Gold Coast, Jan. 9 (NsNewsWire) — The Queen’s Baton has made its first public appearance on the Gold Coast today, featuring as part of the Magic Millions Barrier Draw at Surfers Paradise Foreshore.

Batonbearer Hugh Bowman, recently named as the Longines World’s Best Jockey, held the Queen’s Baton with pride as he rode down the famous beach strip in the Barrier Draw’s morning beach run.

“After the Queen’s Baton has travelled to so many places around the world, it is great to be a part of the first appearance of the Queen’s Baton on the Gold Coast.

“Being the first Batonbearer on the Gold Coast is an honour and it has been wonderful to share the excitement of GC2018 with everyone who attended the Magic Millions Barrier Draw today.”

In another royal connection, Zara Phillips MBE was also on hand at Surfers Paradise to welcome the Queen’s Baton.

85 days before the start of GC2018, plenty of Gold Coast locals and visitors at the Magic Millions Barrier Draw took the opportunity to get up close and personal with the iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games.

On the final day of the Queen’s Baton Relay, Wednesday 4 April, the Queen’s Baton will return to Surfers Paradise just hours before reaching its final destination, the GC2018 Opening Ceremony at Carrara Stadium.

The next port of call for the Queen’s Baton is a community celebration tomorrow on Palm Island, with visits to the Gold Coast’s Springbrook National Park and the Q1 SkyPoint Climb scheduled for this Friday, 12 January.

The Queen’s Baton will be back in Queensland in traditional Relay mode from 3 March and will be carried by more than 1,800 batonbearers throughout the state. Crowds are encouraged to line the streets and play their part in the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

See Magic Millions Barrier Draw gallery >