Cairns Tourism News

Sea Level Food & Wine in Cairns

Rydges Tradewinds Hotel - Rydges Tradewinds News Feed

Rydges Tradewinds Cairns starts 2010 afresh by launching its new and innovative signature restaurant and bar, Sea Level Food & Wine. With uninterrupted views of Cairns Esplanade and waterfront, Sea Level Food & Wine is aptly named while promising an idyllic setting for guests.

According to the hotel’s general manager, Matthew Hurley, Sea Level Food & Wine has been revised to reflect the city’s laid back vibe and waterfront setting. “Instead of going down the traditional menu path of entrée, main and dessert, we put a lot of thought into how this outlet is enjoyed and in particular, is pleasing to guests. That is how and why we came up with the small, share and large plates concept.

While the very nature of its location is great for a ‘sundowner’, a clever menu is now destined to make it the perfect meeting place for lunch, cocktails or dinner.” While fresh farm produce and seafood feature in Sea Level’s menu in all options – be they from the small plate, salads or large plate dishes, it is the tapas or share plates that will appeal to those in search of a stylish cocktail venue. This versatile option invites guests to make their own platter to share – be it a choice of two or three small plates.

Matthew predicts guests will love the new menu that combines the best of the best this region has to offer in terms of produce while adding a good dose of global flavours and flair – be it Asia, the Middle East, Europe or Australia.

“For those wanting to try something a little different and delicious, I recommend our Soft Shell Crab, Kicked-up Bloody Mary Oysters or Tempura Prawn Shooters" (all small plates) to start with while the large plates comprise many highlights including Beef Cheek, Roasted Kangaroo Fillet or house specialty, Potato Gnocchi. Added to this, are a good choice of health laden and flavoursome salads and sides that include some exotic newcomers like Skordalia Potato Mash and Sea Level’s signature Caesar Salad.

Sea Level Food & Wine is open seven days from 12 noon until late.

Chef's search for local produce

TRAVSTAR NEWS - Cairns News Feed

A recent Chef’s Tour of the Cassowary Coast saw 16 chefs from Tropical North Queensland’s top restaurants searching for great local food products. The full-day tour travelled from Cairns to Silkwood visiting an organic vanilla plantation, bio-dynamic poultry farm, exotic fruit orchard, tea plantation, pepper and spice farm, eco banana plantation, winery and various other properties.

The chef’s tour is part of a project initiated by Advance Cairns, and funded by the Queensland Government Department of Education Economic Development & Innovation, to raise awareness of the diversity of the TNQ region’s food and get more local produce onto menus in restaurants in Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

Top 10 Resort for Families

Dunk Island Resort - Dunk Island Resort News Feed

Dunk Island has been listed as one of the Top 10 Resorts and Holiday Parks for Families 2009 by Holidays with Kids. In a survey sent out to over 600,000 of Holidays With Kids readers, Dunk Island appeared in the top 5 most popular resorts (4 stars and over).
 
Dunk Island - the Island of Peace and Plenty, is a beautiful rainforest island. The palm-fringed beaches and lush rainforests of this tropical island are ideal for those who want to get the most out of their holiday or simply relax and rejuvenate. The resort is located in a National Park, and lies midway between Townsville and Cairns, one of a few tropical islands that puts you within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef.

With so many amazing activities to choose from on Dunk, it's hard to decide what to do next. Horse riding along the beach, rainforest walks, catamarans, tandem sky diving, golf, or visiting the island farm.

For a change of pace, get away from it all to a sun-soaked beach with a gourmet picnic hamper, or indulge yourself at the Spa of Peace and Plenty, with treatments designed to invigorate your mind, body and soul.

For a family holiday, there are plenty of things to do together, but when Mum and Dad want some time out, the Kids Club gives 3-12 year olds plenty to do. For couples looking for romance, nothing compares to ending the day with a cocktail in hand, watching the perfect sunset.

All 160 rooms are well-appointed with four grades of accommodation, each with beach or tropical garden views.

For the family, Dunk Island is as good as it gets!
 

Travstar visits Dunk Island

Dunk Island Resort - Dunk Island Resort News Feed

Weekend of 13th - 14th February 2010

The Travstar girls just spent a beautiful weekend at Dunk Island. Here is a run down of our experience...

Excitement began when we arrived at Hinterland Aviation for our scenic flight to Dunk Island. It's not often we get to experience a small flight, so stepping onboard a 12 seater plane was exciting plus nerve wracking at the same time!

Only a 35 minute flight, but it was well worth it. To the right we had the mountain ranges with an amazing sight of all the cloud formations drawn to the land, meanwhile to the left it was clear blue skies, beautiful blue ocean with turquoise reefs scattered throughout. We passed over the Frankland Islands before turning at Mission Beach for our smooth landing onto Dunk Island.

Greeted by a Dunk Island representative we were given a brief tour to get our bearings before heading to our rooms. The standard check in procedure is a welcome tropical cocktail in the Plantation Bar, just to get you relaxed and in the swing of island life.

