Gold Coast Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

This is the third year of the Alleygator Tens tournament featuring teams from Gold Coast, Darling Downs, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Far North Coast, Coffs Harbour, Sydney and hopefully this year New Zealand. The tournament is structured similar to The Hong Kong Sevens where there is a winner and runner up in The Trophy, The Cup and The Bowl and in both years they have given out AUD10,000 prize money as they will be doing this year so it is an incentive to travel to The Gold Coast. Some teams use it as preseason games.

It's a carnival type of tournament with marquees, food stall and "Currumbin Icons" such as The Bush Fire Brigade Currumbin Sanctuary bought along a snake and a Cockodile (very small) so its a great weekend for the kids as well.

The ANZ Ladies Masters reaches a significant milestone in 2010 when the event reaches its 21st year as one of Australia's leading golf tournaments.

RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast, will play host to the event. The field will include the six time ANZ Ladies Masters champion, Karrie Webb and Australian golf's big mover over the last two years, 2009 Champion Katherine Hull, along with the entertaining and big hitting Laura Davies. Other significant player signings will be announced on the website.

The ANZ Ladies Masters, co-sanctioned by the Ladies' European Tour and the ALPG Tour, will be broadcast by One HD on March 5 2010 and Network Ten on March 6 and 7 2010. Tickets are available at the gate and via Ticketmaster outlets.

The Runaway Bay Junior Leagues Club will be hosting the annual ARL Masters Rugby League competition for the third successive year. The competition is for teams of players over 35, and is sanctioned and run by the ARL. In addition to the club’s standard services, such as TAB, Keno, Gaming and Bar facilities, players and their families will also have access to live entertainment, catered meals, and a fantastic team atmosphere.

While the competition is a fun social event, qualified referees and first aid officers will be on hand to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

Enquiries are welcome from all players, from those out for serious matches, to those after a social run on the field with mates. Players are encouraged to bring family, as the breaks in play offer many fantastic opportunities to experience the many tourist destinations of the Gold Coast.

The Australian Tennis Seniors Championships are an annual two-week event that is hosted by the States on a rotational basis. In January 2010 the event is being hosted by Tennis Seniors Queensland on the Gold Coast. The Championships are open to tennis players who are 35 years or older. The first week of the Championships comprises a team’s competition between the States while the second week is dedicated to individual championships (singles, doubles and mixed doubles).

As well as an active holiday playing tennis, the Gold Coast location offers world class surf beaches, shopping, dining and sightseeing. As they say, "beautiful one day, perfect the next!".

The ninth Annual Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival will be held from Thursday 27 May - Sunday 30 May 2010!

The annual Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival has attracted over 300,000 people since its inception in 2002 making this a world class event. The full line-up and program will be available on their website.

Transcending the barriers of age, gender and culture Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia's iconic Blues Festivals. The Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival is unique as it feeds on the unique village like atmosphere and relaxed ambience that is Broadbeach.

The Blues on Broadbeach Music festival nurtures Australian Blues talent as well as provides a stage for international acts. The festival provides a musical experience like no other in Queensland, remaining a free event.

On the first Friday evening of every month, they throw open the doors of the Brewery Lounge, with the bar open from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Join the friendly staff at the famous Brew House Bashes and enjoy their real, fresh Duke Beers at the source, plus some fantastic live local entertainment. You'll also be able to munch on a German Sausage or two around the barbecue.

They are happy to say that all barbecue proceeds go to local charities and community groups. If you are involved with a great local cause and would like to partner with them for one of these events, please get in touch!

Jazz up your life in Broadbeach this August where Broadbeach Alliance will be hosting the best that food, wine and entertainment has to offer at the third annual Broadbeach Blends of Jazz Festival.

Broadbeach Alliance is proud to present the popular event which will showcase world class jazz musicians throughout the precinct. The free community event is set to one day be as big as the very popular annual Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival.

Come and join them under the stars when they celebrate the most special time of the year at the Broadbeach Christmas Carols. Presented by Broadbeach Alliance and proudly supported by 92.5 Gold Fm this year's Carols are in support of the Gold Coast Community Fund.

Enjoy entertainment from Donald Cant, Danielle Everett, Casey Barnes (Australian Idol Finalist 2009) The Australian Youth Choir and lots more. This fantastic free night of entertainment will conclude with the incredible 92.5 Gold Fm fireworks display. For more information visit the website.

