TEQ Your Place

Rediscover Q ueensland

YOURPLACE SURPRISE PACKAGE

Take a fresh look at your state

IN THE SWIM

From the ocean to the Outback

GREAT TASTES Road trips with bite

AUSTRALIA

COME TO LIFE ON QUEENSLAND’S

SUNSHINE COAST This is a place that has it all. The rich diversity of enviable beachside culture, wonders of nature, fresh local food, immersive encounters and world-class events are all in abundance.

Come to life on the Sunshine Coast and make your story a reality.

Book online visitsunshinecoast.com | Be inspired #visitsunshinecoast | Call a local 1300 847 481

Inside All hands on deck 4

Escape the crowds on a bareboating adventure

Great heights 8

Take a fresh look at vibrant Toowoomba

YOUR PLACE APRIL 2017

12 Turn back time

Epic in size and significance, the Undara lava tubes echo with ancient mystery

Regional restaurant road trip

20 Stellar cellars Meet passionate winemakers

14 Go with the flow

Explore the serene waterways offering travellers cool respite deep inland

10 In the nature zone

Discover cool, quirky lodgings with a wilderness twist

18 Follow the flavour trail

16 True north

Behind the wheel on an epic road trip to Cape York

at vineyards across the state

21 Word on the street

isten up as a Brisbane local L reveals some hidden gems

22 It’s Live! In Queensland Dates for your diary from across the state

Welcome

Q

ueensland is your place, but do you know it as well as you think?

It’s packed with spectacular scenery, fascinating characters and memorable experiences, some of which you are likely to read about here for the first time. From ancient lava tubes to distant, hidden gorges; floating campsites to spectacular street art, we’ve uncovered places that will surprise, inspire and delight you. We’ve roamed far and wide to uncover the hidden gems and little-known wonders which are unique to this corner of Australia. So dive in – meet genuine locals, see remarkable sights and discover why Queensland is just the place for your next holiday.

On the cover Bram Collins watches the sun set over Undara Volcanic National Park in Tropical North Queensland (see page 12).

The Team Editor: Jane Scott Designer: Barbara la Grange YOUR PLACE has been produced

by News Corp Studios for Tourism and Events Queensland. www.newscorpstudiosqld.com.au

Discover more at queensland.com

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Outback Queensland

Nara Inlet, Hook Island, The Whitsundays

All hands on deck

Discover stunning beaches and tranquil coves on your very own charter yacht. Danielle Lancaster joins Queensland’s bareboating brigade

I

t’s late in the day and the sun is sinking towards the horizon, blanketing the sky in pinks, purples and yellows. We sit on a deserted beach, our yacht moored a short distance away, and toast another superb day on the water. The strip of sand we’re on may not have the most romantic name – Scrub Hen Beach, an uninhabited location in The Whitsundays – but the milliondollar view makes up for that.

The Whitsundays is just one of the Queensland locations where you can escape the crowds by bareboating – hiring a fully furnished yacht, power boat or catamaran and sailing off at your own pace. Everything you need to live comfortably is on board, including a barbecue, kitchen and comfy beds. All you need to bring is people power and provisions.

If you are a non-sailor, that’s OK, no licence is required. A briefing is provided before you take over the boat, but it is essentially like hiring a car.

Up and down the Queensland coast, yacht clubs and charter 4 YOUR PLACE

operators offer one to two-day courses so you can gain the basics in sailing. Plan your first experience in a sheltered location where land is always in sight and there are plenty of protected bays where you can drop anchor for a day or two and explore the island’s treasures.

The Whitsundays is known as one of the safest and best locations for newbies to give bareboating a go, with its 74 islands offering a multitude of protected bays and beautiful beaches. GoBareboating in The Whitsundays is a group of charter companies, each of which offers training with a skipper if your confidence needs building.

Of course it’s always possible to charter a boat and a skipper, an arrangement that has many advantages.

Skippers tend not just to be passionate and knowledgeable about sailing; they’re usually great ambassadors of whatever region you’re in, and can show you the best fishing spots and prettiest anchorages. Most skippers will

"One of the best things about bareboating is that you can wake up to a different view every day.

No packing and unpacking bags, no checking in and out of hotels" happily coach you in the techniques of sailing, which quickly becomes addictive. Watch as even the least enthusiastic members of your group decide they want to have a go at steering, raising the sails or pondering the maps to identify your next mooring point.

One of the best things about bareboating is that you can wake up to a different view every day. No packing and unpacking bags, no checking in and out of hotels. If you like the location, drop anchor and stay put. Fancy a change? Move on – you just might find the beach or fishing spot of your dreams.

Before settling on a boat to charter, ask the operator what onboard toys are provided. Does your boat come with games to play on a rainy day, snorkelling equipment and water craft such as kayaks and sailboards for aquatic fun time when you are anchored?

Meals also need a little forward planning – there won’t be a corner shop at the end of the road. Most charter companies allow you to place a food order so the boat is already stocked with provisions when you pick it up. Arranging meals at island resorts, most of which welcome yachties, is another option.

The ideal months for sailing in Queensland are from autumn, through winter and into spring.

Between June and November each year you are likely to be joined by humpback whales, while the months of November to January see giant mother sea turtles come ashore to nest, with their hatchlings appearing from January to March.

For the first-time bareboater, the biggest decision can be where to go.

SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF Central Queensland Coast, straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, incorporates the beautiful Keppel Islands. This magnificent coastal strip is guaranteed to delight bird watchers.

Sandy Point, an internationally recognised wetland, is a breeding site for migratory shorebirds such as endangered terns.

THE WHITSUNDAYS

NEED TO KNOW Prices for a week’s bareboating vary, depending on the season and the level of luxury you’re after. Budget from $3600 for a monohull yacht to $16,800 for a sailing catamaran that sleeps up to 12 for seven nights.

The Whitsundays claims the largest bareboat fleet in the southern hemisphere and is one for the bucket list for many sailing enthusiasts. Don’t miss Whitehaven Beach, regularly featured on “world’s most beautiful beaches” lists, and the ancient caves featuring the indigenous rock art of the Ngaro people on the hillside above Hook Island’s Nara Inlet.

Crowds build during the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island race weeks, usually held in August each year, but outside of those times there’s more than enough room for everyone. gobareboating.com

TOWNSVILLE Townsville’s marina is one of the most picturesque marina locations in Queensland. Castle Hill, overlooking the city, offers fabulous views while Reef HQ Aquarium is a must if you have the time as it highlights one of the richest, most complex and diverse ecosystems in the world, on which you are about to sail: The Great Barrier Reef. A mere 8km off-shore is Magnetic Island, or as the locals affectionately call it, Maggie, with its own brilliant marina and much to do.

