SEE AUSTRALIA’S
BEST LIVE EVENTS IN
AUSTRALIA’S BEST
DESTINATIONS
Visit queensland.com/events
Torres Strait
Poruma Island
Thursday Island
GREA
E
T B
A R R I
Horn Island
Weipa
Haggerstone Island
R
Cape York
Peninsula
R
E
E
F
Gulf of
Carpentaria
Welcome to Queensland where you’ll find a
colourful calendar of Australia’s best events staged
in Australia’s best destinations. Here, we combine
a laidback lifestyle, warm, friendly, welcoming and
outgoing people with a swag of sizzling live events.
Whether your passion is food and wine, festivals,
art, culture and music, or sport and lifestyle,
Queensland simply shines with the best calendar
of live events in Australia.
Lizard Island
Cooktown
Burketown
Where else in the world can you watch a global motor
racing event one minute and stroll down a pristine
stretch of surf beach the next? Or snorkel with
tropical fish in the morning and attend a breathtaking
ballet performance at night? Or witness a chamber
music ensemble play on the shore of a palm-fringed
island? This is Queensland: the perfect union of
world-class events and world-class destinations.
Come for an event, and you’ll leave with an
unforgettable holiday experience.
Immerse yourself in the following pages,
grab your travel diary and join us on a journey
of incredible, eventful Queensland.
Port Douglas Double Island
Green Island
Palm Cove
Fitzroy Island
Cairns
Karumba
Mission Beach
Normanton
Charters Towers
Richmond
Cloncurry
Julia Creek
Mount Isa
Hughenden
QUEENSLAND
One & Only Hayman Island
Daydream Island
South Molle Island
Airlie Beach
Hamilton Island
Lindeman Island
Proserpine
Long Island
Brampton Island
Mackay
GREAT
DIVIDING
RANGE Moranbah
GREAT
BARRIER REEF
Pumpkin Island
Great Keppel Island
Wilson Island
Heron Island
Winton
Boulia
Longreach
Barcaldine
Emerald
Rockhampton
Blackwater
Blackall
Bedourie
TRY THE
BRISBANE
GLOBAL TENS
ON FOR SIZE
Dunk Island
Bedarra Island
Hinchinbrook Island
Orpheus Island
Magnetic Island
Townsville
Lady Musgrave Island
Lady Elliot Island
Gladstone
Bundaberg
Birdsville
Hervey Bay
Windorah
Fraser Island
Maryborough
Charleville
Roma
Quilpie
Kingaroy
Noosa
Dalby
Toowoomba
Thargomindah
BRISBANE
Cunnamulla
© Tourism & Events Queensland 2015
St George
A WINNING
COMBINATION
Warwick
Stanthorpe
Event names, dates and venues are subject to change without notice. Please visit Queensland.com/events for latest listings.
Sunshine Coast
Maroochydore
Moreton Island
North and South
Stradbroke Islands
Gold Coast
Attention Rugby Union fans: the biggest
rivalry in the history of the sport is about
to be reignited. Watch the Kiwis and the
Aussies go head-to-head in the inaugural
Brisbane Global Tens tournament in
February, which pits 14 of the best clubs
in the world against each other over two
days of breathtaking rugby action.
New Zealand will roll out the Blues,
Crusaders, Highlanders, Chiefs and
Hurricanes, while Australia’s Super Rugby
quintet — the Force, Waratahs, Reds,
Rebels and Brumbies — will also field
teams and compete against top flight
clubs from France, South Africa, Samoa
and Japan.
Closer to 15-man rugby than the 7-man
game, 10-a-side rugby is traditional union
with line outs and scrums, but played
fast. Each game features two ten minute
halves, with ten players per team on
the field, plus eight subs with unlimited
interchanges. All of which should make
for a fast-paced, adrenalin-packed game
that will have the crowd on the edge of
their seats.