Based on the concept made famous in New York and London, Broadbeach is excited to announce that the second annual Broadbeach Restaurant Week will be held in July 2010. Dine at a selection of more than 30 Broadbeach Restaurants all offering three course set price dinners and lunches over 10 massive days and nights!

Dine around or visit that restaurant you always wanted to! All restaurants will be showcasing their menus in spectacular style and the best bit is you won't even break the budget!

Book your Broadbeach accommodation now to experience the free entertainment and excitement surrounding this great event!

The Queensland Theatre of Puppetry presents their latest show "Dancing Dinosaurs" and it looks like being their best yet. Guest Director, Phil Bell of Timbarra Productions, has used new technology to bring the comical dinosaurs to life. In air-conditioned comfort, Dancing Dinosaurs is sure to entertain the kids in the tail end of the school holidays.

The Gold Coast Home Show and Caravan and Camping Expo is the region’s premier Home and Lifestyle Event. The event will showcase new release products and services for the home and outdoors, including renovation and restoration ideas, home decor, new homes and finance, gardening supplies, outdoor entertaining, pools, spas and heaps more.

The Caravan and Camping Expo will have on display all the latest in caravans, motor homes, camper trailers, and off road and outdoor gear.

The event will take place at Parklands, Southport on the Gold Coast and will have its own onsite food court and coffee shops around the venue, plus free entertainment, jumping castles, some great competitions and prize draws and much more.

Gold Coast Turf Club is excited to announce its annual Kids Christmas Party!

The day will be packed full of entertainment and fun for kids of all ages - and of course live racing action for the parents!

Free entertainment and activities such as face painting, pony rides and games will take place from 10.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m., including a live visit from the big man himself - Santa!

The Gold Coast Waitangi Day and Pacific Island Festival is a family fun day with live on stage entertainment featuring Dragon, local bands, and cultural performances.

There will be a traditional welcome from an elder, and greeting from local Indigenous people.

The event celebrates Pacific Island culture and raises money for Bond Pirates Junior Rugby Club and Children's schools in the Pacific.

Local rugby clubs participate to encourage kids to be active and healthy and to provide a fun and safe environment in which to develop.

Traditional Hangi and other Polynesian and ethnic foods will be available, and entertainment including street performers, market stalls, animal farm and pony rides, face painters and balloon artists. There will also be a variety of rides and games for the young at heart.

Experience the thrill of live harness racing under lights every Friday night. Whether you are looking to enjoy the delights of our Harness Restaurant or chasing the excitement of the track, Parklands makes for a great evening out.

Parklands are centrally-located near the heart of Southport central business district, with free parking for more than 1000 cars.

The Queensland Harness Racing Club keeps the adrenalin pumping throughout the week with daytime racing every Thursday from noon.

Over 17 days on the Gold Coast in January, the Magic Millions Carnival will boast numerous events. The cream of Australia’s yearlings are paraded before a sale like no other and many of these polished babies will go on to success at racing’s elite level before becoming immensely valuable stallions and broodmares later on. The sale attracts the most powerful buyers from across the globe as well as leading Australian trainers and the catalogue stands on its track record of producing very fine gallopers.

But Magic Millions is much, much more than a horse sale. It is a uniquely Australian celebration with a diverse range of events to cater for everyone - in fact, with more than 40 associated events, if you’re absolutely terrified of going near a horse, there’s an amazing array of options.

Magic Millions is held in one of the world’s most desirable destinations, the weather is likely to be fabulous and because you’re in Queensland, it’s casual and fun.

Fashion, beauty and entertainment are in order for Magic Million's Girls Day Out! Take part in the hotly contested Fashions on the Field competition for some absolutely smashing prizes, including holidays, beauty and indulgence packs and more! The competition is free to enter - simply register on the day.

Categories are: Best Classic Racewear (female), Best Contemporary Racewear (female), Most Fashionable Hat, and Best Dressed Male.

The Fashion and Beauty Precinct will be located in the air-conditioned Dome and available to all visitors on the day. Watch the Fashions On The Field competition, and spoil yourself in the Pamper Area with complimentary make-up and hair touch ups, beauty tips and mini massages!

A glamorous highlight to the Magic Millions racing carnival, this will be a fantastic day out, and not to be missed!

Fresh produce, gourmet foods, specialty items and luscious skin products, the Marina Mirage Farmers’ Market is a premier market which has it all.

Market stalls include products for those seeking something special whether that’s food, a treat for yourself or even a gift.