CAIRNS Tropical North Queensland is the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed areas meet – the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef.

Book a berth at the state-of-the-art marina in Cairns and explore the hinterland if you can spare the time.

Make a day trip to Kuranda either by the scenic railway winding through the rainforest or via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Then set sail into calm, turquoise waters protected by the vast reef. n

Queensland’s long coast is dotted with vibrant marinas, deserted islands, coral cays, isolated sandy beaches and island resorts, while below the water line, colourful corals and fish are ready to enthral you with their creative designs and patterns.

Here’s our pick of five of the best bareboating locations along the coast of Queensland, from south to north:

FRASER COAST Cruise around the World Heritagelisted Fraser Island – the largest sand island on Earth and just a few hours drive from Brisbane. Platypus Bay between Fraser Island and Hervey Bay is renowned for its whales especially on the migration south when mothers detour into the calm, protected waters to rest and feed their calves. Ungowa, on the southwestern side of the island is well-liked by yachties for its sheltered position and deep water.

The camping area is only accessible by high-clearance 4WD’s so you may often find you have it all to yourself.

Discover more at queensland.com

Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island, The Whitsundays YOUR PLACE 5

This Autumn, head to Southern Queensland Country for a change

A change of colour ... a change of pace ... a change of scenery Plan your perfectly seasoned escape to Southern Queensland Country, an easy 90-minute drive from Brisbane, and discover the colour, flavour and feel of a true Autumn before the last leaf falls.

Book your perfectly seasoned getaway at

somewherecountry.com.au

Book your perfectly seasoned getaway at

somewherecountry.com.au

HOMEWOOD COTTAGES

DARLING DOWNS ZOO

HIGHFIELDS

PILTON

Stay longer and enjoy the region’s beautiful parks and lakes, historical village, arts and crafts shops, local cafés and great country pubs.

Two people can visit Southern Queensland Country’s only zoo with this special offer. Present the original copy of this ad at the zoo entrance and an entrant of similar, or lesser value will be admitted free.

STAY 4 NIGHTS, ONLY PAY FOR 3*

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!*

0459 686 239 www.homewoodcottages.com.au

07 4696 4107 www.darlingdownszoo.com.au

*Valid for the month of April 2017. Excludes Easter.

Free night not valid for Friday or Saturday nights.

*One free entrant with each paying visitor. Not available with any other offer. Offer expires 31 August 2017.

SPRING CREEK MOUNTAIN CAFE & COTTAGES

THE BARRELROOM AND LARDER

THE FALLS, VIA KILLARNEY

BALLANDEAN

Stay for 4 nights, pay for 3 in our recently refurbished cottages. Full gourmet breakfast each morning is included. 7 kms from Queen Mary Falls.

Spectacular views from every window.

Enjoy a stunning seven course degustation featuring local organic produce, perfectly matched with award winning Ballandean Estate wines. $90 for food only or $130 with paired wines.

STAY 4 NIGHTS, ONLY PAY FOR 3*

FOOD + WINE EXPERIENCE, GRANITE BELT*

07 4664 7101 www.springcreekcottages.com.au

07 4684 1326 www.barrelroom.com.au

*Valid until 20 April 2017. Midweek only (Sunday to Thursday). Not valid with any other deal. T&C’s apply.

* Valid for lunch and dinner, Thursday - Monday alongside our a la carte menu.

What’s on this Autumn 8 April

Weetwood Cup

30 April

Opera in the Vineyard

5 May

South Burnett Wine Makers Long Table Lunch

19-21 May

First Coat Festival

20-21 May

Hampton Festival

28 May

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival

For Southern Queensland Country touring information, order your free copy of the new Southern Queensland Country Visitors’ Guide.

Call 1800 688 949

Great heights After 36 hours in Toowoomba, Belinda Seeney has a fresh perspective on Queensland’s heritage city

E

dgy street art? Cool cafes?

Vintage fashion? International artists and musicians?

Toowoomba – you’ve come a long way, baby!

Queensland’s most populous inland city has long attracted visitors with its cathedrals, genteel charm and famous Carnival of Flowers. But if it’s been a while since you trekked up the range, you’re in for a treat.

Toowoomba is also a vibrant and thriving city with surprises – often literally – around every corner.

The elevated epicentre of the Darling Downs pays homage to its heritage while embracing progress and allowing a fresh new wave of artistic, creative and culinary endeavours to flourish. Factor in the new Wellcamp Airport just 20km from the city as well as a retail, hospitality and development boom and conditions are ripe for a visit.

FRIDAY 3PM: RETAIL THERAPY Fill your suitcase without emptying your wallet with a visit to one of Toowoomba’s many vintage fashion stores. Snap up cut-price brand-name fashion at the Orphans and Widows op-shop (28 Russell St) or Clothesline (2 Mann St), a pre-loved boutique stocking high-end labels. Revere retro fashion? Step back in time at Lifeline Emporium’s (302 Ruthven St) dedicated Vintage Wardrobe space where evening gloves and cloche hats sit alongside kaftans and shoulderpadded power suits.

7PM: STREET BITES Venture down a graffitied laneway to Skewers (2 Club Lane) for authentic, tongue-tingling Indonesian street food.

Graffiti murals cover the converted warehouse’s exterior while inside features exposed brick, communal 8 YOUR PLACE

tables and pops of greenery snaking along trellises. The menu is reminiscent of a hawkers market with dishes including mee goreng, pork belly bao and a variety of carnivorous and plant-friendly skewers. Can’t decide? Share platters are piled high with the menu’s greatest hits to suit all tastes and dietary needs. Pair it with a frosty Bintang or a coconut juice.

11PM: LAST DRINKS Hot new bars in cool old buildings are just the ticket for a nightcap or two.

The Office (14 Duggan St) occupies a refurbished brick building with cocktails served over two levels and in an adjacent laneway. Survey the city from on high in Muller Bros (25 Bell St), Toowoomba’s first rooftop bar. The former gun shop and hardware store was built in the early 1900s and has been lovingly restored. It’s now home to rooftop and foyer bars, a restaurant, cafe and courtyard.

SATURDAY 7AM: JAVA JUNKIES Part-way down a narrow laneway splashed with technicolour graffiti art peeps a hole-in-the-wall cafe.

Customers sit on milk crates and lawn chairs outside, at wooden benches and share tables inside, as staff bustle about to a soundtrack of cool indie tunes. Ground Up Espresso (501 Ruthven St), with its single origin coffee and inventive menu, wouldn’t be out of place in a city like Melbourne, but friendly staff keep the cafe cosy and welcoming. When winter whips into gear, Ground Up cranks the braziers and lends hardy customers blankets and lap rugs.

