On a recent visit to Cairns we caught up with Jay Horne, publisher and editor of FNQ Magazine while he was working in his other role as owner of Paradiso Cafe, located at the Centre Of Contemporary Arts Cairns (just look for the giant jelly babies) in Abbott Street. We were amazed at his passion and energy in helping to promote both gay travel, gay events and the gay community in what he refers to as the 'tropical pink paradise' of Far North Queensland.
Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is great for a chill-out gay holiday. Alexandria Bay is a beautiful gay beach in Noosa National Park. Noosa has great restaurants, wonderful out door activities and Noosa Cove Holiday Apartments is great for a gay stay.
Celebrity Solstice was our home away from home cruising from Sydney to New Zealand with a group of gay guys from Pied Piper Travel.
We are a little spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in Sydney. However, our favourite gay beach is Little Congwong at La Perouse in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. It is not an official nude beach but has a forty year naturist history. On a hot weekend the beach is packed with people, most sun-baking nude. The nearby rocks are also popular with regulars. During the week the beach is much less crowded but Friday and Monday can often be busy (surprise!). Whether there are a couple of hundred or just a few guys on this little beach, it is a gem.
Flying into Cairns in the Far North of Queensland (FNQ), we were wowed by the wilderness hugging the coastline. Thick, luxuriant, tropical vegetation is starkly contrasted against the celestial blue of the Coral Sea, home of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a small, modern city, a short ten minute drive from its busy International Airport. On arrival, the bright sunny, steamy atmosphere makes this city scream 'vacation time!'. Whether you are relaxing by a pool, strolling along the coastal boardwalk under the swaying palm trees or simply stretched out on one of the many sandy beaches to the north of the city, this is a fun and friendly place to base yourself in FNQ.
Port Macquarie, is one of the most beautiful country towns on the east coast of Australia. It's a five hour drive north of Sydney and boasts the best climate in the country. But wait until to you see its stunning, pristine beaches and waterways, nature reserves and walking trails, excellent restaurants and accommodation options, and the list goes on. This gorgeous coastal gem is becoming a preferred escape destination for young, well-heeled weekenders, so you won't be the only gay in the village.