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Hop on a boat In Hervey Bay and get close to the gentlo giants of the deep.

Editoros note floods and cyclones Queensland is still managing to shine brightly. And if you need proof just look at what's on offer in this winter edition of shlne magazine. Our team of writers has visited most of Queensland to prove that the State is back in action and ready to give holidaymakers the time of their lives.

The natural disasters that hit the state in January and February did wreak havoc, but the tourism industry has quickly regrouped in time to welcome visitors this winter.

In this edition Roderick Eime discovers the north is gearing up for some wild times on the race track, David May grabs his swag and heads to the Outback, while Natascha Mirosch eats her way through the Gold Coast.

We also have "Best Job in the World's" Ben Southall tellino us about his new epic Queensland adventure.

Enjoy, and book a Queensland holiday, we know you want to.

Mark Queensland's not-to-be-missed major events in your diary.

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Surrealist works from Paris makE their only Australian appearanco.

t is true: "Nothing beats Queensland". Even after

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A sailing holiday will float your boat.

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Ben Southall follows Captain Cook.

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A trail from the Outback to the sea

The Sunshine Coast is even more fun In the company of friends.

Rev up for a feast of sport, culture and festivals in the tropics.

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From fish and chips to slinky bars the Gold Coast has it all.

digs up dinosaurs and sapphires.

IIRIAN CRISP Escape editor

ff Combined relaxation with adventure at Kingfisher Bay Resort on

World Heritage-listed Fraser

lsland.

Hotel accommodation is just !?"58 per night for two; including passenger ferry transfers and daily buffet breal<fast.

And if you bool< and stay a third night, we'll give you two bonus full day Beauty Spots tours of stunning Fraser lsland, valued at ;35S, FfiR f:fiEH. Bool< online,

call 1800 FRASER ( 18CI0 372 737) or email reservations@kingfisherbay.com.

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SPORTING EVENTS, CULTURAL HAPPENINGS AND FESTIVALS BECKON IN THE TROPICS, WRITES llol)lrlll(lK l,ltllr

tropical Queensland there's a vibrant array of festivals, events and happenings that offer plenty of reasons to pack your bag. Perhaps you could holler for your Holden or Ford team above the roar of engines at the Sucrogen Townsville 400 V8 Supercar event (townsville.vSsupercars.com.au) on the streets of downtown Townsville from July 8-10 (pictured).

That's right, it's a true street race on blocked-off public roads.

This year's event promises to break all records with a huge entertainment line-up over two nights. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult.

Keep a spare pair of earplugs, because you can come back to Townsville on Seotember 10 for the Metal Mania North Queensland Car and Bike Show, which sets up in th6 VB Supercar pit lane at Reid Park. Some of the region's coolest show cars will be there along with trade displays, rides and dancing. lf you thought VBs sounded sweet, wait until you hear a27litre V12 Rolls-Royce Merlin revving up for take-off. The Ingham Wings and Wheels Airshow (inghamwingsandwheels.com.au) on September 3-4 will feature numerous air and land displays.

Speed and endurance take on a new meaning for the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival (challenge-cairns.com.au), which>

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begins today. The main event is the Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns iron distance triathlon, which is on June 5. Can you picture yourself in the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42,2km run? The festival's events, including junior and family runs, take place over 10 days.

Peddlers can roll on to the Cairns to Karumba Coast to Coast Bike Ride (ridefnq.com) from June 26 to July 2. For seven days, '180 cyclists will pump west across Cape York, completing the 780km ride to Karumba Point on the Gulf of Carpentaria to raise money for outback schools. Why stop there? Keep the momentum rolling with the McDonald's Townsville Running Festival (townsvilleroadrunners.com.au) on August 7 and the Gold Fever Lifestyle and Tour de Towers cycle race in Charters Towers the following weekend. Then buy yourself a beer, you've earned it. lf you were beginning to think the tropics were all about sweat and exertion, well here's some high-brow relief. The Australian

Festival of Chamber Music (afcm.com,au) is an international chamber music festival held from July 29-August 6 in Townsville.

Between 25 and 30 musicians perform in 25 concerts in various venues over the course of the festival.

June is RV caravan and motorhome month with the Cairns Home Show & Caravan, Camping & Boating Expo (australianevents.com.au) from June 3-5 followed by the 11th Annual Dam Fine Rally (damfinerally.com) from June 30-July 4

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at Dam Park, Townsville. Grey nomads unite with your northern colleagues, the Tropical Coast Wanderers and Townsville City Council in this mobile motorkhana.

Vssror Beach rs a stLrl rg locatol, ocated at tie closest po nt to the Creat Banrer Reel and lhe best gateway lo vtftual y u-spo, t cora reets a.d Worlc he'rtage lrsted rarT'orest Jusr two hours south

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(ASIAWAYS RES|IRT & SPA

Mission Beach Pay for iour nighrs and stay the Fitth night free in an Absolute Beachiront Resort Room, Enjoy a complimentary

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tropical breahfast buffet each morning plus a Gourmet Beach Picnic Hamoer for two includino a bottle oF bubbles,

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Beach s the oerfect centfal locatlon fot lhe adventurer ol activities to surt every visitor ftom

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shydrvrng to scuba d v ng, let shr ng, whtte water raftrng, hayah ng, sai ing, bush walhrng and Rshing or simply felax ng uncer 3 coconul paim on a go oen oeacn.

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W th restaurants ghowcasrng ocai produce, beauttctans, boutlques and ga ler es rt's no wonder our slogan ts lmagine Morel

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Mrssion Beach The Elandra is the perfect spot to relax, hrch bach and recharge whilst dining on the freshest produce the world has to offer all while overloohing rhe beautiiul Coral 5ea.

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Out on the water, spinnakers are unfurling and topsails bracing for the Sunferries Magnetic lsland Race Week (magneticislandraceweek.com.au) from September 1-6, an event that brings sailors and socialites together as a perfect complement to the established Airlie Beach and Hamilton lsland race weeks in August. While the big guns shoot it out for glory, there's plenty of room for weekend sailors and their families to get involved and enjoy some of the best sailing grounds in the world.

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (ciaf.com.au) has become something of an instant success. lt was held for the second time last year and sold more than $700,000 worth of artwork and craft items. Exhibitors include Lockhart River artist Samantha Hobson (pictured) and this year it's on from August 19-21. Hang around, because there's plenty more to do and see with several Aboriginal experiences on offer ranging across tours, performances and cultural encounters. Springboard from the art fair into the wider 201 1 Cairns Festival (cairnsfest.com.au), which is in its 50th year and runs from August 19-September 4. The season encompasses about 100 events, including the Tropical Pride Festival, UMI Arts Big Talk One Fire and the Cairns Amateurs. The festival uses a range of venues such as the Centre of Contemporary Arts, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Civic Theatre and the Cairns Esplanade.

Pack your bag, hat and sunscreen and head north for a tropical revival that might just do you the world of good.

For more information on planning your next Queensland holiday, v i sit q u ee n sl an d ho I i d ay s.co m. au

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5arina Sugar Shed, is a miniature worhing sugar mill and distillery conductrng tours on the Queenslanc Sugar Industry.

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For more information callone of our accredited Visitor InFormation Centres on 1300130 001or visit www.machayfegion.com

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