8AM: TO MARKET Feast your eyes on the region’s bounty with Toowoomba Farmers Market (toowoombafarmersmarket.

com.au) sprawling over the northeast corner of historic Queens Park on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 7am-11am. Farmers, producers and artisans from the fertile food-growing region converge to ply their wares. Pack a punnet with organic heirloom tomatoes, stock up on handmade pickles and jams, grab a macchiato from a retro caravancum-coffee van and debate whether to splurge on gluten-free doughnuts or paleo teacakes (before caving and buying one of each).

12.30PM: LIGHT LUNCH A vintage bicycle marks the entrance to Firefly Cafe (100 Russell St) in a converted warehouse off the city’s main drag. The aesthetic is industrial with besser block walls and high, exposed ceilings, softened with strings of light bulbs, hand-painted murals and hanging pot plants. The menu showcases fresh, local and seasonal fare with a twist – think black rice pudding, caramelised bananas and whipped coconut, or broccolini and

“Our city is really embracing its reputation as a creative city. It’s a beautiful evolution” Grace Dewar, First Coat director

at the city and where it’s positioned at the moment, we knew it was a strong economy and had a great sense of community,” Tony says.

The trio initially planned to open Hello Harry and Junk then “see what happens” but early success encouraged them to push ahead with their bullish expansion.

“We thought it was going to be good but I’d be lying if I said I knew just how successful it would be.”

8PM: IT’S SHOWTIME

Street art by Fintan Magee. Picture: David Martinelli bean salad with cashews and tofu. The emphasis is on top-notch coffee but Firefly also pours boutique wine and beer, and seasonal cocktails such as gin with celery tonic and whisky with green tea and peach.

3PM: OFF THE WALL There’s something jarring about seeing a giant elephant stretched along the side of a building or rounding a corner and coming face-to-face with a monkey watching TV. Toowoomba is fast gaining a reputation for the eclectic and colourful street art adorning its buildings, walls and laneways with artists making their mark on the city during the First Coat festival each May. Festival director Grace Dewar will commission 20-30 new public art works for the 2017 event from May 19-21. First Coat has come a long way from its 2014 launch when 19 art works were funded under Toowoomba City Council’s graffiti management plan.

“Now, four years in, we’re seeing a real return on the investment of Discover more at queensland.com

The art deco Empire Theatre (56 Neil St) was built in 1911, renovated in 1933 and is a popular stop for entertainers and production companies touring the country. The intimate nature of the theatre means there is not a bad seat in the house when musicians of the calibre of Bernard Fanning, Jimmy Barnes, and Kate Ceberano grace the stage. Get in quick to catch Wicked, the theatre’s major production of 2017 (closing April 9), or plan ahead for Opera Australia’s production of The Marriage of Figaro (July 18) and The Ten Tenors (August 12).

SUNDAY 7AM: LATTE START Grab one last caffeine hit at The Finch (Shop 2, 469-473 Ruthven St) with premium coffee on pour and a display case packed full of snacks made on site. The breakfast menu runs the full spectrum from light, buttery croissants to an “Over the top” breakfast board with Angus beef, bacon, eggs and all manner of sides. Provenance is important with the menu spruiking free range eggs from Pittsworth, roasted mushrooms from Goombungee and house-made granola.

9AM: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW Buoyed by the success of your thrift shopping? Try your luck in the dozens of antique stores selling everything from timber wardrobes and silver cutlery to sporting memorabilia and rare coins. Scour two levels of well-preserved wares at Lancaster’s Toowoomba Antique Centre (3 Railway St) or pop into the tandem team of dealers at Antiques on Burke and Range Antiques (1 Burke St). n

public art in the city,” Grace said. “Our city is coming into its own and really embracing its reputation as a creative city. It’s a really beautiful evolution.”

Download First Coat’s free smartphone app and follow the map for a walking tour of key murals with descriptions of each piece and artist bios. The juxtaposition of wellpreserved heritage buildings with edgy art makes for an eye-popping stroll.

6.30PM: TASTY LANES Toowoomba’s laneway culture continues to thrive in the new Walton Stores development where Tony Kelly, former head chef of Brisbane’s Stokehouse Q, opened not one but four restaurants with business partner Scott Hoskins and Braden White, a MasterChef Australia guest chef.

Burger joint Hello Harry, Asian street food venue Junk and fried chicken spot 2Birds are up and running, with upmarket barbecue concept, Pyro, on its way.

“Toowoomba has always been on our map but once we had a good look

Firefly Cafe chef Asher Andrews.

Picture: Glenn Hunt YOUR PLACE 9

In the nature zone From reef to rainforest, mountains to sea, Lee Mylne explores the lodgings that give guests a front row seat to Queensland’s natural wonders

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ANIMAL MAGIC On beautiful Magnetic Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, visitors can sleep in Australia’s only resort with its own on-site wildlife park.

Bungalow Bay Koala Village is set on 6.5ha of bushland, home to rock wallabies, freshwater crocodiles, koalas, and birdlife including curlews and lorikeets.

Budget accommodation is in double and twin bungalows, some with ensuites, backpacker-style bungalows and a campground. There’s a pool with sun loungers and hammocks and on tours of the park, you can feed wallabies and lorikeets, hold a python and cuddle a koala. Owners Brett and Janelle Flemming take pride in their family-run business and delight in showing off Australia’s wonderful wildlife to visitors. It runs in the family – Brett’s parents Bob and Del run Billabong Sanctuary wildlife park outside Townsville. bungalowbay.com.au

10 YOUR PLACE

oises of the night float up on the sea air to reach me, tucked snugly into a swag on the deck of a floating platform 40 nautical miles from the nearest land. They are the sounds of a night on the Great Barrier Reef – the lapping of the Coral Sea against the platform, the twitter of birdlife roosting on its sails.

The Milky Way blazes above but soon my eyes close and I’m floating in more ways than one.

Staying behind on Cruise Whitsundays’ reef pontoon when the daytrippers return to the mainland is an experience afforded to just nine visitors each night. And it’s just one of many unusual spots around the state at which you can get up close and personal with nature around the clock.

Wilderness of a different kind is the setting for a glamping experience at Nightfall Wilderness Camp at southeast Queensland’s Lamington National Park. Offering the ultimate digital detox on the banks of Christmas Creek, Nightfall has three luxury tents.

Waking here to birdcalls made me never want to leave. After a decadent soak in a vintage bathtub (there are two in each tent if you both fancy it), Nightfall owner Steve Ross points out some of the many walking tracks in

the national park. Appetites piqued, we return to a delicious organic meal cooked over the fire. Then it’s time to retire to the tent, dozing off to the sounds of the bush.

