luxury catamaran ǁŝƚŚ ϯϲϬȗ ǀŝĞǁŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĨƵůů ǁĂůŬͲĂƌŽƵŶĚ ĚĞĐŬƐ ͻ >ĞĚ ďLJ ĞƌƟ Į ĞĚ DĂƌŝŶĞ EĂƚƵƌĂůŝƐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚĞƌƐ ͻ ,LJƌĚŽƉŚŽŶĞƐ ůĞƚ LJŽƵ ůŝƐƚĞŶ ƚŽ ůŝǀĞ ǁŚĂůĞ ƐŽŶŐƐ ͻ &Z :ƌ͘ EĂƚƵƌĂůŝƐƚ WƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ĨŽƌ ŬŝĚƐ ͻ &Z ǁŚĂůĞǁĂƚĐŚ ŐƵŝĚĞƐ ͻ ^ĞĞ ǁŚĂůĞƐ Žƌ ŐŽ ĂŐĂŝŶ ĨƌĞĞ

All profits help save our oceans

Freecall: 1 800 454 310 or 07 4194 6851 Book online & save 10%: www.pacificwhale.com.au Get connected:

Cruises that make a world of difference™

PAGE 12

RECOMMENDED ON

Sunday August 5 – Sunday in the Park, Pier Park Urangan 10am to 3pm Saturday August 11 – Ocean Of Fun – Torquay Saturday August 18 – Illumination, Scarness Park 4pm to 9pm Saturday August 25 – Whale Aid Concert, Seafront Oval Pialba 4 to 9pm.

Sunday August 26 – Harvey’s Birthday at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Botanic Gardens Urangan 9am to 1pm.

Friday August 31 – Migaloo Moonlight Swing, Pier Park, Urangan 6.30pm Rock Off Beachside Movies have activities from 5.30 and movie from 6.15pm on August 10, 17, 24, 31 at Scarness.

One of Queensland’s largest motor sport events Fraser Coast Sprints is held in the Maryborough Showgrounds July 28, 29 with classic and modern race cars competing for honours around the 990 metre tarmac track.

Other attractions include car club displays, drift team demonstrations, The Black Marques Grid Girls, dyno shootout, Round Four of the Queensland Motorkhana Championships, Show’n’Shine, trade stands and exhibitors, great food, licensed bar and live entertainment on Saturday night.

This is one of Queensland’s largest motor sport events with kids carnival alley, souvenirs and powered camp sites available. www. frasercoastsprints.com.au

See our 5 star reviews

Have you got an event in your area.

Go to coastlinenews.com.au to tell us about it.

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

Fraser Island Beach Houses are individual fully self-contained 2 and 3 bedroom houses situated on the stunning beach frontage on breathtaking Fraser Island

Winter Special

PAY 3 - STAY 4 or PAY 5 - STAY 7

School Holidays included.

FEATURES: Swimming pool, waterslide, spa, bbq’s.

Accessible by beach plane or four wheel drive.

Four wheel drive essential to get around the island.

Email: stay@fraserislandbeachhouses.com.au Website: www.fraserislandbeachhouses.com.au

Free Call: 1800 626 230 TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Fraser Island – breathtaking gentle beauty

When you read “dwarfed by towering ancient virgin rainforests” it’s true, you are and it’s awesome. The world’s largest sand island also offers white sandy endless beaches, crystal-clear blue-green lakes and purity of water flowing into creeks.

Accommodation – a number of excellent private options from holiday units, resorts

such as Kingfisher Bay and Eurong and camping permits available at various locations to suit.

Access is by 4WD only and barges depart daily from River Heads and Inskip Point; air charters and transfers depart from Hervey Bay. Tours are a great way to see Fraser – one-day safari, two-day backpacking or

longer camping adventure – check out the right one for you.

World-Heritage listed, the island has huge sand blows to climb, champagne pools to bubble in, coloured sand cliffs and is a nature-lover and fisherman’s paradise. So close to Bundy you’ll be glad you had the Fraser Experience.

Information 1800 444 155

International honour for Fraser Island

The wreck of the Maheno on the beach on Fraser Island the largest island in Queensland.

The word Maheno means ‘island’ in Maori.

The Maheno was built in Scotland in 1904 and was the world’s first ever triple screw steamer, weighing a massive 5323 tonnes.

It was left abandoned on what is now known as 75-mile beach.

EXPERIENCE WHALES A N D FRASER ISLAND

Fraser Island has been named one of the world’ best beaches by National Geographic coming in at number seven. It was the only Australian location which is quite an honour considering others including Whitehaven and Sydney’s Bondi Beach having such high profiles. r 2 nights’ resort hotel accom. r Half day whale watch tour (Aug to Oct) r Daily buffet breakfast r Return passenger ferry transfers.

