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Major & Regional Events in TNQ

Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) is well-placed to deliver a vibrant and sustainable event portfolio. The dual World Heritage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, combined with existing event venues, infrastructure and capacity to deliver world-class events, provide the foundation for the successful delivery of major and regional events that create positive economic and social returns. You can see the Major and Regional Events calendar on our destination website.

TTNQ supports a broad range of events that:

  • draw visitors outside of the region to visit TNQ, and/or
  • encourage visitors to extend their length of stay whilst in the region, and/or
  • exponentially enhance their time spent in the region

Your local council can also assist with support for community and civic events. This is not an area that TTNQ can provide support in.

The information on this page will assist you to hold a successful major or regional event in Tropical North Queensland.

 

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Event Strategy

TTNQ and Cairns Regional Council recognise the efficiencies and advantages of working jointly to develop a regional event strategy that will guide the region. The C&GBR Event Strategy 2025 defines the region’s priorities for event attraction, optimisation, and growth, as well as a framework for developing a year-round calendar of events.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Event Strategy

Working with TTNQ

TTNQ regards events as an excellent destination marketing tool however, they need to provide a return on investment for the region and be sustainable. The following areas are assessed for each event:

1. Contribution to the TNQ economy
2. Attracting visitors to TNQ
3. Enhancing the profile of TNQ
4. Community engagement
5. Demonstrating future growth and sustainability
6. Contribution to a balanced events portfolio
7. Demonstrating no adverse environmental impact

TTNQ is responsible for the attraction and acquisition of events and for providing support to amplify existing marketing activities to increase attendance and length of stay.

View or download the below information on how major and regional events can work with TTNQ.

Download Working with TTNQ for Major & Regional Events

Key Stakeholders

TTNQ works with several stakeholders to achieve visitation targets and ensure the successful delivery of events in TNQ.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ)

Provide funding for business, hallmark, major and regional events on application that achieves state outcomes. They also offer marketing opportunities under the “It’s Live” brand and event optimisation activities for certain events. TEQ provides a range of resources to help support event organisers, including the Queensland events guide found here.

Other State Government Agencies

Events may be supported through other government programs such as Arts Queensland, National Parks, Sport & Recreation or Gambling Community Benefit Funds.

Local Governments

Provide funding (cash and in-kind support) on application. One-off applications are accepted for hallmark and major events. Offer an extensive range of venues and infrastructure, facilitate license and permit requirements and can assist with community engagement activities.

Event Owner

Responsible for event delivery, including operations and marketing, as well as associated financial risks

Event Funding

A range of grants are available from local, state, and federal bodies. Event committees should not be reliant on grant funding to run their event. The event should be sustainable, and outcomes and objectives achieved without additional funding. A grant may add value to activities the event organisers are already undertaking.


Queensland Destination Events Program

The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), seeks to leverage the crucial link between events and the destination in which they are staged. The aims and objectives of the QDEP are:

  • Generate local economic activity and development in the host destination
  • Attract external visitation to the destination
  • Drive social and community outcomes for the host destination, noting the important link between community outcomes and economic benefits
  • Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination

This TEQ Program offers two funding options for regional events:

  • Destination event funding ($10,000-$25,000); single-year funding for events seeking growth
  • Significant event funding ($25,000-$100,000); single-year or up to three years of funding for events that can demonstrate a strong track record of growth or growth potential

The funding can be used for marketing, strategic plan development, engagement of short-term specialised personnel, and hiring temporary infrastructure. Find out more here. 

Festivals Australia

Organisations can apply for arts and cultural projects that encourage community participation and audience engagement from a festival or community celebration. There are two funding rounds each year which generally open in February and September. Find out more here.

Local Council Grants

Check with your local council to see if they have a Community Grant. 

Resources for your event

TTNQ provides a range of resources to help support event organisers.

Media Libary

Bring your event to life with images and videos of Tropical North Queensland, a region fringed by reef, enveloped by rainforest, and ringed by the red dirt of the Outback. Our Media Library is complimentary to all major and regional events to access. You can register here.

City Dressing

City dressing creates a vibrant event atmosphere and positively contributes to both the visitor experience and local community pride. It is an effective tool for raising awareness of events and provides a great first impression for visitors arriving in the region. Your local council can advise how best this can be done in your area. This could include:

  • Billboard or roadside signage
  • Digital billboards
  • Digital signage at the airport welcoming your guests and athletes

Fencing & Umbrellas

TTNQ can supply the following temporary items that are teal with a white ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ logo:

  • 3.4m teardrop banners
  • 3m market umbrellas
  • 300m of mesh fence scrim

This is great for event branding, shaded areas, building temporary fencing, creating privacy for your event, or assisting with attendee traffic flow. The market umbrellas and teardrop banners have weighted bases. Each fence piece needs to be zip-tied to a chain-link fence (or similar). Fence scrim sizes include 6m x 1.6m or 5m x 0.9m.

