Media Releases

Drive North Queensland website launched

Drive North Queensland website launched

A dedicated website showcasing the diverse drives in North Queensland has been launched on the back of a bumper year for drive tourism.

Drive North Queensland is a strong partnership between TTNQ, Mackay Isaac Tourism, Tourism Whitsundays, Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Townsville Enterprise.

The Drive North Queensland website features iconic Tropical North Queensland itineraries such as The Great Barrier Reef Drive as well as drives in Outback Queensland, Mackay, Whitsundays and Townsville.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said Queenslanders had embraced exploring their own backyards while borders were closed resulting in strong visitor growth in regional areas.

“Drive visitors have grown by 6 per cent over the past three years with 1.19 million visitors to Tropical North Queensland in the year ending June 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic figure of 1.01 million in the year ending June 2018,” he said.

“While destinations like Cairns and Port Douglas have been starved of international and interstate visitors, regions like Cape York Peninsula and the towns along the Savannah Way have enjoyed a busy extended season with families and couples eager to see tropical Australia.

“With the extraordinary investment by Australians in four wheel drives and camper trailers over the past 18 months, the drive market is anticipated to remain strong long after the pandemic.

“Drive tourism is of great benefit to regional areas as it brings the visitor economy to smaller communities away from the major centres.

“The collaboration between five Regional Tourism Organisations will ensure travellers discover just how diverse the North of the State is and encourage repeat visitation as people realise that one drive holiday is never enough.

“The website will continue to expand with updated itineraries while visitors will be encouraged to share their travels using #drivenorthqueensland and to follow the new Drive North Queensland social platforms.”

For more information go to drivenorthqueensland.com.au.