The magazine is believed to have ranked regions rather than specific beaches and said World Heritage-listed Fraser was an ecologist’s dream. “Rainforests with 1000 year old trees sprout from the sand. Lodgings here accommodate a wide range of tourists from backpackers to luxury resorts>”

379 pp twin share

from $

Others on the National Geographic list were Seychelles (1) Maldives (2) Bora Bora (3) The Hamptons (4) Lanikai Beach Hawaii (5) Nantucket (6) St Barts, Caribbean (8) Langkawi, Malaysia (9) Kauna’oa Bay Hawaii (10).

*

1800 072 555

www.kingfisherbay.com

1 to 3 brm Big space Garage Pool Spa Welcome!

r Stay on 75 Mile Beach r Resort hotel accommodation r Daily buffet breakfast.

75 pp per night twin share

from $

Best Western Plus Quarterdecks Retreat, Hervey Bay www.quarterdecksretreat.com.au Phone 07 4197 0888 TOURIST QUEENSLAND

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

CP-KBRV968

5 star comfort and service for business or pleasure Not more expensive - just better!

*

1800 111 808 www.eurong.com

* Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Resort packages exclude 15 December 2012 to 9 January 2013

PAGE 13

Take a Daintree Walkabout Tour

NQ coming events

Kuku Y alanji Dreamtime Walk: After arriving at Mossman Gorge, you will be treated to a guided rainforest walk along private, easy graded tracks, visiting special places and culturally significant sites, past traditional bark shelters and over cool rainforest streams.

Your experienced interpretive Indigenous guides demonstrate traditional plant use, identify bush tucker sources, share their dreamtime legends, explain the history of cave paintings and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationships within this unique tropical environment.

After your 1.5 hour walk, enjoy tea, damper and question time with guide.

Mossman: Your driver/guide will show you points of interest in Mossman, Australia's most Northern Sugar town. Lunch: Silky Oaks Lodge is our lunch venue today where we enjoy a delicious barramundi lunch in this beautiful oasis amidst the rainforest, overlooking the Mossman River

Enjoy the irresistible, gastronomic tastes of India and Thailand • All meals freshly cooked • Choose from mild, medium or hot • BYO LUNCH MON. TO SAT. - DINNER EVERY NIGHT - PUBLIC HOLS. DINNER ONLY

AUTHENTIC THAI - INDIAN RESTAURANT

1 Targo Street, Bundaberg Phone 07 4154 3320 - Fax 4154 3004

Daintree River Curise - Enjoy a fascinating hour cruising through this wildlife environment, which is home to birds, tree snakes, unique plants and the estuarine crocodile - a great photo opportunity.

Scomazzon Fruit and Cane Farm – A tropical fruit tasting of fruits in season is included as a special treat. – plus a short tour of Port Douglas.

Contact Port Douglas Information Centre 4099 5599 For more on what to do in the Tropical North go to pages 18 and 19.

andVisit Websites QueenslMust www.queenslandholidays.com.au

www.outbacknow.com.au

Comprehensive guide to events, festivals, entertainment and visitor information on all the state’s tourism regions. Tips and advice on where to stay, climate, museums, and who to contact. They know Queensland!

It’s big, it’s diverse, our great Outback and its country style towns are all covered here – Charleville, Birdsville, Longreach, Cunnamulla – dinosaurs, camel races, tours, accommodation and jobs.

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

www.visitgoldcoast.com

74 islands in the heart of the Great Barrier

See why this is our favourite playground,

Reef plus the mainland centres, accommoda-

which beach suits you, night-life, incredible

tion, how to get there, all the different islands,

theme-parks, hinterland, tours and where to

resorts, attractions, sailing and glorious food.

stay once you arrive – all you need to know.

www.derm.qld.gov.au

www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au

Read about our National Parks, activities allowed, marine parks and permits, how to care for parks, camping permits, things to do, ranger-led tours, wildlife advice and cultural heritage.

Get active or laze in the sun on beaches from

www.themarketguide.com.au

www.bookbundabergregion.com.au

Where shall we go today? So many varied markets – arts, crafts, local fresh produce, find locations, days and times.

Plenty of bargains and lots of fresh, local, fruit and veggies.

Home of famous Bundy Rum and largest

Caloundra to Noosa, events, markets, accommodation, where to eat, kids’ activity parks, plus the lush hinterland.

turtle rookery on the eastern coast. Rum Distillery Tours, Turtle Tours, events, B&Bs, motels and its many seaside centres.

www.visitfrasercoast.com

www.visitbrisbane.com.au

Covering Hervey Bay, the famous Whale-

All about our capital, the river, shopping,

Watch Season tours, historic Maryborough

museums, how to get around, art galleries,

and World Heritage Listed Fraser Island –

five-star hotels, award winning restaurants,

tours, fishing, adventure activities.

visitor guides, things to do.

www.coastlinenews.com.au

www.tablelandslocaltourismnetwork.com

Coastline Newspaper Group, our history, all our publications – Tourist Queensland, Coalfields Express, The Bundy Book, Coastline and Country – this is us!

You can contact us here too!

PAGE 14

Going north? This site covers everywhere from Kuranda, Atherton, Mareeba plus Cairns, Daintree, Port Douglas, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach. Tour details – rainforest, 4WD, visitor info centres, adrenalin activities, food & wines.

