Gold Coast has no shortage of entertainment and experiences catering to visitors and locals alike

On a given weekend, there are many events on offer - like Gold Coast Show Day at Parklands this Friday, a work holiday in Queensland, to the City Cup Race Day on Saturday at the Turf Club.  Both events strongly encouragement "family trips," so if you happen to be looking for things to do with your kids this weekend, you're in luck....kids events to live racing for the big kids.  Put a gold star on these two!

Also this weekend but continuing through 5 September, is Tastes of Gold Coast.  Participating restaurants line the Glitter Strip and beyond.  Each district has it's own theme, from Eurofest in Surfers to the best fish and chips on the beach at Coolongatta. 

Something novel is The Cocktail Trail at participating hotels throughout the region.  Tamborine Mountain Distillery has joined forces with some of the Gold Coast’s best mixologists to create stunning cocktails especially for the festival. Follow the trail and discover these liquid gold treats!






Keep up with the buzzing local scene catering to gay and lesbian travellers and locals on our other sites: Facebook, Twitter, You Tube. 
Did you know? Gold Coast Tourism is a member of IGLTA, GALTA, and is committed to increasing gay tourism to the region through a dedicated niche marketing effort headed by gay team members. Forthcoming is the first edition of The Gay and Lesbian Destination Guide to Australia's Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast has a gay buzz for travellers and locals alike.

ConQuer Australia's Gay Playground. 
Only on the Gold Coast can you swing from a hinterland hideaway to champagne cocktails poolside at a waterfront hotel.  

What will get you to discover (or rediscover) this fun, stylish and sophisticated destination?  

• A list of adventures, activities and accommodation that are gay welcoming?
• A list of local gay events and festivals?
• Suggested itineraries from the beaches to the rainforests?
• Suggested shopping sprees from chic to pure Australian?

A destination guide for gay and lesbian visitors is on its way to help travellers gayly conQuer the Gold Coast. It will be covering everything from the glitter strip to the green behind the gold.  In the interim, please stay connected through the Gay Gold Coast Facebook and Twitter fan pages, the You Tube channel and official Gold Coast Tourism Region site.  

Things we love about the Gold Coast

New Competition for Gay Gold Coast friends.

What: The Best 300 character Facebook Posting

Location: Mentioning any destination or holiday experience within the Gold Coast Tourism Region.

Categories: Locals know: What is your favourite holiday place or experience – beach or hinterland, hidden or touristy?  What do you share with visitors and why?

Post your blurb on our Facebook Fan Page by close of competition 15/8/10. 

Winner selected on Monday, 17 August wins a $100 voucher to be redeemed at any Coles/Myer store. Get your friends to enter, too.

PS Be on the lookout for Gay and Lesbian Destination Guide to Gold Coast coming soon. Your favourite thing may be incorporated.  
The Gay Gold Coast blog features inspiring things to see and do in Australia's dream destination...where vibrant lesbian and gay travel experiences are paramount! 

Surfing Options: Be Inspired by the Locals

The Gold Coast has its share of  legends - both men and women who've walked on water (atop boards).

Take Sharon, who previously held Australian Fun Board and Queensland Slalom titles.  "I once was a serious and passionate wind surfer, but now I'm just a recreational speed racer. I'd like to see more women learn to wind surf."

Take Brad, a former champ who has been a surf coach since 1992.  His company, Brad Holmes Surf Coaching, incorporates something different.  "Brad led me through some basic Tai Chi warm up exercises before teaching me the art of Stand Up Paddle Boarding,"  says surfing newbie Dee.
"I don't think I'll be kite surfing anytime soon.  For now I'm content to be more relaxed while clicking my way up river."

Find Yourself in O'Reilly's Lost World Spa on the Mountaintop

This Gay Gold Coast blog features inspiring things to see and do in Australia's dream destination...where vibrant lesbian and gay travel experiences are paramount!  Spending a day - or two or three - at the Lost World Spa with this view is one of them!


Nature Conscious Retreat (24th - 26th September) 
Take time for yourself to de-stress, detox and commune with nature in the luxury and comfort of O'Reilly's. Meditate while walking, sitting on the roots of millenarian trees or next to waterfalls to clear your mind, uplift your spirit, align to the life-force of trees and water, and ground yourself.

Signature Treatment  

Vinotherapy treatments are unique, signature treatments for the Lost World Spa. ( No, they don't use excess wine from O'Reillys Winery!)
Vinotherapy involves using grape seed extracts which happen to contain some of nature's most powerful antioxidents. The grape products are rich in collagen and firm the skin and slow down the aging process. The infusion of the extracts of grape will introduce healing properties and rejuvenate.
Products such as Red Grape extract, micronised vines, wine leaves, grape skins, yeasts, grape seed oil, red wine or muscatel wine are used to stimulate the production of collagen, combat free radicals and prevent the premature aging of the skin, as well as improving blood circulation, stimulating the immune system and combating fatigue.  

Shopping Competition: Personal Best Day around the Gold Coast

Can one successfully shop every major mall from Southport to Surfers to Robina in a day?  Yes, say the super shoppers who accomplished Marina Mirage, Cavill Centro, HarbourTown, Robina Town Centre and Pacific Fair in under 8 hours.  Spiking the Gold Coast economy while ticking off one item of their getaway experience.

He said:

"As a local gay man, I like the fine dining and entertainment complex at Robina, not to mention the great stores.  Someday, I'm going to do the makeover scene and hire a Robina Stylist to walk me through their menu of services at this grand complex."

She said:  

"As a solo lesbian tourist, I was pleased to learn that all of the Gold Coast Tourism member malls offer tourism packages - discounts for groups as well as individuals to help ease the wallet strain.  At HarbourTown...the Outlet Shopping Adventure,  there's a lounge with multilingual, friendly staff to ease the entry to marathon shopping.  I used it as exit point to rest my weary feet and take a load off from carrying my package of new jeans."

For a quick look at what each of the others has to offer locals and visitors, see Marina Mirage (upmarket), Pacific Fair (largest in QLD), and Cavill Centro (on pedestrian mall in Surfers).