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A record opening day of entries for the 35th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon (6 – 7 July) has the event on track to become the biggest in its history.
Yesterday entries were up 39 percent on the previous biggest opening day of entries with solid increases in interstate and international runners. Continue reading
Queensland’s 2013 Season of Sailing has introduced a ‘Season of Sailing Cup’ to encourage more sailors and holidaymakers to take part.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the Season of Sailing concept was launched four years ago and since then the sport’s popularity had been on the rise. Continue reading
A fun- filled community celebration will herald the official launch of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and the historic unveiling of a new Games emblem at Surfers Paradise beach on 4 April.
Minister responsible for the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the launch would mark exactly five years until the Games Opening Ceremony in 2018. Continue reading
Queensland is on the lookout for candidates from around the globe seeking the opportunity of a lifetime – the job of a Park Ranger and a $100,000 salary and benefits package.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Tourism Australia, would offer one of six dream jobs as a tourism ambassador. Continue reading
The Potbelleez, Timomatic, Black Sorrows and Choir Boys Announced as headliners for the Surfers Paradise Festival’s Hard Rock Rocks the Beach
The Choir Boys will run to paradise this April when, alongside The Potbelleez, Black Sorrows, Mark Seymour and Timomatic, they hit the beach stage at Hard Rock Rocks the Beach as part of the Surfers Paradise Festival.
Staged throughout the Surfers Paradise precinct, the festival running from March 27 to April 21 2013 is a family-friendly event, showcasing entertainment, music, art and food across four themed weeks, from the best and brightest local talent as well as an eclectic array of cultural offerings and established national talents.
With a brand new single ‘Saved In A Bottle’ making waves across Australia and on the eve of a national tour, platinum selling electronic dance act, The Potbelleez were at Hard Rock today to announce their headline gig on Friday April 5 at this year’s Surfers Paradise Festival.
Nominated for four ARIA awards, the trio will bring their chart hits ‘Don’t Hold Back’, ‘From The Music’ and ‘Hello’ as well as their current hit ‘Saved In A Bottle’ to the beach stage to rock out the crowd for the free gig.
The band, made up of DJs Dave Goode and Jonny Sonic and lead singer IIan Kidron, will also be showcasing their new material at what is sure to be a high energy and action packed performance.
“We wrote some new songs after our recent trips to Paris, London and Norway and we can’t wait to share them with the Gold Coast fans,” Goode said.
“The crowds here are great and the beach stage is such a fantastic venue for a gig. We definitely have something special in store for the crowd.”
Also hitting the beach stage on Friday 5 April will be ARIA music award nominated hit-maker Timomatic who first rose to fame as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance? 2010 and then on Australia’s Got Talent in 2011.
The singer, who has supported superstars FloRida and Nicki Minaj on their Australian tours, will rock the crowd with his catchy hits ‘Set it Off’ and ‘If Looks Could Kill’.
Music fans looking for a bit of a harder edge are sure to be ecstatic with the line-up also including some of Australia’s greatest names in rock’n’roll.
Viewed by many as the quintessential Australian rock band, Choirboys will certainly be running to Paradise for their gig on the iconic Surfers Paradise beach. A concrete part of Australian culture, having penned one of Australia’s unofficial anthems ‘Run To Paradise’ and other great hits such as ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ and ‘Struggle Town’, Choirboys have been entertaining Australian audiences, young and old for over 30 years.
With a long list of 13 studio albums and a colourful Australian history, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows will have a lot of material to choose from when they take to the stage on Saturday April 6 with their eclectic mix of r ‘n’ b, classic country and blues style music.
Rounding off the impressive list is Australian singer-songwriter Mark Seymour. Mark Seymour, who found fame in the band Hunters & Collectors, will be rocking the beach crowd with tunes from his five critically acclaimed albums.
Visitors to the 2013 Surfers Paradise Festival will experience tantalising food, attention-grabbing art installations, exhilarating live music and exciting entertainment all as part of the four weekend festival quickly establishing itself as Australia’s premier beachfront event.
With a packed-to-the-brim range of activities and entertainment, the 2013 Surfers Paradise Festival presented by Centro Surfers Paradise will feature Hard Rock Rocks the Beach presents Launch It, the Australian Street Entertainment Championships presented by The High Street, One Way Street Party, Shorts in Paradise Film Festival, SeaFire fireworks challenge, and A La Carte in the Park presented by QT Hotel.