At Spicers Canopy, swallows swoop and loop in a display of aerial acrobatics in front of the veranda on which I rest my weary legs.

I sit and contemplate the double hump of Mount Mitchell, from which I descended earlier on the first of three days on the Scenic Rim Trail. Hiking through the rainforests of Main Range National Park and Spicers Peak over three days is rewarded each night with gourmet meals, wine and a log fire at Spicers Canopy on two nights and the elegant sophistication of Spicers Peak Lodge, 10km away, on the final night.

In Tropical North Queensland, Jabiru Safari Lodge takes nature lovers into the heart of a unique conservation project. Overlooking the Clancy’s Lagoon on the Atherton

“The Milky Way blazes above but soon my eyes close and I’m floating in more ways than one”

Tableland, the lodge is part of the Mareeba Tropical Savannah and Wetland Reserve. Wallabies, kangaroos and wallaroos graze nearby and each of the five safaristyle tents has a timber deck ideal for bird-watching and a jacuzzi sits a few steps away in a lovely bush setting.

It’s all part of the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland, set up by local conservationist Tim Nevard, with the reintroduction of tiny but colourful Gouldian finch as one of its prime aims.

Another north Queensland hideaway with a difference, Hidden Valley Cabins sits on the western slope of the Paluma Range, northwest of Townsville. This award-winning ecoresort runs entirely on solar power and offers a rare chance to spot platypus in the wild.

“About 80 per cent of Australians have never seen a platypus in the wild,” owner Ross McLennan tells me as we sit quietly on the banks of Running River hoping one of these shy and elusive creatures will appear.

“Here, there are about 300 platypus in an eight kilometre stretch of river,” Ross says.

The chances seem good, and prove to be, providing glimpses of this odd and unique native mammal that leave me feeling truly privileged to be here. cruisewhitsundays.com; nightfall. com.au; spicersretreats.com; jabirusafarilodge.com.au; hiddenvalleycabins.com.au n

Dusk at Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Lamington National Park

Eventure to Outback Queensland This April If you’ve been looking for an excuse to head outback and go bush, stop right there! Outback Queensland will guarantee that you’ll have a darn tootin, rip roaring good time with your friends and family!

JULIA CREEK DIRT ‘N’ DUST FESTIVAL

ROMA’S EASTER IN THE COUNTRY

7 – 9 APRIL 2017

13 – 17 APRIL 2017

The Julia Creek Dirt ‘N’ Dust Festival is back once more for 2017.

Now in its 23rd year, the Dirt ‘N’ Dust Festival is an incredible outback experience for curious visitors and Aussies of all ages. While extreme sports aficionados flock to the gruelling triathlon, it’s the novelty events that really make it the outback extravaganza loved by locals and travellers alike.

Book a family or individual Festival Ticket that saves you time and money!

Festival Tickets include:

Expected to be bigger and better than ever, the Festival takes place from April 7-9, offering a wide array of events, from the renowned triathlon to bog snorkelling and cow pat throwing.

There truly is something for everyone at Julia Creek!

www.dirtndust.com 0448 901 392

For more information about these experiences visit

outbackqueensland.com.au

• • • •

Outback Tucker Under the Stars Night Rodeo Bull Ride and much, much more!

Family Festival Tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids start from $185.

Be quick! Tickets will sell fast!

www.easterinthecountryroma.com.au 0459 521 196

Turn back time Echoes of the distant past reverberate at Undara, a natural wonder deep in Queensland’s Gulf Savannah.

Danielle Lancaster reflects on an unexpected gem

“T

ake my hand, I have something to show you,” says Bram Collins as he leads us into one of Queensland’s truly unique geographical wonders: the Undara lava tubes. We’re standing in an ancient tunnel, its weathered, prehistoric walls arching high over our heads, the silent remains of a volcanic eruption more than 190,000 years ago. The air is cool and invigorating and the atmosphere is serene and otherworldly. I have to pinch myself back to reality; this is not the Outback Queensland of my imagination.

The tube system is Australia’s longest and one of the oldest and best preserved on earth. It formed when a 12 YOUR PLACE

160km-long lava flow from the Undara Volcano cooled and hardened on the outside, before draining out and leaving empty tunnels behind it. In places, the tubes have collapsed, creating caves that now support internationally significant ecosystems. To date, 69 caves have been surveyed, six of which are now open to visitors.

As he guides us through the tubes, Bram’s passion and respect oozes forth.

No wonder – his enthusiasm is genetic.

The tubes were formerly on the Collins family property, Rosella Plains Station, and he first saw them as a child with his father, Gerry Collins.

The family were the locality’s earliest white settlers, arriving in 1862.

Musician Jay McIvor played at Undara Outback Rock & Blues

Views over Undara Volcanic National Park, Tropical North Queensland

“For a family like ours to be chartered with the responsibility of looking after the lava tubes since white settlement, what an incredible privilege that is” Bram Collins, Undara Experience “Undara means so much to me,” Bram says. “These are the oldest standing lava tubes on earth and for a family like ours to be chartered with the responsibility of looking after them since white settlement, what an incredible privilege that is.”

It was Bram’s father that lobbied for the protection of the tubes, which are now part of the Undara Volcanic National Park, gazetted in 1990.

Today, everyone can experience them, thanks to the Collins familyoperated Undara Experience.

For the protection of the tubes’ delicate ecosystem and the safety of visitors, access is only permitted by Discover more at queensland.com

a guided two-hour tour with expert Savannah Guides.

Visitors can also explore the park by bushwalking, with nine graded tracks ranging in length from 1.5–12km through grasslands, woodlands and to scenic lookouts.

Those who like to push a pedal and travel with their bike can explore the trails by mountain bike. Prepare for close encounters with wildlife – kangaroos will hardly blink as you go by.

More than 120 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including the vulnerable red goshawk – start early to improve your chances of a sighting. The caves are also home to thousands of insectivorous bats which create a spectacular display as they emerge at dusk.

Undara Experience is open yearround, with the cool June to August months attracting the most visitors.

At more than 700m above sea level, the climate is similar to the Atherton Tablelands to the north, with lower humidity and cooler evenings.

Plan to stay at least two nights at

Undara Experience, Tropical North Queensland

one of the resort’s accommodation options, which range from the campground and caravan park to pioneer huts and beautifully restored classic railway carriages.

At the Ringer’s Camp Bush Breakfast you may find Bram brewing the billy tea while hot and cold food is served and resident kookaburras and currawongs watch on from the trees.

The Saloon Bar is another worthy stop.

Each night at Undara the campfire is lit and guests gather around with the Savannah Guides for more stories, entertainment and a daily update.