CIAF Opening Party, Cairns – August 16. www.ciaf.com.au Under the stars of a tropical sky the gardens of the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal are the setting for the ultimate art party on the calendar.

Be the first tobuy an artwork, enjoy local food and fine wine served in the gardens and be entertained

by Wawu Maumele (Know Your Heart) a unique performance sung in language by The Briscoe Sisters and the Torres Strait Islands Choir, as well as a spectacular dance by the Lockhart River Kawandji-Wimpa Dancers. Phone 4039 8131 Cairns Festival – August 17 to September 2. www.cairnsfest. com.au.

Last year Cairns Festival celebrated 50 years and made its mark s the region’s most ambitious arts and event program ever attempted. This year the season looks set to be even bigger with its multi-dimensional program of over 100 free and ticketed events for all ages spanning visual arts, music, dance, theatre, film, food, comedy, community celebrations and more.

Highlights include Indigenous Art Fair, Grand Parade and Fireworks, Cairns Amateurs, Tropical Pride Festival, Gordonvale Pyramid Race, Muddy’s Art Willage, Carnival On Colllins plus contemporary arts and theatre. Cairns Festivalis presented

by Cairns Regional Council with support from JCU, Overflow FNQ

and BDO as well as a whole host of sponsors.

Cairns International Tango Festival- August 18 to 26. www. cairnstango.com.

Set in paradise, this features international tango dancers and teachers with local musicians to create a week of Argentine milongas (social dance evenings) and workshops.

World first “Tango In The Sand” will be the pinnacle of the week, set at Kewarra Beach Resort with a performance by the Tangueros on the beach at sunset. For all age and ability levels, this is a week in paradise you will never forget.

Here’s cheers to the first Queensland Beer Week If the flashing red neon XXXX sign atop Castlemaine Brewery isn’t proof enough that Queenslanders love their beer, the state is now bracing for its own beer bash with the inaugural Queensland Beer Week from July 16- 22.

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect with Queensland’s favourite brew, XXXX Gold recently taking the crown for the nation's most popular beer and flattening the bubbles out of long-time title holder, Victoria Bitter.

Get inside the head, the heart and the history of Queensland’s amber elixir with a tour through the XXXX Ale House in Brisbane’s inner-west. Tours of the 130-year-old icon run daily and visitors can see how the beer is made and taste the final product. www. xxxxbrewerytour.com.au BYO (Brew Your Own) beer Be your own brew master for a day at Bru 4 U in Brisbane - Queensland’s first brew-on-premises microbrewery. Visit the brewery and choose a beer from their list of over 200 different

styles. Measure out the ingredients, mix them together and transfer it to the fermenter where your brew will bubble for 2-4 weeks.

At the end of the process, take home 50 litres of your very own freshly brewed and bottled beer. www.bru4u.com

REACH SERIOUS REAL ESTATE INVESTORS HOT PROPERTY FOR THE MINING TOWNS Have If you want to reach investors here is the opportunity

Our miners enjoy the highest incomes in Queensland. The Coalfields Express reaches this prime market.

you got a home or land to sell?

Advertise in the Coalfields Express

Call 07 4153 1133 or

email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au

www.coastlinenews.com.au

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Heron Island Dive Festival 2012

Mark these dates, July 25 to 28 for the biggest underwater adventure of your life.

For a Robinson-Crusoe style romantic getaway you can’t go past Wilson Island, an exclusive retreat for a maximum of just 12 guests and perfect for couples as this is not a place for children aged 12 and under.

This tiny coral cay is part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it, with pristine reef and beach environments including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds. Accommodation is in one of six designer inspired tents which sit right on the beach, while all meals are catered for by the onsite chefs.

Guests on Wilson are able to enjoy exceptional snorkelling, bird watching, island and reef walks or simply relaxing within the peaceful natural setting, enjoying the stunning views. www.wilsonisland.com

available on the Island.

Surrounded by a colourful coral cay, vast turquoise seas and thousands of underwater sea creatures, the Heron Island Dive Festival has left memories on cameras of many thrill seekers.

Underwater photographers and videographers registered images on the Underwater Festival Website (www.underwaterfestival. org) to win fantastic prizes showcased at the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane.

Last year divers immersed themselves in Heron’s top 10 exclusive day and night dive sites, with everything from scuba lessons to poolside spa treatments and photography lessons, leaving holiday makers thrilled by the diversity of activities

The Heron Island Dive Festival was one of six prestigious Dive Sites in Australia invited to participate in the Australasia Underwater Festival adding many more visitors to this unique and undeniably picturesque destination.

Keppel Bay islands Keppel Bay on the picturesque Capricorn Coast is studded with islands, the biggest Great Keppel and North Keppel. Whether visiting Great Keppel for a lazy picnic lunch or staying a couple of weeks you’ll be impressed by the beautiful scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

Waters are amazingly calm and perfect for snorkelling, sea kayaking, water skiing and tubing. Step straight onto the fringing reef surrounding the islands and enjoy the crystal clear waters and colourful coral.

