Operating under the motto “Marriage equality for everyone, no matter the flavour.”, the Ice Cream Truck of Love is set to travel Australia’s eastern seaboard, handing out free scoops and spreading its message of marriage equality.

Launched by Aussie tastemaker and etiquette blogger, Adrian Fernand, the Truck of Love was initially inspired by a truck with opposite intentions. Earlier in March, an anti-gay-marriage trucktook to the streets of Queensland, opposing homosexual marriage on its “Queensland Election Prayer Rally Tour”.

In order to complete its trek down the coast, and hopefully through the rest of the country, the Truck of Love is in need of donors and volunteers who are willing to share some of their sweet time.

Here’s Rainbow Tourism’s wish for free ice cream and freedom to marry our own flavour.

Rainbow Ice Cream Video

Australia’s Gay & Lesbian Ski Week is hosted by Hotham Alpine Resort, the highest Alpine Village in Australia with its own airport. Located on top of the mountain, this is the ultimate in ski-in ski-out alpine experience.

Getting there is easy with direct QantasLink flights from Sydney, direct coach from Melbourne or you can make your own way there.

Staying and skiing or snowboarding is just as easy, with simple all-inclusive packages designed to make your gay ski getaway a breeze to organise.

The Frosty Fruits Ski Trip is for serious skiers, but non-skiers are also specially catered for with the Watchman or Watcher packages, and social skiers can have a lesson or two to get back their ski legs.

There’s a gorgeous range of chalet and apartment style accommodation right on the mountain, available in 3 tiers: Gold, Pink or Black. Plus there is the special Pink Sofa Chalet just for women.

The annual Frosty Fruits Ski Trip is presented by Points of Difference Events. Click for the 2012 Schedule, Rates and Location Maps.

Named for the indigenous quokkas (the island’s cute resident marsupials) that Dutch explorer William de Vlamingh mistook for giant rats, Rottnest Island is a favorite holiday destination for go-and-just-relax locals and visitors with a bucket list. Locals lovingly refer to it as “Rotto” and the port of departure as “Freo.”)

Day-trippers can have a taste of the archetypal Rotto holiday – hire a bike and head to one of the beaches, snorkel the azure waters and finish the day with a beer at the Quokka Arms hotel. Ferries make the run regularly from the Perth’s pier, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour to the north of the CBD. But if you’d rather swim the 20-kilometre span you can join 2000 other loonies for the annual Rottnest Channel Swim in February.

Alternatively, consider a air taxi or helicopter ride if you get boat sick. (Depending on your departure point, it will take from 25 to 45 minutes to cross from the coast to the island, even longer if you add in a cruise down the Swan River from Perth to Freo’s harbour.)

Full Day Rottnest Ferry, Bike & Snorkel Island Tour 

Enjoy the relaxed casual environment of Rottnest Island, one of the most unique islands in the world, just off the coast of Perth. After cruising down the Swan River and across the open ocean, you’ll arrive on the island, which can be explored by bus, bike or on foot (cars are not allowed). Discover secluded beaches, snorkel among the reefs and meet the local wildlife.Rainbow Tourism Concierge who makes weekly rambles to places like the beautiful and beloved Rottnest Island.

Harking back to the Fabulous 50′s the 51st Annual Queen’s Birthday Ball will be a stylish retro affair in the beautifully restored Tivoli in Fortitude Valley. The Tivoli is one of Brisbane’s most elegant and unique venues, with a charm and ambience perfect for a stylish costume ball.

Held on Sunday the 10th of June, the awards and ball will celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee with a theme of Fabulous Fifties. The Queen’s Birthday Ball is Australia’s longest running LGBT-focused event.

If you can’t fill a whole table leave your name on the Brisbane Pride Festival Facebook event page for match ups. This event is not to be missed if you like glam and support Brisbane Pride Festival.

• Need a bed down near the Fortitude Valley gay district?
• Check out Rainbow Tourism Places to Stay
• Brisbane Gay Venues
• Brisbane First-Timer? Things to see and do over a long weekend.
• Take to the skies Helicopter Ride
• See the Story Bridge, the South Bank precinct and admire the city skyline – for less than 100 dollars!

Michael has been working on a new album of dance orientated material but the Symphonica tour sees him perform his greatest hits with a full symphony orchestra.