Expect to see more than 300 star players
clash as established rivalries are played
out across 16 hours of rugby at Suncorp
Stadium, the best rugby union stadium
in the Southern Hemisphere. And with
Brisbane promising to lay out the welcome
mat for fans, the atmosphere leading up to
the tournament weekend will be electric.
With a week of trial matches, fan days
and appearances planned, it’s the perfect
opportunity to enjoy the best the river
city has to offer while being part of rugby
history in the making.
Plan an epic weekend with mates or
bring the kids and take advantage of the
family-friendly areas and great value-formoney family tickets as you cheer on your
favourite rugby stars.
Head to brisbaneglobaltens.com for more
information on how you can experience
the Brisbane Global Tens 11-12 Feb 2017.
Nothing beats the thrill of a live sporting event.
The bright lights, the roar of the crowd, the rush of
excitement. And nowhere does it better than
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Some call it the best stadium in the Southern
Hemisphere. Locals call it ‘The Cauldron’. With a
52,000 capacity and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s not
surprising to see why it’s regularly chosen to host
some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events
and live music acts.
But as locals will tell you, no visit to Suncorp is
complete without a trip to the legendary Caxton
Street. A favourite spot of fans young and old, the
neighbouring entertainment precinct is a must-do
pre or post-match ritual.
Just a short walk from the CBD and a stone’s throw
from Suncorp Stadium itself, Caxton Street comes
alive most weekends as scores of footy fans
converge on the strip. Sink a brew, rub shoulders with
fellow sports fans, soak up the electric atmosphere
and tuck in at one of the many dining options on offer.
Join the procession of avid fans as they parade in
their colours to The Cauldron, or nab yourself a good
outdoor spot and watch the spectacle unfold.
Whoever you support, Suncorp Stadium and
Caxton Street make for a perfect match.
Visit queensland.com/events
Dave Kan
BRISBANE’S CULTURAL
PRECINCT
Brisbane is Australia’s only capital city boasting a fully
integrated, beautifully appointed cultural precinct and
a capital city that supports pre-eminent and resident
companies in all of the big four performance genres.
From mesmerising ballets, breathtaking orchestras,
inspiring operas and must-see theatre productions,
Brisbane’s cultural precinct will wine, dine and
entertain you all in one setting.
Poised elegantly at South Bank,
across the river from the CBD,
is Queensland’s arts and
cultural hub comprised of
the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC),
Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Queensland
Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA),
Queensland Theatre Company and State Library of
Queensland. It’s here that home-grown talent rubs
shoulders with international and exclusive exhibitions
and productions. And in just one day, you can swim in
Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach, explore
dinosaurs, see a show, admire International and
Australian artists, dine and shop while indulging in
leafy park surrounds with city
and river views.
INSPIRING SHOWS
WONDER OF SCIENCE
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
25 Nov 2016 – 12 Feb 2017
Yang Wang
Fancy yourself as the next Steve Jobs? Is Albert
Einstein your ultimate dinner party guest? Budding
inventors and seasoned science-fans take note:
in March Brisbane celebrates all things science.
Held in Queensland for the first time in 2016,
the World Science Festival Brisbane aims to
bring science out of the laboratory and into the
streets, parks, museums, galleries and performing
arts venues of the city.
The mind-boggling program of scientific spectacle
includes ‘Street Science!’ – a free, two-day family
program of hands-on, full-on science in action –
think drones and driverless cars, telescopes and
taxidermy, slime and science-adventure story telling.
For the grown-ups, there’s the provocative
‘Conversations’ series, featuring some of the best
minds debating cutting-edge science, groundbreaking discoveries, technological innovation
and our changing world. Or take your pick from an
arts program that features original theatrical works
exploring concepts such as DNA, black holes,
relativity and radioactivity through theatre, musical
score and cutting-edge projection and audio visual
techniques. Brisbane, 22-26 Mar 2017.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
BALLET PRELJOCAJ’S
SNOW WHITE
Fancy yourself as a culture connoisseur?
