Delegates should never be short of anything to do between conference sessions in tropical north Queensland. The destination is tailor-made to mixing business with pleasure, offering a vast wealth of things to see, do and taste on land and on the water.
The beauty of the destination is that it pretty much ensures there is something for everyone. If you enjoy nature then the Daintree Rainforest is just a short trip away. If sunning yourself on a beautiful island is more your style then there’s something for you too. If you love exploring art galleries, shopping for bargains in quaint markets, or seeking out some local handiworks then you’ve most certainly come to the right place.
It is well documented that meetings held in the Cairns region attract a greater number of delegate partners than anywhere else in the country, and once you recognise the breadth and depth of things for partners to do while in Cairns it is not hard to understand why.
People who have always wanted to learn to scuba dive do so on a Cairns visit because not only is the water so clear but the prices are extremely reasonable. Those who simply want to lay about and relax can do so just as easily.
And, when it’s time for delegates and their partners to come together then there’s no better place than the Cairns region to do so.
On the following pages are a few examples of just some of the things you can get up to on your next visit to Tropical North Queensland.
Visit www.cairnsconventionbureau.com for some more ideas.
Murder on the Kuranda Scenic Railway
You may have heard of the Kuranda Scenic Railway but have you heard of a murder taking place on the train?
Guests arrive at dusk to board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Greeted by their hosts, dressed in roaring 20’s inspired costumes, they board the lavishly restored carriages. The whistle blows as the train pulls away from the station, gently rocking its way along this ancient track to its undisclosed destination. And so, an unforgettable evening of mystery, intrigue and suspense has begun. The lights go out, a gunshot rings out, and a piercing scream echoes off the sheer cliff walls and deep, dark valleys. Just imagine a night where things are not what they seem, where everyone is someone else, where you must decipher clues, collect evidence and make deals in order to discover the truth. The plot thickens with every conversation you have, or hear! Everyone is asking the same question, ‘Who dunnit?’
The Murder on the Kuranda Scenic Railway functions are said to be great as welcoming events, team building, networking, or just for letting loose to celebrate the end of serious conferencing. Visit www.kurandascenicrailway.com.au for further details.
Flames of the Forest
Set beneath the rainforest canopy, Flames of the Forest is a magical and mystical event that will leave your group with a unique memory of North Queensland.
Flames of the Forest was recently rated number 34 of 100 great things to do in Australia by Australian Traveller magazine. Flames of the Forest has been operating for just over three years now in the lush tropical rainforest of North Queensland, just 15 minutes from Port Douglas. The venture, operated by Hannaford’s Events, has seen steady growth as domestic, international and independent travellers discover the unique and enchanting magic of dining in the rainforest. “We were so thrilled to be rated so highly in one of the top travel magazines in Australia,” said Amelia Hannaford. Flames can be booked non-exclusively, which makes it ideal for smaller groups looking for something unique but at the same time value-for-money. Prices start from $195 per head.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Hartleys continues to play host to a wide variety of day and night-time events for the corporate and incentive market.
In late 2006 the national Mirvac sales team spent an interesting and challenging time at Hartleys as part of their national conference. Sales team members had been previously classified as species of tropical reef fish and were set a range of cryptic tasks including finding clues, raiding crocodile nests, and answering a crocodile-inspired questionnaire set by Hartley’s wildlife keeping staff. The feedback from the participating staff was said to be extremely positive. Another group, the Smith’s Snack Food Company also recently visited Hartley’s for some “snappy” crocodile cuddling photos as part of a coastal car rally organised by the team at Offsite Connections.
As well as being a great daytime venue, Hartley’s Night Adventures is popular for themed dinners. Earlier this year the French-based Parex Lanko group held a series of final night dinners at Hartley’s (organised by Chris Otto of JCM Destination Australia and New Zealand), while in May an incentive group from Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Care enjoyed an Aussie Bush Barbie (arranged by Belinda Zelesco from the Axis Events Group).
