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Tourism News FeedThursday, May 05, 2011
Food & Wine
In line with our fine dining ethos, The Elandra will host the incredibly popular "Taste of The Tropics" food and cooking experience featuring Australia's most recognized practitioners of high cuisine Chefs Alastair McLeod, Manu Fieldel and Miguel Maestres.
Miguel, is no stranger to The Elandra. He filmed his Lifestyle Food Channel "Tropical Kitchen" show on our pool deck in 2009. His event will commence on 18th May 2011.
There are options of a 4 day stay at The Elandra which includes accommodation, 3 initimate cooking experiences/ master class with the celebrity chef including the infamous Gala Dinner, an arrival dinner, one gourmet meal per day as part of the cooking events, a la carte breakfast daily, exotic fruit farm tour and transfers to and from Cairns Airport.
- Time:
- 18 May 2011 2:00 PM to 22 May 2011 10:00 AM
- Ticket Price:
- $1500 per person twin share
Monday, February 07, 2011
Tully River Rafting & Xtreme Rafting - anticipated commencement of operations on Wednesday 9th February
Saturday, February 05, 2011
As you may know, Tropical Cyclone Yasi recently hit the coast of Queensland.
We are currently undertaking a situation analysis to determine the extent of damage to the properties and assess for how long they will have to be closed.
Based on our preliminary assessment, we have unfortunately decided to cancel all, and accept no further, bookings for stays up to and including 31 August 2011. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this will inevitably cause.
We appreciate your understanding in this regard and hope to be in touch soon with more positive news.
Deleware North, owners of Lizard Island & Heron Island, have kindly offered to try and accommodate all guests on their resorts.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
As you may know, Tropical Cyclone Yasi recently hit the coast of Queensland.
We are currently undertaking a situation analysis to determine the extent of damage to Bedarra Island Resort and assess for how long it will have to be closed.
Based on our preliminary assessment, we have unfortunately decided to cancel all, and accept no further, bookings for stays up to and including 31 August 2011. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this will inevitably cause.
We appreciate your understanding in this regard and hope to be in touch soon with more positive news.
Deleware North, owners of Lizard Island & Heron Island, have kindly offered to try and accommodate all guests on their resorts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Great Barrier Reef’s most beautiful rainforest island resort, Dunk Island, has been named Australasia’s Leading Family Resort at the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia ceremony held in Delhi, India, on 14th October 2010.
The award was accepted from Graham E Cooke (World Travel Awards Founder) on our behalf by elite gymnast and Commonwealth Games TV presenter Stephanie Moorhouse.
Founded in 1993 and described by The Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards are recognised globally by the hospitality industry as the foremost acknowledgement of excellence in product and service. This year, 185,000 industry professionals participated in the voting process which is both monitored and independently audited.
The popular Tropical North Queensland property won the accolade from a field of finalists consisting of the prestigious St Regis Bora Bora Resort in French Polynesia, Sonaisali Island Resort Fiji, and fellow Queenslanders Hayman Island Resort and Paradise Resort Gold Coast.
Hideaway Resorts, operators of Dunk Island Resort and Bedarra Island Resort, are about to reveal details of a multi-million dollar upgrade and enhancement program.
Rupert Greenhough, chairman of Hideaway Resorts, said that the program would unlock the full potential of Dunk Island Resort and that the World Travel Award indicated the property was well positioned to capitalise on the momentum as it demonstrated the was highly regarded by international and domestic sales agents.
“We’re honoured to win this award and delighted that an iconic Tropical North Queensland property won against such strong interstate and indeed international competition. It demonstrates how popular our tropical island resorts continue to be in that the award is voted by national and international sales agents who are, in the end, customer driven. The award also recognises the collective effort of the Dunk Island Resort team – it’s a richly deserved accolade for the island’s staff and management,” he said.
Dunk Island Resort is currently undertaking a raft of initiatives in readiness for the upgrade program, including providing WiFi connectivity throughout the resort’s common areas and pool environs as well as being the first in Australia to introduce 3G iPads for guests to use anywhere on the resort. The resort has just taken delivery of 4 new catamarans and a water trampoline, and is set to add other major activity assets as part of the planned upgrade in the coming months.
Jeff Gillies, Tourism Queensland regional director Tropics and Great Barrier Reef, said the award was well deserved recognition for the staff, management and new owners of the Dunk Island Resort.
“Both Dunk Island Resort and the Tropical North Queensland region have a strong history of delivering excellence in facilities and service and the region is an idyllic family destination. Natural wonders, friendly Queensland culture, quality, safety and reliability are the backbone of the region’s success and it is fantastic to see this award come to the Dunk Island team as reward for their focus on the visitor experience,” he said.
CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland Rob Giason said “The Great Barrier Reef is part of the environmental heritage of the next generation, and Dunk Island Resort, on one of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, offers families amazing holiday experiences. I congratulate Dunk Island Resort on creating world class family oriented resort facilities, and a well deserved win in the World Travel Awards.”
