Details of the Tourism and Events Queensland Blogger Popups

March 26, 2013 By Darren Rowse

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Pack your sunnies and get ready, because Tourism & Events Queensland is about to show you the Gold Coast!

Applications for the TEQ Popup Events have now closed – the chosen correspondents will be announced in the first week of June.

TEQ have created an extraordinary range of one day popup events to run the day before and the day after the ProBlogger Event. There are mini popups aimed at foodies, fabulous tours for fashionistas, zippy trips for thrill seekers and even a morning out for wannabe surfers.

Please note: while we have made every effort to ensure the information below is correct, events may be added, withdrawn or substituted according to demand and availability. There are no refunds, swaps or rainchecks for participants selected to attend these events.

Fashionably Fun

Aimed at the fashion or lifestyle blogger, this day trip will take you under the skin of Australia’s new world city, Brisbane, and the nation’s favourite resort playground, Gold Coast. In conjunction with Shop In Style Escape, we will visit local Queensland designers, fossick around vintage stores, duck in to hidden coffee shops, and perhaps even have a high tea.  The tour will be hosted by Amanda Kruse.

Brisbane on Thursday 12^th September

Tour through the hidden gems of New Farm, the Valley and Paddington, perhaps popping in to inhale the aroma of Brisbane’s only parfumerie before catching up with Brisbane’s King of Chocolate (who has his own secret) and indulging in what we – and Ashton Kutcher – think are the world’s best brownies. We may brush up with Brisbane’s own cosmetic specialist and then meet some of the state’s leading designers.

• Pick up from Brisbane Airport at 9.00am and again outside the Sixes & Sevens, 67 James Street, New Farm at 09:30 am.
• Your transfer from Brisbane to the Gold Coast departs around 4.00pm and will be arranged by Tourism & Events Queensland
• Lunch provided.
• Please note some activities may change.
• See:  Visit Brisbane
• See: Shop in Style Escape

 Gold Coast on Sunday 15^th September 

It’s known for glitz and glamour, but there’s also a distinctly fashionable edge to the Gold Coast. We’ll meet some of the young designers, check out laid-back cafes, have high tea at Versace, and mix it up with the coolest bar tender in town.

• Pick up from  QT Gold Coast at 9.00am and drop off at 5.00pm;
• Lunch provided.
• Please note some activities such as markets may change due to the day
• See: Queensland Holidays
• See Shop in Style Escape
• See: The Village Markets Gold Coast

 

Find your Chakra (and Hugh knows what else)

Two hundred hectares of calming retreat. Cool.
Superb organic cuisine. Wow.
Thirty-three custom-designed and themed treatment rooms. Count me in.
Hugh Jackman’s fave place to hang out. Where do I sign up?

Welcome to Gwinganna, a health and wellness resort high in the Gold Coast hills and renowned for taking in the world’s tired and frazzled and turning them into pillars of happiness and zen. Normally only available for paying guests, this exclusive pop up will be extended to a strictly limited number of health and lifestyle bloggers. Could that be you?

Gold Coast, Thursday 12^th September

• Strictly limited spaces
• Pick up from Gold Coast Airport at 9.00am. Drop off at QT Hotel by 4.30pm
• Spa treatment, yoga and nutrition class included
• Spa brunch provided.
• See: Gwinganna Website

 

Memorable Fun

Are you a budding photographer or big on Instagram?
Then this half-day pop up will take you to one of the most gob-smackingly beautiful spots on the Gold Coast to capture the mood of the location.

We will have a top photographer with us to help run a session on getting the best out of landscape and people photography.

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

• Pick up from  QT Gold Coast at 9.30am and drop off at 2.00pm;
• Lunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays

 

Travel Bloggers Beware…

Covering adventure? Then join us as we take you on an action-packed day trip.
Start by the beach and learn to surf then scoot up the mountains, jump on a bike and cycle through World Heritage listed rainforests in the afternoon. There should also be time for a spot of beer and cheese tasting before coming back to the coast. Effort reaps reward, right?

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

• Pick up from  QT Gold Coast at 8.00am and drop off at 5.00pm;
• Lunch provided.
• Please note activities and times may change
• See:  Queensland Holidays

 

Health and Lifestyle Bloggers

Blogging about health? Then we’ve got a calming pop-up treat for you. Start the morning with gentle exercise by the beach, try your hand at stand-up paddling, and refuel with a healthy vegetarian/organic meal. This one also screams massage!

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

• Pick up from  QT Gold Coast at 8.00am (TBC)s and drop off at 5.00pm;
• Lunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Gwinganna Website
• See: Byron Vegetarian Cafe

 

Fanatical about food?

Forget the glitter strip and the meter maids, if food is your number on love you’ll be pleased to discover the Gold Coast is all grown up and we want to showcase the change. Bring your appetite for this day of grazing and indulging from new restaurants and local producers up and down the coast.