Skyrail impresses international groups
It’s not just national conference and incentive travel groups Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has been impressing, they’re doing well on the international scene too!
Operating for 12 years this month (August), the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, just minutes from Cairns, has been working hard to not only attract general tourists but the conference and incentive market. And they’ve certainly been doing well in recent times.
It works exceptionally well as a stand-alone package, or as part of an overall experience with the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, and Rainforestation (to name a few).
In May this year Skyrail hosted 400 delegates from My Travel Sweden, an international incentive, that saw the group experience Skyrail over two days. The group travelled up the cableway late each day (against the flow of traffic) and enjoyed an evening function at Rainforestation in Kuranda.
Late last year Skyrail had almost 2000 people travel on the cableway who were part of the large Amway Korea incentive group. The group was split into five waves, with about 200 people travelling in each direction on the cableway (400 per day) over five days. Amway Korea also purchased Skyrail spray jackets as a souvenir for all delegates, which apparently delegates were delighted with!
Over the next few months Skyrail will be hosting about 150 delegates from a Danish veterinarians incentive who will travel on Skyrail to an evening function in Kuranda, and delegates from the World Sleep Congress in September. Skyrail presently has 500 bookings for this event, and is anticipating more to follow.
Visit www.skyrail.com.au for further details.
Gettin
When Amway Korea came to Tropical North Queensland they left all the ground transportation and logistics up to Down Under Tours.
Luggage trucks, limousines and coaches for the 21 days the group was in town were all provided by Down Under Tours.
With such large groups, and a hectic fast-paced schedule, transportation had to be precise in every respect and Down Under Tours managed the group with the efficiency and expertise it has become renowned for.
More recently the company completed handling of APEC delegates for shuttle transfers, and was heavily involved in the APEC Women’s Conference in Port Douglas. As well as transport logistics Down Under Tours offers a range of general tours throughout the region.
Visit www.downundertours.com for further details.
Rainforestation Nature Park
Whether you’re looking for a small, informal luncheon, or an over-the-top, fully themed extravaganza, the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park near Kuranda caters for all group sizes, from 40 to 1000 people. Choose from specialised dinner themes, with some added personal touches, tailor-made to your group. M*A*S*H Bash is a fully themed evening event themed on the popular TV comedy and includes dinner being served in the “mess” and army style settings surrounded by camouflage nets, signage and other memorabilia. Staff dress as your favourite M*A*S*H characters and a fully themed band keep the troops entertained.
Cairns Wildlife Dome
Where else in the world could you have a memorable event in a rainforest setting, right in the heart of a city? Cairns Wildlife Dome is located on the roof of the Reef Hotel Casino. This all-weather venue is ideal for cocktail drinks, exclusive dinners, or conferences, seating up to 60 people, with full food and beverage catering by the Reef Hotel Casino. You’re guaranteed animal interaction – up close and personal.
The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated in Port Douglas, Australia’s leading environmental wildlife experience makes a unique venue for any event. Guests can wander through three amazing environments: rainforest, wetlands and grasslands, amongst free-roaming and flying animals. From the famous Breakfast with the Birds or Lunch with the Lorikeets to cocktails in the rainforest or dinner functions, they can cater for between 40 and 300 guests, with menus and themes to suit.
RnR White Water Rafting
Rafting is an adrenalin-pumping, exciting activity, which will undoubtedly be a memorable and bonding experience. RnR offers exciting team building activities from rope courses to a treasure hunt race down the river. Be amazed by the variety of team activities you can play in a river raft. How about ‘Simon Says’ with your river guide commandant shouting commands? One mistake and you must jump out of the raft. There’s also raft celebrity head, and games combining raft racing and rescues.
Tropic Wings Coach Tours
Planning your event can be stressful enough without having to worry about transfers between the airport, hotels, the convention centre or function venues. Whether you need to move 50 or 2000 people, no group is too big or too small. For further details on these ideas and more email sales@capta.com.au or visit www.capta.com.au.
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