Valentines Day Dinner Cruise

For over 20 years now, the Kookaburra River Queens have been part of Brisbane’s identity. Locals and tourists alike have taken pleasure in their warmth that made them keep on coming back over again, because whenever you cruise the river,  whether it be day or night, it will always be distinct and out of the ordinary.

On February 14, 2012, on Valentine’s Day, you can enjoy a romantic dinner for two on board the Kookaburra River Queens.  You will be treated to a delightful carvery buffet while enjoying live music and being captivated by the lights of the city.

Experience the romantic ambience of their elegant timber paddlewheelers for this special evening for lovers. There is a complimentary drink upon arrival. Also, each lady will receive a gift.  

Boarding and disembarking will be at Eagle Street Pier, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City. Boarding will commence at 7:00 pm for 7:30 departure and will return at 9:30 pm.

BOOK EARLY – AS VALENTINES DAY IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS OF THE YEAR!

For more updates, visit Brisbane Update.

Ghost In The Shell

Ghost in the Shell will be screening on Februaty 24,2012 at Cinema A. Ghost in a Shell literally is a”Mobile Armoured Riot Police,a Japanese multimedia franchise composed of manga, animated films, anime series video games and novels that focuses on the activities of counter terrorist organization.

The manga series has been adapted into two anime films, Ghost in the Shell and Ghosy in the Shell 2: innocence, two anime television series, Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic  police thriller dealing with the exploits of the cyborg Motuko Kusinagi a member of a covert operations division of the Japanese National Public Safety known as Section 9 that specializes in fighting technology-related crimes. The setting of Ghost in the Shell is cyberpunk. Kusanagi and her colleagues face external threats and also suffer internal conflict over their own natures.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, known simply as Innocence in Japan, is a 2004  science fiction film and sequel to  Ghosy in the Shell. The story was based on the original Ghost in the Shell manga chapter, Robot Rondo, albeit heavily modified from the original story. The story begins in the year 2032.
Batou, originally partnered with  Major Kusanagi, who disappeared at the end of the first film is now teamed with Togusa.

Public Security Section 9 investigates a cyborg-corporation called LOCUS SOLUS  and its gymoids—androids made in the form of young women and used as sex dolls—that have killed eight people. The dolls possessed a "ghost" that was created by using an illegal method using a "ghost-dubbing" machine that produces "information-degraded, high-volume copies", but killing the original in the process. Young girls were kidnapped by the Yakuza and sold to LOCUS SOLUS for this process. Two of the girls conspire with a LOCUS SOLUS shipping inspector, named Volkerson, to cause the malfunctions, and thus draw official attention to their plight.

In the climax of the film, when Batou is being overwhelmed by Locus Solus guards and gynoids killing each other, Kusanagi and Batou are reunited in the middle of a firefight when she downloads a part of her consciousness into an empty gynoid. After "Kusanagi" has fulfilled her task, she reassures Batou that she'll always be with him right before the gynoid deactivates. Yet, victorious Batou, when confronted with one of the girls he saved, doesn't share her joy and sternly remarks that she and Volkerson had no regard for "innocent" dolls they doomed to have personalities ("ghosts"), kill people and finally die from the hands of the law.

Nikon Walkley Awards

The annual Walkley Awards, under the supervision of Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to give recognition and reward excellence in journalism covering all media including print, television, radio, photography and online media. It can be considered as the Australian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.

The Walkley Foundation, now on its 11^th year will present Nikon Walkley Awards at Brisbane Powerhouse on January 24 to February 27, 2012. 

This is a prestigious exhibition of outstanding Australian press photography from daily life and photographic essays to portraiture and sports. The Nikon Walkley Photographic Awards will recognize excellence in Australian press photography.

There are more than 1000 photographers judged for selection in the awards each year. And this exhibition will showcase more than 100 works by Australia’s best photojournalists chosen for the awards. 

Heartbreak and triumph, jubilation and devastation: this event displays the gigantic moments of the year in news as seen through the lens of Australia’s most talented and creative press photographers.

For more updates, visit Brisbane Update.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a Walt Disney Theatrical musical based on the similarity titled series of children’s book by P.L. Travers and the Disney 1964 film.  The stage musical is a fusion of various elements from the film and the books that had been omitted from the film were restored, such as the walking statue and the ladders rising to the stars. 