As if the park’s astonishing geology was not enough, Undara is also the location for annual special events.

Opera in the Outback draws performers from around Australia and is on this year’s calendar for October 5-7. The Undara Outback Rock & Blues (April 21-23) also brings many fans back year after year.

To visit Undara is to experience a truly natural wonder under the guidance of Bram and his team, sincere and devoted custodians of this ancient landscape. n

NEED TO KNOW Undara is accessible by sealed road from Cairns, in 3.5 to 4 hours. Rated as one of Queensland’s most scenic rail journeys, The Savannahlander train provides packages to include the Undara Experience and other unique sites of Queensland’s Savannah countryside. A coach transfer also operates from Cairns to the gates of Undara where Bram’s team meets visitors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The coach returns to Cairns every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. undara.com.au

YOUR PLACE 13

Go with the flow Deep in the Queensland Outback, age old gorges guard some of the state’s most sublime waterways.

Lee Mylne dips a toe in the water

"It dawned on me that we had a hidden treasure in our backyard. It was an almost overpowering feeling to see this pristine place” Simon Terry, Cobbold Gorge

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Outback Queensland

A

cool canyon cuts deeply through the towering sandstone walls. Faces are turned upward, hands outstretched to touch the cliffs as the boat glides down the tranquil waterway.

Queensland is famous for its beaches, but deep in its interior lie secret places, gorges and caverns, etched from the land by time and weather, offering cool respite from the arid Outback surrounds. These oases of green offer the chance to cool off in rivers, creeks and waterfalls, sometimes where you’d least expect it.

Cobbold Gorge, in the Gulf Savannah region of Tropical North

14 YOUR PLACE

Queensland, was hidden from the world until 1994, an ancient and secret place carved by nature over millennia and still one of the state’s special places.

Created by geological processes that began 1700 million years ago when sand and mud was deposited on what was then the ocean floor, Cobbold Gorge is believed to be the “youngest” known gorge in Queensland, with spectacular 30m-high cliffs separated by just a couple of metres in places.

This fascinating geological tale is related to visitors today as they journey down the waterway through the gorge, which is part of the Terry

family’s 133,500ha Robin Hood cattle station.

Incredibly, although Robin Hood station was established in 1901 and bought by the Terry family in 1964, Cobbold Gorge was discovered less than 30 years ago when Simon Terry and some mates decided to venture beyond their usual watering hole near the junction with the Robertson River. They took a small boat to the mouth of Cobbold Creek, and on paddling further were amazed to stumble on the spectacular Cobbold Gorge.

“We found it by chance and it dawned on me that we really had a hidden treasure in our backyard.

It was an almost overpowering feeling to see this pristine place,” recalls Simon.

“We knew we had something very special; it was very exciting.

We couldn’t wait to get out and tell people about it and show them.”

Simon and his wife Gaye soon decided to open this natural wonder to visitors. In their first year of running tours, they had 200 visitors.

Today, around 8000 people a year flock to see Cobbold Gorge, which is open only by guided tour, between April and October.

Small groups are taken up the gorge on virtually silent custommade electric boats. Savannah Guides are expert at pointing out wildlife – freshwater crocodiles, red-clawed yabbies, turtles and native frogs – and birdlife as you glide along, and at explaining the geology of the gorge. In April/May and September/October, visitors aged 13 and over can also do a guided stand-up paddle board tour of the gorge.

On the same trip through north Queensland, I’m beguiled by yet another wonderful waterway in the Gulf region, at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, about 210km south of the Barkly Highway, on the

MORE TO SEE Copperfield Gorge: At Einasleigh, southwest of Innisfail, the Copperfield River runs between sheer walls, providing a great place to wash the cares of the road away.

Porcupine Gorge National Park: About 60km north of the town of Hughenden lie numerous deep rock pools. Follow the 2.4km track to the base of the gorge, where Porcupine Creek is bordered by vine-forest creating a wonderful oasis. The pools are home to freshwater turtles, and you may spot wallaroos, red kangaroos and rufus bettong.

Carnarvon Gorge National Park: In the heart of Central Queensland is one of the most remote and spectacular gorges in the state.

There are many places to enjoy the creek, but swimming is only permitted at Carnarvon Gorge Rock Pool. For those staying overnight, there might even be a chance to spot a platypus at dawn or dusk.

Cobbold Gorge, Gulf Savannah, Tropical North Queensland

Fraser Island

like no other place on the planet.

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Kingfisher Bay Resort

Eurong Beach Resort

Fraser Explorer Tours

For the ultimate Fraser Island experience you can’t go past the award-winning Kingfisher Bay Resort.

The resort is a leader in eco-tourism, with a range of hotel and villa accommodation on offer.

Positioned in the heart of 75 Mile Beach, Eurong Beach Resort is the perfect base for four-wheeldriving and fishing adventures. Hotel and family apartments available.

Join a one or two day fun-filled tour to discover Fraser Island and see all the highlights including Lake McKenzie. Departing daily from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay.

Check online for Hot Deals i kingfisherbayresortgroup.com.au ☎ 1300 FRASER (372 737)

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Savannah Way touring route.

At Adels Grove Camping Park, we rent kayaks and paddle for 1.5km through tall sandstone cliffs to the Indarri Falls. Lush vegetation lines the still, emerald-green waters of Lawn Hill Creek, creating an otherworldly oasis in the vast Savannah.

After a hot day on the road, stepping under Indarri Falls provides a refreshing wake-up call, as tiny crimson finches and purple-crowned fairy wrens flit in the bushes nearby.

The waterfall separates the upper and middle gorges of Lawn Hill Gorge and can also be reached on foot; it’s a 3.8km trek from the Adel’s Grove campground. Determined paddlers can haul their canoe up the portage track around the falls and continue on a further 1.3km to the Upper Gorge lookout.

Refreshed, we hit the road again, the vast, dry Outback soon making a distant memory of Lawn Hill’s cool, lush oasis. cobboldgorge.com.au; adelsgrove.com.au n

Punsand Bay, Cape York, Tropical North Queensland. Picture: Andrew Tallon

True north Times are changing on Cape York. Bitumen is on its way but for Celeste Mitchell, nothing beats a dusty road trip all the way to the top

W

Lions Den Hotel, Cape York, Tropical North Queensland.

Picture: Andrew Tallon 16 YOUR PLACE

e’re on the tenth (or it could be the fourteenth) rotation of Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits, one of two CDs we’ve packed for an 1800km road trip, but I crank it up like I’m hearing it for the first time. Just as I could never tire of Stevie’s vocals, I don’t want the show going on outside my window to ever stop.