Hard Rock Rocks the Beach is the Australian stop in the Hard Rock Rocks concert event series. Hard Rock Rocks is a global program dedicated to bringing free, live music events to guests in Hard Rock Cafe host cities around the world.
Hard Rock Rocks the Beach presents Launch It
Queensland’s 13 regional tourism organisations (RTOs) can apply for a share of $3 million in additional funding for projects that will help boost the industry’s future.
Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said the funds were in addition to the $4 million in core funding available for RTOs in 2013-14.
“The funding arrangement was developed in partnership with the post-DestinationQ working group, Ms Stuckey said.
“RTOs will receive $4 million in core funding for the 2013/14 financial year and an additional $3 million will be available in contestable funds for projects across Queensland to increase local tourism and provide new tourism experiences.
“We promised we would work in partnership with the industry to deliver the best outcomes for tourism and this new funding model shows we are taking positive action.
“RTOs are at the frontline of the tourism industry which is why the Newman Government doubled the annual funding available for RTOs to $7 million.
“Projects vying for contestable funding must be innovative, future-focused proposals that can include cooperative marketing, product development, market intelligence or trade events projects that are linked to DestinationQ outcomes.
“The projects must also contribute to our goal of increasing annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.”
Ms Stuckey said approved projects would have their funding contributions matched at least dollar for dollar by the State Government.
“In submitting applications, I encourage RTOs to collaborate with local government, local tourism organisations and industry to strengthen their proposed projects,” she said.
“In 2012 almost 50 applications for the contestable grants were received.”
The RTO Contestable Grant Scheme is administered by Tourism and Events Queensland.
Guidelines are available from TEQ with applications closing on 11 April.
As the Gold Coast prepares for the first event of the world surfing tour and the crowning of last year’s champions, a unique gathering of surfing industry personalities and world renowned surfers including Mark Richards, Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew, Peter Townend and David ‘Rasta’ Rastovich are set to converge on the Gold Coast for a timely event called Salts And Suits at surf culture celebration, Bleach* Festival. The event will be a public forum that aims to explore the complexities of the current state of the surf industry.
Author Phil Jarratt’s original book titled Salts And Suits examined the extraordinary true story of how a few young beach bums turned their passion for surfing into one of the nation’s fastest growing leisure industries. Fast forward to to 2013 and plunging share prices and takeover bids make it timely to ask where that billion dollar industry is at now. Join industry experts from a cross section of backgrounds as they pick up where the book left off. Never shy of controversy, Phil Jarratt and surf author Tim Baker and an entertaining and industry-savvy panel will lead the audience on an insightful discussion on the fate of the modern surf industry. Panelists include Dougall Walker from Volcom, Stephen Kay from Rip Curl, Glen Casey from Patagonia, Keith Curtain from Australian Surf Business Magazine and other guests from across the surfing world. All are welcome to join this rare assembly from 6pm, Wednesday 27th of February at The Coolangatta Hotel, entry by gold coin donation.
Salts And Suits joins a wave of free and ticketed events presented by Bleach* Festival that celebrate coastal culture. Bleach* Festival officially got underway last weekend, and will run until March 3rd to overlap with the opening weekend of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro.
This week, surf enthusiasts can also step back in time and delve into Gold Coast’s celebrated beach culture at Surfing the 1950s & 1960s at Surf World Museum Gold Coast, experience the forefront of ideas from surf tourism and industry experts from around the world at the Global Surf Cities Conference, rub shoulders with surf coaching elite at Surfing Australia’s Green Room Conference, admire artwork by Potts at Cafe D’Bar or marvel at the creative asymmetric surfboard designs which blur the line between functionality and art by Ralph Riddel at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club for Surfboards Dreaming.
From 27th of February, festival goers can also enjoy five big nights of free outdoor films by the sea at Bleachside Flicks supported by Patagonia and FuelTV. A different selection of movies celebrating surf culture will be aired from 7pm including The Heart And The Sea, Minds In the Water, El Mar Mi Alma, Fruits Of Dystopia and more. For the full film program, see www.bleachfestival.com.au
The documentary, Splinters which explores the evolution of surfing in Papua New Guinea will also screen during the festival at a Kallalu Gallery on the 26th of February.
