Time to unwind in gorgeous natural surroundings, great food, sunshine
and warm people — the essence of a Queensland escape. Whether you want action
or to chill out, Queensland has real appeal for gay and lesbian (G&L) travellers.
Dive on the Great Barrier Reef, sit and ponder life on a mossy rainforest log,
taste exotic tropical fruit, let the surf envelop you, party at Brisbane's Pride
Festival, or hit the clubs and restaurants.
G & L hotspots include: Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine
Coast and Fraser Island, Townsville and Tropical North Queensland.
BRISBANE
Queensland's sunny, relaxed capital, has a thriving gay and lesbian scene with
a variety of places to stay, play and eat. The city straddles the languid Brisbane
River and gives easy access to the islands, hinterland and beaches of South East
Queensland.
Where to Stay
The Sportsman Hotel in Spring Hill s the only gay/gay-run accommodation in town.
It is a pub with comfortable rooms upstairs and bar / club downstairs. Tel + 61
7 3831 2892.
G&L Friendly Accommodation:
- Rendezvous Hotel City Ph + 61 7 3001 9888. — four star centrally located city
hotel.
- Fern Cottage Bed and Breakfast — ph +61 7 5511 6685. Guesthouse located in
stylish Paddington close to cafes, bookstores, gift and clothing boutiques — 5
minutes drive to city and gay venues
- The Conrad Hotel Tel +61 7 3306 8888 five star hotel in the CBD, attached
to Conrad Treasury Casino.
Where to Play
- West End, Woolloongabba, Spring Hill, Fortitude Valley (The Valley) and New
Farm are Brisbane's most popular gay and lesbian hang-outs and much of the 'scene'
focuses on these areas.
- Alliance Tavern: stylish bar in Spring Hill
- The Sportsman Hotel: Spring Hill pub offering drag shows, serious pool comps.
Saturday nights are men only at the downstairs Mineshaft bar which alternates
each week between BrisBears and the Boot Co leather men.
- The Wickham Hotel and The Beat Megaclub are both in the Valley. The Wickham
is a standard pub with a dancefloor and good resident DJs. The Beat offers a great
people-watching street bar and dancefloor downstairs and upstairs is The Cockatoo
Club, where you'll find wall-to-wall lipsticks, gay boys and groovy types.
- The Valley's G&L friendly venues include Fluffy at Family on Sunday nights,
the Empire Hotel, The Zoo (great live music), Sunday nights at upmarket GPO Hotel,
The Fringebar, The Bowery, No.12 in McLachlan Street and Ric's Bar in Brunswick
Street Mall. Also popular is Sunday afternoon drinks (which turns into dinner)
at the Powerhouse's Watt Modern Dining overlooking the river in New Farm.
Events
THE GOLD COAST
The Gold Coast, an hour's drive south of Brisbane, stretches from Southport to
Coolangatta. It's Australia's best-known beach holiday basking in more than 300
days of sunshine each year. Golden surf beaches, a rainforest-clad mountain hinterland,
chic shopping and dining make the Coast a top holiday spot for gay and lesbian
travellers. There's also a buzzing local scene catering to travellers and locals
alike.
Where to Stay
There are two gay-run guest houses in the Gold Coast hinterland.
- Bush House, on the edge of the hinterland in the Tallebudgera Valley is a
gay men's retreat. Tel +61 7 5533 8408.
- Tambaridge Bed and Breakfast is a gay-run guest house at beautiful Mount Tamborine
— gives access to rainforest walking trails, wineries and craft galleries. http://wwww.tambaridge.com/
Tel + 61 7 5545 4643
G&L Friendly Accommodation:
- Palazzo Versace http://www.palazzoversace.com.au/
Tel +61 7 5509 8000 Five star luxury, a spa centre and fabulous restaurants are
part of the Versace experience.
- The Concorde Hotel http://www.concorde.net/
Tel + 5539 0444 three star hotel centrally located in Surfers Paradise. Surf,
great restaurants and MP's gay and lesbian club are very close.
Where to Play
- The Meeting Place (MP's) nightclub is the coast's only gay and lesbian venue.
