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Food & Drink: The food of the area relies to a large extent on the sea and the subtropical climate for specialities in cuisine. Local delicacies include mud crabs, king and tiger prawns, mackerel and fresh barramundi, as well as avocados, mangoes, pawpaws, pineapples, strawberries, bananas and the highly recommended local speciality, the macadamia nut. In Fortitude Valley, just out of Brisbane city centre, there are a number of European, Asian and Chinese restaurants and trendy cafes. Brisbane is supplied with local wines from vineyards at Stanthorpe to the southwest, producing both red and white wines, and from other Australian vineyards. All beers on sale are brewed locally.
Nightlife: Although much of the tourist activity is centred on the beaches and the Barrier Reef, Brisbane offers a wide selection of entertainment. Most of the large hotels have dinner and dancing facilities and there are several nightclubs in the city, especially in Southbank Parklands where discos and restaurants abound. The Gold Coast has many nightclubs, as well as Jupiter’s Casino. Townsville has the spectacular Sheraton Breakwater Casino on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, offering a full range of gaming facilities and high-quality entertainment.
Shopping: Good buys include opals, Aboriginal art and handicrafts, woollen clothing, sheepskin coats and wood products. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2100, Sat 0800-1700, although hours vary depending on the city. Shops in the Gold Coast, Brisbane City, Sunshine Coast and Cairns are open on Sundays.
Special Events: The following is a selection of festivals and special events taking place in Queensland in 2003 (for a full list consult the Tourism Queensland website; see Contact Addresses section or www.qldevents.com.au):
Dec 31 2002-Jan 1 2003 South Bank Brisbane New Year's Eve Celebrations. Jan 3-14 Magic Millions Summer Racing Carnival (Magic Millions thoroughbred horse sales and racing), Gold Coast. Jan 26 Australia Day, all of Queensland. Feb 19-23 The ANZ Ladies Masters Golf Tournament, Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. Mar 18-23 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Kurrawa Beach Gold Coast. May 17-24 Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival, Brisbane. Jul 6 Gold Coast Marathon, Southport. Aug 12-16 The Australian International Movie Convention. Sep 6-14 Bundy in Bloom (annual spring celebration, Bundaberg City). Oct 23-26 2003 Honda Indy 300 (Gold Coast). Oct 26-Nov 2 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival. Dec 11-14 2003 Australian PGA Championship Hyatt Regency Resort Sunshine Coast.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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