Products include boutique roasted coffee and chai blends, a wide range of freshly made spices and baked items as well as a whole range of delicatessen items such as stuffed olives, cold meats, pates and dips.

Great gift ideas include the Swarovski crystal nail files, organic body scrubs, rocky road made from white Belgian chocolate and locally made camphor timber cutting boards and more.

The Marina Mirage Farmers Market is open from 7.00 a.m.to 12.00 p.m. all throughout the centre and the ground floor car park. Treat yourself and indulge your senses.

The Gold Coast is host to Australia's largest rodeo ever staged, the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) National Finals Rodeo.

See the nation's toughest bulls and broncs burst out of the chutes competing for a prestigious APRA National title. The National Finals Rodeo is the grand finale of the APRA Rodeo season and features the top 15 Australian Professional Rodeo Association cowboys and cowgirls compete in six championship events including saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and the ladies barrel race.

The Rodeo runs over four spectacular days with non-stop entertainment from 7 January 2010 to 10 January 2010.

Open Studios of the Scenic Rim is a biannual event held in September and May. Artists of the Scenic Rim throw open the doors of their studio each weekend in these months so you can visit the artist at work, purchase work directly from the artist, find out how and why they do what they do and lean some new skills along the way!

Includes sculpture, weaving, painting, ceramics, glass art, textile and fibre art, bookmaking, jewellery making, photography, and theatre.

Artists in Residence at Songbirds Rainforest Retreat in September are Sculptor Antone Bruinsma, May Sculptor Mike Taylor.

Artist in Residence at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens in September are Goat Track Theatre Co.

The Queensland Country Week is a week long tennis carnival targeted at regional Queensland tennis players. The event will allow players to come together in tennis teams to compete on the Gold Coast. Participants will form teams from their respective affiliated tennis clubs and compete on the Gold Coast whilst enjoying other social activities and tourism opportunities the Gold Coast has to offer. This event will be the largest tennis event in the region open to a wide demographic. The Gold Coast Seniors Club is playing host to the event, with other clubs in the region also being providing their facilities to accommodate the best of the rest from regional Queensland.

The 15th annual Rathdowney Heritage Festival will be held on Sunday 4 April starting 8.00 a.m. at the Rathdowney Memorial Ground. This year will be a celebration of Rathdowney's 100th birthday and the Rathdowney region's pioneering days. The day will feature the event favorites, including country markets, wood-chopping, blacksmithing, and wheelwrighting.

The Heritage Festival Parade commences at noon and will include Horse drawn vehicles, mounted horses, walking groups in pioneering costume, band, and other heritage segments, as well as vintage and veteran vehicles.

The day will include entertainment - Celtic Band, Old Time and Country Music, Bush Poetry, Children's entertainment (animal nursery and rides), Billy Tea and Damper, barbecue, licensed bars). Join in the fun of the annual Rathdowney Heritage Festival, a great day in the Scenic Rim for the whole family.

The annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is a leading marine event in Australasia. It attracts more than 400 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. View super yachts, sail and power boats, trailerable boats, marine engines, electronics and services with on-water, pavilion and hardstand displays. More than 100 world and Australian product launches. The show is staged at Sanctuary Cove's picturesque marina and adjacent Marine Village which features shops and restaurants. There is daily street entertainment and seminars. The Show is a member of the prestigious International Federation of Boat Show Organisers and is known as the place where The Marine Business Does Business.

The Scholastic Book Sale is a children's book sale with massive savings – up to 90 per cent off all stock! It is for one day only! Doors are open from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.

There will be children's favourite novels, picture books, chapter books and activity items from as little as AUD1.00!

Accepted payment methods are EFTPOS, Cash, Cheque, VISA, Mastercard and school accounts.

Australia's newest commercial art exhibition space focusing on important sculptors is proud to present the unique sculptures of Antone Bruinsma from November 2009 to April 2010. Please join them for the opening on Saturday 28 November 2009 from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The exhibition will be formally opened by Mr Brett Raguse, Federal Member for Forde at 4.30 p.m. The Exhibition will continue until April 2010. Finally a satisfying way to savour the arts.

The Southport 50s, 60s, 70s Rock n Roll Festival is three days of fabulous 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s Rock n Roll music from some of Queensland's most popular bands. Rock n Roll dancers showcasing their styles and Rock n Roll stall holders selling their wares. This is a fabulous three days of music from the past, prizes galore and holidays to be won over the weekend.

