Visit Gay Australia

17/01/2025

Q***r Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival is calling on cinema lovers to come together at the 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney from 13 to 27 February. Highlights from the program will be available to stream, on demand, around the nation from 28 February to 10 March. Tickets are on sale now at https://q***rscreen.org.au/
***rscreen

16/01/2025

The Harbour City Bears, Sydney’s only social group for hairy gay men, admirers and friends, is excited to announce the return of the Bear Essentials for the 2025 Mardi Gras season!

This highly anticipated annual event is now in its 29th year! Set to take place from 16 February to 2 March, Bear Essentials brings together members of the bear community and LGBTQIA+ allies from across Australia and around the world for an unforgettable fortnight of fun, friendship, and celebration.

Bear Essentials 29 Key highlights of the Bear Essentials 2025 include:

• Fair Day Stall – A Mardi Gras favourite

• Fair Day After Party – The bears take over the Townie in Newtown

• Beach Days – With trips to both Little Congwong and Obelisk beaches

• Bearaoke – A friendly singalong with all your bear mates!

• Sauna Party – The bears take over Sauna X for sexy fun

• Bear Walk – See the tourist sights of Sydney with your bear guides

• Furry Fridays – Harbour City Bears regular Friday meetup, at the Oxford Hotel

• Harbour Cruise – Lunch on the harbour, with a stop at Obelisk Beach

• Hump Day – The middle event, at Harbour City Bears regular Sunday meetup at

the Townie

• Underbear ### – Harbour City Bears steamy underwear party at Arq and Sauna X

• Games Night – A fun evening at the Alexandria Entertainment Precinct

• Wet Furr Pool Party – An unmissable body-positive pool-party at Cook & Phillip

Pool

• Mardi Gras Parade Entry – All the fun and fur you’ve come to expect

• Parade After Party – A special party for Harbour City Bears members and their

friends

• Farewell Bears – Closing out the festival at the Townie, to relax and recover with

your friends.

For tickets, event details, and more information, please visit https://bearessentials.com.au/

15/01/2025

On Saturday, February 1st, Ridgemill Estate are bringing a slice of Nashville to the vineyard with ‘Nashville in the Vines”.

Get ready for an unforgettable night as Robert Ross, Canadian/Australian country singer-songwriter, takes the stage with his chart-topping hits and heartfelt storytelling. With musical influences from the greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Randy Travis, Robert’s music resonates with fans worldwide. His debut album “It's Never Too Late”, topped the Australian country music and Indie international charts and his latest release, “Better With Time”, featuring hits "Mamma's Song" and "Drink em Down," is currently topping charts in Australia and the UK.

Opening the show, local duo David and Sarah Hume from Beviaqua will set the mood with their rich harmonies and captivating stage presence. Known for their engaging performances, they’ll have you hooked from the start.

No hoedown is complete without delicious food, so we’ve got you covered! Fractured Wood BBQ will be serving up all their tasty favourites and the Truffle Trailer will add a gourmet twist with their truffle-infused creations.

Nashville in the Vines
Saturday, February 1, 2025
4:00 PM — LATE
Tickets: $35 | kids – FREE
Bus available $10 per person (leaving from Rogers Street Carpark – reserve your seat when booking your ticket)

You can purchase tickets to the show HERE: https://www.ridgemillestate.com/stanthorpe-country-music-festival-nashville-vines-ridgemill-estate

Dust off your boots, put on your best rhinestone cowboy attire and join us for a night of incredible music, mouthwatering food and good vibes!

11/01/2025

02/01/2025

National Geographic + IGLTA 🏳️‍🌈

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/must-see-lgbtq-friendly-destinations

From Nova Scotia to Phnom Penh, in quaint small towns and big cities alike, these places support and welcome travelers with pride.

02/01/2025

Adelante Magazine + IGLTA 🏳️‍🌈

Article & Photos By: Bryan Herb - Zoomvacations Photo by: Photoz83 | Dreamstime.com International LGBTQ+ travel is a multi-billion dollar industry. Traveling and reaching across cultures is a big part of our lives, yet it does have its unique considerations and challenges. The LGBTQ+ community value...

23/12/2024

As we draw to the end of 2024, the Visit Gay Australia team reflect on another wonderful year, lot's achieved, lot's to be thankful for!

