Special Events
Enjoying Events for Free in Brisbane
Sometimes it can be hard finding anything cool to do that doesn’t have a price tag attached, but that certainly isn’t the case in Brisbane, where awesome, free, cool events keep popping up year after year. If you are looking for something fantastic and free to check out in Brisbane, the following are some of the city’s best events.
Mellow Music on the Green
Whether you are in Brisbane on holidays or live there and are looking for a free way to unwind and relax at the end of the week, Brisbane’s recently developed River Quay Green area is the place to be on Friday evenings in May this year. Some of Brisbane’s best musicians will be putting on 45-minute sets for free between 6pm and 8pm, providing the perfect way to chill out and relax on a beautiful autumn evening.
A Guide to the Gold Coast’s Coolest Car Events
While the Gold Coast is most famous for its Indy and Super Car races, some of the coolest car events here attract a significantly less attention. Even though none of these events will be able to match the glitz and the glamour of the professional events, they still offer unique opportunities to get a good look at some truly incredible machines. If you are a car enthusiast and are looking for an excuse to head to the Gold Coast, the following cool car events are more than reason enough to go.
Gold Coast Hot Rod Show and Swap Meet (May 27, 2012)
There are no more spectacular looking machines than the old school hot rods, and the Gold Coast will be swarming with them again this year in celebrating the 18th year of this impressive show. Entry is only $5 and the show will be held at Skilled Park in Robina, so if your love of cars lies with the elaborate, fast and dramatic, be sure to check out the Gold Coast Hot Rod Show and Swap Meet this year.
Short Guide to the Coolest Sydney Events
Sydney always has something cool going on, and the big events here always draw a crowd. The following are some of the coolest events to check out in Sydney.
Sydney Comedy Festival
Every year since 2005, Sydney has played host to some of the world’s funniest people, and holds one of the best comedy festivals in the world. In 2012, the festival went from April 24-May 12, and took place at some of Sydney’s best venues, including the Seymour Theatre, the Metro Theatre, the Enmore Theatre and the Sydney Opera House.
Overview of the Sydney Film Festival
Whether you are a film fanatic or just enjoy the occasional documentary, the Sydney Film Festival is one of the highlights of the year every year in Sydney, and offers an opportunity to finally see something good at the movies. The following is a brief overview of the festival.
History
The Sydney Film Festival got its start back in 1954 when it first took place at the University of Sydney, showcasing films that included Jour de Fait and The General. Since then, the film festival has taken place every year, expanding and growing to take advantage of different venues and parts of the city. The Sydney Film Festival is now a 12-day festival that draws local, national and international attention.
Biggest Festivals for Brisbane in 2012
It seems that Brisbane is fast becoming the festival capital of Australia, and while it is not quite there yet, 2012 will see the Queensland capital celebrating in style yet again. The following are some of the best 2012 festivals Brisbane has on offer.
Enrich Brisbane Festival
This tasty three-day festival will be doing everything it can to get you hyped about food, health and nutrition, and will feature guest speakers, celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations, food and wine knowledge workshops, and of course lots of delicious food tasting. If you are a foodie, up-and-coming chef, or just want to be able to cook creative and tasty food for yourself or your family, don’t miss this festival. Tickets range between $27-$30 per day and children under 12 can enter free of charge.
Getting Ready for the Gold Coast V8 Supercars
The Gold Coast really does have something for everyone, and for the car enthusiasts out there, this city puts on a show you have to see to believe with the annual V8 Supercar event. The racing is always tight and the party rocking, as car lovers from all over gather on the paradise-like strip and live it up Gold Coast style for a weekend. The following is a quick look at all you need to know to get ready for this incredible event.
Get your tickets
You don’t want to miss a second of this action-packed weekend, so make sure you get your tickets the moment they go on sale. Once you have them, then you know you are actually going, but until you do, you obviously aren’t 100 per cent ready yet.
The Best Live Music Venues in Sydney
Sydney loves its live music, so if you are here for a visit, be sure to catch at least a show or two. There are constantly international acts touring from all over the world, not to mention a solid local scene, so make sure your Sydney accommodation is close to at least one of the following Sydney venues so you can check out a show or two while you are in town.
The Enmore Theatre
One of the most popular venues in Sydney to see live music at is the iconic Enmore Theatre. Being a small place, you can get up close to the bands, creating an intimate vibe that never fails to rock the house. Located in the inner city suburb or Enmore, this venue has been one of Sydney’s top live music venues since the 1960s.
Preparing Early for Sydney Mardi Gras
Attending Sydney’s Mardi Gras festival is an experience of a lifetime, but you had better start your preparations as soon as possible so that you are able to get the most out of this unique cultural festival. The following are some of the elements of your Mardi Gras extravaganza that you should start preparing for well in advance.
Accommodation
One of the first things you should do once you have decided you are going to Mardi Gras is book your accommodation. Whether you plan on staying in a hostel, hotel, serviced apartments, or on a boat, short term accommodation absolutely everywhere is going to fill up early. Make sure you book your digs ASAP, because you don’t want to be without a base for Mardi Gras.
Travelling With Children to a Large Event
Taking your family out to an event can be a fantastic way to have a fun day together. However, if you have small children, a fun day out requires a great deal of organisation. If kids don’t have what they want or need, they are well and truly capable of turning a nice day out into a full-scale nightmare, so do your best to stack the odds in your favour and get organised. The following are some of the essential elements that you’ll need to have covered.
Food
Most large events will have their own food vendors, but these are usually quite expensive and can end up costing you a fortune — not to mention they often involve standing in very long line-ups. Taking your own food is the best move, because not only will you save money, but you’ll also be able to bring healthier food options, and ones that you know your kids will like. If you’ve come from out of town and will be staying in short term accommodation, look for hotels in Sydney with kitchenettes or cooking facilities, so you have a space to prepare your food before heading out to the event.
Planning Ahead for Brisbane’s Riverside Fireworks
Every year, Brisbane plays host to one of the biggest and best pyrotechnic displays in the country, with the Riverside Festival fireworks display kicking off the annual Brisbane Festival. If you haven’t been to Brisbane for a while, or at all, this is a fantastic excuse to make the trip. Indeed, this awesome 25-minute explosive display is just one of many highlights within a booming city. If you do plan on coming for the fireworks, plan ahead, and keep in mind the following tips.
Where to stay
There is a huge range of accommodation options depending on your style and budget, with comfortable serviced apartments, funky Brisbane hotels,= and cute B&Bs making up some of your choices. Whatever you choose, try and get somewhere within walking distance of the riverfront, as it’s nice to have an easy trip home from the party.
