Hey guys - my BF & I will be travelling to Sydney for 2008 Gay Mardis Gras. After 6 nights there, we are *thinking* that we will buy a Train Pass and make the train trip to Brisbane & Melbourne for several nights each, then back to Sydney for our air trip back home.

We've heard that the Gold Coast is very straight, and as such, not as gay-friendly as other places. So, how about Brisbane? If you had friends coming to town, where would you take them in Brisbane? You know, the must-do's for a 3 night stay.

Also, the concept of doing the Train Pass thing to "see the countryside" ... Is that a stupid idea? Is it convenient or a total pain in the ass? Have you done it?

Thanks - this has been a great site for our planning.

The weekend after Mardi Gras Brisbane holds Big Gay Day which is a summer street party. With an attendance of around 5,000 to 6,000 people it is the biggest gay event that is held in Queensland. Rumour has it that this year they are having a big name guest from overseas as well as some of the best of Australia's talent as well as the best of Queenslands DJs and drag shows. It is a fund raising event for local gay and lesbian charities. It is held on the streets surrounding the Wickham Hotel on the Sunday of the weekend after Mardi Gras from midday.
As for the train trip, not sure about that. It is a long train ride whereas plane flights are very cheap. Personally I would fly to Brisbane and spend the money on day trips to Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Byron Bay but be warned the Gold Coast is to say the least full of tourists and bogans with probably Australia's worst gay night club. It best selling point is the beaches which are second to none in Australia.
Hope you have a great holiday.

When you say the weekend AFTER Mardis Gras - I'm assuming you mean March 8/9th?

Thanks for the info on planes.. we just didn't want to spend a half day in an airport if we didn't need to... Our thought was we could see more of the country side by wayof train...

The date you stated is correct. The event is on the Sunday. It has widespread support in Brisbane and attracts a great friendly crowd and the weather is usually fantastic. As well as Brisbane's GLBTQ community you will also find many from interstate and overseas.

thank you !!

fly to the Gold Coast, hire a car and drive north through Bris Vegas and up to the sunshine coast and Noosa.. great country side and you do it in your own time..

The Gold Coast isn't all bad! So many restarants there and the Casino's pretty cool with its monorail connection, and besides MP's being a pretty dodgy club (so I hear, I've never been), there are so awesome 'normal' clubs if you're into that sorta thing. The Goldie is damn good for a perve, but I'm sure that's the same anywhere lol. I'm from country QLD originally and I actualy think QLD's quite beautiful with all its towns and stuff, but a lot of it is brown at the moment because of the drought. It's awesome you guys like to travel and explore so much together!

Thanks for your help mates.. OK, we're set to stay in Brisbane for 6 nights following the Gay Mardis Gras in Sydney.

Can anyone suggest a decent Hotel? We're not looking for a 5 start resort; just something that is convenient and clean to getting out and about Brisbane -- maybe even resaonably close to a Gay dance club if possible... But access to the transportation system is probably the most important since we won't have an auto.

With the hotel, I just stayed in the pacific international whilst up there for fluffy fest but something even cheaper which i hear is really close to the 'valley' which is where all the gay pubs and clubs are is the brunswick st apartments.. It is also close to the brunsiwck st train station which gives you plenty of access all over the city..

Yeah agreed, sounds like you'll want to stay in Fortitude Valley - it's where most (actually all lol) of the gay dance clubs are, and it has Brunswick Street Station where you can catch trains as far north as Nambour, or the tilt train all the way up to Cairns from Roma Street Station, or south to the Gold Coast. There is a special outback sorta train but I forget what the name of it is. www.translink.com.au and www.qr.com.au may be of help with transport. www.ourbrisbane.com is quite cool too for tourists/visitors looking for things to do in Brisbane city and suburbs.
I wish you the best of luck on your trip!