There are many performance shops in Brisbane, but many dont carry stock. They order everything from suppliers. As for shops i guess it all depends on what your shopping for???
There are plenty of huge shopping centres round Brisbane and the Gold coast but im sure their the same as the US.
The biggest event at the end of October is INDY...
Indy on the gold coast is awsome. Its a street circuit through the sky scrapers and the atmosphere is PARTY for 4 days straight. Indy in Australia for some reason makes women take their shirts off and dance around drunken. I have no idea why but its tridition these days to see many topless people.
Other than that, your a bit late for Bathurst which is Australia's premium motor race of V8 Supercars. If you are after some fun, Dreamworld, Seaworld and Movie world are good fun and Wet and wild if its a bit hot...
Other than that, im sure SAU Qld can put on a bit of a chin dig for our fellow RB friends in the states. Let us know what dates your here and a mobile number maby and you will be more than welcome to a BBQ or a cruise or something.
This way you can check out some skylines at the same time.