A rooftop bar overlooking the Coral Sea and a pontoon on the outer reef are among the new event spaces in the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) General Manager Rosie Douglas said millions of dollars of investment was underway in tourism and events infrastructure in Cairns.
“Riley, the first of three new luxury hotels for Cairns from the Crystalbrook Collection, has opened on the waterfront with meeting rooms and stunning event spaces including the city’s first rooftop bar,” she said.
“Several conferences have been booked for the hotel’s first year of operation and meeting planners are eyeing the next two Cairns five-star hotels which will open later this year under the Crystalbrook Collection banner.
“Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns has completed the refurbishment of the hotel’s rooms and restaurant creating a spectacular event space overlooking the marina.
“The first performances have been held at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre which opened in December as part of The Precinct incorporating the spectacular new Munro Martin Parklands outdoor performance space.
“Sunlover Funlover combines an activities platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef with a catamaran to create customised corporate events and exclusive parties on a dedicated space in the middle of the Reef.
“The $176 million expansion and upgrade of the Cairns Convention Centre to include a new exhibition space and meeting rooms has progressed and will commence in May 2020.
“There is much confidence in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef with a $55 million upgrade of the domestic terminal at Cairns Airport and work about to start on the $127 million expansion of the Cairns shipping channel.
“Expressions of Interest from national and international firms are being assessed to develop a Global Tourism Hub in Cairns city.
“In addition to the development underway, new companies are investing in the Cairns region to tap into the tourism and business events sector.
“Baillie Lodges has expanded its portfolio of luxury lodges to include Silky Oaks in the Daintree National Park.
“Experience Co has become one of largest adventure companies in Australia offering a one-stop shop for adventure and team building activities such as white water rafting, hot air ballooning, reef experiences and scenic helicopter flights.
“Aviation access to Cairns is continuing to increase with Singapore Airlines subsidiary SilkAir moving to daily Singapore flights from June, providing increased access from Europe and Asia.”
Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has three unique coastal precincts:
- Cairns – a cosmopolitan city between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest
- Palm Cove – an intimate beach destination overlooking the Coral Sea
- Port Douglas – a sophisticated village on the doorstep of the Daintree rainforest
For more information go to www.businesseventscairns.org.au.
18 February 2019