Logos

In our marketing activity, TTNQ uses Cairns & Great Barrier Reef as the main locator for the region, not Tropical North Queensland. The ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ destination logo should be used to promote events to visitors. It can be downloaded from our Media Library.

Promoting Your Event

TTNQ can assist to promote your event to attract visitors to the region, to increase the length of a visitor’s stay, or to encourage them to spend more during their stay. We do this by amplifying your existing marketing activities. This can be done through many different avenues.

Destination Website

Our award-winning destination website, tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au targets visitors to the region. The event calendar on the website lists events that are suitable to:

  • attract a visitor to the region, or
  • entice a visitor to extend their time in the region, or
  • be a highlight of a visitor’s experience here.

Social Media

To have your event featured on our social media channels, please provide high-quality content. This includes an image or short video (30sec), a carefully crafted caption, and a call-to-action. The image or video should highlight the experience an attendee would have whilst here for an event.

  • Facebook: Tropical North Queensland, @tropicalnorthqueensland, 232k followers
  • Instagram: @tropicalnorthqueensland, #exploreTNQ, #explorecairnsGBR, 226k followers
  • Twitter: @CairnsGBR, 22k followers
  • TikTok: @tropicalnorthqueensland, #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR, 10k followers

Destination Content

We can provide content on the destination for your participant handbook, website, or newsletters to entice visitation to the region or encourage those already attending, to extend their time here. Similarly, we encourage you to use our content on your social channels; link to our destination website or blogs to share ideas about what your event attendees can experience in the region while they are at your event. Contact [email protected] to assist you with content.

Showcasing the Destination

To amplify your event in the marketplace, we recommend using the natural assets our region provides. By showcasing the destination you are offering another reason for your event attendees to book tickets, travel to the region and stay a little longer. We’ve created a Destination Content Package to assist you to thread the destination narrative through your marketing messaging.

It’s Live in TNQ Newsletter

The “It’s Live in TNQ” is a dedicated events newsletter emailed each month to our members and industry partners. The events listed in this newsletter are replicated from our Event Calendar listed on the Destination website.

Publicity & Media Coverage

A balanced event marketing strategy will take into consideration the level of impact your event can have through publicity and media coverage, your stakeholders, and the region. High-profile attendees and media access can assist with getting coverage for your event and generating demand for tickets for the following years, allowing your event to grow, increase ticket prices, create tiered ticketing packages and attract higher-level sponsorships.

Influencer Campaigns

Working with influencers to create hype around your event and generate content for future use, is a great way to increase your event’s contribution to the region. Influencers should:

  1. Post daily stories on their social channels of each experience they visit
  2. Share at least three posts on Instagram and Facebook (within 5 days of the event)
  3. Tag your event accounts and hashtags plus @tropicalnorthqueensland, #explorecairnsGBR or #exploreTNQ
  4. Tag the operators and suppliers featured in their experiences
  5. Produce content aligned with your event aesthetic and the destination brand

TTNQ can assist with coordinating media or influencer visits. Please submit a proposal to [email protected] and include the type of media/influencer you wish to attract, an example itinerary, the objectives of the visit, and the investment required from TTNQ. Each opportunity will be evaluated based on the potential return on investment through reach and engagement.

Content Capture

Ensuring your event has show-stopping imagery and captivating footage goes a long way when you’re marketing your event. We can assist your event to capture content to use in your marketing for years to come and promote the destination at the same time. If you need tips on what to advise your content creators, we’ve put together Event Photography Guidelines for you.

Australian Tourism Data Warehouse

List your event on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) for free. The ATDW distributes your event on Tourism Australia (TA), TEQ and TTNQ’s websites. Other benefits for your event include:

  • You can maintain your own listing online and update it at any time
  • Updates are automatically distributed to 200 agent websites
  • Inclusion in TEQ’s event calendar and in cooperative campaigns
  • Inclusion in the This is Queensland app
  • ATDW website performance reports

Eligible events must provide a direct service or experience to the leisure tourist and fall under one of the following classifications:

  • Exhibitions and shows: including agricultural, local, and regional shows and motor shows
  • Festivals and celebrations: including seasonal, sporting, cultural, music, or art festivals
  • Markets: including food markets and farmer’s markets
  • Performances: including song, dance, and theatre
  • Sporting events: both spectator and participatory
  • Classes, lessons, and workshops: including arts/crafts, dance, music, painting, pottery, cooking
  • Business
  • Community
Register for ATDW

Connecting with the Tourism Industry

TTNQ has a membership base of over 500 tourism operators and supporters. If your event has an opportunity that you would like to share with them, TTNQ can assist.