Accommodation on Great Keppel Island ranges from tents and cabins at the Island Holiday Village to private beach homes.

Divers can explore more than 40 locations and see hundreds of different varieties of tropical fish, hard and soft coral, turtles, sea snakes, dolphins and giant manta rays.

The climate and location are perfect for sailing and the beauty of the Keppels is a cruising yachtsman’s dream – you can learn to sail here with an experienced instructor.

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

A holiday on wheels

Cycle Queensland is a fully catered nine-day holiday on two wheels and this year the riders will start in Yeppoon and ride to Bundaberg between September 8 to 16. All your needs are taken care of by the Cycle Queensland team - the event is designed to let you have fun and enjoy your cycling.

Their tent city has first aid, mechanics, bike shops, masseurs, a general store, tourist information, licensed café, toilets and hot showers. They serve up three generous meals a day and even transport your luggage. All you have to do after a day on the bike is collect your bags and put up your tent. In the afternoons and evenings there is plenty to do and see: take a tour, party-on at the local inn or just chill out at the picturesque campsites. www.cycleqld.bq.org.

Just hangin’ around on Wilson Island

Coffee Cruises aboard the Curtis Endeavour Relax and enjoy morning tea while cruising past the highlights of the Gladstone Harbour aboard the Curtis Endeavour on the Gladstone Coffee Cruises, a delightful two hour leisure experience presented by Curtis Ferry Services.

Commentary describes exciting aspects of the Harbour and is an excellent way for visitors and residents to view the port in comfort. Discover Auckland Inlet, Gladstone Port , Auckland Point, the Tug Berth, Barney Point, Harbour Islands and Industry. Be onboard by 10.30am.

Gladstone Coffee Cruise

Enjoy morning tea and commentary while cruising past the highlights of Gladstone Harbour aboard the Curtis Endeavour.

Every Wednesday for 2 hours from April to October.

Book at Gladstone Information Centre. Phone 4972 9000 Visitors are welcome on any of the scheduled trips around the Harbour Islands.

• Scheduled passenger and vehicle transport services to Curtis and Facing Islands. Cruises and Functions.

• Accomodation and camping.

Access to Curtis Island National Park.

Phone 07 4972 6990

www.curtisferryservices.com.au

GLADSTONE

2 July - 18 August Insight: The Hermannsburg Potters Collection of the Moreton Bay Region Presenting Hermannsburg potter's terracotta coil pots. Travelling exhibition developed by Moreton Bay Regional Council and Simon Turner and toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland.

2 July - 28 July Arts NAIDOC: Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 Years On Paintings from the permanent collection and artworks by local Murri artists.

Presented in celebration of National NAIDOC Week.

21 July - 18 August The Picture Book Art of Legge & Spudvilas A selection of original illustrations by David Legge and Anne Spudvilas, presented in conjunction with the Curtis Coast Literary Carnivale.

13 September - 27 October Shell Shocked: Australia after Armistice and World War I A National Archives of Australia exhibition, assisted by Australian Government Initiative Visions of Australia.

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES: 31 October - 3 November 2012 2012 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards

Bookings can be made through the Gladstone Visitor Information Centre. Phone 4972 9000.

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

FREE ADMISSION Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Cnr Goondoon & Bramston Sts, Gladstone QLD 4680 gallerymuseum.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au P (07) 4976 6766 E: gragm@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au A community cultural initiative of the Gladstone Regional Council

PAGE 15

Gemfest - Festival Of Gems- A Silver Anniversary

A 25th anniversary is a milestone wedding anniversary and its known as a Silver Anniversary.

The Gemfest held every year on the Anakie Gemfields celebrates its 25th anniversary this year from August 9 to 12 in multiple locations across Queensland’s fascinating Gemfields.

This event features the beautiful sapphires of Central Queensland as well as gems and jewels from the rest of Australia and the world.

Many gem club members travel to Anakie for their supplies and to catch up with friends from the past. There are also a number of general interest traders to involve the wider community. Gemfest is four days of gems, food and entertainment. Some precious stones are from private collections so you will only see these rare and beautiful gems at Gemfest.

Fossickers and lapidary enthusiasts abound with traders from all over bringing the latest innovations and information. For full information www.gemfest.com.au or phone 4985 4375.

Pats Gems Tourist Fossicking Park TouristFossickingPark

A Gem Of A Place When you become one of the visitors from all over the world to descend on the Gemfields each year to experience fossicking first hand, you can take a guided tour of a walk-in underground mine or a 4WD scenic tour. There are also self-drive fossicking tours with all the necessary equipment. Fossicking is great fun where miners supply sapphire wash for a fee and teach you to recognise and find the process both enjoyable and educational.

Gemshops, galleries, jewellers and local cottage industries are abundant and no better place to buy an Australian-mined and cut sapphire or quality jewellery.

Gem-cutters are available to facet your very own find and jewellers to set them into a valuable family heirloom to treasure forever.

Rich In History – with plenty of history, character and charm, commercial mining drove this region from the late 1890s.