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September 

• Pick up from  QT Gold Coast at 9.30am and drop off at 4.30pm
• Lunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays

 

 Discover the heart of Brisbane: Southbank

Go from the surf to the city and explore Brisbane’s most popular cultural precinct.
Start by checking out the latest blockbuster exhibition at the locally-loved and internationally-renowned Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA to friends) and then hop on a Brisbane City Cycle and ride through the beautiful Southbank Parklands.

Stop at the newest Southbank hotspot, Rivergreen, for a picnic lunch and a wine while watching the world go by on the busy Brisbane River. This one is perfect for anyone departing from Brisbane that night.

Brisbane, Sunday 15^th September

• Check out and pick up from QT Gold Coast at 9.30am. Transfers to Brisbane Airport start from 5.00pm. Note, there will be no return transfers to the Gold Coast.
• Lunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Visit Brisbane

 

 High Rolling at Jupiters

Live like a high-roller for a day with an all-access pass to the extravagant Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast.

Ride in style to the casino in a VIP car and learn the secrets to culinary success from Uday Huja, the chef who has tantalised top tastebuds across the world, including those of President Obama.

End the day with a glass of wine and a chance to hit the tables.

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

 

• Pick up from QT Gold Coast at 9.30am and return by 3.00pm.
• Lunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Jupiters Gold Coast

 

Learn to Surf

Dude! Get out on the water with Get Wet Surf School and find out why surfing creates die-hard fans the world over.

Think you are too old? Get over that. Get Wet Surf School’s friendly instructors guarantee everyone – from age six to 66 – will have a gnarly good time AND get to stand up.

So grab the girls or the guys and get ready to feel the rush of the waves. After working up an appetite, Kerry and the gang will take you to the local surf club for a hearty brunch. Now that’s slamming!

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

• Pick up from QT Gold Coast at 8.30am and return by 1.00pm.
• Brunch provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Get Wet Surf

 

 Pedal your way to greater heights

Calling all adrenalin junkies! Grab the sunscreen and helmet up for an easy cycle along the spiffy new Gold Coast foreshore, all the way to the highest residential tower in the Southern Hemisphere.

Look up! That’s our target. Yep, at 77 storeys above sea level, you’re going to suit up for the climb of your life – right to the tip of Skypoint in the Q1 Building.

Here, there are views to die for (No chance of that, tho. You will be tightly tethered to the rails). And for this group only, mobile devices will be allowed! Fancy an instagram, anyone?

 Gold Coast, Thursday 12^th September.

• Pick up from QT Gold Coast at 1:00pm and return by 6.30pm.
• Light refreshments provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Get Wet Surf

Gold Coast,  Sunday 15^th September 

• Pick up from QT Gold Coast at 08:00 and return by 1.00pm.
• Light refreshments provided.
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Get Wet Surf

 

Beer and Beach

Come on. It’s Sunday. What more could you want? Start the day on the southern end of the coast with our Burleigh Brewmaster (try saying that after a few beers) for a tasting tour through the Burleigh Brewing Co.

There are more beers than you can poke a surfboard at including Fanny Gertrude’s Bickie Beer, My Wife’s Bitter and Black Giraffe.

Speaking of surf, you’ll also get to check out the history of the Gold Coast’s favourite sport at Surf World, before hitting the beach for a swim and a lunch over a hearty fisherman’s basket.

Gold Coast, Sunday 15^th September

• Pick up from QT Gold Coast at 09:00 and return by 3.30pm.
• Note: anyone looking to depart from Gold Coast Airport this day should do so from Burleigh Heads.
• Light lunch provided.
• Burleigh Brewing
• Surf World Gold Coast

 

Mums (and Dads) Who Blog

Coming with the kids (and maybe hubby) and have a couple of days spare before or after the conference?

Then let us know if you want to go to a theme park plus how you will cover that location, and we can help arrange tickets. Here’s the lowdown of theme parks:

Gold Coast, available between September 15 – 22 

Little bits of Fun – Targeting mums-who-blog with kids aged between 0-7 years, your best parks are Sea World (think penguins, dolphins, crazy water rides), and Dreamworld (Wiggles World, Shrek,)

Teen Tumbles – Aimed at mums with ‘teens and tweenagers’ between 7-16, the coast’s coolest theme parks are Dreamworld (for the Big 8 white knuckle rides), White Water World and Movieworld (Batman, Justice League 3D etc)

Nature Loving Families – Have your kids ever cuddled a koala? Fed a lorikeet? Taken an adventure trail? No? Then, the southern part of the Gold Coast is home to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where they can experience all this and more. Take them out for a day where the wild things live.

Maximum 2 adults and 2 children.

Tickets must be arranged in advance through Tourism & Events Queensland.

• Park operating hours are generally from 10.00am through to 5.00pm.
• Transfers to be arranged independently (local bus or car hire)
• See:  Queensland Holidays
• See: Dreamworld
• See: Movie World
• See: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Applications for the TEQ Popup Events have now closed – the chosen correspondents will be announced in the first week of June.