Stevie’s carried me a long way this week – past towering termite mounds, through bonnet-high river crossings – and made time stand still under an endless blue sky. We’re not talking some zippy road trip straight down the barrel of a six-lane freeway.

In fact, we’ve done our darndest to steer clear of main roads from Cairns all the way to the pointy tip of Australia: Pajinka. Cape York.

Once the bitumen spreads its inky sheen the length of the Peninsula Development Road – by

2020, so they say – it’ll be harder than ever to get truly off the grid.

It’s with this sense of urgency that I find myself in a 4WD with a bloke who knows the place like the back of his hand. Martin Josselyn has been driving the Cape since his army days, and as salt-of-the-earth types go, he’s more than well seasoned.

"The tar road isn’t for everyone, it takes away some of the mystery and mystique of the Cape but it does increase the economic sustainability," he says as we leave Cooktown for dust and drive through the beautiful Rinyirru National Park where water lilies dance in the wind.

"Some say it’s good, some say it’s not, but it’s progress."

Pulling into Musgrave Station that afternoon I squint and try to imagine the lone bowser replaced by golden arches and fluoro lighting, but it’s unfathomable.

These old telegraph stations are the backbone of any Cape York road trip; a convivial meeting point to grab a beer, fuel up, and ask the only question you need for small talk up this way: "Going north or south?"

Nothing much else matters.

As the kilometres tick over and our tightly-wound restlessness

NEED TO KNOW Most major airlines fly direct to Cairns while QantasLink has connections to Weipa should you wish to start your trip there.

A 10-night, 11-day adventure from Cairns to the tip with Adventure Australia Treks and Tours, including meals, accommodation, attractions and tours is $6950 per adult (premium) or $2500 as a tag-along. The next tours are scheduled for May, June and August 2017. aatt.com.au; queensland.com/ tropicalnorthqueensland

eases, the scenery rolls through a kaleidoscope of dusty plains, lush green rainforests and deserted beaches.

With a muse as beautiful as this, it’s little surprise to walk into an explosion of colour at Lockhart River Art. Here, local indigenous artists translate their home soil and dreamtime stories into pieces of art that sit in national galleries when they aren’t at home hanging in their breezy studio.

On our continual pilgrimage north, the landscape stirs a longing I never knew I had for this land. It’s like a gateway drug into a full-blown addiction to Australia’s outback.

"You asked me what it looked like in the 80s? Pretty much this," Martin says with a grin as we turn onto the sandy, two-wheel-wide Frenchmans Track – a deliberate detour to earn our four-wheel-driving stripes along bonejangling corrugations and across the Pascoe – one of the deepest, fastestflowing, most croc-infested rivers on the Cape. Where we’re going, we don’t need (bitumen) roads.

At Bramwell station that night, manager Ken Godfrey serves up cold tinnies with jokes and yarns on the side. At 1330sq km, Bramwell is vast and the most northerly cattle station Discover more at queensland.com

Fruit Bat Falls, Cape York, Tropical North Queensland

"I'm buoyed by memories of swimming in the emerald waters of Fruit Bat Falls after the mettle-testing Gunshot Creek crossing"

in Australia. "If you go due west there you’ll come to Darwin," Ken says.

But there’s only one direction we’re interested in and that’s north, leaving our beachfront camp a day later at Punsand Bay with just 5km to go, fuelled by espresso – a first this week – and buoyed by memories of swimming in the emerald waters of Fruit Bat Falls after the mettle-testing Gunshot Creek crossing.

A wallaby bounds across the track in front of us, sunlight leaks through the trees and I close my eyes and take in Stevie’s lyrics once more.

A short scramble over a rocky headland and we’re there. Just past my toes, the land sinks away into the depths of the Torres Strait and all of Australia is behind me. And in true low-key Cape York style, there’s just a simple sign bolted into barnacle-coated rocks to prove we made it – fuss free, and crowd free.

I buy a paper map at the Croc Tent on our way back to Bamaga and feel a twinge of sadness when I realise this too could soon be a relic of another time. Something to show the grandkids and tell them: "Back in my day, we drove red dirt roads to reach the tip and you couldn’t get mobile coverage.

And it was bliss." n YOUR PLACE 17

Ocean View Estates Winery and Restaurant, outside Brisbane

Follow the flavour trail How far would you drive for a memorable meal?

Tiana Templeman rounds up the Queensland eateries worthy of a culinary road trip

M

ost Queensland foodies will gladly tell you about their favourite local restaurant but those who venture beyond the borders of their home town are the ones who are truly in the know.

"Regional produce provides the inspiration which is the whole point of cooking," says Cameron Matthews, executive chef at The Long Apron at Montville. "Being close to producers means you can really get amongst it.

It’s exciting and that’s what great food is all about."

To experience Queensland’s excellent regional dining, all you need is a little time and a hunger to try something new.

THE LONG APRON, MONTVILLE Spicers Clovelly Estate is home to this two-hatted restaurant with a changing European-influenced menu offering five courses. Think Champagne lobster with lemon tea tree granita and, for dessert, malted potato ice cream with miso caramel mousse (trust me, it is delicious). Molecular gastronomy magic adds a touch of theatre. spicersretreats.com

OCEAN VIEW ESTATES, OCEAN VIEW Perched high on the D’Aguilar Range, this casual yet classy winery restaurant near Dayboro is pretty as a picture.

Opt for a share plate of crispy pork belly or tender brisket cooked for 12 hours, both of which come with a choice of sides. Vegetarians are especially well catered for with dishes such as mushroom dumplings with green shallots, puffed quinoa, and sesame ginger dressing. On weekends you can drop in for breakfast from 8.30am onwards. oceanviewestates.com.au

INDULGE CAFE, BUNDABERG This cafe is worth getting up early for, with mouthwatering breakfast dishes such as The Breakfast Board which includes three mini breakfasts: granola with spiced apple and Gympie yoghurt, mushroom bruschetta with a Fig Tree Farm poached egg, and a lychee and raspberry macaron. Lunch is equally tempting and warm, friendly service is the icing on the cake. indulgecafe.com.au

Osprey’s Restaurant, Oak Beach, Tropical North Queensland

MCGREGOR TERRACE FOOD PROJECT, STANTHORPE After working at some of Australia’s top luxury lodges, Ben and Louise Lanyon have returned to the town where Louise grew up to create a dream restaurant. What was once a corner store has been transformed into a welcoming bistro with a garden filled with fresh produce. “We wanted a restaurant serving great food where people could bring their kids,” says Ben. The food is more fine dining than country bistro except for the prices.

