Queensland Travel Guide - Going Out

The food of the area relies to a large extent on the sea and the subtropical climate for specialities in cuisine. In Fortitude Valley, New Farm and the West End, just out of Brisbane city centre, there are a number of European, and Asian restaurants, bars and trendy cafes. There are also excellent places specialising in modern Australia fare, which is usually a fusion of different cuisines, especially Asian.

Regional specialities:
• Seafood is supreme in Queensland. Delicacies such as Moreton Bay bugs, mud crabs, king and tiger prawns, mackerel, sea scallops and fresh barramundi.
• Delicious range of fruits, such as avocados, mangoes, pawpaws, pineapples, strawberries and bananas.
• Native Macadamia nuts are found in all kinds of concoctions including desserts, and in salads.

Regional drinks:
• The local brand of beer that is also a popular lager in the UK is Castlemaine XXXX (or ‘4-X').
• Queensland is the home of Bundaberg Rum, a sweet rum brewed with local sugar cane.

Although much of the tourist activity is centred on the beaches and the Barrier Reef, Brisbane offers a wide selection of entertainment. Most of the large hotels have dinner and dancing facilities and there are several nightclubs in the city, especially in Fortitude Valley where clubs and restaurants abound. The West End of Brisbane is an excellent area for trendy bars, stylish cafes and nightclubs. New Farm is also growing in popularity - The Brisbane Powerhouse, a performance arts venue with restaurants and a bar, has a magnificent parkland location overlooking the river. The Gold Coast has many nightclubs, as well as Jupiter's Casino. Townsville has the spectacular Sheraton Breakwater Casino, offering a full range of gaming facilities and high-quality entertainment.

Good buys include opals, Aboriginal art and handicrafts, woollen clothing, sheepskin coats and wood products. Brisbane is very good for Aboriginal art with galleries showcasing a wide range of works, usually for sale. Souvenirs of Australiana are easy enough to find along Queen Street mall and boutique designers with the latest fashion can be found on Ann Street in Fortitude Valley. Brisbane also has a number of markets selling arts and crafts, the best being the crafts village market at Southbank on the weekend.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2100, Sat 0800-1700, although hours vary depending on the city. Shops in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Cairns are open on Sundays.