Brisbane’s world-class arts and cultural scene
features an enviable line-up of must-see events
you won’t catch anywhere else and Queensland’s
Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has the pick of
the bunch.
Ballet-lovers are in for a treat with Ballet
Preljocaj’s magical production of Snow White,
which pirouettes into Brisbane this September.
Be transported to another world by the
company’s contemporary retelling of the
famous Brothers Grimm fairytale – featuring
choreography from ballet icon Angelin Preljocaj,
costumes by French fashion legend Jean-Paul
Gaultier and a live score flawlessly performed by
the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the
baton of renowned conductor Johannes Fritzsch.
Brisbane, 2-11 Sept 2016.
After hugely successful
and acclaimed runs in
London and on Broadway,
Matilda The Musical
arrives in Brisbane in
November for a two
month stint at QPAC’s
Lyric Theatre. The multiaward winning musical
from the Royal Shakespeare Company is
inspired by the genius of Roald Dahl and
features original songs by Australia’s own
Tim Minchin.
QUEENSLAND BALLET’S
THE NUTCRACKER
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
9-23 Dec 2016
Bring the whole family
to enjoy this family
Christmas favourite.
Ben Stevenson’s muchloved production of The
Nutcracker has become
a seasonal tradition in
Brisbane and it’s easy
to see why. Gorgeous sets, whimsical
costumes and stunning dance combine with
Tchaikovsky’s iconic musical score to make
The Nutcracker the perfect festive ballet.
ROCKIN’ OUT
COUNTRY STYLE
Queensland’s love affair with country music is well-documented. Now, its ever-growing roster
of country music festivals is earning it the title of Australia’s new home of country music.
With a calendar that includes CMC Rocks QLD, CMC Music Awards, the Gympie Music Muster
and more, Queensland has become a mecca for country music fans the world over.
ALL HAIL THE CROWN
PRINCE OF COUNTRY
With five CMC Awards and a CMA Global Artist
award in 2015 to his name and a reputation as a
major emerging talent, Aussie musician Morgan
Evans is taking the international and Australian
country music scenes by storm.
“I’m stoked when people enjoy my music because
writing and playing is what I was born to do,” says
Evans when asked how he feels about being the
subject of so much industry buzz.
”The CMC Music Awards are a great celebration of
country music in Australia and to win a few of my
own is a great honour.”
Evans is a mainstay on the Queensland festival
scene – but which events does he enjoy playing the most?
“CMC Rocks QLD and the CMC Music Awards are my favourite events because not only
do they give fans the chance to see the biggest stars on the planet, they also show off
Australian artists on a world stage.”
While he loves writing, it’s always been about performing live for Evans: “It doesn’t get
any more real than that moment when you’re singing and playing your heart out and they’re
giving it right back to you!”
See Morgan Evans at CMC Rocks QLD in Brisbane 10-12 March 2017.
HAPPY ‘GLAMPERS’
If roughing it is not your style but
you don’t want to miss out on the
Tent City experience, cheat your way
through CMC Rocks QLD with a CMC
Glamping package. They’ll set up your
tent, stretcher bed and camp mat,
leaving you free to rock out to some
sweet country tunes.
Visit queensland.com/events
SEE AUSTRALIA’S BEST LIVE EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA’S BEST DESTINATIONS.