Tour Dates

• 10 Nov Perth Arena
• 13 Nov Adelaide Entertainment Centre
• 17 Nov Sydney All Phones Arena
• 21 Nov Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
• 27 Nov Brisbane Entertainment Centre
• 1 Dec Hunter Valley, Hope Estate
• More information

Rainbow Tourism Accommodation:

• Perth
• Adelaide
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Hunter Valley

Gay in Gippsland

A first-time event for Gippsland, the Walhalla Gay May Day boasts a family atmosphere including maypoles, dancing, show bags and a barbie. Come dressed in your finery for Fashions on the Goldfield.

The Walhalla Gay May Day will be an event in which to have a gay ole time (in both the original meaning of the word and Gay Pride). The 26 May premiere, held in beautiful Stringers Park in historic Walhalla, will including music, May poles and dancing, the smell of the BBQ and lots of laughs and celebrate that life should be fun for everyone.

Showbags will be for sale in the park for $5 which includes registration to participate in the day’s activities. A Walhalla Gay May Day badge in the bag will show who is registered and they are then invited to take part in the Fashions on the Goldfields and in the old-fashioned Tug of War.

In the evening, adults can get “dolled” up for the Rude Food Dinner with the legendary entertainer and female impersonator, Stan Munro. Stan’s show, “Vintage Drag in Mint Condition,”was the original compere and star of Les Girls in St Kilda. Dinner is going to be full of fun and laughs also with a four course dinner presented and named with a slightly “rude” twist.

• More information
• Visiting Victoria?
• Find Rainbow Tourism Accredited accommodation.

If you live in Sydney or are planning a visit this month, be prepared for a vivid view of the city like no other time of year.  Beautiful and photographic all the time; stunning and spectacular during Vivid Sydney 25 May-11 June.

From huge 3D mapped projections on Sydney Opera House, Customs House and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to interactive light art sculptures, giant glowing dandelions, fibre optic sea grass and animatronic dancing lamps, this year’s lighting at Vivid Sydney will once again transform Sydney into a colourful playground of light.

From 6pm to midnight every night, there will be a free light show with over 50 interactive and immersive light art sculptures, illuminated skyscrapers and large scale projections around The Rocks, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House and Walsh Bay.

The light show will take you to a night time playground of interactive light installations for everyone to enjoy. Artists, selected from all over the world, have created a giant digital game of Tic Tac Toe, and a modern spin on Hopscotch. There are golden flocking birds and head turning digital puppies. Follow your dreams with the luminous wings or just have a good old fashioned shout at the installation Screaming Rapture.

• There are several RTA hotels near Circular Quay and near the waterfront. Top Picks.
• Why Sydney is a Dazzling Destination for Gay Visitors

It’s Bear Week again at Turtle Cove Resort, from 18-22 June on the beach in Far North Tropical Queensland.

This annual gathering of bears and bear-loving men has daily memory-making moments on their private beach and around the pool, such as the bonfire on the beach and the BBQ pool party with DJ.

Get thee to Cairns, guys!
Bears on the Beach 2012

If you haven’t pampered yourself with a stay at Versace in Surfers Paradise or indulged in their award-wining seafood restaurant, now would be a good time. Rainbow Tourism Accredited Palazzo Versace is running a tastebuds special through 30 June.

“Surrender to the sun-drenched escape of Palazzo Versace and treat your tastebuds to a total palate sensation on us. Feast at our famed seafood buffet at Il Barocco Restaurant with our compliments when you book a two night stay including bountiful buffet breakfast for two.”

Priced from $440 per night (Total Saving $164).  The restaurant, naturally, matches their seafood with the best French champagne and Australian whites.

The Palazzo Versace on Australia's Gold Coast

Victoria’s world class food and wine region, The Yarra Valley, has a new signature event for showcasing the best of the region’s quality local produce and top wineries and restaurants, allowing festival goers to Reap & Relish the culinary delights of the region.

The inaugural Yarra Valley Food & Wine Festival takes place 26 – 29 April, with festival goers able to experience cooking classes, cider sessions, greenhouse tours, chocolate making, world class degustation dinners and twilight wine tastings.

The four-day festival includes ‘behind the bottle’ winery tours, beer brewing master classes, gourmet tastings, insightful cooking classes, sumptuous high teas, organic edible gardening tips and many other gastronomic wonders.

The festival will end with a Sunday Garden Party at the Healesville Racecourse. Here you can sip artisan beers and ales, sample farm house cheese, try award winning Chardonnary and Pinot Noir, take home fresh produce and marvel at a demonstration, all to the sounds of a host of local artists.

• Reap & Relish 2012
• Need a place to stay?
• Tour the Wineries.  Take a limo from the airport to Yarra Valley, and engage the driver for a personal tour of the vineyards and for taking you back to Melbourne (an hour away.)