1000 furries on the Gold Coast for Furries Down Under convention

A former furry convention chairwoman says the community is plagued by the misconception it’s all about sex, despite the growing popularity at a Gold Coast event. See why they were here

The Gold Coast … beautiful one day, furry the next.

It seems that when this city pitched itself as the lifestyle capital of the world, we were not horsing around.

While evergreen events like Blues on Broadbeach and Cooly Rocks On are regular draw cards for tourists around the country, we’re more than just mainstream when it comes to attracting crowds.

In fact, when it comes to alternative events, the fur is literally flying.

Last weekend, the city was host to almost 1000 fur enthusiasts for the annual Furries Down Under, or FurDU, convention … just as we have been for an incredible 15 years, with visitors coming from as far afield as Italy, Russia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Who knew? Well, the furries I guess.

So first, a furry explanation.

Furries meet and greet at South Bank. Pic Mark Cranitch.

Furries are fans of animal characters with human personalities and features – think a sassy fox with eyelashes and a cute outfit – who often adopt ‘fursonas’.

The subculture encompasses comics, art and animation, with fursonas portrayed in art, role-playing and by wearing furry costumes known as fursuits.

While the community has been plagued by the misconception that it’s all about sex, former FurDU chairwoman Christine Bradshaw said it was actually based around community, friendships and art, and attendees were well trained.

“They’re pretty sensible in their costumes,” she told the Bulletin back in 2019. “Their biggest challenge is not getting heat stroke.”

The weather is certainly a risk because their favourite furry haven is right here on our sunny sands.

Not only is the three-day FurDU the largest furry convention in Australia, apparently Queensland is considered the country’s capital for furry activity

Qweekend story on Furries, people who create animal personas and wear full fur suits to match their 'fursona'. They are having their first South Bank Fur Meet since COVID. Griffin Watson 20, ‘Salva’ Pic Mark Cranitch.

Now, this may not have been the tourism market initially envisioned, but a furry dollar is worth every bit as much as a sporting or festival dollar.

And it’s a reminder of the value in thinking outside the (litter) box.

Fortunately, our tourism bosses don’t miss a trick.

While furries might not be their area of expertise, the decision to focus on alternative markets is paying dividends.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said the recent launch of the ‘Sneaky Mid-Weeky’ interstate campaign, designed to broaden the appeal of the Gold Coast by showcasing the magic of midweek travel, was already a hit.

“Since launching a fortnight ago, the campaign has generated more than 16,300 page views and feedback from operators has been overwhelmingly positive, including The Star Gold Coast increasing room night bookings by 52 per cent from VIC and 23 per cent from NSW,” said Mr Warn.

Furries pose for photos at Anthrocon 2023, one of the world's largest anthropomorphic conventions celebrating the furry subculture, in which people dress up or roleplay as animal characters, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2023. (Photo by Agnes BUN / AFP)

“Our single biggest growth opportunity domestically is to unlock midweek travel – in fact – it’s one of the fastest growing domestic visitor segments.”

Mr Warn said that, since 2010, the national market share of travellers without kids had grown by almost 100 per cent, and in the last year alone these travellers made up a solid 40 per cent share of national overnight holiday visitors.

And the key to luring these travellers? Our events calendar.

“Our vibrant major events calendar generates more than $430 million annually for the city,” he said.

“While the Gold Coast has a growing reputation as a proud event destination, we have a unique opportunity to elevate this by continuing to secure a portfolio of far-reaching and global events.

“We are squarely focused on creating a sustainable visitor economy of the future by targeting travellers with kids and travellers without kids, leveraging event linchpins to convert day-trips to overnight visits and attracting key visitor markets that are more likely to stay longer and spend more.”

And you know who fits squarely into this category? The furries.

Hey, inclusivity pays.

It’s a lesson that we shouldn’t be afraid to embrace the weird and wonderful.

After all, we’re the Gold Coast … it’s the different that makes us better.

Originally published as 1000 furries on the Gold Coast for Furries Down Under convention