Once a burgeoning market right up to the 1980s, a downturn in Australian sapphires brought about an active tourist industry with world-famous sapphires found right here in The Willows Gemfields.

Today, along with the underground sapphire mines, handmining and fossicking tourist population, Rubyvale and Sapphire also have many billy boulder and bush timber dwellings (just

Fossicking across the Gemfields Just 40 mins from Emerald on your way to Longreach are the largest Sapphire fields in the world with 90% of the Sapphires on the market today originally coming from these fields.

Sapphire is just 10 kms north from Anakie (on the main highway west) on a sealed road and features a couple of caravan parks, cabins, shops, souvenirs, and gem cutters.

The Gemfields of Sapphire and Rubyvale are by far the greatest attraction during the Winter, Spring and Autumn months. The sapphire fields date back to 1875 when the first gem was found by a Railway Surveyor.

You’ll catch fossicking fever when you visit Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows Gemfields where you’ll get tips to help; you find that special memento.

Did you know Sapphires come in every colour of the rainbow, that Sapphires called "parti-colours" as multicoloured and red Sapphires are Rubies? You never know your luck!

Dig at one of the nominated areas or take it easy and buy a bucket of wash, where the digging has been done for you. Just sieve and sort for the treasure – you can take bags of wash home with you so the holiday never ends.

Visitors come from all over Australia, indeed the world to search for the blue, green, yellow and part-coloured and star sapphires that are found.

If you don’t find your own stone out on the fields, visit the many shops and show rooms and browse through the range of stunning gems on sale.

See us at Gemfest 2012 Open 7 days Come Fossicking for Sapphires * Fossicking - dig for your own sapphires * Jewellery - Gold & Silver * Gemcutting - cabbing & polishing * Manufactured jewellery to your design

Enjoy a meal or snack in our licensed cafe/restaurant.

Stay on the gemfields in one of our holiday houses.

Invite you to their annual Show & Sale at the Multipurpose Centre - Sapphire 9am - 5pm Tuesday 7th - Sunday 12th August

t Find uhsirae Ph: 07 4985 4544 Sapp email patsgems@bigpond.com A N AWARD WINNING SIGNIFICANT TOURIST ATTRACTION

Capture the market in Queensland’s richest mining towns.

Blackwater truck

Advertise in the Coalfields Express

Delivered into homes in mining towns and mining camps around Queensland.

THE VOICE OF THE COALFIELDS

Phone 1300 758 184 or email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au PAGE 16

like the pioneers) as well as Roman Castle, bottle house, bush humpies and shacks.

Today, the lifestyle is laidback and peaceful where visitors feel welcome- -no better time to drop in than this August when the huge Gemfest adds four days of celebration and sparkling treasures.

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

Eventures in the Outback Tourism Queensland is encouraging Aussies and Kiwis to have an “eventure” this year and head west to enjoy the colour and characters at an Outback Queensland Event – here’s a sample.

Bedourie Camel Races – July 7 – as well as Camel Racing there’s novelty events that cater for all with fantastic prizes on offer, great food, bar, music and dance, Sky Channel bookmaker, southern races and commentary. www.diamantina.qld. gov.au Boulia Camel Races – July 13 to 15. – next part of the Great Western Camel Festival, the town bursts at the seams with 3000 enjoying the Quarter-Mile Flyer and Camel Cup. Begins on the Friday night with twilight camel race, steer ride and concert. Weekend entertainment includes kids rides, belly dancing, sky diving, catered kitchen and bar.

For details phone 4746 3408. www. boulia.qld.com.au Winton Camel Races – July 21 – also part of the Camel Festival, 15 jam packed hours of fun as the ships of the desert battle their way to the finish line. Bike Sports open for all after the camel races. www. experiencewinton.com.au Curry Merry Muster Festival, August 3 to 5 – Cloncurry Rodeo’s heart-racing, arenalin pumping man

vs beast action. Also Mardi Gras parade, markets, entertainment, bull and bronc riding. Australia’s largest single payout professional rodeo. www.currymerrymuster.com.au Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo, August 10 to 12 – largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere. Mardi Gras, Street Party, Fred Brophy’s Boxing Tent. Packed program – Mount Isa’s population swells to twice the size for the raw power and courage that is Rodeo! Phone 4743 2706. www. isarodeo.com.au The Drovers Festival, Camooweal, August 24 to 26. Yard with the old drovers and listen to great country music all weekend. Bronco branding contest, art and historical droving displays, Whipcracking Contest .

Check out beautiful waterholes and wildlife. Phone 4748 2022 www.droverscamp.com.au Birdsville Races, August 31, September 1- The Melbourne Cup of the Outback. 12 race programs compete for the XXXX Gold Birdsville Cup with more than $100,000 prize monies. Fred Brophy’s Boxing, Giant Auction for the RFDS. Curious what draws so many people to the tiny outback town on the edge of the desert? Join them and you’ll find out. Phone 4656 3300. www.birdsvilleraces.com TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Capture the Image of the Outback Winton, the ‘home’ of Waltzing Matilda and bush poetry, is offering $5,000 in prizemoney to photographers who capture the best images of the Australian Outback.

