Latest News & Media Releases

Keep up to date with the latest news from TTNQ. The following are the most recent media releases for both the media, travel writers and tourism trade.

Media Releases
6 Sep 2024
World-first initiative Guardian of the Great Barrier Reef

Conservation curious travellers can visit the newly launched website and work through a series of short educational videos and fast, each with a coupon reward system to use with Expedia bookings on the Great Barrier Reef.

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Newsletters
10 Jul 2024
Sustainability Leaders News – July 2024

Australia faces a pressing waste management issue, impacting every sector including the tourism and hospitality sectors. Annually, our nation produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic with up to 5% of this leaking into marine environments.

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Media Releases
4 Jul 2024
Tropical North Queensland showcased to NZ agents

New Zealand’s top Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program agents were rewarded with an eight-day famil of Tropical North Queensland ahead of an increase in direct flights to Cairns.

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Media Releases
18 Jun 2024
TTNQ conference analyses effective tourism marketing

Global tourism recovery trends, changing consumer behaviour, and responsible artificial intelligence use are among the topics to be discussed at the My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference at the Hilton Cairns tomorrow (June 19).

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Media Releases
6 Jun 2024
Tourism toolkit to boost Gulf Savannah resilience

A toolkit to help tourism operators develop new experiences and encourage visitors to the Gulf Savannah beyond the peak season will be launched next week to help boost the region’s resilience after natural disasters.

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Media Releases
5 Jun 2024
Accessible tourism grows in Tropical North Queensland

An accessible rainforest canopy walkway and a kayak launcher are among 46 new Tropical North Queensland initiatives to result from Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism.

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Media Releases
2 Jun 2024
Queensland is Bluey’s world for real life

That’s the latest major tourism marketing offensive Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is kicking off today, in its biggest campaign in more than a decade, and Tropical North Queensland has a starring role.

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Media Releases
13 May 2024
What’s New in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – May 2024

Jump on a jetski and whizz around Pajinka, the northern-most tip of Australia, with a First Nations-led jetski tour launching on 25 May. Pafetai Morseau from Badu Island has founded Cape York Jetski Tours to showcase the remote region’s culture and history as part of an action-packed jetski tour that can also take in the Torres Strait islands. Fishing and trips to remote art centres are among the options for the tours departing from Seisa in Cape York Peninsula.

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Media Releases
13 May 2024
Sustainability News in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – May 2024

Tropical North Queensland is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active ecocertified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia.

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Media Releases
13 Mar 2024
Tropical North Queensland offers $100 off tours

Visitors to Tropical North Queensland can enjoy $100 off hundreds of tours including Great Barrier Reef trips, scenic helicopter flights and guided rainforest adventures from today with the national launch of the Tropical Dollars campaign.

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Media Releases
5 Mar 2024
Palm Cove tops list of ‘Best Beaches in the World’

Described as the ‘epitome of a tropical paradise’ Tropical North Queensland’s Palm Cove has been crowned best beach in the world by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

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Media Releases
5 Mar 2024
Tropical North Queensland resilience attracts business events

The resilience of Tropical North Queensland after record flooding in December has inspired corporations planning incentive events for international destinations this year to move their business to Cairns.

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Media Releases
19 Feb 2024
What’s New in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – February 2024
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Media Releases
17 Feb 2024
Visitors welcomed back to the Daintree on Monday

Independent day visitors can head north of the Daintree River from 5am on Monday 19 February to see the iconic view from the Alexandra Lookout and visit attractions such as the Daintree Discovery Centre.

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Media Releases
14 Feb 2024
Sustainability News in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Tropical North Queensland is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active eco-certified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia.

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Media Releases
20 Jan 2024
Great Barrier Reef Drive opens today

The iconic Great Barrier Reef Drive opened at 8am today (Saturday January 20) providing a coastal route to Port Douglas and Daintree in addition the daily ferry service from Cairns and the scenic inland route via Mareeba and Mount Molloy.