Friday and Saturday are busiest nights - features DJ's, giveaways and drinks specials.
http://www.meetingplacegoldcoast.com.au/
Tel +61 7 5526 2337
- The Capitol Bar and Lounge open Wednesday—Sunday, is one of the coolest bars
on the Coast, attracting a groovy gay, lesbian and alternative crowd. Corner Tedder
and Woodruffe Ave Main Beach. Tel +61 7 5503 0557. http://www.capitolentertainment.com.au/
- Gold Coast Breakers gay and lesbian social group welcomes visitors to their
regular get togethers. Tel + 61 418 448 571.
Events
| January |
Uncle Toby's Women's Hardcourt Tennis |
| February |
ANZ Ladies Masters Golf, Royal Pines |
| March |
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships |
| May |
Gold Coast Gay Day
Tel + 61 412 377 075 |
| July |
The Gold Coast Marathon |
| October |
Lexmark Indy 300, Surfers Paradise |
| December |
Tropical Fruits New Years G& L Dance Party, Byron
Bay http://www.tropicalfruits.org.au/ |
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Event and general tourism Info: http://www.goldcoasttourism.com.au/ |
THE SUNSHINE COAST AND FRASER ISLAND
If life's a beach then the Sunshine Coast is surely the life! Cracking surf beaches,
top restaurants, a charming rainforest hinterland and access to World Heritage
Fraser Island make it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
The Coast begins just over an hour's drive north of Brisbane at Caloundra and
extends to Fraser Island through the surfside towns of Maroochydore, Mooloolaba,
Coolum and Noosa. The Coast also takes in the hinterland villages of the Glasshouse
Mountains, The Blackall Range and Eumundi.
Where to Stay
- Horizon's at Peregian, near Noosa, is a popular gay-run, G&L friendly apartment
resort opposite the surf. http://www.horizons-peregian.com/
- Manyana http://wwww.manyanagay.com.au/ also at Peregian, caters exclusively
to gay men.
G&L Friendly Accommodation
- Beach resorts, apartments or houses at Noosa, Coolum or Fraser Island are
popular with gay and lesbian singles, couples and families.
- Noosa Blue Resort, luxury spa suites and penthouses within walking distance
of beach, Noosa National Park and stylish Hastings Street restaurants and shopping.
http://www.noosablue.com.au/
- Twin Waters Resort, five star resort perched on Mudjimba surf beach, also
offers spa centre and golf. http://www.twinwatersresort.com.au/
- Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island offers five star or budget luxury lodgings.
http://gay.kingfisherbay.com/
- Surfside On the Beach — apartments right on the surf at Kawana. Great for
couples or families. http://www.surfsideholidays.com/
Where to Play
The Coast and particularly Noosa has become a popular post Sydney Mardi Gras recovery
destination. Although there's no real G&L scene, the friendly bars and restaurants
of Noosa are noticeably well patronised by locals and travellers. There's only
one G&L club, Crush, on the second Saturday of the month at The Sands Tavern,
Maroochydore http://www.crushevents.com.au/
For many a Sunshine Coast holiday is all about sleeping in, eating delectable
food, shuffling off to the beach, doing over the shops and lolling around the
pool with a trashy novel in one hand and a cocktail in the other.
Don't miss
- Alexandria Bay—Noosa's gorgeous, unofficial gay beach, a brisk 30 minute coastal
walk from Noosa National Park's entrance.
- Explore the kilometres of patrolled surf beaches from Caloundra to Noosa.
- Hastings Street Shopping - for resorty clothes, jewellery, books and art galleries.
- Palm Tree Tours in Noosa have a range of G&L friendly day and extended tours
including Fraser Island's coloured sands, the Noosa Everglades, river and reef
fishing, kayaking with dolphins and kite surfing. Tel +61 7 5474 9166
- Fraser Island is the largest sand island on Earth and the ultimate eco-tourism
adventure. http://www.frasercoastholidays.info/
Events
THE WHITSUNDAYS
Although there's no gay and lesbian 'scene' in the Whitsundays, it's immensely
appealing to G&L travellers. It is one of the few places left on Earth where you
can really escape. There are no crowds, clean beaches and the aquamarine waters
of the Whitsunday Passage are one of the world's best year-round aquatic playgrounds.
The region takes in mainland Airlie Beach, bustling Shute Harbour, tranquil Conway
National Park and a cluster of 74 islands that lie in the clear waters of the
Coral Sea within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef. The weather is glorious
— even in winter temperatures hover between 20°C and 24°C.