Today, Disney and Cameron mackintosh invite you to let your imagination take flight as you rediscover the power of family, the joy of youth and the indelible memories that come to life at Cherry Tree lane. Come and step into the magical world of Mary Poppins.

Mary has dazzled millions of people around the globe and now it is your chance to experience the magic. This enchanting production lifts audiences to unparalleled heights and places the show at the top of every theatre goer’s must-see list.

For tickets, call Ticketmaster, visit the Mary Poppins website or visit the Capitol Theatre or any Ticketmaster outlet.

Mandy's on the Mountain

With Christmas just around the corner, everybody is looking for a perfect holiday to spend with love ones during this special season. 

Mandy’s on the Mountain Restaurant, 30 km from the center of Brisbane is a formal dining place of the Clear Mountain Lodge spa retreat. It offers picturesque vista over Lake Samsonvale, Moreton Bay and the granite spires of the Glasshouse Mountains, a get away for a perfect Australian Christmas venue. There's no wicked host to greet you when you go Mandy's on the Mountain, just polite, nice, ordinary folks.

Situated at the peak of Clear Mountain on Brisbane’s north side just 35 minutes from the CBD, Mercure Clear Mountain Lodge, Spa & Vineyard will be opening its doors on Christmas day to host a spectacular gourmet buffet lunch where you can enjoy with your family an afternoon of fine food, wine and cordiality with an Australian bush land view.

Mandy’s on the Mountain Christmas lunch treat will include a delicious assortment of seafood, including Mooloolaba prawns, freshly shucked oysters, spiced calamari, whole backed King Snapper, Morton Bay bugs as well as slow roasted pork shoulder, roast turkey, honey and orange leg ham and a selection of roast vegetables, salads and condiments.

For a sweet gesture to conclude the day,  guests will get to choose from a selection of delectable desserts including iced nougat Christmas puddings, Christmas seasonal fruit salad, Belgium and Scottish chocolate tartlets and a selection of cheeses including Shadows of Blue, Triple-cream Brie and Maffra Cheddar served with homemade compotes and lavoush. .
Upon arrival, all guests will receive a glass of sparkling sparkling wine, soft drink or local beer upon arrival. Sumptuous lunch will be served from 12 noon on Christmas Day.

 And for those who wish to wrap up their Christmas day relaxing by the pool and to just take in the spectacular Mountain fresh views in total serenity, an overnight rate from $209 is available.

Caxton Hotel

Situated amongst Caxton Street's trendy restaurants & bars the Caxton Hotel is one of Brisbane's oldest licensed premises, dating back to 1884. The cozy , modern hotel features 6 bars including the famous Cauldron Bar and brand new terrace bar, a multi award winning restaurant, the Char Grill & Terrace Bar, a laid back alfresco style dining area, the Street Café, function rooms, bottle shop. TAB  and  gaming facilities.  It has air conditioning and state of the art sound and lighting.

Located just 50m from Suncorp Stadium, as well as The Barracks on Petrie Terrace, and just 3 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, the Caxton is open 7 days a week from 11am until late in the evening. It offers a number of local and imported beers on tap as well as an extensive wine list, cocktails and tea and coffee  

The restaurant exemplifies the fundamental principle of “fresh, quality Australian produce served with excellence”. It maintains a proud and distinguished reputation for Brisbane’s finest export quality steak and freshest Queensland seafood.

 The Char Grill & Terrace Bar, Caxton’s signature restaurant, offers fresh quality Australian produce served with excellence in an informal yet sophisticated setting. It now offers both indoor and outdoor dining with views to Suncorp Stadium after it has undergone a multi-million dollar transformation in previous years. The Caxton Char Grill & Terrace Bar sets a new standard in pub dining with an A la Carte menu highlighting  export quality steak & fresh Queensland seafood.

If you are into a more casual dining experience, then try The Caxton’s Street Café. It offers al-fresco style dining whilst people watching! You can enjoy dining either outside, along the street or inside in the air conditioned comfort.

Treat your family and friend this Christmas and enjoy the relaxing ambiance while savoring the delicious and appetizing food and delicacies at Caxton Hotel, voted Queensland’s best Pub/Bistro in 2009 & was nominated in the Best Restaurant category in the QHA Awards for Excellence 2009.