The likes of twice-baked pork belly served with fennel remoulade cost a lot more than $34 in the big smoke. facebook.com/mtfoodproject

Restaurant exterior and dishes from Nu Nu, Palm Cove, Tropical North Queensland

NU NU, PALM COVE

Osprey’s serves Mod-Oz cuisine with a local twist, such as butter and chilli poached Coral Sea banana prawns and Mareeba mango mousse with pineapple compote. thalabeach.com.au

Carefully crafted dishes complement the warm tropical surrounds at Nu Nu, a regular in national best restaurant lists. Spectacular views across the Coral Sea add to what is already a sublime dining experience, with the likes of wok-fried North Queensland mud crab or butter poached prawns with candied bacon followed by coconut snow eggs for dessert. For breakfast, try local mud crab omelette or coconut and banana hotcakes. nunu.com.au

OSPREY’S RESTAURANT, OAK BEACH Here you get lunch or dinner with a show thanks to the native wildlife at Thala Beach Nature Reserve ecoresort. Parrots splash in a bird bath hidden among the trees while huge monitor lizards inch up the silver trunks of the mighty gums as they try to surprise the bathing beauties.

COAST RESTAURANT & BAR, HERVEY BAY

“Being close to producers means you can really get amongst it. It's exciting and that's what great food is all about" Cameron Matthews, executive chef, The Long Apron

With dishes that are designed to be shared, Coast offers a dining experience that’s as relaxed and convivial as Hervey Bay itself. Start with Hervey Bay scallops served in a half shell with coriander and hazelnut butter or grilled Fraser Island king prawns, followed by bourbon-glazed beef short ribs. coastherveybay.com.au

SPIRIT HOUSE, YANDINA Refined, modern Thai food is complemented by tinkling gamelan music at this pretty Sunshine Coast

IT’S NOT A MUST SEE. IT’S A MUST DRIVE.

WHET CAFE, BAR & RESTAURANT, CAPE TRIBULATION Dine surrounded by the Daintree at this casual eatery with a strong commitment to the environment.

Whet is entirely self-sustaining with a private water supply and grey water irrigation for its fruit orchard. At night, the restaurant deck is lit by firelight, creating an intimate ambience. Dishes are more conventional than cutting edge, but then, sometimes the simple things really are the best. whet.net.au n

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restaurant. Dishes are designed to be shared, although the likes of Mooloolaba king prawn stir fry and whole crispy fish frequently sees diners duelling with forks. Be warned, you will likely want to keep those wok seared scallops with pork floss, apple and green nahm jim all to yourself. spirithouse.com.au

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Ballandean Estate, Southern Queensland Country

Stellar cellars Visit Queensland’s wineries and meet the characters living their winemaking dreams.

Tiana Templeman leads the way

Q

ueensland is best known for its beaches but those who venture inland to the Sunshine State’s wine regions are rewarded with charming cellar doors, awardwinning wines and stellar dining galore. When you visit a Queensland wine region, farms and vineyards line the roads, fruit stands come with honesty boxes and it seems everyone has time for a chat.

Tasting these wines provides a fascinating connection with the region and the people who live there.

“In most cases, you’ll be hosted by someone who is directly responsible for the wine,” says Peter Orr of the Queensland College of Wine Tourism at Stanthorpe. “Finding a wine that sings to your heart and your palate is a really special experience.”

To learn more about local wines, make Banca Ridge Vineyard & Cellar Door at the college your first stop.

Learn about the state’s wine history in an interpretive gallery and taste award-winning vintages created by talented students.

20 YOUR PLACE

At nearby Tobin Wines, visitors can meet winemaker Adrian Tobin.

An artist at heart – something that is reflected in the beautiful labels on his individually numbered bottles of wine – Adrian is 75 but shows no sign of slowing down.

Cheerfully describing himself as a “wine tragic”, Adrian has spent the past 10 years creating award-winning wines from some of the state’s oldest shiraz and semillon vines.

“My dear wife has been very

“I don’t seek accolades but I am passionate about making good wine and giving people the opportunity to drink it” Adrian Tobin, winemaker

generous letting me indulge my passion in my retirement. We love living here and the vineyard, it has become a part of us,” he says.

Despite receiving a stellar rating from critic James Halliday, Adrian never set out to find fame and fortune.

“I am a bit of a shrinking violet in that regard. I don’t seek accolades. It embarrasses me and is not the reason for doing what I do. I’m passionate about making good wine and giving people the opportunity to drink it.”

With its twinkling chandelier, red leather couch and wines with names like Wild Child Viognier, Symphony Hill Wines in nearby Ballandean is home to some of Queensland’s most famous strange birds.

“Strange birds” are not some bizarre new species – they’re Granite Belt wines made from alternative grape varieties like nero d’avola, fiano, lagrein and petit verdot. The Strange Bird Wine Trail is one of the most curious wine routes in Australia.

Ballandean is also home to Ballandean Estate, which was founded in the 1930s by Italian immigrants and continues to be run by their descendents. Old vines, volcanic soils, a cool climate and high altitude come together to create buttery chardonnays, peppery shiraz and a stunning fiano that recently took out Champion Wine at the Queensland Wine Awards.

Active wine lovers can explore the Granite Belt’s wineries on a pedal powered wine tour with Granite Belt Bicycle Tours. Choose from a variety of routes including Bikes, Beers and

Strange Birds, a leisurely afternoon ride for beer aficionados and wine enthusiasts.

Of course, the Granite Belt doesn’t have a monopoly on wine in this state.

Less than 40 minutes drive from the Gold Coast, towering high-rises give way to Mount Tamborine’s boutique vineyards. Drop into Mason Wines or Witches Falls Winery which has a cellar door staffed by enthusiasts who know their stuff.

Head further north (much further) and you’ll find Gecko Valley which has extended Queensland’s viticultural map with vines planted on the coastal belt between Gladstone and Rockhampton. Owners Tony and Coleen McCray researched 150 years of temperature, climate and rainfall data to determine which varieties would prosper there.

Their attention to detail has since been rewarded with a thriving vineyard. Wines featuring chardonnay, verdelho and shiraz grapes are on offer at the cellar door. qcwt.com.au; tobinwines.com.au; symphonyhill.com.au; ballandeanestate.com, granitebeltbicycles.com.au; witchesfalls.com.au; geckovalley.com.au n

TROPICAL DROP Murdering Point Winery at Silkwood, north of Townsville, is one of Australia’s leading fruit wine producers. The Berryman family began making wine to diversify their tropical fruit growing business, but it has since become a passion.

“It’s all about the local connection,” explains William Berryman. “We only use fruits that are grown in North Queensland and we don’t sell to bottle shops. We enjoy meeting the people who drop into the cellar door.”