OCT
2016
GOLD COAST
NetFest
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Opera in the Outback
Palm Cove Reef Feast
Crocodile Trophy
GOLD COAST
Supercars Castrol
Gold Coast 600
JAN
APR
2017
OUTBACK
QUEENSLAND
Julia Creek
Dirt ‘n’ Dust
Festival
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
The 14th World Rural
Health Conference
GOLD COAST
Jewel World Triathlon Gold Coast and
Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial
GOLD COAST
Burleigh Pro
JUL
SEE THE FULL EVENTS CALENDAR AT
QUEENSLAND.COM/EVENTS
OUTBACK
QUEENSLAND
Birdsville Big
Red Bash
TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)
Cairns NRL Telstra Premiership Fixture
GOLD COAST
Gold Coast Airport Marathon
BRISBANE
Brisbane International
BRISBANE
Brisbane International Garden Show
NOV
SUNSHINE COAST
Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival
Wanderlust Sunshine Coast
TROPICAL
NORTH
QUEENSLAND
Tropical Journeys
Great Barrier Reef
Marathon Festival
BRISBANE
Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Matilda The Musical
GOLD COAST
Broadbeach
Country Music
Festival
GOLD COAST
Jeep Magic Millions Carnival,
Sales and Raceday
FEB
MAY
GOLD COAST
Sand Safari
BRISBANE
Channel Seven
Brisbane Racing
Carnival
SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF
Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival
THE WHITSUNDAYS
Airlie Beach Race Week
Festival of Sailing
SOUTHERN GREAT
BARRIER REEF
Gemfest
‘Festival of Gems’
OUTBACK QUEENSLAND
Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo
SUNSHINE COAST
Noosa Food & Wine
TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND
PBR Iron Cowboy
SOUTHERN
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY
Chinchilla Melon Festival
Goondiwindi Hell of the West
GOLD COAST
Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games
BRISBANE
The Nutcracker
– Queensland
Ballet
MAR
SUNSHINE
COAST
Noosa Festival
of Surfing
GOLD COAST
Bleach* Festival
BRISBANE
CMC Music
Awards
GOLD COAST
Australian PGA Championship
BRISBANE
Association for Research in Vision
and Ophthalmology Conference
(ARVO-Asia 2017)
GOLD COAST
Quiksilver Pro & Roxy Pro
GOLD COAST
Federation of Asian Small Animal
Veterinary Association Congress
GOLD COAST
TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2017
BRISBANE
Brisbane Global Tens
DEC
AUG
TOWNSVILLE
NORTH
QUEENSLAND
Supercars Castrol
EDGE
Townsville 400
SUNSHINE COAST
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Port Douglas Carnivale
Gympie Music Muster
GOLD COAST
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival
JUN
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Cairns Airport Adventure Festival
SEP
SUNSHINE
COAST
Caloundra Music
Festival
SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
COUNTRY
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival
2017 UCI Mountain Bike World
Championships
GOLD COAST
Australian Open
Lawn Bowls
BRISBANE
World Science Festival Brisbane
BRISBANE
Brisbane Festival
BRISBANE
Woodford Folk Festival
BRISBANE
Commonwealth Bank Day-Night Test,
Australia vs Pakistan
BRISBANE
CMC Rocks QLD
Event names, dates and venues are subject to change without notice. Please visit queensland.com/events for latest listings.
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Laura Dance Festival
OUTBACK QUEENSLAND
Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival
OUTBACK
QUEENSLAND
Birdsville Races
GOLD COAST
Swell Sculpture
Festival
TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND
SeaLink Magnetic Island
Race Week
QUEENSLAND TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT
RUGBY LEAGUE
WORLD CUP 2017
From October to December 2017, Queensland
will host eight premier matches of the Rugby
League World Cup.
Cairns in Tropical North Queensland will
stage three pool matches across two dates,
including entertaining contests between
Toa Samoa, Ma’a Tonga, Scotland and two
European Qualifiers.
The home of the all-conquering North
Queensland Cowboys, Townsville, will also
host three pool matches. Fiji Bati, USA Hawks
and two European Qualifiers will battle it out
over two much-anticipated match days at
Townsville Stadium.
The heartland of Rugby League in Australia,
Brisbane, will welcome the world when the
vibrant city stages both a Rugby League World
Cup Semi Final and the Grand Final of the
sport’s pinnacle event.
Both marquee fixtures will be played at
one of the world’s leading Rugby League
venues, Brisbane Stadium. New Zealanders
will be hoping history repeats itself, after the
Kiwis won their first and only World Cup in
2008 when they defeated the Kangaroos
in Brisbane.