Then there’s The Longest Wave, a conceptual theme central to the 2013 festival based on a wave ridden by surfer Damon Harvey from Snapper Rocks to North Kirra – a distance of just under 2 kms – back in 2002. At the time the feat was lauded by surf media around the world as one of the longest continual ocean waves ever ridden, but the remarkable ride had slipped into dusty realms of surfing folk law until surf author Tim Baker and Bleach* Festival Director Louise Bezzina decided the story begged a revisit. For Bleach* 2013, The Longest Wave Photographic Exhibition will examine the history of the area Damon’s wave covered through a community exhibition curated by Michael Aird and Tim Baker, from stunning modern images by some of the nation’s most respected surf photographers to family photos taken at the turn of the century. The exhibition will also feature video interviews with local surfing identities including Damon, current world champions Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore and a host of colourful residents as they share stories and recollections of the region. The Longest Wave Coastal Walk will fuse elements of street theatre to a guided tour of the area spanned by Damon’s ride, while The Longest Wave Installation will interpret Damon’s ride artistically, with celebrated local artists responding to the theme including Nick Chalmers, Nick Lawrence, Jae Copp, Narani Henson, Claudio Kirac, Beastman, Mandana Mapar, Shelli Bankier, Mari Hirata, Peter Joli Wilson, Tristan Schulz and more.
The Longest Wave Installation is housed at the Gold Coast Bulletin Bleach* Hub, the festival’s main precinct filled that springs to life each day with shipping container art galleries and hammocks swinging in the breeze, and hosts markets, live music, workshops and free activities each weekend. Aside from hosting surf art and photography exhibitions, the Gold Coast Bulletin Bleach* Hub will also host youth performing arts festival 2High on The Coast on the 2nd March, and each day also features the ability to work remotely from the festival at Coworking by the Beach, a free WIFI enabled work space overlooking the ultimate office at Coolangatta beach.
Other events still to come in the Bleach* Festival calendar include the Bleach* Rock and Roll Party featuring Violent Soho, The Medics, Kingswood, Blonde Bear and Woe & Flutter at the Coolangatta Hotel on March 2nd, and fashion expose Sway On Sunset featuring local designers for a poolside soiree at Komune Resort with live music by the alluring Ginger and The Ghost plus much much more.
At the festival’s conclusion, Tweed Coast based writer, film maker and musician Andrew Kidman will be debuting the preview of an exciting new surf film project called Spirit of Akasha at the festival finale, Bleach* Last Wave, hosted on March 3rd on the exclusive Surfers Deck at the Quiksilver Pro directly on the sands of Snapper Rocks. The evening will feature Andrew’s band The Windy Hills playing a live soundtrack to the movie, and the event is headlined by Mat McHugh and The Seperatista Soundsystem for one limited capacity show.
For ticketing and venue information, visit the Bleach* Festival website: http://www.bleachfestival.com.au
Horizon Motor Yachts Australia will showcase its P110 Tri Deck superyacht at this year's SCIBS.
AUSTRALASIA’S reigning king of superyachts is sure to make waves and lure plenty of interest when it ties up at the 2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) in May.
The Horizon P110 Tri Deck is expected to be one of the largest vessels on display at SCIBS 2013 which will be the first time the superyacht has been exhibited anywhere in the sunshine state.
Sanctuary Cove-based Horizon Motor Yachts Australia will join hundreds of exhibitors at the four day event to be staged at the spectacular Sanctuary Cove Marina and Marine Village from May 23 to 26.
The show’s visitors will be among the first Queenslanders to inspect the Horizon P110, which boasts dual 1900hp Caterpillar diesel engines and, as the name suggests, three levels of deck space.
HMYA sales manager Sean Madgwick said the 110-foot (33.5m) vessel was the biggest Horizon to be imported to Australasia and the newest superyacht on the market at the moment.
“This is the crème de la crème of new superyachts on the market in the region – it is the best of the best and built for the Australian market,” he said.
“A huge amount of work has gone into the interior design as well as the latest technology and state-of-the art engineering full of redundancy systems, which makes this vessel the perfect balance between the owner’s privacy and the crew’s safety.”
Featuring palatial custom interiors and the ultimate in luxury living, the floating penthouse is capable of taking eight guests plus a crew of four on a very comfortable cruise around the Pacific Islands.