Many of our participating members, those who put their hands up to support our community, have also had a fantastic year, with many recently winning various tourism awards. We wanted to highlight these and congratulate them! 👇

2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards
Ecotourism - SILVER - Sail Ningaloo
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The 2024 Victorian Tourism Awards
Major Tourist Attractions - Finalist: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Hosted Accommodation - Winner - Boat Harbour Jetty B&B
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation - Finalist: The Trawool Estate
Excellence in Accessible Tourism - Silver: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park
***********************************************************************

2024 NSW Tourism Award
Adventure Tourism - SILVER: LETS GO SURFING, Sydney, Byron Bay
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns - GOLD: The Tweed Tourism Co. Company
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services - HALL OF FAME & GOLD: Potager - A Kitchen Garden, Carool
***********************************************************************

2024 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards
Tourist Attractions: Winner - Katherine Outback Experience
Chair's Choice Award: Winner - Katherine Outback Experience
***********************************************************************

2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards
Star Deluxe Accommodation - Ship Inn Stanley - Bronze
***********************************************************************

The South Australian Tourism Awards 2024
5 Star Luxury Accommodation - Bronze – Mount Lofty House
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Queensland Tourism Awards
The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism - Silver: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures
Major Tour and Transport Operators - Ocean Rafting - Winner + Silver: Red Cat Adventures
Tour and Transport Operators - Winner - Fun Over 50 Holidays - Immersive Tours and Adventures + Silver: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
Adventure Tourism - Bronze: Ocean Rafting
The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns - Bronze: Brisbane Economic Development Agency / Visit Brisbane – Brisbane Favours The Bold Campaign
Hosted Accommodation - Silver: Montville Misty View Cottages
3-3.5 Star Accommodation - Great Keppel Island Hideaway
5 Star Luxury Accommodation - The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group - Winner - Mary Valley Rattler
***********************************************************************

Gold winners now head into the Australian Tourism Awards, and we wish them all the very best. 🥇

We truly appreciate the support of our members, and followers. Your involvement and engagement are very much appreciated.

We have a huge 2025 head! Watch this space! 🏳️‍🌈

Wishing you, your families and friends a relaxing, safe and joyful festive season and we look forward to a year of travel in 2025!

20/12/2024

Regional NSW’s Cultural Renaissance: FunHaus Factory Leads the Way 🏳️‍🌈

Regional New South Wales is emerging as a vibrant hub for q***r communities and the arts, with rising living costs and post-COVID migration inspiring many to move from the city to more affordable, welcoming regional spaces. The Central Coast, located just 70 minutes between Sydney and Newcastle, is leading this cultural renaissance with FunHaus Factory—a q***r and artist-led arts and culture organisation dedicated to making “diversity the norm.”

Through its innovative programming, FunHaus Factory is transforming the region into a thriving, inclusive destination for locals and visitors alike.

Known for the annual Coastal Twist Festival, the Central Coast’s premier LGBTIQA+ arts and culture Pride celebration, FunHaus Factory delivers a year-round program of events that highlight creativity, community, and connection. Their YAAS! Creative Q***r Youth Program, edgy cabarets, touring productions, and free monthly q***r night ThurSLAY have turned the venue into a safe and joyful gathering space where artistic expression thrives. It’s a place that rivals Sydney’s offerings but with a regional charm that keeps things relaxed and accessible.

This February, FunHaus Factory’s Mardi Gras programming is a must-see for anyone seeking a cultural getaway. On Saturday, 8 February, Slo-Cooked Mutton brings Q***r punk cabaret to the stage, celebrating the post-menopausal experience with two over-50 women blending comedy, circus, and music. With Auslan interpreters embedded for d/Deaf audiences, the show highlights inclusivity and joy in equal measure. On Thursday, 13 February, ThurSLAY delivers a free community night of drag, DJs, and performances, celebrating local q***r talent with electrifying energy.

Valentine’s Day heats up with Summer Spandex Cabaret on Friday, 14 February, a dazzling mix of burlesque, drag, circus, and live music bringing a taste of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival to the Central Coast, featuring a handpicked lineup of Festival faves. Delivers summer vibes, wild energy, and cheeky laughs.

Sunday, 16 February brings Church of the Clitori, a bold feminist cabaret where Indigenous and brown women tackle themes of self-love, power, and sensuality with humour and heart. Finally, on Saturday, 1 March, the Mardi Gras Viewing Party invites locals to cheer on the Sydney parade in Gosford, complete with DJs, live performances, and a vibrant community vibe.