Make sure you are in Queensland to witness
the world’s greatest rugby league players
battle it out for the Paul Barrière Trophy at
the Rugby League World Cup 2017.
Head to RLWC2017.com for more information
on how you can experience the Rugby League
World Cup in Queensland during 2017.
START YOUR ENGINES
QUEENSLAND
FESTIVAL FUN
What is it that makes Queensland’s calendar
of fabulous festivals so unbeatable? Perhaps it’s the
balmy, year round warm weather. It could be the worldclass entertainment precincts, performance lawns and
state-of-the-art venues. Maybe it’s the eclectic mix of
local and international acts who flock to perform here.
From food to flowers, ballet to blues, Queensland’s
festival scene has all your favourites covered and you
won’t want to miss a second of it.
FLOWER POWER
FOLK FUN
Banish the grey memories of winter with a little country hospitality and
a trip to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Held every September, this
much-loved festival of flowers, food and wine promises to put a spring
in your step. Don’t know your geraniums from your gerberas? Don’t
worry! As well as the free Grand Central Floral Parade, the ten day festival
features cooking and gardening demos, local produce and craft markets
and a sideshow alley for the kids, as well as a musical lineup that boasts
Perth rockers Birds of Tokyo, up-and-coming songstress Montaigne and
legendary singer-songwriter Tim Finn. Bloomin’ marvellous! Southern
Queensland Country, 16-25 Sept 2016.
Six days, six nights and a feast for your senses: a trip to the Woodford
Folk Festival, held every December, is the ultimate way to welcome in
the New Year. Woodford’s natural beauty and country vibe may make
you think you’re in another world – but this picturesque venue is just
an hour’s drive from Brisbane.
GET YOUR CULTURE FIX
IN NEW MUSIC WE TRUST
If it’s culture you seek, look no further than Brisbane in September.
Every year, the city is transformed into a giant stage for Brisbane
Festival, one of Australia’s biggest international arts programs.
The Australian music scene is having a moment – and nowhere is this
more apparent than at BIGSOUND, where 150 of the world’s best new
music acts will descend on Brisbane to perform for music fans, fellow
musos and industry pros from across the world.
With 2,000 performers and 430 events, the eclectic line-up of music,
theatre, circus, art and education is in a league of its own. Explore
the festival laneway lined with bars and food stalls, get crafty with
the kids, or just kick back in the sunshine with some acoustic jams.
Brisbane, 27 Dec 2016 – 1 Jan 2017.
If your perfect day out involves the sound of
screeching tyres and the thrum of revving
engines, you’re spoilt for choice as Queensland
plays host to not one but three Virgin Australia
Supercars Championship events.
We caught up with Kiwi-born Supercar driver
Fabian Coulthard to get the inside track on what
makes the Queensland races so special.
“All three events are quite different – but they’re all
important to me as I haven’t won a race at any of
these venues! I hope to change that this year.”
He adds: “Townsville and Gold Coast are street
tracks while Queensland Raceway is a permanent
circuit. Townsville and Gold Coast allow the
fans to get up close to the action as they are
street layouts.”
Coulthard is a recent convert to the Queensland
lifestyle, having relocated to the Gold Coast in
2016 to join Dick Johnson’s team. So what does he
love most about living in the sunshine state?
“As we’ve only been here for six months we’re still
out finding new spots. The move has been really
good and we’re enjoying the relaxed lifestyle and
of course the weather! The biggest thing for me is
now being part of DJR Team Penske – to be close
to the team is really important for morale.”
Watch Coulthard and his teammates tear
up the track at the Castrol Gold Coast 600
21-23 October 2016, followed by the Castrol
EDGE Townsville 400 and the Coates Hire
Ipswich SuperSprint in July 2017, all part of the
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
Score a holiday hole-in-one with the Australian
PGA Championship on the glittering Gold Coast this
December. Known as the players’ favourite, even the
professionals rate this event well above par.
