Qld’s ‘best’ things revealed as new public holiday mooted

Premier David Crisafulli will not rule out Queensland Day becoming a public holiday, but there’s one thing that needs to be done first.

Premier David Crisafulli, with from left, Faith Liberato from Coolum Beach SLSC, Chris Genitempo from Slipstream Brewing Co, Nick Attam the Secretary of India Fest Townsville inc and Blackbutt Bakery’s Mandy Nelson holding a curry sausage pie. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Queensland Day could become a public holiday, with Premier David Crisafulli unwilling to rule out the idea – but he first wants to test its popularity in coming years.

“This is step one, putting the spotlight on it,” Mr Crisafulli said, following the announcement of local legends and the best attractions and businesses across the state.

“Let’s see where it goes. Today has exceeded my expectations of how much this means to people.”

He dismissed a public holiday for June 6 for the following two years, which would fall on a weekend, but hinted at “really special” plans next year for Queensland’s 167th birthday.

“And I haven’t met too many Queenslanders that don’t like the fact that we’re not part of New South Wales,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Queenslanders were able to vote for their “favourite thing” which made their community special and there were more than 61,000 votes across 15 categories, including best pub (Slipstream Brewery Co), beach (Coolum Beach), big thing (Big Mango), and Bahn Mi (My Street Food).

Mr Crisafulli would take the winners to the Dolphins vs Dragons Game at Suncorp on Friday night to celebrate.

The All the Best winners are:

Fish and chips – Bird’s Fish Bar (Bowen)

Meat pie – Blackbutt Bakery (Blackbutt)

Parmi – Botany (Newstead)

Bahn Mi – My Street Food (Woolloongabba)

Ice cream – Rad Rolled Ice Cream (Hervey Bay)

Burger – Mr Jeebus (Tingalpa)

Beer – Qld Pale Ale by Archer Brewing Company (Wilston)

Pub – Slipstream Brewery Co (Yeerongpilly)

Café – Dorney’s Cake Shop (Chinchilla)

Coffee – The Coffee Commune (Bowen Hills)

Event – India Fest (Townsville)

Big thing – Big Mango (Bowen)

Beach – Coolum Beach (Sunshine Coast)

Landmark – The Story Bridge (Brisbane)

Natural attraction – Great Barrier Reef