New luxury hotels, an arts precinct, a waterfront brewery and an expanded marina are among the millions of dollars of development underway in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Tourism Tropical North Queensland Director of Business and Tourism Events Rosie Douglas said the popularity of the destination had brought a surge of investment in infrastructure ideal for the business events industry.
“Especially exciting is the advent of new luxury hotels for Cairns with the Ghassan Aboud Group undertaking a $120 million redevelopment of the Rydges Tradewinds into a five-star hotel with 300 rooms, and constructing an $80 million inner-city hotel with 200 hotel rooms and 100 apartments.
“The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino has just completed a $6.5 million refurbishment, including a new-look hotel lobby, the expansion of Tamarind Restaurant, a 4-metre LED interactive pillar showcasing reef and rainforest displays, and new Bar36 Live Lounge.
“The $550 million Nova City, a luxurious residential and commercial development near the Cairns Convention Centre, will also add to the city’s accommodation inventory.
“Meanwhile, the $50 million Cairns Aquarium is nearing completion and slated for opening in May, offering a unique indoor event space and a new touring option in the heart of the city.
“The Precinct in Cairns, a $66.5 million development incorporating the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, is under construction alongside the Munro Martin Parklands outdoor performance space.
“The Cairns CBD is also getting a facelift with the $17.4 million City Centre Alive transforming the city heart into a landscaped pedestrian friendly area with public art and feature lighting.
“On the waterfront, Shed 2 at the Cruise Liner Terminal will become the second location for Port Douglas-based Hemingway’s Brewery. With construction scheduled to begin in March, the new brewery will span more than1400 sq. m and will be available for offsite events.
“In Port Douglas, the Reef Marina is undergoing an $85 million expansion with 44 additional berths, luxury residences and new waterfront dining and entertainment areas including the original Hemingway’s Brewery.
“The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort has completed a $40 million upgrade including new suites and swim out rooms as well as the redevelopment of the Country Club, the resort’s main buildings, surrounding pools and landscaping.”
Discover what these new developments will mean for your event by visiting the Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef team at stand 2432 at AIME. Appointments can be made by emailing Emma Perez at [email protected].
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Director of Business & Tourism Events Rosie Douglas
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef (BECGBR)
Direct Ph: 07 4015 1221 l Mobile: 0417 750 540 l Fax: 07 4051 0127
[email protected] | www.businesseventscairns.org.au
Follow us on Twitter @MeetInCairnsGBR