Where to Stay
There is no exclusively G&L accommodation but many G&L friendly places from backpacker
lodges to luxury resorts, in the coastal village of Airlie Beach and several G&L
friendly island resorts. Do-it-yourself or Bareboat Sailing is also a great option.
G&L Friendly Accommodation:
- Pinnacles Resort and Spa in Airlie Beach offers luxurious accommodation and great views of the passage http://www.pinnaclesresort.com/
- Coral Sea Resort perched right on the water in Airlie Beach, overlooking the islands and offers a fabulous restaurant http://www.coralsearesort.com/
- Hayman Resort on Hayman Island is one of the world's most exclusive five star experiences http://www.hayman.com.au/
- Hook Island Wilderness Resort is an affordable eco-tourists paradise http://www.hookislandresort.com/
- Keswick Island Lodge offers secluded bed and breakfast accommodation in a
beautiful setting http://www.keswickislandguesthouse.com.au/
- Whitsunday Rent-A-Yacht sail yourself - swim, snorkel, fish, explore uninhabited
islands or lie on the deck with a good book http://www.rentayacht.com.au/
Where to Play
There's no G&L scene but you'll always find a buzzing bar in Airlie Beach.
Don't miss
- Action-packed pursuits like tandem sky-diving, parasailing, jet-skiing, heli
flights, and rainforest tours. If you want to learn to scuba dive, Airlie is the
spot to do it.
- Swimming and chilling out at the beautiful lagoon on Airlie's foreshore,.
- Whitsunday Islands sailing and Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving day
trips.
Events
| June |
Great Barrier Feast, Hamilton Island |
| August |
Hog's Breath Race Week Airlie Beach; Hahn Premium
Hamilton Island Race Week |
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Event and general tourism info: http://www.whitsundaytourism.com/
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TOWNSVILLE
There aren't many regional cities that offer a cosmopolitan buzz and the kind
of relaxing holiday that you never want to end. Townsville is one of these rare
gems. Tropical by nature, perched on the coast, between the Whitsundays and Cairns,
it's an escape bursting with appeal for gay and lesbian travellers.
Townsville offers easy access to Magnetic, Orpheus and Hinchinbrook Islands, the
Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach and the Wet Tropics Rainforests, as well as
the CBD's dining, culture and recreational attractions.
Where to Stay
- Townsville city, nearby Magnetic Island (20 minutes by ferry) and Mission
Beach (3 hours drive north) offer a range of accommodation from backpacker hostels
and holiday units to self-contained apartments, beach houses and luxury hotels
and resorts. Sandy's on the Strand B&B is a small gay owned/operated B&B with
views to Magnetic Island. Tel +61 7 4772 1193
- The Sovereign Hotel in Townsville is gay owned / operated and offers pub-style
rooms at affordable rates. sovereign@ballyhoo.com.au
- Island House B&B on Magnetic Island is an exclusive retreat for gay men. http://www.islandhouse.com.au/
G&L Friendly Accommodation
- Quest Townsville is a self-contained apartment hotel close to the CBD and
good restaurants. http://www.questtownsville.com.au/
- Shaws on The Shore Magnetic Island apartments close to the beach. Tel+61 7
4758 1900
- Perrier Walk is a bed and breakfast style guest house set in tropical gardens
close to the water and rainforests of Mission Beach. http://missionbeachholidays.com.au/perrier-walk
- The Sanctuary Retreat tucked into the rainforest at Mission Beach specializes
in massage, yoga delicious cuisine and conserving the natural environment. http://www.sanctuaryretreat.com.au/
Where to Play
- The Sovereign, or 'The Sov' as the locals call it, is a Gay owned / operated
pub and a great introduction to a city that's happy in it's own skin. You?re sure
to have fun, mix with a G&L and alternative crowd and gain a great appreciation
of why people love living here. Friday and Saturday nights get going around 11pm
with dance music and regular drag shows and finish about sun-up. The “Free Feed
On Sunday” barbecue is always a busy social get together.
- Shelly Beach is the unofficial gay beach just out of town at Pallaranda.
Don't miss
- Flinders Street Mall - visit Perc Tucker Regional Art Gallery and the stylish
lesbian-run bookstore Mary Who? for a fantastic range of G&L, art, fiction and
non-fiction titles.
- The Strand, a world-class palm-tree studded beachfront promenade custom-built
for walking, biking and blading. There's a stinger swimming enclosure, pretty
picnic spots, a water park for the kids (and the big kids) and chic restaurants
and bars with to-die-for water views.