Our Beachfront Rooms exceeded our expectations, fresh, white and very spacious with gorgeous photography on the walls and a modern bathroom. My room was on the ground level with direct views of the ocean. It really makes a difference to have magnificent views which tops off the experience.

After lunch we had time for a quick swim in the Cascade Pool before our pamper session at the Spa of Peace & Plenty. As soon as you arrive at the day spa a wave of relaxation takes over. Set amongst beautiful gardens and ponds, it offers an incredible escape where there is nothing else to focus on but yourself!

A 60 minute massage and facial is highly recommended and just what we needed. The tranquil surrounds and soft music added to the experience which was topped off with some lychee icecream and a cold towel for refreshment afterwards.

Dinner was a delicious 3 course table d’hôte. Following this we kicked back to some live music in the Plantation Bar.

The following morning we woke to blue skies and sunshine again, so don't believe all the weather reports you see as it had been forecasted for storms and showers all weekend! The island is one of the most beautiful I have ever visited with lush tropical gardens attracting a multitude of birds and butterflies.

We enjoyed a healthy full buffet breakfast, and I couldn't help myself the water was so clear and glassed out that I had to go for a sea kayak. You can grab kayaks or any non-motorised water sports equipment from the beach hire shop. I had a paddle up and down infront of the resort, it was great to get out there and burn off breakfast at the same time!

After another quick dip in the pool it was time for a quick lunch at the Jetty Cafe before our return scenic flight with Hinterland Aviation (this time in an 8 seater!).

Dunk Island offers a marvelous experience of beauty and relaxation, even just for a night away it is well worth the trip and we highly recommend the adventure of flying in!

February Newsletter

Billy Tea Bush Safaris - Billy Tea Bush Safaris News Feed

Despite all the rain Cape Tribulation/Daintree/Bloomfield Track are all looking fantastic!

We are going through to Emmagen Creek everyday no problems with flooding. Cassowary's are being sighted regularly, two crocodiles on the River yesterday as well as Boyds Forest Dragons and Buff Breasted Paradise Kingfishers from New Guinea on their breeding migration.

Chillagoe Caves & Outback tour is operating Monday, Wednesday & Friday's, and the outback is green & looking fantastic. Very little rain during the day & not as hot as here on the coast. We are going to Granite Gorge at present instead of the Wetlands as access in is closed for a few weeks due to some flooding earlier this week. Lots of Kangaroos, Wedge Tail Eagles even the odd sighting of the Albino Kangaroo!

We are also doing the Trezkin or Donna Caves as the Royal Arch is closed at present, so a reasonable level of fitness is required due to stairs to climb up to the cave entrance.

Billy Tea Safaris is the longest running 4WD operator to Cape Tribulation and beyond and also now to Chillagoe Caves and Outback. Billy Tea Safaris is now in its 29th year of operation and is a local family owned business by Marilyn and Berrick Barnes. Billy Tea Safaris is also Advanced Eco Accredited.

The Billy Tea Fleet of vehicles are custom built 4WD'S 13 Seater, 6 wheeler 4WD and also 14 Seater Canter, all vehicles have panoramic viewing windows, extra high clearance for great visibility, we also supply baby seats and booster seats and all seats are seat belted. All guides are highly trained and have extensive knowledge of the local area, history, flora and fauna.

Cape Trib

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Swim at beautiful Emmagen Creek, and enjoy a rainforest walk, no crowds.
• We travel further than most operators
• Eco Accredited Guides
• Custom Built 4WD vehicles all air-conditioned
• Flexible itineraries
• Hand Feed Kangaroos
• Tropical Fruit tasting
• 1 hour River Cruise, to view Crocodiles and other wildlife
• Tropical BBQ Lunch- Vegetarians catered for.
• Pensioner and family rates.

Chillagoe Caves

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Visit Mareeba Wetlands enjoy a 20min boat cruise & morning tea
• Experience off the beaten track roads and view many different species of birds and wildlife.
• Experience the real Australian Outback, step back into the history books with turn of the century mining towns
• Visit the old Lappa Junction (Pub with no beer)
• Australian Pub lunch - historic Chillagoe Pub
• Guided Chillagoe Cave Tour and Chillagoe Smelters
• Skybury Coffee Centre for afternoon tea (own expense)
• Accredited Guides

Queensland's rainforest and Australia's ancient tribes

Adventure North - Rainbow Serpent Tour News Feed

Daily Mail - 28th January '10

Local insight: John Carter meets Aboriginal elder Willie Gordon of Guurbi Tours

In a large tract of land several miles to the north, you will find a huge area of sandstone escarpments, rainforest and scrub which is the ancestral territory of the Guugu-Yimithirr people. They are one of two Aboriginal nations - the Kuku Yalanji is the other - who have lived in the south-east corner of Cape York for tens of thousands of years.

For reasons we needn't dwell on, I wanted to spend some contemplative time in the Australian bush and was lucky enough to spend part of it in the company of Willie Gordon, an elder and storyteller of one of the clans that make up the Guugu-Yimithirr. It was a heartening and humbling experience, for the reality of outback Australia is a world away from the travesty that television presents as a setting for cavorting 'Celebrities'.