The BHP Billiton Cannington Waltzing Matilda Photographic Competition and Exhibition, now in its 16th year, is one of the best known photographic prizes in outback Australia. Photographers are invited to enter framed monochrome and colour prints that epitomise the "Image of the Outback" theme.

The inaugural competition attracted 39 entries.

Last year, 73 monochrome and colour prints were received from photographers throughout the country, with the major awards going to artists from the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The competition is hosted by the Outback

Regional Gallery, an integral part of the modern Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton. Entries will be exhibited in the gallery from 10 September until 9 November 2012.

Entries will be judged by Ian Wilkinson of Brisbane, QLD. Ian grew up in rural Queensland, has been photographing weddings since 1988 and has received more than 100 National and International awards. He will lead a workshop on September 15 and 16 with winners of the competition announced on September 14.

Important Entries close July 31. Contact Catherine Mims at imageoftheoutback@gmail.com www.matildacentre.com.au/gallery

Boulia’s mysterious Min Min Light

Strange glowing balls of light that follow people, hover in one spot, appearing and disappearing, baffling scientists and professors to this day. It usually teases travellers just after dark looking like a car headlight and has become part of Australian folklore. Slim Dusty even had a song about it.

But there’s more to Boulia, 300kms south of Mount Isa than the Min Min and the Night Parrot (another story).

Boulia Camel Races are on this year July 13, 14 and 15th.

This must-see event at the Show Grounds in Boulia consists of three nights and two days packed with thrilling entertainment, including camel races. The most prominent races are the Quarter-Mile Flyer and the Camel Cup. The event attracts people from all over the world and the town bursts at the seams with around 3000 people attending the weekend.

You must see the Fossil Museum for a fascinating look at prehistoric creatures that roamed the region millions of years ago.

First Europeans to see Boulia were Burke and Wills with Burke giving his name to the river beside the town. Halfway between Windorah and Camooweal, Boulia was an important resting place on the stock route and is known as the capital of The Channel Country.

A place of contrasts and vibrant colours, Boulia Shire encompasses over 62,000 square kilometres TOURIST QUEENSLAND

A typical outback scene... sunset at Longreach.

Take the family gold panning at Tyrconnell

Here’s a holiday where you’re paid to have fun. Gold prices have soared over the last three years to around $1500 per ounce so go panning for it. At Tyrconnell Outback Experience and Historic Gold Mine, 150 kilometres west of Cairns, the entire family will be able to appreciate Queensland’s rich mining history with the guided tours and demonstrations.

Stay on a cattle station This park boasts the largest grassed powered and un-powered sites in Qld. Pets are welcome also.

There is a licensed bar, fully equipped bush kitchen with gas and wood BBQ’s, a dump point, bush walks, bird watching, star gazing and open camp fire every night with entertainment most evenings.

There are two new amenities blocks with disabled and laundry facilities. Take a station tour to see the unique grazing techniques and lifestyle.

The Debney family wish to welcome you!!

Evening Star Tourist Park 9km west of Charleville www.eveningstar.com.au

Ph: 07 4654 2430

of ever changing scenery and was once part of an inland sea.

The Min Min Light first spooked a stockman in 1912 riding past the cemetery near the old hotel (which had burnt down) about 73 kms from Boulia. He raced his horse into Boulia with the strange glowing ball chasing him all the way.

Catch a falling star in Charleville

Well just about anyway – you can certainly see them up close. Wow and Brilliant are words you’ll hear as visitors view the incredible Milky Way Galaxy through powerful Meade telescopes at Charleville’s Cosmos Centre.

You’ll be expertly guided through observing binary stars, clusters, planets and the Moon with day or night experiences bringing you up to date on new discoveries. Discover the truth about falling stars (but do they really?).

Hold a meterorite in your hand or see the rings of Saturn and view clusters 17,000 light years away.

Children are welcome and they love it. Phone 4654 7771 www.cosmoscentre.com WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

PAGE 17

Skyrail Cableway tops in the Pacific region Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns, has been named as the most environmentally sustainable tourism business in the Pacific region.

After a 10-year benchmarking and certification program the Queensland company is the first in the Pacific to obtain EarthCheck’s Certified Platinum rating and the only cableway in the world to achieve this status.

The EarthCheck certification and benchmarking program, is used by more than 1,300 organisations in over 70 countries, to achieve environmentally sustainable tourism and travel operations.

Unique rainforest experience Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you on an unforgettable journey over and through Australia's World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforests.

Spanning 7.5 kilometres in the Barron Gorge National Park, Rainforest it glides just metres over the canopy, its comfortable six-person gondola cabins providing spectacular views of the rainforest, tropical Cairns, the Coral Sea and lush Cairns Highlands.

Your adventure includes time at two mid-stations, where you can alight from the cableway learn more about this fascinating environment from the forest floor. www.skyrail.com

Famous Family Fishing Classic – in beautiful Bowen Now in its 21st year, the 2012 Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend is the biggest family fishing competition in the country. This year it will be held September 22 and 23 - a weekend to remember.