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Media Releases
17 Jan 2024
Tourism Recovery Officer begins work

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has appointed Fiona Nicholl to the Tourism Recovery Officer role funded by the Federal and State Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

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Media Releases
3 Jan 2024
How to get to Port Douglas for a summer break

Scenic boat transfers between Cairns and Port Douglas for just $50 and a stunning inland drive are the easiest way to get to Port Douglas for the summer break you’ve been waiting for.

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Media Releases
18 Dec 2023
Tourism works to keep community and visitors safe

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the organisation’s immediate focus was to keep the community and visitors safe.

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Media Releases
15 Dec 2023
Touring resumes in Tropical North Queensland

The first cruise ship has returned to Cairns, divers are back exploring the Great Barrier Reef and waterfall tours are in demand as Tropical North Queensland welcomes visitors in the wake of Cyclone Jasper.

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Media Releases
6 Dec 2023
Content grants to showcase business event offerings

Fourteen business event suppliers of Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef have received grants of up to $5,000 each to produce new content or update their website performance as part of the Create Great Program.

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Media Releases
29 Nov 2023
China Eastern announces seasonal services to Cairns

China Eastern Airlines will operate seasonal services from Shanghai to Cairns bringing Chinese visitors directly into the region for the Chinese New Year celebrations in 2024 and injecting up to $3 million into the local economy.

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Media Releases
27 Nov 2023
TNQ operators awarded

Tropical North Queensland operators took home 14 wins across 10 categories at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night.

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Media Releases
15 Nov 2023
TTNQ launches global campaigns to boost visitation

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has launched its first global trade campaigns for the ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ brand partnering with Expedia and Trip.com for activity in seven key international markets

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Media Releases
10 Nov 2023
Tropical North Queensland to host Australia Next

Tourism Australia’s signature incentive showcase will return in 2024 with the event, normally held every two years, to be held in Tropical North Queensland, as Australia continues to rebuild a strong pipeline of international business events.

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Media Releases
3 Nov 2023
Great Barrier Reef gives birth to next generation of corals

Researchers, tourism operators and Traditional Owners are poised to analyse the next generation of corals on the Great Barrier Reef after the start of the annual coral spawn was recorded last night (November 2) on Moore Reef, 47km east of Cairns.

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Media Releases
28 Oct 2023
Tropical North Queensland celebrates tourism excellence

The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry celebrated a year of record achievement at the 2023 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at the Cairns Convention Centre on last night (27 October).

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Media Releases
19 Oct 2023
John O’Sullivan to Chair TTNQ Board

Experience Co Limited Chief Executive Officer John O’Sullivan has been appointed Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) at the Annual General Meeting today (October 19).

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Media Releases
6 Oct 2023
First Nations tourism flourishing in Tropical North Qld

Australian holiday travellers experiencing Indigenous tourism in Tropical North Queensland are spending almost three times more than they did before the pandemic and staying longer in the destination.

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#ExploreTNQ

🕰️ Travel back 400 million years with a trip to the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves! 🌊⛰️ 

This ancient wonder was once a shallow sea full of calcareous mud and coral reefs, now tilted into stunning vertical formations. 🦇
Keep an eye out for bats—no superheroes here, just epic nature! 🚙
Only 3hrs  from #Cairns on the @athertontablelands 🚙

 #thisisqueensland  #seeaustralia #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #chill #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #chillagoe 

[ID: A image of a 4WD on a dirt track surrounded by lush grass and termite mounds, with towering limestone rock formations in the background.]
Becoming a Guardian of the Reef means you’re not just a traveller, but a champion for our ocean!🏅🪸
 
Dive in, explore, and unlock exclusive rewards as you learn about the Great Barrier Reef.
 
Understanding your impact on the reef, is the first step in acting with greatness 🪸🐠

Become a guardian today! Link in @tropicalnorthqueensland Bio🌴
 
#greatbarrierreef #australia #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #GOTR #GuardianofTheReef
[ID: The image shows a snorkeler swimming above a vibrant coral reef, surrounded by small fish. The text reads: “Become a Guardian of the Reef]
Welcome to the oh-so-sweet Great Barrier Reef Drive 🚙 

Winding between #Cairns and @portdouglasdaintree , this epic drive offers incredible views of two world heritage icons 🌿🐠 Gear up to explore spectacular coastline, secluded beaches, charming holiday towns & ancient rainforest 🦋🐚 

