Australian Rugby Union today announced Rugby fans could secure their tickets to the highly anticipated Gold Coast Sevens - Fever Pitch 2012 through Ticketek on Monday 16 July. After making its debut on a Friday and Saturday in November last year the two-day tournament will move to Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October in 2012 and will also act as the opening round of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series. ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O'Neill AO, said last year's inaugural event, which attracted a healthy crowd, provided the Gold Coast with a taste of the fast, fun and…

Gold Coast’s own Jesinta Campbell, the 2010 Miss Universe Australia and current model, media personality and proud Queenslander, will take part in this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon to be held on the weekend of 30 June – 1 July.The 20-year-old former Aquinas College student will run the ASICS Half Marathon, her first half marathon race, on the Sunday after hosting the popular AirAsia Legends Lunch with four-time Olympian Steve Moneghetti on the Saturday.Jesinta, who is the face of ASICS women’s apparel in Australia, said she is excited to be running her first half marathon in the city where she…

Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey has announced that the DestinationQ Forum is receiving expressions of interest to attend. Register your details now on the website - www.destq.com.au The DestinationQ Forum will give tourism businesses and organisations across the state the opportunity to shape Queensland through a whole-of-government approach - this is your chance to have your say. More than 300 tourism-focussed minds are expected to attend, for what will be the state's first major tourism forum in more than two decades. Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said: "This conference is about restoring confidence and opportunity in the industry. By working as one,…

Swimming Australia is pleased to announce that Queensland will host the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships featuring the USA, Canada, Japan and the EnergyAustralia Swim Team.The event, held every four years over four days of long course competition, will see more than 300 of the world’s best swimmers from the USA, Japan, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and Australia compete for coveted Pan Pacific gold. An event which has seen the likes of Ian Thorpe, Susie O’Neill, Michael Phelps and Kosuke Kitajima establish themselves on the world stage; the Pan Pacific Championships is regarded as one the most prestigious swimming meets…

Legendary rocker Jimmy Barnes and his enormously popular daughter Mahalia will team up with another Aussie rock icon Jon Stevens for a heart-stopping celebration at the Sucrogen Townsville 400 in July. Barnes and Stevens will provide an incredible spectacle as they each perform some of their greatest hits on the night while Mahalia Barnes will make a special appearance along with her sister Elly May and brother Jackie as part of the band for Barnes' classics. Mahalia was controversially voted out from Australian hit TV show The Voice having been the odds-on favourite to win the singing contest. She is…

Media Release courtesy of Premier The Honourable Campbell Newman and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games The Honourable Jann StuckeyPremier Campbell Newman and Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey have announced the State Government's nominations for new members of the 2018 Commonwealth Games board. The announcement follows a Cabinet decision yesterday to recommend to Her Excellency Governor Penelope Wensley that Nigel Chamier OAM (Chairman), Catherine Tanna, Stephen Conry and Dennis Chant be appointed for a three year term."I have every confidence that this eight member board will have the depth of experience and fiscal discipline to…

Netballers from Australia and New Zealand will be adding 'sand, sun and socialising' to their training regime as they prepare for this year's NetFest carnival on Queensland's world famous Gold Coast. Presented by Netball Australia and Events Queensland, NetFest will see Australia's iconic Surfers Paradise beach transformed into the ultimate netball mecca with over 1,000 participants ready to practice, play and party. Last September, the inaugural NetFest attracted 500 participants. In 2012, the event has been rescheduled to the end of the competitive season in October, creating 'the ultimate end-of-season trip' for netballers of all levels.   The brainchild of…

Brisbane is set to become a winter culinary capital following the Queensland Government's announcement today that the riverside city will host a brand new food festival - Delectable - from 16-29 July. Celebrating Queensland produce, farmers and chefs, 'Delectable' will bring to life key outdoor spaces across Brisbane through an exciting program of music, food and entertainment. An initiative of the Queensland Government through Events Queensland, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey said the event would promote Queensland as the major food state in the nation, and reinforce Brisbane's reputation as Australia's leading event and tourist destination and…

Skilled Park on the Gold Coast is set to light up in mid-October when Gold Coast Sevens – Fever Pitch returns to one of Australia’s most vibrant cities. After making its debut on a Friday and Saturday in November last year Australian Rugby Union today announced the two-day tournament will move to Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October in 2012. The tournament will also act as the opening round of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series. ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, said excitement was already starting to build for the second instalment of Gold Coast Sevens –…

Arts Minister Ros Bates today congratulated Queensland Museum South Bank for staging a remarkable coup in securing the only Australian showing of Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb which opens tomorrow [19 April]. Ms Bates said the touring exhibition, created by the British Museum, would give Queenslanders a unique insight into the secrets of the one of the world's most ancient civilisations. "This exhibition, an exclusive for Queensland, features four exceptionally preserved mummies shown as never before using 3D imaging and medical scanning," Ms Bates said. "Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb uses fascinating new technology to explore the life, death and…

If you are looking for a weekend of gastronomic delights and superior entertainment, then come along to the Noosa International Food & Wine Festival from May 17 to 20. Not only will your General Admission ticket gain you entry to the wonderful culinary events of the Festival, but you will be treated to fabulous live concerts featuring some of Australia’s top musical performers. The Festival kicks off on Thursday, May 17 with The Cook, The Chef & The Orchestra Gala Concert featuring food icons, Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant. Their unique on stage cooking show will be accompanied by the…

Tickets for the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season match to be played at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Saturday 14 July are now on sale.   Supported by the Queensland Government through Events Queensland and to be played between  Richmond and the Gold Coast SUNS under lights for the first time at Cazalys, the match is attracting strong interest. And in a win for local sports fans, the capacity of the venue has been increased by an additional 1,000 tickets following the sold-out match in 2011.  Through re-configuration of facilities inside the venue, the team at Cazalys have been able…

The Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola is confirmed to tee off from December 13 – 16 on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey today welcomed news that Australia’s oldest professional tournament – the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola - was set to return to the Sunshine Coast in December this year. “The Australian PGA Championship will return to Coolum between December 13-16 showcasing the Sunshine Coast as a top tourism destination and attracting local and interstate golfing fans alike,” said Ms Stuckey. Supported by the Queensland Government through Events Queensland, Minister Jann…

Arts Minister Ros Bates today announced a record 24 galleries and Indigenous art centres will take part in the 2012 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), making for an exciting program of visual art, dance, music and debate in Cairns 17-19 August. Speaking before tonight’s official launch, Ms Bates said CIAF has become Australia’s premier Indigenous art fair and a must-attend event on Queensland’s cultural calendar. “It is a unique event in Australia – a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through art and performance and a fantastic platform for Indigenous artists to market and showcase their art to…

CAIRNS, Australia (April 10, 2012) – The 2012 Cairns Airport Adventure Festival will now include the Urban Hotel Group Ironman 70.3 Cairns, which will replace the existing 2.80.20 Cairns. The event will serve as a qualifier for the Ironman World Championship 70.3, taking place at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., on September 9, 2012. The Urban Hotel Group Ironman 70.3 Cairns will offer a 15,000 USD professional prize purse and 25 age group qualifying slots.Ricky Jeffs, Group General Manager of Erdigroup, the parent company of the Urban Hotel Group said, “The event represents a unique opportunity for us to…