Held along Bowen's Front Beach at the new Soundshell and Festival Park, the event not only offers anglers the chance to compete for a host of fantastic prizes, but it provides the whole family with the opportunity to play and be entertained over an entire weekend at the top of the Whitsundays.

Affectionately known as The Classic, it is a local tradition within the region and the entire Bowen community makes it very special for everyone.

A dedicated team of volunteers work year-round planning the Classic, wtth national, regional and local businesses donating the host of prizes including Senior and Junior boat packages.

Come on down to Bowen’s new Front Beach Esplanade, meet your mates, catch some fish, have fun….and tell your friends!

New Aboriginal Guided Rainforest Tours Walking tours with aboriginal guides have been developed on a rainforest tail on traditional Djabugay lands departing from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Barron Falls Station.

Djabugay guides completed training on guiding, safety, communication and the traditions in preparation for interaction with visitors to the Wet Tropics Rainforests.

The 40 minute walking tours feature information on their language, stories, culture, plants, animals and rainforest living. With maximum of10 per group the walk provides visitors with the chace to be part of a personal tour.

Tours depart from the Skyrail Barron Falls Station from 10.15am to 3.30pm at $20 adults; $10 children with family passes available at $50 (two adults, two kids)

NQ coming events Reggaetown Festival. September 1, Cairns Celebrating ten years in 2012, the award-winning Reggaetown World Music festival is Australia's premier reggae festival, and a well loved icon in the local arts circle. Set in lush tropical surroundings, the festival presents multicultural funky rhythms and great vibes for the whole family. www. reggaetown.com.au Tastes of the Tablelands – Port Douglas, September 9. www.tasteofthetablelands.

The Tastes of the Tablelands festival is to be held this year in the grounds of the Chinese Temple.

It is a showcase of all the best the region has to offer in the way of food, wines, music and arts and crafts. It is also a great stepping- stone for new, small producers to introduce their wares to a wide market. It’s a fun day for the whole family, with entertainment for the adults on the main stage and in the Chef's marquee, plus a great children's area.

PAGE 18

Go to www.skyrail.com.au

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

Townsville Triathlon Festival – September 14 to16. www.townsvilletrifestival.org.

The Townsville Triathlon Festival is an annual, three day, action-packed sporting festival with events that cater to every age, fitness level and competitive level. This is North Queensland's largest triathlon festival, attracting competitors from all over Australia.

The festival has grown in size and has had to change locations twice due to its popularity.

Experience the beautiful scenery of The Strand, with stunning views of Magnetic Island just from the shore, while racing along the professional and flat course that this festival has to offer.

Whether you're a high-level competitor or just want to get out and have some fun, there’s a race for you. The five events include a School's Junior Triathlon, Go Troppo Sprint Distance Triathlon, Olympic Distance Triathlon, Criterium Cycle Race, and the TP Human Capital Corporate Triathlon.

TOURIST QUEENSLAND

Flames Of The Forest Flames of the Forest is for everyone staying anywhere from Cairns and the northern beaches to Port Douglas and a dining experience that is not to be missed especially if you love your food and wine or you have a special occasion coming up that you would just like to share with someone special.

outdoor dinner destination the coaches headlights are turned off and as you round the last bend your eyes are met with flickering flames that light up the road in front of you letting you know you have now arrived at your destination and the evenings dining adventure is about to begin.

Coach transfers begin in Cairns at around 6.00pm and Palm Cove and northern beaches at 6.40pm.

Your hosts come from the darkness and serve beers and wines along with some tasting plates to get your taste sensors wanting more and then dependant on the evening you are visiting Flames Of the Forest the platters of exotic foods will begin to descend to your table

Your coach winds its way around rainforests with dangling vines and trees with extensive branches that create a lace like effect above the coaches pathway and this is the point when you get the feeling that the evenings mystery is just beginning and everyone in the coach begins to spark up and peer out the coach windows to see what is coming up.

Let’s Eat. As you near your evenings

Come on and join us for one of the most amazing dining experiences in the beautiful rainforest setting of Port Douglas. Entertainmet, themes and menus vary from night to night. Phone 4099 5983 or www.flamesoftheforest.com.au

Airlie Beach – hot spot in August Airlie Beach will be the hottest spot in Queensland on the weekend 16 – 19 August when the Reef Festival joins up with the Great Whitsunday Fun Race .Coming right on the back of Airlie Beach Race Week, the place will be buzzing with activity for the biggest festival and party of the year. The tradition of celebrating sailing with a fun race and party has been going for 35 years in town and many people have memorable tales to tell. On the Saturday the waters get crowded with colourful yachts covered with flags and bunting, crews decked out with imaginative costumes, glamorous figureheads and plenty of spectator craft of every size and style.

Even more beautiful from above

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the islands of the Whitsundays with GSL Aviation’s island transfers, scenic flights and air charter flights.

Moving the Reef Festival entertainment to the same weekend as the Fun Race will give people an even better excuse to enjoy all Airlie has to offer. The Reef Festival will fireworks night and concert on the foreshore on the Friday with the Great Whitsunday Fun Race and party on the Saturday.