Friday, August 13, 2010
Dunk Island has been nominated for the highly coveted World Travel Awards under the category of: Australasia's leading Family Resort.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Weekend of 13th - 14th February 2010
The Travstar girls just spent a beautiful weekend at
Excitement began when we arrived at Hinterland Aviation for our scenic flight to
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
Greeted by a
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!).
Monday, December 14, 2009
BOB Irwin is the face of Australia’s koala and hairy-nose wombat conservation campaigns, and now he is fighting to save the endangered cassowary.
The father of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin won hearts when he made a special trip to the Far North this week to nationally launch a land buyback scheme for Mission Beach, south of Cairns.
Mr Irwin is urging Australians to donate money to Rainforest Rescue for voluntary rainforest block buybacks, and he has called on the State and Federal governments to match whatever money is raised.
“The best estimate is we have 1000 cassowaries left in North Queensland … and in Mission Beach the population may now be as low as 40,” he told a crowd of supporters yesterday.
“These birds are in danger of extinction and we need to act right now to preserve their habitat. We want every single (rainforest) block that can be purchased by the public and government.”
Rainforest Rescue’s Kelvin Davies said his not-for-profit organisation had previously sunk $600,000 worth of donations into land purchases for nature refuges in the Daintree.
“We can keep writing letters to politicians but we can also take a lead for the government to follow,” he told the crowd of his joint campaign with Mr Irwin and Mission Beach conservation group C4.
The local organisation has estimated about 40 per cent of its town’s essential cassowary habitat remains unprotected. Mr Davies said valuable land was already on the market.
“We won’t be coercing anyone to sell,” he said. “But we are on the lookout for rainforest properties and while one or two properties won’t solve the problem we do hope it will demonstrate to all levels of government that people want this.”
Donations were already trickling in after a launch on the group’s website late on Wednesday, he said.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
World’s First Sustainability Film Festival in Mission Beach
Mission Beach in Far North Queensland, located between Cairns and Townsville, the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest, is mounting
what organizers believe is the first Film Festival dedicated to the theme of sustainability.
With professional screening facilities located hours away, festival organizers have had to create a bespoke event, including an outdoor screening venue that can smoothly adapt to a wet weather contingency, sourcing state of the art screening and projection equipment including a 6 metre wide inflatable screen and a program of films that will engage and entertain audiences across all age groups.
The culmination of 12 months of planning and coordination sees the inaugural Festival commencing on Friday 6th November with 4 screenings across 3 beachfront venues.
An ‘Under the Stars’ screening and fiesta at Castaways Resort and Spa features ‘The Age of Stupid’ which premiered across the globe only last month and was reviewed by The Guardian as “the first successful dramatisation of climate change to reach the big screen”. The Festival’s off-shore venue Dunk Island presents the sublime family feature film ‘The Fox and The Child’ the story of a magical, life-changing encounter between a wild fox a young girl and their impossible friendship followed by ‘Big River Man’ a rollicking thrill ride that works as both a humorous character study and an enlightening environmental message.
Back on the mainland, the C4 – Communities for Cassowary and Coastal Conservation – Theatrette screens the multi-award winning documentary ‘The Cove’ which scooped Audience Awards for Best Documentary at this year’s Sundance, Sydney and Hot Docs (Canada) Film Festivals.
Saturday programming is largely family friendly with screenings at Castaways Resort and Spa kicking off with ‘Wall-E’, ‘Hoot’ and an early evening family screening of ‘The Fox and The Child’ followed by the engagingly eccentric ‘Big River Man’.
Feature Documentaries fill the program at the C4 throughout Saturday with the cinematically stunning ‘Travelling Birds’ followed by ‘Garbage Warrior’ the story of a renegade architect and his vision of self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities and culminates with the inspirational documentary ‘The Burning Season’ which follows young Australian entrepreneur Dorjee Sun, who believes there's money to be made from protecting rainforests in Indonesia, saving the orangutan from extinction and making a real impact on climate change.
Dunk Island offers another opportunity to see ‘The Age of Stupid’ on Saturday night and ‘The Cove’ on Sunday 8th November.
The Mission Beach Film Festival is an inaugural community event with a view to establish an annual iconic cultural and environmental fixture in the local Cassowary Coast region. It is an opportunity to highlight Mission Beach and environs as a destination of unique ecological importance.
Mission Beach Film Festival program details, film synopsis and ratings and information regarding the Cassowary Coast Short Film Competition and Stills Photography Exhibition is available at www.missionbeachfilmfestival.com.au
Tickets are available from the Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre on Porter Promenade, Mission Beach or call 07 4068 7099.
Whats Hot!
Tully River Rafting
-Accommodation pick up from Mission Beach
or self drive
-BBQ lunch included
-Exciting adventure with over 27 rapids
from $155 p/person
plus $30 National Park Levy
Travel between now and 31/March/2012
Calypso
Mission Beach
Enhance your underwater experience at the reef.
from $169 /Adult
Travel between now and 31/March/2012
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Local Weather
25-34°C
25-32°C
24-32°C
24-32°C
Temp: 28.8 °C
Wind: 11 kt W
Humidity: 68%
Pressure: 1002.7 hpa
Forecast: 25 - 34 °C (Late thunder)
Contact our North Queensland office for advice on your holiday in Mission Beach.