Examples of an opportunity that we can share with the tourism industry include:

  • requesting an exclusive tourism deal to share directly with your event attendees via an e-newsletter or website
  • requesting for tourism suppliers to submit a tender to fulfill an element of your event delivery ie. transport, entertainment, accommodation for VIPs etc.
  • requesting participants to put together an accommodation, tour and event ticket package
  • requesting participants for a major prize giveaway

In the above examples, you would need to provide the marketing plan, estimated reach of the activity, and the return on investment for the tourism operators.

Tourism Experiences for your VIPS

Another way to generate interest in your event across multiple platforms is to arrange for your VIPs, performers, or other high-profile attendees to experience the region. An ‘experience’ can be:

  • hosted tours,
  • tickets to an attraction with special access
  • hosted meals
  • hosted accommodation

In return, they’ll share their experience on their social channels, or participate in a media interview opportunity, and local media can be involved. It works much like an influencer or media campaign but on a smaller scale.

TTNQ can assist with connecting you to our industry for tourism experiences for your VIP. Please provide the details to [email protected] for consideration. The proposal should include the VIP/performer details, the tourism experience, the objective of the experience, and the investment required from TTNQ. Each opportunity will be evaluated based on the potential return on investment through reach and engagement.

Evaluating Your Event

We recommend using an independent third party to provide evaluation services for your event, such as IER.

IER

IER provides evaluations of the economic impact generated by your event. This is essential to be able to provide statistics to funding stakeholders to secure future support, it identifies areas of growth and provides an overall snapshot of your event. When you engage IER to evaluate your event, you receive a report, that provides statistics on the following:

  • Attendance
  • Demographic profile
  • Visitor origins
  • Primary purpose of visitors
  • Direct visitor nights
  • Net promoter score
  • Community pride

If you need assistance engaging IER or a similar company, please contact [email protected].

An example of a IER report

#ExploreTNQ

tropicalnorthqueensland

This is what a workweek looks like when your office is the world’s largest coral reef system. Who’s ready to swap their desk for the #GreatBarrierReef? 🎥 @puresnorkelling

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

ID An underwater montage that depicts five days of working on the Great Barrier Reef. Each day reveals a different marine scene from colourful coral gardens, schools of tropical fish and snorkellers exploring the reef. The reel ends with “See you soon”.

Open
This is what a workweek looks like when your office is the world’s largest coral reef system. Who’s ready to swap their desk for the #GreatBarrierReef? 🎥 @puresnorkelling #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia ID An underwater montage that depicts five days of working on the Great Barrier Reef. Each day reveals a different marine scene from colourful coral gardens, schools of tropical fish and snorkellers exploring the reef. The reel ends with “See you soon”.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Sunrise magic at Ellis Beach. 🌅🌴 There’s no better way to start the day than with swaying palms and a sky painted in shades of pink and gold. Who’s watching the sunrise from here next? 👇✨

📸 @stl_caption

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

ID Sunrise at Ellis Beach, with shades of pink, purple and orange painting the sky. Silhouetted palm trees lean toward the shore, framing the view, while a hammock hangs between them. The ocean stretches toward the horizon, reflecting the morning light.

Open
Sunrise magic at Ellis Beach. 🌅🌴 There’s no better way to start the day than with swaying palms and a sky painted in shades of pink and gold. Who’s watching the sunrise from here next? 👇✨ 📸 @stl_caption #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia ID Sunrise at Ellis Beach, with shades of pink, purple and orange painting the sky. Silhouetted palm trees lean toward the shore, framing the view, while a hammock hangs between them. The ocean stretches toward the horizon, reflecting the morning light.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Just taking it all in at #LakeEacham on the @athertontablelands. 🌿💙 This stunning volcanic crater lake is located in #craterlakesnationalpark and offers day-trippers the perfect place to picnic, swim, or explore the surrounding rainforest walking tracks.

📸 @rachelsholliday

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

ID An aerial view of Lake Eacham, a deep blue volcanic crater lake surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. A woman stands on a wooden viewing platform gazing out at the clear water. Submerged logs can be seen beneath the crystal-clear surface, adding to the lake’s beauty.