The Street Parade on Saturday afternoon will follow the same pirate theme as the Fun Race and give land-lubbers a chance to join in .

Other events include a recyclable regatta, sand-sculpting competition, family fun day on the Sunday and live music Friday and Saturday nights.

QME in Mackay again this July

Celebrating its 10th edition (the first was in 1992) the Queensland Mining & Engineering exhibition is on July 24 to 26 at the Mackay Showground with related events at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre.

Director of organisers Reed Mining Events, Paul Baker said the recent Bureau of Resource and Energy Economics ( BREE) shows the boom conditions have a long way to run.

“In addition to three projects in the Bowen Basin in the last six months, a further 11 coal projects are in advanced stages are expected to be completed in the next two to three years,” he said.

Their Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Island scenic flight lets you experience the stunning beauty of the region in rock star style, flying over Hamilton Island,

J U S T

P E R F E C T

W AT E R S T H E

Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef, Hayman Island and more.

GSL Aviation provides a free pick-up and drop-off service from Airlie Beach and surrounding suburbs so all you have to worry about is bringing your camera!

Phone 1300 475247 www.gslaviation.com.au

-

E D G E

S T R A N D

T O W N S V I L L E

Waters Edge Resort on the Strand is your perfect Townsville getaway with breezy ocean view apartments, relax and rejuvenate whilst looking over the Strand, Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay and only metres from the Beach.

• Self contained Studios, Ocean View rooms, and One Bedroom Apartments • Air-conditioned • Cable TV & DVD (Austar) • Wireless Internet • Spa, Pool, Barbecue & Sundeck • Undercover parking

Check out website for specials & packages

‘QME 2012 is ideally positioned as the premium showcase for the Central Queensland coal industry, providing a venue for suppliers of a wide range of products to get in front of decision-makers and decision-influencers from the region.”

“This 10th QME since we started in 1993 will have more than 650 exhibitors up from 600 in 2010 and will be 20% larger in floor area.”

Capture the market in Queensland’s richest mining towns.

Blackwater truck

Phone: 07 4721 1777

Advertise in the Coalfields Express

Delivered into homes in mining towns and mining camps around Queensland.

A: 63 – 64 The Strand, Townsville

THE VOICE OF THE COALFIELDS

W: www.watersedgethestrand.com

Phone 1300 758 184

E: res@watersedgethestrand.com

or email: ads@coastlinenews.com.au TOURIST QUEENSLAND

WWW.TOURISTQUEENSLAND.COM

PAGE 19

G & D ROSS BUS CHARTERS TAKE AWAY THE STRESS Bus charters are the safer way to travel and they are cost friendly.

Talk to Greg & Donna about where the fleet can take you on a trip of your own choice.

SPIRIT OF HERVEY BAY Cruise in luxury, the whales would love to meet you

• Underwater viewing rooms put you in whales underwater playground • Largest waterline viewing platform for ‘that personal touch’ • Underwater hydrophone • We spend more time with whales, less time travelling • Extra spacious with most viewing area, no crowding • The most fun whale watching • Money back guaranteed sightings (8/8 - 10/10) • Free whale DVD • Kids activities • Great Packages available

Phone 07 4129 7132 - Mobile 0427 297 132 - Fax 07 4129-7133 www.gregross.promastore.com.au www.ganddrossbuscharters.com.au

Greg & Donna Ross rossbuscharters@bigpond.com

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Call 07 4125 5131

Freecall 1800 642 544

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Gayndah – Oldest Town in Queensland - Citrus Capital and Classic Queenslanders, ripe for the picking Take the road less travelled through the North Burnett, head inland just North of Gympie and enjoy the scenic drive. Gayndah was settled in 1849, and the main industries are citrus and cattle.

The Big Orange welcomes you on the entrance to town, make sure you stop for a Devonshire Tea and pick up the freshest quality fruit.

Walk down the main street and call in at Mello’rs Drapery still using the Flying Fox change dispenser. The Art and Cultural Centre is a must with an array of local artwork.

Enjoy the rare and memorable display of Rohan the local Bullocky & his Bullock Team at work at Glen Eden- make sure

SOLID INVESTMENT • 3 B/ Rooms + sleepout • Large dine in Kitchen • Cladded Exterior • 2 car accom = storage under home • Rent return $185pw $9600 p.a. $154,000

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to phone ahead for an arranged display - 0429 137 224 or email roha n @ g l e n e d e n b u ll o ck t ea m .co m . a u .

There is plenty to do with the country market day on the first Sunday of each month .

Take in the view from McConnell’s Lookout, enjoy a bush walk along the Burnett River or water skiing and fishing at Mingo Crossing.

Gayndah has two race meetings a year at the heritage listed race track were the first Derby in Queensland was run in 1868. The historical museum offers a fascinating collection of memorabilia.

Gayndah is a safe and friendly town, a great pace to visit, relax and enjoy country living

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• Concreted under home + 2nd toilet, shower, laundry, storage + carpark

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