SameSame.com.au ~ Inside Out Australia

This year, avoid the post Mardi Gras blues. Come up north where everything is fine!

Queensland is a great place for a recovery – our beautiful weather and friendly population means that you’ll be into your budgie smugglers and bikinis in next to no time.

Noosa is a popular recovery option for party goers, who want some sun and fun. Horizons offers great accommodation right across the beach, and close to the best parts of the Sunshine Coast.

There is heaps of entertainment planned for the Noosa Recovery Week, with gala dinners, dance parties, sunset river cruises, a Fraser Island safari, pool and beach parties.

Mardi Gras Gala Dinner

On Monday, March 9 the Gala Recovery Dinner sponsored by GALTA is to be held at Sheraton Hotel Ballroom with guest entertainers including Trevor Ashley and Lesley Hancock in their the hit musical Rehab. The evening includes a buffet meal and welcome drinks.

The cost is $60 per person and includes a Sheraton buffet meal and welcoming drinks. It starts at 7pm for 7.30pm sit down. Bookings can be made with Horizons by calling 07 5448 3444.

Mardi Gras Recovery Dance Party

The recovery dance party, featuring DJ Corey Czok and the Mardi Gras Divas, will be held at the Rolling Rock nightclub in Noosa on Tuesday March 10. Also featuring the launch of next seasons swimwear range from Ed Hardy, come along and see Noosa’s hottest boys on stage!

Doors open at 9PM. Early bird tickets are $15 or $20 at the door.

Horizons Pool And Beach Party

Wednesday March 11 is the Horizons pool and beach party. Bring your speedos and booze and get set for a day of fun! Relax and party with the locals and interstate visitors.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome. $10 only for big BBQ at 6PM. 45 Lorikeet Drive Peregian Beach. Phone 07 5448 3444.

Noosa And Beyond

On Thursday March 12 you can take your pick of adventure tours with many different options available. On offer are a Fraser Island tour, the Noosa Everglades, Scuba Diving on the HMAS Bisbane wreck, Noosa Hinterlands tour or a sunset cruise on the Noosa River Queen ( as opposed to cruising a Noosa Queen at sunset)!

Click here for more information.

Horizons Poolside BBQ Breakfast

Friday 13 March is the Horizons Poolside BBQ Breakfast, which starts at 8am, and offers a great chance to relax by the pool. Expect a hearty Aussie breakfast BBQ with some bubbly thrown in!

It’s only $20 per person and is at 45 Lorikeet Drive Peregian Beach. Phone 07 5448 3444 (turn off David Low way at Peregian Garden Centre).

Big Gay Day

Don’t forget to be in Brisbane for the annual Big Gay Day party on March 15, which offers a huge line up of entertainment and attracts some 6,000 people – it’s one of the best parties Queensland has to offer. Performing this year is Crystal Waters, Operator Please and TV Rock, as well as plenty of DJs and drag shows.

Tickets for Big Gay Day 2009 are $30 and 25% is being donated to charity.

Check out our photos from 2008 Big Gay Day here.

The tropical north of Queensland also offers lots to those looking for a recovery.

Cairns really has a charm of its own. It’s just a hop away from the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical Daintree rainforest, and also offers two choices for gay accommodation. Skinny Dips Resort and Turtle Cove are both popular destinations.

Steamy Recovery – Love and Respect

On March 14 Cairns will also host the ‘Love & Respect’ recovery party, a ‘Steamy recovery for the LGBT community.’ Run at the Blue Sky Brewery, Sydney based DJ Sveta headlines with entertainment from burlesque group VaVaVoom and Pole Play Studios. Expect male and female pole dancers, body painters and a screening of the 2009 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade alongside music to make you sweat.

The party runs from 9pm to 3am, Saturday March 14 at Blue Sky Brewery, Lake Street, Cairns. Tickets are$20 and $18 pre-sale and are available from Blue Sky Brewery, the Fruit Loops gay and lesbian business networking group, QAHC Cairns and Skinny Dips Resort and Spa.

So what are you waiting for? Come and party in Queensland! And don’t forget your shorts and thongs!

Interested in staying at Noosa? Contact Horizons – Peregian. If Cairns is more your thing, contact Above and Beyond Tours.