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Food & Drink
The food of the area relies to a large extent on the sea and the subtropical climate for specialities in cuisine. Local delicacies include mud crabs, king and tiger prawns, mackerel and fresh barramundi, as well as avocados, mangoes, pawpaws, pineapples, strawberries, bananas and the highly recommended local speciality, the macadamia nut. In Fortitude Valley, just out of Brisbane city centre, there are a number of European, Asian and Chinese restaurants and trendy cafes.
Brisbane is supplied with local wines from vineyards at Stanthorpe to the southwest, producing both red and white wines, and from other Australian vineyards. All beers on sale are brewed locally. Queensland is the home of Bundaberg Rum, a sweet rum brewed with local sugar cane.

Nightlife
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 Southbank Parklands where discos and restaurants abound. The Gold Coast has many nightclubs, as well as Jupiter’s Casino. Townsville has the spectacular Sheraton Breakwater Casino on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, offering a full range of gaming facilities and high-quality entertainment.

Shopping
Good buys include opals, Aboriginal art and handicrafts, woollen clothing, sheepskin coats and wood products. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2100, Sat 0800-1700, although hours vary depending on the city. Shops in the Gold Coast, Brisbane City, Sunshine Coast and Cairns are open on Sundays.

Special Events
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Queensland in 2005; for a full list, consult Tourism Queensland (see Contact Addresses section):
Jan 26 Australia Day. Feb 4 Brisbane International Motor Show. Mar 5 Jazz Under the Stars at Cosmos, Clareville. Mar 20-28 Gladstone Harbour Festival. Apr 15-17 Dirt & Dust Festival, triathlon. Apr 29-May 2 Wintermoon Festival, music and entertainment, Mackay. Apr 30-May 2 May Day Celebrations, Outback. Jul 15-17 Boulia Camel Races. Jul 31 Childers Multicultural Food, Wine & Arts Festival. Aug 6-13 Hervey Bay Whale Festival, Fraser Coast South Burnett. Sep 10 Kingaroy Peanut Festival, Fraser Coast South Burnett.