If you’re seeking an affordable cultural escape with world-class programming, the FunHaus Factory is redefining regional NSW as a must-visit arts and cultural destination offering a unique blend of artistic excellence and regional charm. FunHaus Factory has become the creative heartbeat of this thriving community—making it a must-visit destination for lovers of the arts, diversity, and connection.

For more information head to funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on.
Coastal Twist Festival
FunHaus Factory

18/12/2024

Exciting New Experiences Await at Sydney's Premier Attractions

This summer, families are invited to step into a season of adventure and discovery across Sydney with new and wild experiences across Merlin Entertainments iconic attractions: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Sydney, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and Immersive Gamebox.

Dive Into Summer at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Visitors can embark on an unforgettable journey through Day and Night on the Reef, an immersive 1.4 million-litre oceanarium that reopens on 20 December 2024. Guests can explore vibrant tropical fish, zebra sharks, stingrays, and more in the Great Barrier Reef inspired oceanarium. Children can also enjoy strolling across the bioluminescent Moonlight Beach and marvel at the giant frozen wave that brings the reef to life.

Reef Rave with DJ Lenny Pearce

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium celebrates the return of Day and Night on the Reef with a unique morning dance party led by ARIA-nominated DJ Lenny Pearce! Families can groove to toddler-friendly beats and while viewing the breathtaking reef-inspired exhibit.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 17 January 2025
Time: 8am – 9am
Tickets: $25 Adults and $15 for Children (children under 2 free, but require a ticket)
Proceeds: All funds from tickets will be a donation to the SEA LIFE Trust.
Tickets include entry to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium on Friday 17 January 2025.
To purchase Reef Rave tickets, Visit: www.visitsealife.com/sydney/tickets-passes/?promocode=reefrave

Become a Rockpool Ranger in the New Rockpool

SEA LIFE Sydney introduces a brand new Rockpool experience, open from 16 December 2024, offering a safe, interactive space to explore tiny marine life. Through large viewing windows, children can learn about sea stars, anemones, small crustaceans and coastal safety to become a Rockpool Ranger!
Visit: www.visitsealife.com/sydney

Wildlife Warriors Unite at Madame Tussauds Sydney

Visitors can see the Irwin legacy in the new Wild Australia zone, where Robert Irwin's wax figure joins his father, Steve Irwin. Fans can snap unforgettable photos with both figures, dressed in their iconic khakis. This new addition compliments the attraction's star-studded lineup, including Marvel superheroes, music icons, and more.
Visit: www.madametussauds.com/sydney

Take a Walk on the Wild side at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Guests can take a step into the lush Daintree with the new outdoor observation deck and get up close to the endangered southern cassowary, one of the world's most dangerous birds. Visitors to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo can meet adorable Aussie animals like Ringo the wombat and Jackie the platypus, plus the rest of the Aussie Big 5. During the school holidays there are ten limited-edition free Wild Mates trading cards to collect, featuring the zoo's invertebrates and reptiles.
Visit: www.wildlifesydney.com.au

Take in the Twilight at Sydney Tower Eye

Sunset chasers can end the day on a high with the new Twilight SKYWALK tours at Sydney Tower Eye. They can experience breathtaking 360-degree views of Sydney as the sun sets over the city. Guests can choose between the Observation Deck or take on the thrilling outdoor SKYWALK adventure with expert guides highlighting the city's most iconic sights.
Visit: www.sydneytowereye.com.au

Levitate over Lava at Immersive Gamebox Sydney

The Floor is Lava game transports players into a high-energy, immersive environment where the walls are lava! Using cutting-edge motion tracking, projection mapping, and touch screens, groups of up to six players must work together to navigate challenging, fast-paced obstacle courses, jumping from virtual platform to platform to avoid falling into the lava. Inspired by the fun and thrilling elements of the hit Netflix series, the game delivers an exhilarating combination of strategy, teamwork, and pure adrenaline.

Visit: www.visitsealife.com/sydney/tickets-passes/experiences/immersive-gamebox

This summer, dive in, dance, explore, and experience the wild with Merlin Entertainment's unique lineup of attractions.
Sydney.com

New Immersive Gamebox Experience now open in Sydney's Darling Harbour

18/12/2024

HO HO HO! — who can believe it’s THAT time already? 🎅

To wrap up the year in style, Ridgemill Estate are hosting their final soiree on Friday, December 27. Tell your neighbours, bring the kids, bring the pooch, bring grandma — heck bring everyone who’s bunking in at yours for the holidays!!!!