Open
Just taking it all in at #LakeEacham on the @athertontablelands. 🌿💙 This stunning volcanic crater lake is located in #craterlakesnationalpark and offers day-trippers the perfect place to picnic, swim, or explore the surrounding rainforest walking tracks. 📸 @rachelsholliday #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia #athertontablelands ID An aerial view of Lake Eacham, a deep blue volcanic crater lake surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. A woman stands on a wooden viewing platform gazing out at the clear water. Submerged logs can be seen beneath the crystal-clear surface, adding to the lake’s beauty.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Lil dude’s caught in a riptide of determination... 🤙🐢🏄‍♂️ First stop ☝ #FranklandIslands, next stop the EAC 😉 . 🎥 @franklandislands #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia

ID A Green Sea Turtle hatchling is making its way from the nest to the ocean, a critical part of its life cycle. After hatching from the sand, it instinctively follows the natural light reflecting off the water to find its way to the sea.

Open
Lil dude’s caught in a riptide of determination... 🤙🐢🏄‍♂️ First stop ☝ #FranklandIslands, next stop the EAC 😉 . 🎥 @franklandislands #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia ID A Green Sea Turtle hatchling is making its way from the nest to the ocean, a critical part of its life cycle. After hatching from the sand, it instinctively follows the natural light reflecting off the water to find its way to the sea.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Barefoot bliss on Green Island. 🌴👣. This gorgeous #coralcay on the #GreatBarrierReef isn`t just for day-trippers, it’s also home to @greenislandgbr, a luxury eco-resort where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean and explore the reef straight from your doorstep. 🏝️💙 📸 @_letsescapetogether_

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

ID A woman in a bikini and sun hat walks along the pristine shoreline of Green Island, leaving footprints in the soft golden sand. The turquoise water gently laps at the shore, while lush green foliage lines the beach under a clear blue sky.

Open
Barefoot bliss on Green Island. 🌴👣. This gorgeous #coralcay on the #GreatBarrierReef isn't just for day-trippers, it’s also home to @greenislandgbr, a luxury eco-resort where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean and explore the reef straight from your doorstep. 🏝️💙 📸 @_letsescapetogether_ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia ID A woman in a bikini and sun hat walks along the pristine shoreline of Green Island, leaving footprints in the soft golden sand. The turquoise water gently laps at the shore, while lush green foliage lines the beach under a clear blue sky.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Forget roses and chocolates 💘 Nothing says romance like a Victoria’s Riflebird pulling out all the moves. ✨ This dazzling display is the ultimate Valentine’s flex, as he fans out his glossy wings and shimmies his way into her heart. Who else is bringing this energy 😉 to their Valentine’s plans? 📍 Lake Eacham @athertontablelands

🎥 @naidu_kumpatla

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

ID A male Victoria’s Riflebird performs an elaborate courtship display on a tree stump in the rainforest. He fans out his glossy black wings, revealing iridescent blue and purple hues, and moves rhythmically in a dance-like motion.

Open
Forget roses and chocolates 💘 Nothing says romance like a Victoria’s Riflebird pulling out all the moves. ✨ This dazzling display is the ultimate Valentine’s flex, as he fans out his glossy wings and shimmies his way into her heart. Who else is bringing this energy 😉 to their Valentine’s plans? 📍 Lake Eacham @athertontablelands 🎥 @naidu_kumpatla #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia ID A male Victoria’s Riflebird performs an elaborate courtship display on a tree stump in the rainforest. He fans out his glossy black wings, revealing iridescent blue and purple hues, and moves rhythmically in a dance-like motion.

tropicalnorthqueensland

🍦 ‘Eat more ice cream’ - well, if you insist! 🤤 Come grab your happiness in a cone at @numi.icecreamery. Which flavour are you scooping up today?

📸 @food_vixen

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

ID This image features a scoop of ice cream with vanilla on top and a berry mix on the bottom, served in a classic cone. The backdrop highlights a neon sign that reads “EAT MORE ICE CREAM” in pink.

Open
🍦 ‘Eat more ice cream’ - well, if you insist! 🤤 Come grab your happiness in a cone at @numi.icecreamery. Which flavour are you scooping up today? 📸 @food_vixen #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @visitpalmcove ID This image features a scoop of ice cream with vanilla on top and a berry mix on the bottom, served in a classic cone. The backdrop highlights a neon sign that reads “EAT MORE ICE CREAM” in pink.

tropicalnorthqueensland

Have you even visited #Port Douglas if you don’t have this view in your camera roll of #FourMileBeach?

📸 @allaussiefolettas

ID This image showcases the view from the top of Flagstaff Hill, overlooking a long stretch of beach. The foreground features tropical foliage, framing the expansive seascape below.

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

Open
Have you even visited #Port Douglas if you don’t have this view in your camera roll of #FourMileBeach? 📸 @allaussiefolettas ID This image showcases the view from the top of Flagstaff Hill, overlooking a long stretch of beach. The foreground features tropical foliage, framing the expansive seascape below. #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree #portdouglasdaintree