12 not to miss Queensland events in 2018

12 Queensland events you shouldn’t miss in 2018

2018 is shaping up to be a massive year for live Queensland events! Not only is it playing host to a raft of unmissable events, from gourmet food festivals and country music celebrations to endurance races and culturally immersive Indigenous experiences, in April all eyes will be on the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games for 11 electrifying sporting action days. Here’s the list of 12 Queensland events you shouldn’t miss in 2018.

1. Brisbane Global Rugby Tens

The Brisbane Global Rugby Tens tournament is definitely one of Queensland events you do not want to miss in 2018. For the second year in a row, the superstars of Australian and New Zealand rugby will go head-to-head with international heavyweights in a nail-biting, ten-a-side knockout tournament at Suncorp Stadium.

Catch the defending kiwi champions, the Chiefs, face their fellow countrymen from the Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes as well as all of Australia’s Super Rugby teams. Look out also for French club Pau, Japan’s Panasonic Wildknights and top flight clubs from Samoa and Fiji.

With a new day/night format for the Friday and Saturday matches as well as trial matches, fan days and player appearances, the 2018 tournament promises plenty of action for the whole family. Plan an epic weekend with mates and dress up for the occasion, or bring the kids and take advantage of the child-friendly areas and family tickets as you cheer on your heroes.

Brisbane | When: 9 – 10 February 2018
Website: brisbaneglobaltens.com
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2. Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro Gold Coast

Happening at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast is the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro Gold Coast. Join the world’s best male and female surfers as they battle it out. One familiar face you can expect to see is surfing legend and Gold Coast local Mick Fanning. “Snapper is home for me,” he says. “It’s a real family vibe down there. When it’s small the little kids take all of the waves and when it gets a bit bigger behind the rock then the boys go out and have a bit of fun. It is a great wave and a lot of fun.” For days of family fun, this is one of the Queensland events you want to mark down in your calendar.

Gold Coast | When: 11 – 22 March 2018
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3. CMC Rocks QLD

Held across four days in Ipswich, CMC Rocks QLD is Australia’s largest international country and roots festival. Just an hour’s drive west of Brisbane, this festival gets bigger and better each year. CMC Rocks is famous for its allstar lineups and mix of local and international acts.

Ipswich | When: 16 – 18 March 2018
Website: cmcrocks.com
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4. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

All eyes will be on the Gold Coast when the XXI Commonwealth Games takes over Queensland for 11 action-packed days. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is without a doubt one of Queensland events you definitely shouldn’t miss. Witness greatness rarely seen as more than 6600 athletes, representing 70 nations and six continents, compete for glory across 18 sports and seven para-sports.

The majority of events will take place across the Gold Coast, with track cycling and shooting staged in Brisbane and preliminary basketball rounds taking place in Townsville and Cairns in the tropical north. In addition, organisers have promised plenty of off-track fun and festivities with a Queensland twist. So you can expect the celebrations and carnival atmosphere to spread far and wide.

Gold Coast | When: 4 – 15 April 2018
Website: gc2018.com
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5. Noosa Food and Wine Festival

One of the must do foodie events in Queensland. Noosa Food and Wine Festival is Queensland’s biggest celebration of all things edible. It features 70 events, 50 chefs and 30 winemakers over four days. Take tips from the world’s biggest culinary stars while you watch them cook up a storm. You will also get to sample local flavours and classic vintages while you wander the festival’s tipi camp on Noosa Main Beach, or snag a seat for the famous Long Lunch on Hastings Street.

Sunshine Coast | When: 17 – 20 May 2018
Website: noosafoodandwine.com.au

6. Gold Coast Marathon

The Gold Coast Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2018. This world class international marathon features a flat and scenic course. In addition, the ideal winter running conditions featuring low humidity, little wind and mild temperatures also result in 60 per cent of participants achieving personal best times each year.

Gold Coast | When: 30 June – 1 July 2018
Website: goldcoastmarathon.com.au
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You may also be interested: Marathons worth traveling the world for

7. Birdsville Big Red Bash

For music fans, Birdsville Big Red Bash is one of the Queensland events you shouldn’t miss. It is probably the world’s most remote music festival. Birdsville Big Red Bash is set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Simpson Desert and the famous ‘Big Red’ sand dune. You can expect tunes from rock icon John Farnham and an epic supporting line up of Daryl Braithwaite, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, Russell Morris, Hoodoo Gurus, The Black Sorrows.

Outback Queensland | When: 10 – 12 July 2018
Website: bigredbash.com.au

8. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)

Now in its ninth year, CIAF has become one of the most important art fairs on the Australian art calendar, attracting both national and international collectors from across the art world. This quintessential celebration of the art of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples takes over Cairns each July and also features an art market, dance and music programs.

Tropical North Queensland | When: 13 – 15 July 2018
Website: ciaf.com.au
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9. Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo

The Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo gives you a truly authentic outback experience and promises more action than you can shake an Akubra at. It is also the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere. Not to mention that Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo will be celebrating its 60th Diamond Jubilee anniversary in 2018. So what are you waiting for? Pack your cowboy boots and get ready for three days of stomping entertainment, street parties, horse racing and, of course, rough and tough rodeo riding.

Outback Queensland | When: 9 – 12 August 2018
Website: isarodeo.com.au

10. ITU World Triathlon Grand Final

In September 2018, more than 5000 of the world’s best elite and age group triathletes will be Gold Coast-bound for the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final. Catch athletes representing 46 nations compete at Southport Broadwater Parklands. Be sure to be there to support and cheer on your favourite athletes from the opening ceremony to the closing.

Gold Coast | When: 12 – 16 September 2018

11. Gold Coast 600

Watch as the iconic streets of Surfers Paradise are transformed into the ultimate street circuit for the legendary Gold Coast 600. Expect a jam-packed weekend of heavyweight music acts and live entertainment which will have you glued to the gripping trackside action by day and then partying by the stage all night.

Gold Coast | When: 19 – 21 October 2018
Website: supercars.com
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12. Woodford Folk Festival

Every December, just outside the picturesque hinterland town of Woodford, a gigantic bohemian tent village appears. Over the next six days and nights, 2000 performers participate in a line-up of folk and world music, workshops, street theatre, circus, art and education, culminating on New Year’s Eve. You can also get crafty with your kids at the dedicated Children’s Festival, explore the festival laneways lined with bars and food stalls, or just kick back in the sunshine with some acoustic jams.

Brisbane | When: 27 December 2018 – 1 January 2019
Website: woodfordfolkfestival.com

Plan your trips to any of these 12 Queensland events now! Search for cheap flights and car rental via Skyscanner.