Aussie pro golfer Adam Scott is no stranger to the
tournament, having won the Joe Kirkwood Cup in
2013. “I always love coming back to Australia and
competing,” he said. “The support I receive from
the Aussie golf fans makes for a special week,
especially when I’m playing in my hometown of
the Gold Coast.”
Be it a trip with the guys or a family getaway, worldclass tournament host RACV Royal Pines Resort
promises both scenery and serenity. Located just a
stone’s throw from some of the world’s most iconic
surf beaches and with the rolling green hills of the
Gold Coast hinterland close at hand, you’ll enjoy
the best of both worlds. And for those who prefer
not to stray too far from the action, the tournament
also features a bevy of hospitality packages, kids’
entertainment and the incredible Soniq Million
Dollar Hole. Gold Coast, 1-4 Dec 2016.
It’s a three week-long, eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance, circus and
opera which culminates in Riverfire, a riverside fireworks extravaganza of
epic proportions.
In 2016, Brisbane Festival welcomes you to Youtopia – where the audience
becomes the artist and Brisbane becomes the stage. With performers and
contributors including Pharrell Williams, festival favourites Circa and the
creative minds behind Cirque de Soleil, this year is shaping up to be the
best yet. Brisbane, 3-24 Sept 2016.
If its big names and headliners you’re after then move along please
– there’s nothing to see here. BIGSOUND is all about celebrating
the freshest, most innovative acts before they top the charts. With
discoveries like Courtney Barnett, Flume and Rufus under
its belt, there’s no denying BIGSOUND’s status as an incubator
for home grown talent. Make your own new musical discovery
this September. Brisbane, 7-9 Sept 2016.
Visit queensland.com/events
THE NUMBERS
TAKE A CRACK AT THESE
OUTBACK QUEENSLAND EVENTS
71 nations and territories
11 days of competition
18 sports and an integrated
para-sports program
Famous for its quirky characters and old-fashioned hospitality, Outback
Queensland is packed with true blue experiences you’ll never forget.
Approximately: 6,600
athletes and team officials
Don’t miss the Big Red Bash in July, when Birdsville transforms into Australia’s
most remote music festival. Bring the whole family and camp under a canopy
of stars while rocking out to your favourite music legends. With past headliners
including Jimmy Barnes, Diesel and Glenn Shorrock, it’s guaranteed to red rock
your world.
15,000 volunteers
Up to 1.5m spectators
Saddle up! In August the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere rides into
town. Every year the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo invites Australia’s toughest
cowboys and cowgirls to compete for the coveted rodeo crown. Featuring live
concerts, a bush poets’ breakfast and even an outback boxing tournament,
expect more action than you can shake an Akubra at.
THE SPORTS
Athletics
Aquatics
Badminton
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Boxing
Cycling
Gymnastics
Hockey
The iconic town of Birdsville plays host to not one but two unmissable Outback
events every year. Feel like a flutter? Pick a winner at the legendary Birdsville
Races. Held in September on a claypan track nestled among the sand dunes,
the historic event attracts more than 6000 racegoers each year. Watch the
sunrise over the desert, take a punt or two and then sink a cold one at the
historic Birdsville Hotel – this is as outback as life gets.
INTRODUCING THE WORLD’S
BEST FINISHING LINES
Lawn Bowls
Netball
Rugby Sevens
Shooting
Squash
Table Tennis
Triathlon
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Clock this! In Queensland, where adventure is
arguably a ‘state of being’, Mother Nature herself has
thrown down the gauntlet, inspiring the world’s best
finishing lines on land and sea.
Think idyllic multi-sport challenges across iconic
World Heritage-listed rainforest and reef –
‘The’ reef, that is; aka the Great Barrier Reef,
only the world’s biggest, visible from outer space.
Wide, sun-kissed beaches. Sand dunes, salt flats
and majestic Outback plains.
Let’s face it: where else can you lap ancient turtles or leave emus in your dust?