For Stadium Drift Boxing Day, gates open to the public at midday and the action starts at 2.00 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate. The drifters scrutineering is from 1.00 p.m., practice from 3.00 p.m. and the Pro Show starts at 5.00 p.m. and runs until 9.00 p.m.

Come and see the Supa show 'n' shine, Neon light show, other entertainment and there are rides for the kids.

For further information or to enter the competitions, please call Raceline Promotions or visit the web site.

The Cooly Classic - Coolangatta Ocean Swim is Coolangatta's newest surf challenge and encompasses three of Australia's most revered surf breaks - Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta and Kirra.

Coolangatta is world famous for its surf sports culture and the Cooly Classic celebrates the very essence of this iconic beach destination - sun, sand and surf.

Whether you're an ironman or ironwomen contender looking for a hit out, or a newcomer to ocean swimming, the Cooly Classic will not disappoint you. The course starts at the popular Snapper Rocks surf break and follows the coast north where the finish line waits at Kirra Beach.

The Cooly Classic also features a short course option which is perfect for nippers or less experienced ocean swimmers.

The Long Course is a 2.5 kilometre open water swim and the Short Course is a 500 metre open water swim.

The Drumley Walk is an annual four day walking pilgrimage through the traditional lands of the Yugambeh Aboriginal people. It leaves from Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, and traverses farms, rainforests and bushlands to Southport, on the Gold Coast. Walkers are guided by Drumley's descendants and relatives, and learn about local history, and indigenous culture. And they are encouraged to celebrate all local heroes, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal.

The walk finishes at Yugambeh Corroboree, an indigenous food, art and language festival where Drumley's walk traditionally finished, by the beautiful Nerang River.

The Village Markets are the Gold Coast’s first fashion markets. The markets are a community of fashion designers, artists and collectors of vintage fashion and accessories. It is a community focused event, retailing quality hand-crafted products. The markets are committed to supporting young and emerging designers, artists and artisans. Throughout the markets there is a cultural blend of Gold Coast stylers, intellectuals, students, artists, urban professionals and more. It is an interesting and fun place to explore and mingle where the boundaries of art and business blur. You can engage directly with the maker of the product or artwork making it a perfect place to pick up a one of piece or unique gift. The key aim of the Village Markets is to promote local business and put the Gold Coast on the map for up and coming designers and artists. Come along for a great day at the markets!

The Wintersun Festival is a 10 day annual retro nostalgia festival featuring more than 1500 pre-1974 hot rod, classic, and custom cars in driving events and static display.

There will be 100 bands and performers playing Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, Swing, Concept and Tribute. Performers are from every State in Australia as well as international acts. Also enjoy market stalls featuring all things retro as well as traditional markets, fairground, Street Parades and lots of family fun.

More than 75,000 people attend this event which has been running since 1988 so put on your dancing shoes, turn back the clock and remember when the good times rolled!

The Whereis Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and Australian Masters Surf Life Saving Championships will return to Kurrawa Beach. With more than 7,000 competitors expected, the Australian Championships is the largest sporting event of its type in the world and is uniquely Australian. Competitors, in age groups ranging from under 15s to over 70s, contest more than 295 events.

The championships represent the peak of competition for surf lifesavers from Australia's 306 surf life saving clubs, all of whom have given up their time to patrol the nation’s beaches over summer. Events include surf races, surf ski paddling, board paddling, beach events, Ironman and Ironwoman, surfboard riding, rescue and resuscitation, and the world famous surf boat races.

The three day Explorers Camp for children aged between 10 and 12 and the five day Discovery Camp for children aged between 13 and 16 gives the children the opportunity to connect with new friends, experience nature and learn leadership skills through dynamic and exciting activities.

With sensational camp leaders, a wide range of activities, clean and comfortable cabins and plenty of delicious, nourishing meals, your kids will have a ball.

Nestled in World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is a nature-lovers paradise. Escape to the rainforest and discover another world - the world of potoroos, bandicoots, echidnas, gliders, birds, reptiles and frogs during O'Reilly's Wildlife Week. Wildlife Week encompasses a theme of wildlife awareness and conservation, with a focus on Lamington National Park. The program includes a range of exciting activities such as tracking and trapping, spotlighting, and informative workshops plus bird walks, reptile presentations and much more. Their comprehensive program caters for everyone from the novice to those with serious interests in researching threatened species. This program is a fantastic opportunity to discover many of the creatures that inhabit this unique and diverse region.