Cairns Tourism News

NEW RAINFOREST EVENTS VENUE

Flames of the Forest - Flames of the Forest News Feed

Multi award winning Flames of the Forest has moved to a new venue in the rainforest.

With a capacity to host 900 for a banquet, it is spectacular, dramatic and yet intimate for smaller groups too.

Renowned on site catering, fully licensed, in house lighting, audio visual for awards dinners and NO NOISE RESTRICTIONS!
 
INCREDIBLE FIRE EFFECTS
The venue enables us to create amazing fire and special effects to enhance your event.

Australia has no other events venue like this:  a genuinely unique location which needs no theming with the exciting possibilities that pyrotechnics, special effects and reveals offer.

Be as creative as you like!

PERMANENT HOECKER PAVILION ON SITE
A permanent 400 sq metre elegant black silk lined Hoecker is on site, decorated with hand made crystal chandeliers and the rainforest setting is spectacularly lit with thousands of budlights, flaming pots and candelabra blazing each night.

A CLEAR ROOF IS ALSO AVAILABLE
Many groups are opting for long banquet tables as an alternative to the classic rounds. Whichever your preference we can provide.
 
A REASON TO BRING YOUR GROUP TO PORT DOUGLAS!
No group itinerary to Far North Queensland is complete without an event in the rainforest at Flames of the Forest.

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

It was an absolute magnificent day out at Moore Reef today. The fish were very playful and the activities were endless.

Just one of the many highlight today was the scuba diving. Many guests took advantage of the conditions and donned a scuba unit and headed into the underwater realm with our very talented and knowledgeable dive crew.

The highlights in the water spotted by snorkellers, divers and those in the semi submersible included Oceanic Trout, schools of Trevally, Clown Fish in their protective anemone, Red Snapper, beautiful bright yellow & black Moorish Idols, our resident Maori Wrasse, plus Coral munching Parrot Fish. Another great way to spot bigger animals is from the Scenic helicopter Flights. They provide a bird’s eye view of the reef structure, and passengers often spot sharks as they cruise over the deeper waters outside the reef.

Water Temperature: 24.5C
Underwater Visibility: 15-20mtrs  

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: SE winds 2 knots
Low Isles: ENE winds 8 knots
Green Island: ESE winds 6 knots
Cairns Airport: NE winds 8 knots

3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Sunday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Monday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Tuesday: SE winds 10-15 knots

Focus on Feedback!

Kewarra Beach Resort - Kewarra Beach Resort News Feed

Hi Emma,

We have just returned from paradise!! I just want to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay at Kewarra.  It really is the most beautiful resort.  The setting is gorgeous and we had a lovely bungalow nestled in the rainforest.  We were very impressed that the bed linen and towels were changed every day. The food was great and it was a big plus that there was no music blaring out in the restaurant.  The birds and the breeze rustling the leaves and the waterfall at the pool are the only sounds you wish to hear at such a lovely place.  The BBQ on the beach was magic.  ALL the staff were friendly and very professional.

Having looked around a little bit from Cairns to Port Douglas we have to say that Kewarra is the best!

We hope to return one day – thank you for organising it for us.

Kind regards,

Gina & Frank Dolphin

Trip Review

Wait-a-While Tours - Wait-a-While News Feed

I joined a tour to the tablelands (or Cairns Highlands as it is now supposed to be known) last week.  After viewing wallabies and Curlews around Cairns, we travelled up the Gillies highway, stopping at the lookout for a view over the lowlands below, then went to Lake Barrine for after­noon tea, (scones piled high with cream and jam).

We had our first walk in the rainforest, where we saw musky rat kangaroos, and various other animals, before heading to a  property to look for platypuses.  We saw them playing and feeding amongst the waterlillies.  This was on private property, and we could see the house in the distance.  It was wonderful to see them playing, but I couldn’t help thinking the owners were missing out by having their house so far from the water. 

We went to dinner at Nick’s Swiss Italian Restaurant in Yunguburra, and afterwards went to walk in the rainforest at different spots in  national parks.  It was very cold.  I found out the next day, that it was the coldest day on the tablelands so far this year.  My breath was making little clouds.  This made the rainforest seem even more like another world.  I had brought warm clothes with me, but was grateful for the extra warm clothing that was available. 

Walking along the tracks, we had good sightings of different animals, including a Herbert river possum (or her­bie as it is affectionately known) that was trying to cross from one side of the road to another over our heads. We watched him stretching to try and grab foliage from the other side, before trying a different route, and then giving up.  He seemed oblivious to the people that were only a few feet away from him. 

On our way home, we stopped for supper and further walking and spotlighting, before heading home again.  Everyone was exhausted but exhilarated by the trip.  Only Elsa (7 Yrs old) was asleep for the return trip.

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

A fantastic day out at Marine World, the weather is stunning and excellent underwater visibility made for an awesome day out on the reef.

Introductory divers enjoyed their first scuba dives and the amazing variety of fish that make their homes out at Marine World. They were accompanied by masked angel fish, barrier reef anemone fish, yellow lined snappers and schooling rabbit fish. Some of the larger fish inhabiting this environment include coral trout, snapper, trevally, red bass, barracuda and reef sharks.