What’s more, for the seriously competitive, mind-bogglingly beautiful courses – the kind borne
from nature – are just the start. As an increasing line-up of the world’s blue ribbon events jostle
for a place under Queensland’s sun, so too are the best of the best athletes, keen to tick off
‘bucket list’ challenges across a kaleidoscope of sports.
Bottom line: adventure and world-class competition at its best (whether competing or cheering
from the sidelines). Find your inspiration at queensland.com/events.
Hoist up the mainsail! Whether you’re a seasoned
sailor or prefer to sip champagne from the
shoreline, Queensland’s Season of Sailing has
an armada of events for boat-lovers.
Not enough sailing action? Why not stay on
board for the uber-sophisticated Audi Hamilton
Island Race Week also in August. Experience all
the action aboard a luxury yacht or from the
Whether you want to train harder,
recuperate faster or see the best of the
best compete, Queensland is a hotspot
for endurance enthusiasts.
It’s not too late to be part of the iconic Noosa
Triathlon Multi Sport Festival. Held every
October, it’s one of the most popular events
on the tri calendar. Think five days of sport,
sun, sea and surf in one of Queensland’s
most picturesque coastal towns.
Can you handle Australia’s toughest
sprint triathlon? Then mark April in your
diary for the Julia Creek Dirt ‘n’ Dust
Festival, held in the heart of the outback.
There’s plenty to keep supporters busy too:
entertainment includes bull riding, horse
racing and live music.
IT’S SMOOTH SAILING
IN QUEENSLAND
Drop anchor in Airlie Beach every August for
one of Australia’s largest yacht racing regattas.
Held over seven days, the Airlie Beach Race
Week Festival of Sailing combines the thrill of
competitive racing with an epic, week-long party.
The non-stop entertainment program includes
headline musical acts, wine tasting, long lunches,
a regatta and a fun run. And if that’s not enough,
there’s always the option of a little island-hopping
with The Whitsundays right on your doorstep.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF,
QUEENSLAND-STYLE
Yacht Club champagne bar, indulge in some top
notch cuisine or take time off to explore the
rest of the island.
Then sail north to Townsville, North Queensland
for the grand finale of the sailing season: the
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week. Featuring
first class racing alongside artisan markets, deck
parties and long lunches, it’s fast becoming
one of the most popular fixtures of the boating
season. With the breathtaking beauty of Maggie
Island for a backdrop, it’s not hard to see why.
Still in April, Southport plays host to the
Jewel World Triathlon Gold Coast and Gold
Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial.
Run, bike and swim your way around the
famous Broadwater or team up with mates
for the relay event.
Head north in June for the Cairns Airport
Adventure Festival. Featuring the
IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship
Cairns alongside a host of other triathlon,
swimming and biking events, it’s a must-do
for both competitors and fans of the sport.
Last not but least, see for yourself why
the world’s runners flock to compete in the
Gold Coast Airport Marathon each July.
The Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games
(GC2018) is a powerful
invitation for us all to Share
the Dream and be part
of the biggest multi-sport
event to take place in
Australia this decade.
In just under two years the very
best athletes from across the
Commonwealth will descend on
Australia’s Gold Coast to compete
across 18 sports and para-sports in
11 days of exhilarating competition.
The Gold Coast will become the
stage, and the world our audience,
as we showcase great athletic feats
and a stunning location.
Get the latest news from
gc2018.com/
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Visit queensland.com/events
There’s no place quite like Queensland when it comes to combining
world-class global events with the most incredible destinations.
Stretching from Tropical North Queensland in the north, to the
Gold Coast in the south, Outback Queensland in the West and
everywhere in between, we’ve got every corner of the state covered.
Our event calendar is the envy of the rest of Australia, catering for
everyone, whether you adore food and wine, festivals, art, culture
and music, or sporting and lifestyle events, there’s always something
happening somewhere around this great state. Using creativity as our
cornerstone, we combine the warmth for which Queensland is renowned
with simply stunning destinations. Come join us on an eventful journey.
queensland.com/events