Those lucky enough to be aboard have the use of six bedrooms including the massive master suite (32.6sqm) with dressing room, six bathrooms, expansive living, dining and deck areas, a hydraulic lowering swim platform and a heated jacuzzi on the spacious fly bridge.
The plush air-conditioned interior includes Italian lighting, marble or granite counter tops, hotel-grade mattresses, wooden floors and panelling, and WIFI.
Mr Madgwick said the superyacht’s $9.9 million tag represented a discount on its regular asking price of closer to $10.9 million.
“We have reduced the price as a sweetener,” he said.
“We are keen to get the Horizon P110 out there in the Australian market so that we can bring another one over.”
Mr Madgwick said clients from as far afield as Melbourne and Western Australia were interested in the superyacht.
2013 will mark Horizon Motor Yachts Australia’s seventh year at SCIBS.
Horizon Motor Yachts Australia has exclusive dealer rights over Horizon Yachts in Australia and New Zealand.
The luxury dealership was founded by Russell Wright who began importing Horizon Yachts in 2006.
The 2013 SCIBS will showcase a raft of international boating brands, products and technologies on display alongside the superb backdrop of the award-winning Sanctuary Cove marina and The Marine Village.
Tickets for SCIBS are available online from www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com or through Ticketmaster. Visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.
The upcoming Pre Bleach* Weekend will bring an epic three days of free events for all ages, kicking off this weekend with Bleach* Treasure Trove, followed by Bleach* At Burleigh and Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Park.
Friday Feb 15th Bleach* Treasure Trove at Paradise Point will see Queensland Theatre Company bring to life classic children’s tale Treasure Island in a rare outdoor performance and the spectacular Polynesian inspired installation piece, Trade Winds by Polytoxic. Also on offer is a special twilight edition of The Village Markets, with fashion, art and creative market stalls, and performances by the talented Nadia Sunde.
Saturday Feb 16th Bleach* At Burleigh concert on the beach featuring Busby Marou, Thelma Plum, Band Of Frequencies, Laneway and Lyon Apprentice.
Sunday Feb 17th Palm Beach Parklands will play host to the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Park. The 60-member orchestra led by Conductor Mark Turpin and Concert Master Margaret McAteer, and featuring soloists Kathleen Procter-Moore and Grace Bawden, will provide the soaring soundtrack to the evening with vocal ensembles, Voice Weavers and Imbari under the direction of Stringmansassy songstress, Kacey Patrick. The musical program will build to the spectacular crescendo provided by dance theatre company Polytoxic performing Trade Winds, an outdoor installation piece performed after dark, over the waters of Palm Beach-Currumbin Lagoon.
Pre Bleach* Weekend proceeds Gold Coast’ Bleach* Festival’s official launch on February 22.
Australians will be encouraged to show their support for Queensland tourism by celebrating ‘Australia Day II’ across the State on 23 February.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said an advertising campaign would be launched this weekend which celebrates the Queensland spirit and urges Australians to show their support and holiday in the State.
“Many Queenslanders didn’t have the opportunity to celebrate Australia Day in true Aussie style over the 26 January long weekend,” Ms Stuckey said.
“The bulk of Queensland tourism destinations are now open for business and ready to welcome visitors following the recent wet weather incidents.
“Many holiday destinations were untouched and while others are on the road to recovery, this campaign reinforces that the best way you can support the industry is by taking a holiday in Queensland.
“The face of the ‘Australia Day II’ campaign will be Sam Kekovich, one of the best known Australia Day figures over recent years due to his animated promotion of our national day.”
Ms Stuckey said the initiative would be the first step of the Government’s tourism recovery strategy for flood affected areas.
“We want to ensure the green shoots of growth we are seeing throughout the tourism industry continue,” she said.
“It is about calling on Australians to make plans to visit as soon as they can, and will also be an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of all emergency services and other volunteers at a time when it was most needed.”
The Australia Day II message will roll out in print, online, TV and radio across the country in coming weeks.
“As the weather eases and the clean-up gets underway Australians can assist by converging on Queensland when it’s back to its best,” she said.
“Tourism is one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy and the Government is committed to doing all it can to support the industry.”
For more information or a Queensland holiday deal visit – www.queensland.com