The amazing crew from Rotary will be cooking up an ITALIAN feast plus Janelle and Neil from Kruella Da Ville will be here to light up the dance floor with all tunes everybody loves to boogie to.

Please give us a heads up and book in so we can let the Rotary crew know numbers for catering PH: (46) 835 211.

https://www.ridgemillestate.com/

17/12/2024

Have you heard about Amaroo Retreat's upcoming Women’s Wellness Retreat?

Join us for an empowering Women’s Wellness Retreat at Amaroo Retreat & Spa from March 10-12, 2025.

This exclusive experience is designed to guide you through your wellness journey with a focus on health, longevity, and self-care.

Discover the power of relaxation, learn essential insights on Menopause, and enjoy sessions in Pilates, mindfulness, and spa therapies – all in the serene beauty of our retreat.

With expert-led discussions, access to medical professionals, and nourishing meals from our five-star restaurant, this retreat is your opportunity to take control of your future in a supportive and
rejuvenating environment.

Spaces are limited – reserve your place today for a life-changing
experience.

https://amarooretreat.com.au/

13/12/2024

Thank you QNews 🏳️‍🌈

https://qnews.com.au/lgbtqia-travel-association-galta-elects-new-board-members/

At their recent AGM, Australia’s travel association GALTA elected new members onto their board. The 2024 AGM for GALTA, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ Travel Association, was recently held at the inspiring Qtopia Sydney. There was a great turnout from members including BridgeClimb Sydney, Sydney Gay & Les...

12/12/2024

What is happening in Brisbane over the festive season?

So much, check it all out 👇

https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/whats-on/whats-on-this-week
Visit Brisbane

Brisbane is bustling with foodie experiences, sporting showdowns, and exclusive art exhibitions and live performances. Find out what's on this week in Brisbane here!

11/12/2024

Heat up your holiday with at Hotel Group

Lots on offer, including a cheeky but fun aussieBum gift for both of you!

https://www.athotelgroup.com.au/romance-me-packages.html

09/12/2024

GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to our newest member, TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast

TRYP by Wyndham Southport is a better way to stay on Queensland’s glittering Gold Coast.

It’s distinctly local by design and invites you to explore the beauty within and all that surrounds it.

It's savvy and streetwise presence will catch your eye. And its refreshingly modern rooms will immediately put you at ease.

Whether you seek a one, two, or three-bedroom suite, you’ll be indulged with superior bedding, luxury bathrooms, and sweeping coastal views.

Dining options, a rooftop pool, a day spa, a sauna, and a steam room are just some of the amenities available to guests.

TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast are offering you a chance to WIN a 2-night stay, in a One Bedroom Suite.

To enter:

1) Like the TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast FB page

2) Follow their IG page at https://www.instagram.com/trypsouthportgc/

3) For an additional entry, comment on either post, your top things they like to do on holidays!

Enter by 31 December 2024.
Winner announced here 6 January 2025.

https://trypsouthportgoldcoast.com.au/

07/12/2024

TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast has just opened its doors and have this fantastic offer for Visit Gay Australia followers!

With availability over the peak Christmas and New Year period, don't leave it long to snap up this offer!

https://trypsouthportgoldcoast.com.au
🔥

06/12/2024

Take me there now.......who's in? 🏕️

Luxury glamping, set amongst a working cattle farm and commercial flower farm.

With 2 thousand acres to enjoy, marked bush walking tracks, peace, serenity and a million-dollar view.

A comfortable 90-minute drive from Brisbane.

https://valhallaglamping.com.au/
Valhalla Glamping

05/12/2024

SAVE THE DATE! 🏳️‍🌈

Organisers of the Gold Coast Pride Festival have officially announced the date for the 2025 event. 👇

After a stellar turn out to the 2024 event organisers are excited to welcome the community back to the glitter strip with a new venue.

They are also preparing expressions of interest for the 2025 event for stall holders and entertainment. 👇

https://www.gcrainbowcommunities.com/
GOLD COAST PRIDE FESTIVAL
Gold Coast Rainbow Community QLD inc Events
Gold Coast Rainbow Communities QLD