The snorkelling tours with our resident Marine Biologist were popular again today. The guests enjoyed the interpretive programs about the marine life and the surrounding ecosystem that is the Great Barrier Reef. Tropical Reef ecosystems are an incredibly diverse and complex environment with the reef being home to a dazzling array of fish and coral species.

Everybody touring on the semi-submersible observed a part of this incredible blue world as they ventured to the northern side of Marine World. They explored the clam gardens seeing neon damsels, colourful anthias, green turtles, yellow tailed fusiliers and hundreds of bicoloured parrot fish swimming amongst the colourful, living, underwater coral structures.

The Scenic Helicopter tours were enjoyed by everyone that chose to soar high above the reefs surface. The Vertical Magic Adventure offers a three dimensional view of the coral structures and contrasting colours of the ocean, and the chance to put the immense structure of the reef into perspective.

The weather conditions look great for the next couple of days, so take advantage and come and explore the wonders of Marine World.

Water Temperature: 24 C
Underwater Visibility: 25m  WOW!

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: E winds 7 knots
Low Isles: E winds 7 knots
Green Island: E winds 6 knots
Cairns Airport: NE winds 8 knots
                            
3 DAY OUTLOOK:
Monday: SW/SE winds 10-15 knots
Tuesday: S/SE winds 15-20 knots
Wednesday: S/SE winds 15-20 knots

NEW! Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway

Wooroonooran Safaris - Rainforest Safari News Feed

We have great news!

After 15 years in the planning the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway will open on Monday, 18 August 2008. Mamu is the biggest project in the Wet Tropics since Skyrail. With its combination of a canopy walk high in the tree tops, an observation tower, viewing decks and cantilever, it brings you close to new unexplored spheres of the rainforest.

This area of unsurpassed beauty contains the 2 highest mountains in Queensland, numerous rivers, waterfalls, swimming holes and some of the World's lushest and most ancient rainforests. Visitors will experience the exhilarating vistas of the Johnstone River gorge and amazing surrounding World Heritage landscapes.

The Ma:Mu Aboriginal Traditional Owners of this area look forward to welcoming you to this special place in Waribara clan rainforest country when the walkway is completed.

Location
30km west of Innisfail, in Wooroonooran National Park

From the 18th August Wooroonooran Rainforest Safaris will now include a visit to the spectacular Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway.

To view the full itinerary of the tour please click here

Bookings are essential as it is a small tour with a maximum of 12 places available per day.

Postcards from the Team!

TRAVSTAR NEWS - Cairns News Feed

Just returned from a romantic weekend in the Tablelands. Winter is a great time stay in the Cairns Highlands as it is one of the few area that offer accommodation with open fireplaces, potbelly stove and spa baths!

Immensly enjoyed our stay at Rosegums, had the fire going all day, went for a walk down to the creek through fields and rainforest, beautiful! and no other person in sight!

Relaxed  in the large spa bath, watch DVD's and didn't do much at all apart from keeping the fire going!

FREE SEMI SUB TOURS!

TRAVSTAR NEWS - Cairns News Feed

Semi-submersible options will not need to be pre-booked. Passsengers will arrange their tour onboard the boat on the day of travel.

To view further details on the Osprey outer barrier reef cruise please
click here.
 

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

2 MANTA RAYS PLAYING ON THE OUTER REEF WALL AT MARINE WORLD SEEN BY PEOPLE ON THE SEMI SUBMERSABLE !!!!!!

Reef animals use their shapes, behavior and body structures in a variety of ways to help them blend intocoral structures and survive. An easy example to find is a stripy fish such as a Red Breasted Wrasse or Humbug. The lines on their bodies help to break up the outline of the fish so they blend into the coral, a bit like zebras in Africa. Also look out for red fish. These fish are most likely to be found hiding underneath the coral or in crevasses, as red really disappears in dim light conditions. As a result red fish like soldier fish and squirrel fish are often seen swimming around at night. Reef fish have adapted to their surrounding environment and produced a number of different ways to defend themselves.

Water Temperature: 24 oC
Underwater Visibility:  20-25metres

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: S winds 20 knots
Low Isles: SSE winds 17 knots
Green Island: SSE winds 23 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 14 knots

3 DAY OUTLOOK
Sunday: SE winds 20-25 knots
Monday: SE winds 20-25 knots
Tuesday: SE winds 20-25 knots

As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Fuel Levy

TRAVSTAR NEWS - Cairns News Feed

Due to the huge increase in the cost of fuel many tour operators have had to introduce a fuel levy as they can no longer absorb these costs into their current pricing. Unfortunately it is not feasible to build the fuel levy into the ticket price as many pricing structures are set up to two years in advance.

When the first fuel levies were introduced in August 2006 the cost of fuel was $1.20 per litre. Today the fuel price has increased to $1.88 per litre.  Like the airlines, fuel represents a major and unavoidable part of daily operating costs.

Fuel levies are a 'pay on day' requirement direct to the tour operator. Not all tour operators have imposed the levy as yet, please check the Extras section in the rates table to see if a levy applies or enquire for a quote from one of our friendly travel consultants.

We apologise for this mandatory levy but trust that you appreciate the current fuel price crisis is out of operators control. We live in hope the price of fuel may one day decrease in which case the levy can be removed.

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