Follow the journey of a drop of rain from the Atherton Tablelands through the Wet Tropics Rainforest and mangroves to the Great Barrier Reef at the Cairns Aquarium in the heart of the Cairns CBD. This insight into local habitats and their wildlife is spread across 71 interactive exhibits and will open later this year.
Stay in the newly upgraded Goldfields Hotel and Finnigan’s Rest at Forsayth in the Outback for a night of mystery and intrigue with the Forsayth By Night Tour. The tour incorporates technology, storytelling and a two-course dinner.
Explore the rainforest of the Wet Tropics where Queensland’s two tallest mountains, picturesque waterfalls and swimming holes can be seen. Wooroonooran Safaris also visits wetlands rich with birdlife and spots crocodiles on a mangrove river cruise.
A 15-year commitment to sustainable environmental performance has seen Skyrail Rainforest Cableway awarded Master Certification from EarthCheck. Skyrail was the first tourism operator to achieve EarthCheck Certification and is one of only five EarthCheck Masters in the world.
The new Cairns Museum will tell the story of Cairns with interactive activities, a short film, a wealth of exhibits across four galleries and a Temporary Exhibitions Gallery.
Fascinating frogs, lizards, snakes and tortoises from Australia and abroad are on display at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures’ Reptile Exhibit. The new exhibit features more than 20 displays and 70 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Explore Cairns on a half-day Cairns Discovery Tour taking in the Botanic Gardens, St Monica’s Cathedral, a waterfall and Palm Cove.
Indigenous
Timeless Experiences is a collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences enabling visitors to deepen their understanding of Australia’s Indigenous people and discover their connection to the Reef and Rainforest.
See ancient rock art, visit the Torres Strait Islands and experience Aboriginal culture in the prehistoric landscape of Arnhem Land with Coral Expeditions. Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson leads the Cape York and Arnhem Land curated art program, a 12-night expedition voyage from Cairns to Darwin with 72 guests.
Adventure North Australia has a two-day Daintree Dreaming Tour staying overnight in the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest. Meet the Kuku Yalanji people, the traditional owners of the Daintree Rainforest.
Walkabout Cultural Adventures has a new guide to introduce guests to the rainforest culture of the Kuku Yalanji people. Hardie was born and raised in the Mossman area and is adding his unique cultural perspective to the tours.
The stories of the Kuku Yalanji rainforest people come to life with the half-day Dreamtime Walk Tour at Mossman Gorge Centre which includes a traditional smoking ceremony, bush tea and damper. The tour now has return transfers from Port Douglas.
Adventure
Stand-up paddle boarding has arrived in the Outback. Glide through the narrow sandstone walls of Cobbold Gorge on a 1.5-hour tour of this ancient landscape.
Float over the Atherton Tablelands with Cairns Hot Air Balloon Co to see wildlife, farmlands and bush as the sun rises.
Relive your bungy jumping adventure again with the new Shred Video at AJ Hackett Cairns. The Shred system performs motion tracking on each jump and cuts video from six strategically placed cameras to generate an epic video with your favourite song.
See the lights of Cairns with a tandem night skydive on the full moon. Jumping with Skydive Cairns offers the best view of the stars and the waterfront city.
Dining
Watch the sun set behind the mountains of Cairns as you cruise Trinity Inlet enjoying a hot and cold buffet with local seafood, drinks and dancing to live music aboard the luxury catamaran Spirit of Cairns.
Located beneath the iconic Woolshed, The Cotton Club is one of the coolest places to eat and drink in the Cairns CBD – literally. The newly renovated club has outdoor air-conditioning so you can comfortably share a drink or dine with friends al fresco.
Specialising in Australian cuisine, Ochre Restaurant on the waterfront has created a set lunch menu designed specifically for a quick business lunch. It is great value with complimentary wattle seed damper loaf and a glass of wine or beer.
Located on the picturesque Cairns Esplanade in DoubleTree Cairns Hotel, The Vine Room specialises in grazing boards and Cuban sandwiches with Australian wines and craft beers.
Mondo on The Waterfront has been reinvigorated with a fresh new look, but still has the same great views over Trinity Inlet and sizzling dishes best enjoyed al fresco.
Accommodation
A blend of cool neutral colours, woven natural fibres, marble and sustainable wood give a Colonial and South Pacific feel to The Reef House after a $2.5 million refurbishment of the rooms and public areas.
A new hotel lobby, Bar36 Live Lounge and Merchant Café plus the expansion of Tamarind Restaurant are part of the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino’s $6.5 million upgrade.
Villa San Michele in Port Douglas boasts modern kitchens with dishwasher, ensuites with walk-in showers and comfortable living room furniture after a refurbishment.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve has been recognised as a Green Travel Leader by Ecotourism Australia. Thala is one of 20 operators and the only Queensland hotel to recently reach this significant milestone of 10 years Ecotourism Australia certification.
ENDS
Images are available at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o2z3wd2gqv7iwu5/AABN2n0nfMDFMlrHQryEd-KZa?dl=0
For more information, contact:
Communications Consultant Liz Inglis
M: 0419 643 494 | E: [email protected]