TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster

Tourism Tropical North Queensland facilitates the TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group where operators and stakeholders share knowledge and work together to build our Indigenous experience offerings. The group’s role, scope and guiding principles are here. To be included in group emails please email TTNQ.

Through the TNQ Indigenous Cluster Group a mentoring program was funded by the Department of Tourism Innovation and Sport in the Year of Indigenous Tourism to support 19 Indigenous tourism operators to grow their business. See some of their stories here. While the program is not ongoing, there are opportunities for Indigenous businesses to join TTNQ-led business mentoring program by being a part of the TTNQ operator network.

TNQ First Nations Tourism Action Plan

The Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group, identified the need to develop a region-specific First Nations Tourism Action Plan for Tropical North Queensland (the Plan). A Steering Committee, starting with three nominees of the Cluster, was formed in May 2021 to oversee the development and implementation of the Plan. Over 30 regional workshops and consultations were undertaken in the development of the Plan in 2022, with over 300 stakeholders consulted. The findings of this work are summarised in the Consultation Report.

The Plan builds on local tourism plans and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan 2020-2025. The State-wide plan provides the framework for a strong future for Indigenous tourism in Queensland. QTIC has also produced the Best Practice Guide for Working with First Nations Tourism in Queensland.

The Cluster would like to thank and acknowledge the Queensland Government through the Year of Indigenous Tourism program, who provided the funding for the Plan, along with TTNQ who co-funded this important initiative. The Plan is now a ‘living document’ meaning that its actions and priorities are reviewed at each monthly Cluster meeting, and they changes can be made to the plan, in consultation with the Steering Committee and relevant agencies. Changes can be proposed at each Cluster meeting or by emailing TTNQ.

Acknowledgment:
The TNQ First Nations Tourism Action Plan is funded by the Queensland Government through the Year of Indigenous Tourism program, with support from Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

#ExploreTNQ

The kind of place you dream about… then realise it’s real. Perched above South Mission Beach, @elandraresort offers front-row views to the Coral Sea and the islands beyond. Hands up if you have stayed here?

📸 @permanentlywandering 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia 

ID: A tropical pool setting complete with palm trees, sun lounges and a view looking out the Coral Sea.
Is this as close to island perfection as you will find? We think so...let us introduce you to #FitzroyIsland 🌴🤿.

🎥 @amys.camera.lens 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @fitzroyisland @fitzroyislandadventures @sunloverreefcruises 

ID Aerial footage of Fitzroy Island shows boats anchored in clear turquoise water, white-sand beaches backed by rainforest, and swimmers enjoying the water.
There’s cheese boards… and then there’s @mungallicreek cheese boards. Think creamy farm-made cheese, house-baked sweets, seasonal fruit and organic ice cream churned just metres from where it’s served. Pull up a chair on the verandah and settle in, this is what slow food looks like on the @athertontablelands.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland 
@australia 

ID A couple visits Mungalli Creek Dairy. They browse the café’s cake display, order a large cheese platter, and enjoy it on the verandah overlooking the mountainous countryside.
Low tide magic on the Great Barrier Reef Drive. 

🎥 @kellerdiaries 

ID Drone footage of the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Cairns and Port Douglas, featuring low tide sandbanks, winding coastal roads, turquoise waters and rainforest.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia  @portdouglasdaintree
Wow! Can you feel the energy from this morning’s IRONMAN Cairns start?
It was next level… who else got goosebumps? Big congrats to young guns Bailey Tuddenham and Madi Toovey 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ for taking out the IRONMAN 70.3. The full IRONMAN is far from over, so don’t miss a minute of the action on the Cairns Esplanade today 🎉🔥. 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @visitpalmcove 🎥 @ironman.cairns 

ID A video showing the electric atmosphere at the IRONMAN Cairns start line. Athletes run into the water as the race begins, surrounded by cheering crowds, event flags and the early morning light over the Coral Sea.
Not a bad spot for a winter dip. Just saying.

📍Cairns Lagoon

📸 @myholidaycentre 

ID Cairns Lagoon at sunset, featuring people swimming and relaxing in the water. The sky is painted in pastel pink and purple hues, with the iconic silver fish sculptures standing along the waterfront.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia
We know where we would rather be 😉. Trev’s out here road testing both ends of the thermometer, what’s your pick? Beanies or boardies? 

🎥 @trevs_gone_outdoors

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia 

ID The video follows a man transitioning between two extreme landscapes, the tropical rainforest of Tropical North Queensland and the snowy mountains of southern Australia.
When the whales are this curious, you don’t need to chase the moment, it finds you 💙. Dwarf minke season has arrived, bringing the gentle giants of the deep back to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Known for their calm nature and surprising curiosity, these sleek swimmers often circle boats and snorkellers, creating once-in-a-lifetime encounters you will never forget. The #GreatBarrierReef is the only place on Earth where you can swim with dwarf minke whales and it only happens for two months a year, right here in Tropical North Queensland.

Seen one? Dreaming of it? Tell us👇

🎥 @pablocogollos_photography and @oceanearthstudios via @gbrmarinepark 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia 

ID Underwater footage of a dwarf minke whale in the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Heli views, river crossings, red dirt, waterfalls, beach camps and one cracking sunset. Cape York, you’re a wild one and we love it!
 
📍Creb Track to the Tip
🚙 Pack the recovery tracks
🌴 Stay for a good time, not a long time 

🎥 @_lanicooper_ 
 
ID A compilation of Cape York adventure scenes featuring 4WD vehicles crossing creeks, navigating muddy tracks and driving along red dirt roads.