Australia's Gold Coast: G'day, gay!

“Come and say G'day mates” is the theme of the Gold Coast Tourism and IGLTA familiarisation trip set for Australia's Gold Coast March 7-11, 2011.

If you've always wanted to travel down under, then visiting the “Famous for Fun” Gold Coast is the trip for you. It just might be the perfect introduction to gay Australia (with more IGLTA members than anywhere else in the country), and it is only an hour's flight to Sydney for pre or post explorations of the Aussie mystique.

Yes, you'll be able to cuddle a koala and feed a kangaroo. No where else but in Queensland can you do encounter wildlife in the morning, sky walk through ancient rainforests before lunch, and learn to surf that same afternoon before having sunset libations overlooking Surfers Paradise beach.

The “No Worries” Fam trip takes place immediate following the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras festival. Airfares between Sydney and the Gold Coast are less than $150, and flights take a little over an hour to reach the magnificent new Gold Coast Airport on Rainbow Bay. 

A trip to the Gold Coast, Australia's “Famous for Fun” playground would not be complete without a visit to Dreamworld theme park for our own Gay Day at the Park. There are many other sites and tours included in the 5 day package, including luxury stays at IGLTA and Gay Comfort hotels, meals at Queensland's top restaurants, and gay club excursions.

Pricing starts at $450 per person, not including airfare to Sydney or Brisbane, the international points of entry. The cost covers lodging for four nights, all meals, tours, receptions, activities and local transportation.

For more information about the Gold Coast, please see the Lesbian and Gay Destination Guide to Australia's Gold Coast.

Travel the Gay Gold Coast

If you've always wanted to travel to Australia, then visiting the Gay Gold Coast in Queensland (perhaps after a few days in Sydney during Mardi Gras or on your way to other Queensland destinations) might just be the trip for you.

Underwear! Underwear! Read all about it!

Check out Daily Jocks guide to the hottest and most exciting underwear brands Australia has to offer.

WoofClub in Australia - strictly for men

I've always wanted to visit Australia for Mardi Gras and here's one more good reason to do it.

Taking place in the subterranean “catacomb” of The Gaff (formerly known as the old Rogues nightclub) on Oxford Street, WoofClub's tagline says it all - “for durty dance dogs.”

If you’re planning a trip to Sydney for New Mardi Gras, this looks to be the recovery party of the Parade weekend! Immediately following Harbour Party 2010, WoofClub presents the best Aussie DJs including Sydney’s DJ George Roussos (Closing Party of Lazy Bear 2009) as well as DJ Paul King (UK) for your entertainment. Not to mention all the sexy Australian guys.

WoofClub, now entering its fifth year, is strictly for men. The dress code is leather/durty and the smell code is … no cologne! Specialty Folsom Street Events merchandise will be given away to the dirtiest of dogs! WoofClubponsored in part by Folsom Street Events.

Cruise New Zealand and Australia

Tom Mizer and Travis McGhie report on the destinations, amenities and the romance of a Holland America Lines cruise downunder and you can check out the full video on Passport TV.

Civil Unions down under

The unions of same-sex couples will be legally recognized in Australia, but will not be considered the same as marriages, according to a decision by Australia's ruling party. The vote by the party at its national conference was preceded by marriage-rights rallies attended by thousands in Sydney and around the nation.