Walking with Willie Gordon, listening to his tribal stories, his explanation of ancient rock art and his dissertations on the uses of various shrubs and plants, I came to understand something of the philosophy of the oldest people on the planet.

We talked about all manner of things as the day wore on. Of life and death and destiny and what control we can exercise over the last of that trio.

Willie showed me a plant that, when rubbed between the palms, turns into soap. Another from which drinkable water can be obtained. At his invitation, I tasted a handful of tiny lemon ants and listened to his explanation of how nourishment is provided by them and by a variety of plants and shrubs.

Many of the early settlers died of hunger and thirst when they were surrounded by food and water - if only they had known where to look.

Many reasons to visit FNQ in Green Season!

TRAVSTAR NEWS - Cairns News Feed

As locals, we all know that the weather is beautiful here year round and when the rain comes we all love it!!  Our rainforest animals all wander about, our rainforests come alive and our nights are a symphony of frog songs.  Rivers and waterfalls go wild and life is great!

Sure, there may be a slightly higher chance of rain but it's fun wandering around in the warm rain.  Take yourself out of your comfort zone!

People have called me to tell me about the size of the raindrops that bounced off the pavement.  It creates a memorable experience and a sense of adventure. You have never experienced rain until you experience it in the wet tropics and hey World Heritage Rainforest needs torrential rain to keep it growing! We need our beautiful rainforests to remain lush and alive.

Staying in the rainforest in wet weather is brilliant!  It's absolutely beautiful, not to mention the numerous waterfalls that appear during this time.

All activities take place year round in FNQ, we love playing in the rain!

• Activities such as ATV & Bungy are great fun!
• Spectacular heli rides over the Barron Falls.
• View the clouds and mist as you journey on the Skyrail Cableway to Kuranda.
• Awesome rafting adventures on the Barron and Tully River.
• Great accommodation & tour deals to be had!

Despite the travel information you may reading in planning your holiday to Far North Queensland, not every day is a wet weather day. We have some beautiful days and quite often the rain only passes through at night, which is a relief to calm the humidity.

This time of year is the best time to snap up some superb tour and accommodation deals, so what are you waiting for?!

Barron Falls in full flood!

Skyrail - Skyrail Cableway News Feed

Right now is the very best time to see the mighty Barron Falls in full flood...

Ex-cyclone Olga has unleashed heavy rain across the region, with much of this now streaming down the falls.  Best vantage points are on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway, boasting fantastic lookouts over the Barron Gorge and Falls.

Kuranda Scenic Railway passes by several other waterfalls in the Barron Gorge National Park, including the famous Stoney Creek Falls on its journey between Cairns and Kuranda, providing many great photo opportunities.

For Skyrail guests, complimentary umbrellas are provided at both mid-stations, allowing them to stroll the forest floor and enjoy the views with comfort.

Other than the waterfalls, a visit to the rainforests in the rain is an amazing experience.  Clouds cloak the mountains with moisture-laden mist, the canopy and trees are a rich, verdant green and the frogs and cicadas are singing.

Don't miss this wet weather spectacle, travel on Kuranda's original & best day tour experience today.  Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, bringing you the ultimate wet weather experience!

Skybury's roaster is smoking

Tropical Horizons - Kuranda & Highlands News Feed

Skybury's Australian Coffee Centre at Mareeba has an impressively large, cast iron drum roaster now roasting the daily grind of Skybury coffee in the foyer, sending the aroma of freshly toasted coffee beans into the surrounding fields.

"We're roasting at 9am each day and it’s a terrific process to watch. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the cycle, and it's tantalising - you really want that cup of coffee when you smell the roasting beans!," said Skybury owner Ian MacLaughlin.

Skybury's new roaster has a capacity of 15kg per roast and is equipped with a loader and separate green bean hopper to enable continuous roasting so it’s capable of processing up to 90kg per hour. The roaster has probes which monitor the temperature of the coffee roasting drum and the coffee beans. These measurements are used by internal computers to modulate the gas supply and temperature according to the pre-set roast specifics.

The perfect meeting place

Sebel Cairns - The Sebel Cairns News Feed

Capturing the casual but stylish lifestyle of Cairns, The Sebel Cairns is the perfect meeting place in the heart of Cairns...

Located on the Ground Level adjacent to the magnificent foyer, the Lobby Bar is the perfect place to meet for an impromptu business meeting or a social gathering. The Lobby Bar is open daily from 11.00 am until late and offers light snacks all day with live entertainment on weekends including Sunday Brunch.

Coco’s High Tea is served daily from 11.00 am in the Lobby Bar, this classic favourite has been given a modern makeover with all the trimmings. Perfect to while away a lazy afternoon, or for a relaxed business meeting. Sure to impress!

Or why not experience the Sebels famous Sunday Brunch, a delicious combination of our seafood and breakfast buffets. Coco’s Sunday Brunch operates every second Sunday from 11.30 am until 2.30 pm, this informal dining affair allows guests to sit back, relax and indulge in Cairns’ best local fare, prepared by world class chefs.

For details on great stays at The Sebel Cairns please click here! 

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