Natural setting
Hosting events in spacious , outdoor locations in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef to allow for social distancing comes as second nature to the region , but its nature is second to none . Here the world ’ s oldest rainforest and largest coral reef system sit side-by-side . It is a natural place to meet .
Cairns Airport offers easy access to the region ; pre-Covid direct services from all Australian capital cities and five Asian gateways have been providing connectivity to Europe and USA .
In the last six months the region has been performing better than the comparable pre-Covid period in 2019 and interest in the destination is up by 40 %, the local CVB reports .
Investment in the region is at an all-time high . The Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal had a A $ 55m renovation and the arrival of new hotels like the Crystalbrook Collection portfolio has inspired other top tier accommodation providers to upgrade , with over A $ 100m being spent on rooms , restaurants , and event facilities . In particular , Silky Oaks Lodge underwent a A $ 10m refurbishment .
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas launched its CrocArena , with grandstand seating for 300 delegates designed for underwater viewing and thrilling crocodile shows . Delegates can swim in a croc ’ s kill zone with only a sheet of perspex between them and a modern-day dinosaur with killer instincts .
The first new pontoon to be built on the Great Barrier Reef in over a decade will be ready for delegates in 2022 . Joining the Experience Co . family , the new pontoon is one of the biggest , providing a spacious environment for 250 delegates over 1,003sqm . There is a 10-seater
underwater observatory with floor to ceiling windows and reef research projects will be conducted in the onboard scientific lab . Generators are powered by wind turbines and solar panels .
Another two five-star properties are slated for Port Douglas . With plans to open in 2023 . Accor will launch Fairmont Port Douglas with 253 rooms , several restaurants , a day spa , a treetop walk , panoramic conference facilities , resort-style pools and all constructed to blend with nature .
Crystalbrook Collection has plans in development to build a 100-room , five-star hotel alongside a 30-room ‘ ultralux ’ hotel at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas – Australia ’ s northern-most developed yachting launch pad .
Nautilus Aviation has partnered with Embraer ’ s Eve Urban Air Mobility solutions to develop electric vertical take-off and landing ( e-VTOL ) aircraft . Nautilus Aviation has ordered 10 e-VTOLs , ready to commence flying in 2026 . The e-VTOLs will provide zero-emission scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef .
Fitzroy Island Resort ’ s A $ 2.5m refurbishment will provide a more contemporary styling to reflect the spectacular surrounds and the events space will triple in size with newly constructed conference rooms on the way .
Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is a tropical region encouraging genuine connections both to nature and to fellow visitors and locals .
Create your own great moments in the rainforest , choose your own adventure on the coral reef and learn from two indigenous cultures . Embrace the spirit of this place , where stories are shared , and memories are created .
Cairns Canyoning 7 from TEQ by Brad Newton