Queensland Events

In Queensland, events are simply an excuse to have a great time. A combination of beautiful weather and world-class facilities makes Queensland the perfect location for staging a variety of major events.

Whether it’s simply making the most of attending an outdoor sporting event or experiencing the thrill and excitement of placing at bet at the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions, Queensland has an event to suit everyone.

The Australia Superyacht & Marine Export Industry Conference

The Australia Superyacht & Marine Export Industry Conference is a two day event staged at Sanctuary Cove Marine Village Theatre prior to the 23rd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. It will bring together key industry stakeholders, boat builders, service providers and marine industry manufacturers.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 
The annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the largest on water boat show in the Asia Pacific region stretching more than five kilometres.  The boat show is a showcase of the Queensland marine industry and regularly attracts over 50,000 international and local visitors. The show offers a huge array of marine products with everything from superyachts to sail boats, personal watercraft, engines, marine services and sail accessories.  Held within the luxurious Sanctuary Cove precinct (home to a first-class marina, waterfront Marine Village and the five-star Hyatt Regency), the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the event for any boating enthusiast. 

Magic Millions
Eagerly anticipated by thousands of locals and visitors each year, the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Carnival is an unforgettable experience.  In January the Gold Coast hosts a spectacular program of multi-million dollar race days, champagne-toasted galas and annual first yearling sales.   The atmosphere and excitement of the Carnival is buoyed by the amazingly successful Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sales. The Magic Millions brand is now sought after by buyers from key markets across the globe, who recognise the quality and performance of these fine horses.  

Hamilton Island Raceweek 
Hamilton Island is the location for a week of exhilarating racing and spectacular off shore events at the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Over the past 25 years the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week has become a sailing institution. Thousands of sailors, their families, and friends have made the annual pilgrimage to the Queensland tropics to enjoy some of the most competitive and enjoyable racing to be had at any regatta in the world. Since inception the event’s growth has been stunning - from just three divisions and fewer than 100 yachts in 1984, to 12 divisions and a record fleet of 225 in 2008.

Armor All Gold Coast 600
In October, Queensland's beautiful Gold Coast plays host to the V8 Supercar Championship Series’ Armor All Gold Coast 600. The event teams renowned international drivers with the permanent stars of the V8 Supercar Championship Series for a 600km battle on the iconic streets of Surfers Paradise. The action continues off the track each evening with the 600 Sounds festival at the Broadwater Parklands featuring a massive line up of internationally-recognised acts. The city's party scene also moves into overdrive, with most of the action centred on Surfers Paradise where restaurants, nightclubs, surf beach and high-rise accommodation overlooking the track make for an alluring mix. 

Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival is one of Australia’s youngest and most exciting arts festivals. Beginning with Riverfire, a spectacular fireworks display over the Brisbane River and set to an exciting musical score, the Festival runs for three weeks. Brisbane is known for its sunny climate, which is ideal for an outdoor celebration. Featuring performances, food, wine and activities - Riverfestival is a week long celebration that celebrates life on the Brisbane River. The main event of the festival is Riverfire - a spectacular fireworks show that lights up the beauty of the Brisbane River. Brisbane entertainment really does not get much bigger than Brisbane Festival.

Brisbane International
Play ball! Queensland serves up some hot event action over summer with the annual Brisbane International tennis competition. The blockbuster event, held at the state-of-the-art Queensland Tennis Centre, marks the beginning of the Australian Open Series.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is regarded as the premier marathon in Australia. The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is the largest annual community sporting event held on the Gold Coast and is recognised worldwide for its fast, flat and scenic course. There is an event for all ages and fitness levels including the 42.2km Marathon, 21.1km Half Marathon, 10km Run, 5km Run/Walk and Junior Dash races for the kids over 2.25km and 4km. In 2008 the event broke all previous records when 21,012 participants hit the ground running for the Marathon’s 30th anniversary.

Noosa Triathlon
The award-winning Noosa Multi Sport Festival has grown in stature to become one of the world's largest annual multi-sport events with more than 8,000 participants and many more thousands of spectators joining in. Every year the Noosa Triathlon attracts the cream of the crop with athletes like Beijing Olympics Gold Medallist - Emma Snowsill. For big-name athletes and first-timers alike, the Noosa Triathlon ticks all the right boxes in terms of atmosphere and fun. Festival activities include:

• Noosa Triathlon
• Legends Corporate Golf Challenge
• Noosa Lifestyle Expo
• Hastings Street Fiesta
• Model Search - Mr & Miss Noosa Triathlon

ANZ RACV Ladies Masters
The ANZ Ladies Masters is one of the richest female golf events in the southern hemisphere, attracting the top female international golfers to the Gold Coast. The ANZ Ladies Masters consistently presents the best line-up of the ‘Top 50’ female golfers in the world and is one of the world’s top rating televised women’s golf events. The ANZ Ladies Masters has been won by some of the greatest names in international golf such as Annika Sorenstam (SWE), Laura Davies (ENG) and Karrie Webb (AUS) and Amy Yang (KOR).  

Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Roll out the red carpet! The APSAs are the Asia-Pacific region’s highest accolade in film. Held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the awards celebrate cultures and cinematic achievement across 70 countries and areas of Asia-Pacific - a region which is populated by four billion people and responsible for half the world’s film output.

Port Douglas Carnivale
The Port Douglas Carnivale is a celebration of life in the tropical paradise of Port Douglas. The Carnivale features some of the world’s best food, art and entertainment. The 10 day event transforms the North Queensland village of Port Douglas into a stream of colour and rhythm, as the annual Carnivale celebrates in a very unique style.

For more information on events in Queensland visit www.qldevents.com.au