Australia's CoastOut Festival: Your New Beach Destination in Oz

Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.

COFFS HARBOUR, New South Wales - One of the freshest Festivals to hit the Gay & Lesbian Social calendar in the past couple of years is Australia's CoastOut Festival. Now in its third year, CoastOut has already become a popular Annual event with visitors from around Australia and overseas with its eclectic mix of Art, Community, Sports and Social Events.

Described as a 'Boutique Mardi Gras', CoastOut is staged over three days in late October in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Known as one of only two regions in Australia where the mountains reach the sea, Coffs Harbour also boasts the most temperate climate in Australia making it the perfect seaside holiday retreat.

CoastOut is quickly becoming a favored alternative for those looking for a new destination with the choice of relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings or partaking in the many Festival Events on offer.

Situated between popular travel destinations such as Brisbane and Sydney, Coffs Harbour is easily accessible to travellers from abroad with it's own airport as well as a multitude of Gay owned and Gay friendly Cafes, Restaurants and Accommodation to suit all budgets.

Awarded the regions 'Community Event Of The Year 2012', CoastOut brings together the GLBTI community and their friends for a celebration of Art, Music, Culture, Sport and Social Activities.

The Festival also hosts the worlds first Gay & Lesbian Friendly Surfing Competition as well as the unique 'Drag Out The Dolphins' show which brings together the color and movement of Live singing Drag Queens and the magic of performing seals and dolphins at Coffs Harbour's Iconic Pet Porpoise Pool.

CoastOut brings to the stage a mix of local and Nationally renowned talent including Comedians, Singers, Musicians and some of the Nations best DJ's to ensure that you are Entertained from the moment you land.

Outside Festival activities, visitors to the Coffs Coast can enjoy an array of activities such as Sky Diving, White Water Rafting, Camel Rides and Sea Diving off the near by Solitary Islands.

There are also local Rainforests, gardens, aboriginal sites and beaches to be explored as well as Whale watching which is at its peak at Festival Time.

So if your looking for a little Sun, Surf, Sand and Fun, come and join CoastOut 2012 Down Under.

CoastOut takes place Friday 26th through 28th October 2012 in Coffs Harbour Australia.

Full Festival details and tickets available at www.coastout.com.au

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by Mark Thompson , EDGE Style & Travel Editor

A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.

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