- Reef HQ tropical aquarium, is the perfect place to preview the Great Barrier
Reef.
- Magnetic Island or “Maggie” just 20 minutes ferry ride from the city. Hire
a mini moke, explore 23 coral-fringed, beautiful beaches; circumnavigate the island
on a jet ski or sea kayak tour, learn to dive or snorkel on the fringing reefs,
or trek more than 25kms of walking trails through the tropical bush to spot koalas.
Events
CAIRNS AND TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
Escaping to Tropical North Queensland promises warm weather, exciting cuisine
and the only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites meet. The Great Barrier
Reef and the ancient Wet Tropics Rainforests are the best reason to visit this
amazing part of the world but not the only wonders that await.
You'll find Australia's largest concentration of resorts and guest houses catering
exclusively to G&L travellers and many G&L friendly ones. There's a G&L club,
but the focus is the natural environment and doing as much or as little as you
like to enjoy it.
Where to Stay
Cairns is the gateway to the region and a base here, or at the nearby northern
beaches—Holloways, Trinity or Palm Cove—or in the resort enclave of Port Douglas
will give you easy access to the reef, rainforest and the wonderful restaurants.
Generally accommodation is very G & L friendly (many are galta/iglta members)
and the number of G & L resorts signal the warm welcome in store.
Due to space constraints, only G&L exclusive and G&L operated resorts are listed:
Cairns
- 18—24 James Street: Cairns City's only G&L exclusive hotel. http://www.18-24james.com.au/
- Avalon B&B: gay men's guesthouse at Edge Hill. http://www.avalonbandb.com.au/
- Bohemia Resort: budget priced, gay-run resort, G&L friendly. http://www.bohemiaresort.com.au/
Northern Beaches
- Turtle Cove: world-famous G&L resort perched on its own beach. http://www.turtlecove.com/
- Top Trop: lesbian-run G&L guest house at Trinity Beach. http://www.womenstravel.co.nz/aus/CairnsAccommodation.html
- Boyz on the Beach: gay men's B&B at Kewarra Beach. http://wwww.cairns.net.au/~onthebeach
- Kewarra Beach B&B: gay-run guest house, G&L friendly. http://www.kewarrabeachbnb.com.au/
- Sands on the Beach: gay-run beachfront guest house at Holloways Beach, G&L
friendly. http://www.sandsonthebeach.com/
Port Douglas
Pink Flamingo: relaxed G&L resort. Each suite has its own outdoor garden shower/plunge
pools. http://www.pinkflamingo.com.au/
Atherton Tableland
Witchencroft Women's Guesthouse: lesbian-run, lesbian and straight friendly.
South of Cairns
The Buoys B&B: at Hull Heads just south of Mission Beach, gay-run friendly to
all - offers great access to Dunk Island. http://www.thebuoys.com.au/
Where to Play
Nu-trix nightclub - 53 Spence Street, Cairns. This is where you'll meet the local
boys and girls and see some entertaining drag. After your party fix, make sure
you see this gorgeous place.
Don't Miss
- The Great Barrier Reef - from above or below the waves, it's a tropical paradise
and home to 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish and 4000 types of mollusc.
Most of the reef is around 2 million years old with the oldest sections dated
at 18 million years.
- Normanby Island on a day trip with Frankland Islands Cruise and Dive. Just
a few steps from the shore you'll see tropical reef fish, turtles and breathtaking
coral. Introductory dives and snorkelling tuition is available.
- Reef Watch Air Tours scenic flight will give you a bird's eye view of rainforest-clad
mountains and coastline around Cairns then a spectacular view of the Great Barrier
Reef mosaic.
- White Water Rafting with Foaming Fury on the Barron River is a pure adrenalin
rush.
- Walking in the rainforest with local Aboriginal woman Hazel Douglas on her
personalised Native Guide Safari of the Daintree, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation
forests.
- Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to see traditional culture and to learn
to throw a boomerang so that it comes back!
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda and the return trip on the famous Kuranda
Scenic Rail over the Barron Gorge and waterfalls.
Events
| March |
Turtle Cove Post Mardi Gras Recovery |
| May |
Turtle Cove Women's Week; Port Douglas Carnivale |
| September |
Festival of Cairns; Palm Cove Fiesta |
| November |
Opera in the Outback, Undara |
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Event and general tourism info: http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/ |
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