🎥 @_kln_ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #palmcove #portdouglasdaintree [ID: This video showcases drone footage of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, including a palm tree silhouette at sunset, cars traveling along the coastal road between rainforest and ocean, and aerial views of the ocean illuminated by the setting sun.]
Forget slip ’n’ slide in the backyard, get yourself to a natural waterslide at Josephine Falls 🌺💦

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #tropicalnorthqueensland
[ID: The image shows people enjoying the natural water slide at Josephine Falls. The water flows over smooth rocks, surrounded by lush green trees, with a lively and fun atmosphere.]
Discover the breathtaking beauty beneath the surface of the Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland with @@wavelengthreefcruises , departing from Port Douglas. 🌊✨
Dive into a world of vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life—an unforgettable adventure awaits! 🪸🐠🧜🏻‍♀️ Plan your escape to paradise today.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #tropicalnorthqueensland
[ID: The image shows a snorkeler swimming through the colourful coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The vibrant corals in shades of orange, red, and purple contrast beautifully with the deep blue water, creating a serene and captivating underwater scene.]
Quick question: when you think rainforest, what do you think of? If your answer wasn’t the Daintree Rainforest, then you’re wrong 😌🌿🌳

The@wettropicsworldheritage  rainforest is one of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world, around 30 million years older than the Amazon Rainforest 🤯 It’s home to 20 Indigenous language groups and a large portion of Australia’s plant and animal species!

Did you know that there are more tree species found in 1 hectare of the Wet Tropics Rainforest than in the whole of the United Kingdom 🌴🌴

 #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #portdouglasdaintree
If bright blue milky waters and a jacuzzi-like spa spells bliss for you then we’ve got you covered 🙌🌴 
Cardwell Spa Pool, located in the @cassowarycoastaustralia , is just one of few colourful swimming spots in the area! 🦋 
If you enjoy waterhole hopping, head further along the track to Attie Creek Falls & Dead Horse Creek 🚙🌿
📸 @dazandcecil 
 #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #cassowarycoast
[ID: Video clip of a women at Cardwell Spa Pool, which has bright blue water and is surrounded by lush green rainforest then zooms out into aerial drone footage]
Discover paradise @fitzroyisland with @sunloverreefcruises  where every moment is a postcard. 🌴✨ 

From crystal-clear waters  to fresh seafood by the shore. Experience the magic that awaits just off the coast🪸

🎥 @sunloverreefcruises 
#greatbarrierreef #australia #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #fitzroyisland [ID: a video montage of stunning ocean view at Fitzroy Island, with a gorgeous seafood lunch with beer and wine]
Cancel your Sunday plans because @salthousecairns has dropped a 2-course lunch menu with 1-hour bottomless beverage package, available every Sunday for only $69 🥂✨
 
Get stuck into a delicious antipasto platter, followed by mouthwatering meals that switch up every week so you can keep on coming back! Did we mention that drinks package? Wash down your lunch with a selection of wines, beers and cocktails - cheers to that! 🍹
 
But the party doesn’t stop there, hang around a little while longer to enjoy a fantastic live music line up of local talent and some of the country’s finest artists 🎶
 
Bookings essential so don’t miss out!
 
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #salthousecairns
[ID: A video montage of two girls having brunch at Salt House, a restaurant by the marina. The video includes scenery shots and delicious food and drinks]
What a treat for those onboard @reefsprinter in @portdouglasdaintree yesterday! 🐋
 
There’s only one and a half things that can make a sunset over the Great Barrier Reef better - and that’s an Olympic performance by mother and calf humpback whales! 🐋
 
The annual humpback whale migration to the calving grounds of @gbrmarinepark is in full swing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. These incredible whales travel over 10,000km from the Antarctic through our @queensland waters. 
 
While they’re here, let’s all be whale wise and respect their space. 🛥️🌊
 
🎥 @reefsprinter 
 
#greatbarrierreef #australia #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
 
[ID: A video of breathtaking sunset over the Great Barrier Reef, with a silhouette of a humpback whale and her calf gracefully breaching the water. The sky is painted in vibrant shades of orange and pink.]