Call in for a bottle of Banana Cream, White Devil Pineapple Port or a taste of Romance, a zesty white wine with aromatic lychee and honey flavours. murderingpointwinery.com.au

Brisbane sign, South Bank

Word on the street There is more to Brisbane than meets the eye. Long-time local and girl about town Belinda Seeney has the lowdown on the city’s hidden treasures

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wo distinct tribes converge on Brisbane each Saturday morning. In one camp are the bright-eyed souls who bound energetically into the weekend. Join their ranks as they salute the sun at free yoga classes at Captain Burke Park or hit the stairs at Kangaroo Point Cliffs for a heart-racing run.

The second camp is a little slower to emerge, firing up only when that first caffeine kick hits the bloodstream. If you follow the shuffling masses down laneways and alleys, you’ll be rewarded with some of the city’s best coffee.

Narrow Burnett Lane runs behind Queen St Mall, ending at the subterranean Brew cafe. My tip is to look for the AstroTurf then hang a right, or, head further up the lane to Felix for Goodness for Fairtrade coffee and homebaked treats. The city doesn’t have a monopoly on quirky laneways. Try Bakery Lane in Fortitude Valley or Woolloongabba’s Trafalgar and Eden Lane precincts where cafe and coffee roasters fill former industrial buildings.

As day stretches into night, I like to settle into a leather armchair at The Gresham on Queen St or pull up an antique bar stool at John Mills Himself on Elizabeth St. These

Discover more at queensland.com

Markets in Winn Lane, Brisbane cafes-cum-bars can be hard to spot at first but persevere as the pay-off is vintage vibes, premium coffee and classy cocktails.

Not so long ago, my nights on the town meant choosing between a big, loud nightclub and a big, loud pub. These days, turn your eyes to the sky and discover the city’s raft of rooftop bars. The lounge settings at Sixteen Antlers on the 16th floor of the Pullman Hotel are perfect for admiring the view over King George Square, while Next Hotel’s fourth level pool bar is brilliant for peoplewatching in the Queen St Mall below.

South of the river, I like to climb the steep stairs outside Rydges Hotel on

“The Valley’s pocket-sized Winn Lane precinct is a treasure trove of fashion-forward looks, vintage pieces and unique jewellery” Grey St to the swanky Soleil Pool Bar or bypass The Fox Hotel’s main bar and head up to Dandy’s Rooftop Bar instead.

Is shopping more your thing?

Well, if you’re in the market for the latest in fashion, you’ll find it here.

The Valley’s pocket-sized Winn Lane precinct is a treasure trove of

fashion-forward looks, vintage pieces, custom couture and unique jewellery.

I also make a point of swinging by South Bank on the first Sunday of each month to check out new pieces at the Young Designers Markets.

For gourmet treats, meander through weekend markets at Davies Park, West End, and Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm. And when I need my fresh raspberry fix before the weekend, a farmers market conveniently pops up in the city’s Reddacliff Place each Wednesday, bringing the country smack bang into the middle of the city.

The Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is hardly a “hidden gem” but what is surprising is what you’ll find inside.

This May, QAGOMA dons the cape and mask for Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe, an epic exhibition with original artwork, film costumes and memorabilia that already has this fangirl excited. The exhibition will be exclusive to this city.

Brisbane will entertain you anywhere: I’ve heard the hottest rock acts in a refurbished airplane hangar at The Triffid, experienced opera underground at Spring Hill Reservoirs and watched stand-up comedy in a former power station at Brisbane Powerhouse.

Living like a local is easy – just peek around corners, wander down laneways and nose through nooks and crannies. Cramming everything into one weekend? That’s going to take a little more work. n YOUR PLACE 21

THEME PARK TASTE TRAIL With school holidays approaching, add a theme park visit to your calendar. A quiet food revolution at Dreamworld has opened up the options for more discerning and health conscious eaters at the park.

Follow one of these food trails for maximum satisfaction:

CLEAN AND LEAN

Bleach* Festival, Gold Coast

APRIL Apr 7-9: Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival, Outback Queensland dirtndust.com Apr 13-17: Roma’s Easter in the Country, Outback Queensland easterinthecountryroma.com.au

May 21-28: 2017 TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup, Gold Coast sudirmancup.com.au

JULY Jul 1-2: Gold Coast Airport Marathon goldcoastmarathon.com.au

May 27-Sep 3: Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe, QAGOMA, Brisbane qagoma.qld.gov.au

Jul 4-6: Birdsville Big Red Bash, Outback Queensland bigredbash.com.au Jul 7-9: Townsville 400, North Queensland supercars.com

Until Apr 16: Bleach* Festival, Gold Coast bleachfestival.com.au

MAY

© Queensland Museum 2017

Noosa Food & Wine Festival

Jul 7-16: Mackay Festival of Arts mackayecc.com.au/festivals

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum

JUNE

May 18-21: Noosa Food & Wine Festival, Sunshine Coast noosafoodandwine.com.au

Jun 4-12: Cairns Airport Adventure Festival, Tropical North Queensland ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/ asiapac/multisports/cairns

May 19-21: Captain Cook 1770 Festival, Town of 1770, Southern Great Barrier Reef 1770festival.com.au

Jun 23-Jan 28, 2018: Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum, Queensland Museum, Brisbane qm.qld.gov.au/gladiators

22 YOUR PLACE

Fried food not your thing? Are you more into paleo than pies?

Start your day with a soy milk coffee from Green Bean Co, with fruit from the Fresh Fruit Cart for morning tea. Lunch is a grilled chicken breast burger at The Grid Burger and Sports Bar or sushi from outlets throughout the park. Flagging a little come 3pm? A Protein Supreme smoothie from Boost will get you back on track.

Jul 7-16: Bundaberg Winterfeast winterfeast.com.au Jul 13-16: Velothon Sunshine Coast velothonsunshinecoast.com Jul 28-Aug 5: Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville, North Queensland afcm.com.au Mackay Festival of Arts

TAKING CARE Thrill-seekers following restricted diets can begin with a dairy or gluten-free smoothie from Boost. For lunch, order a gluten-free pizza from Dough Bros (pictured, above) or a vegetarian stir-fry from Island Noodle Hut. Come 3pm, treat yourself to a dairy-free sorbet at the Ice Cream Parlour.

PICTURE PERFECT Share a day’s worth of foodie posts on social media, starting with a snap-worthy Krispy Kreme donut sandwich from the Ice Cream Parlour. Mexican street food from the Kerbside Vending Co food truck is next, with Dreamworld’s exclusive Apple Fries (lightly fried slices of apple dusted with cinnamon and served with ice cream) for afternoon tea.

Start exploring at

visitscenicrim.com.au scenic rim