backpackingqueensland blog

Turtle Season

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:38:00 +1300

Along the Queensland coast from Bundaberg in the south, to the Cape in the tropical north, as well on the islands of the Southern Great Barrier Reef (Lady Elliot Island, Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Lady Musgrave Island), Queensland's turtle season offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the nesting and hatching of these rare animals.

From November to March each year, a large variety of turtles such as the loggerhead, green, leatherback and flatback nest and hatch.

Encountering these magnificent creatures that may live for 200 years, provides a memorable experience for any visitor to Queensland.

Where Oz Shines

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:32:00 +1300

Queensland’s first global tourism brand was launched recently: Queensland, Where Australia Shines.

This marketing drive introduces a new vision for Queensland as a tourism destination. Tourism Queensland is keen to tell the world about Queensland's attributes through a clear and consistent tourism message.

It is hoped the new tag line, Queensland, Where Australia Shines will maintain the tradition of Queensland as the state that creates the most memorable and loved tourism campaigns.

Greatest Barrier Reef

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:12:00 +1200

A poll carried out by Lonely Planet's UK magazine has voted swimming the Great Barrier Reef as the world's "greatest outdoor experience".

The Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from space, is the world's largest coral reef. Crystal clear tropical waters and a wide range of coral structures make it an underwater playground for visitors.
It contains an abundance of marine life and is made up of over 3,000 individual reef systems and hundreds of tropical islands which boast some of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches.

Lonely Planet Magazine identified Lizard Island as one of the best places to go to experience the joys the reef has to offer without the crowds.

Sailing Ambassador

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:43:00 +1200

Jessica Watson captured the world’s attention during her incredible solo journey around the world and she continues to use her newfound celebrity to inspire others to follow their dreams.

A passionate Queenslander, Jessica is the youngest person to have sailed solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

She has been appointed as Tourism Queensland’s Sailing Ambassador to promote Queensland's Season of Sailing - the best sailing in the world.

Bring on The Ashes

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:22:00 +1200

The countdown has started with the Gabba confirmed as the venue for the opening Test match of the eagerly anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England in November 2010.

The First Test is scheduled to start on Thursday 25 November and continue through to 29 November 2010. England's last visit to Australia saw Test match attendance records smashed in almost every State.

Eco-friendly beach

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:14:00 +1200

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays has been named as one of the best eco friendly beaches in the world by news network CNN.com.

CNN.com said "Some beaches suffer from pollution, but there are many gorgeous, pristine escapes that offer a sanctuary to wildlife and travelers alike. We scoured the planet to find the most spectacular shorelines......."

.......and the which beach was at the top of their list? Whitehaven Beach in The Whitsundays.

"This 4.3-mile white sparkling beach has won many awards, including "Cleanest Beach in Queensland," and national awards for resource recovery and environmental protection. The breathtaking beach is located on Whitsunday Island, the largest of a 74-island chain. Visitors are limited by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and must register with a tour guide for access."

Elusive Migaloo

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:24:00 +1200

Migaloo was sighted on July 21st playing off Port Douglas, 3 nautical miles north of Snapper Island at 10.37am.

The elusive white humpback whale was heading north at 6 knots and in the company of a pod of dolphins when sighted.

In the current weather conditions, sightings of a number of humpback whales have been made, but to see Migaloo is one of those rare experiences for the lucky few.

The whales are regularly sighted at the ribbon reefs of the Outer Barrier Reef at this time of year.

Reggaetown 2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:18:00 +1200

ReggaeTown 2010 (September 10th & 11th) will be the biggest and best year yet, with BIG Aussie and International names to bless Queensland with some beautiful sounds in the wonderful Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns.

Line up includes: The John Butler Trio, Katchafire, Tiki Taane & DJ Sambora, Blue King Brown, Lady 6, Mamma Kin and heaps more.

Head to http://reggaetown.com.au/ for more details on the line up and how to grab a ticket.

Get to Brisbane Fest

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:11:00 +1200

Australia's youngest arts festival will kick off on the 4th Sept with a specacular Riverfire party.

Over half a million spectators on Brisbane’s riverbanks, backyards and balconies are expected to witness the night sky exploding with fireworks and fighter jets with the cityscape and live music setting the backdrop for this event.
The Spiegeltent in King George Square will have live music in the Garden Bar to ensure the party continues after the fireworks have burnt out.

The Brisbane Festival runs until September 25th and has plenty in the programme for everyone. From Sutra (acrobatic Buddhist monks) to sensual and intense dance in The Oracle, to Baroque Tarantalla orchestral music and much more.

For more details head to http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

Indigenous Art Fair

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:03:00 +1200

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is a boutique art market for traditional and contemporary art work by Queensland Indigenous artists. The visitor experience is enriched by complementary programming including dance and music.

In 2OO9, 1O,OOO people came to the inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and left with an art work and memories of a unique event that merged an art market with a celebration of Indigenous culture.

An initiative of the Queensland Government, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is committed to growing the market for Queensland Indigenous art work and providing artists with a dedicated forum at which to sell and showcase their art to local, national and international collectors and arts enthusiasts.

The inaugural event was an exceptional success, attracting strong crowds and totaling art work sales in excess of $500,000. Best of all visitors so enjoyed their experience that 75% of those surveyed rated the Art Fair as 'excellent' with the remaining 25% said it was 'good'.

The Art Fair's focus on recreating the interrelationship between the visual and performing arts in traditional Indigenous culture also proved a hit with visitors. The performance program of dance and music, along with the artists talks and demonstrations, symposium and children's art station transformed the event from a traditional art market into a rich experience of Queensland Indigenous art and culture.

For more information check out http://www.ciaf.com.au/

Fun on Fraser Coast

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:15:00 +1200

Two of the final 16 contestants for the Best Job in the World competition set off for a week of fun and adventure on the Fraser Coast.

George Karellas, an Irishman with travel embedded in his family history and Magali Heuberger, from the Netherlands, who has worked in Public Relations, marketing and productions had an action-packed, thrills driven holiday on the Fraser Coast.

From horse back riding at Susan River, to 4WDriving on Fraser Island. From sky diving in Hervey Bay, to jetskiing and kite surfing. Add a Camel Safari, a champagne sunset sail and a power boat ride and you've got yourself an action-crazy, adrenaline pumping week of fun!

For journal, photos plus video footage, check out what they got up to....here.

Blooming Outback

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +1200

The Queensland Outback is known for being tough and seeing through the hard times, having come through flood earlier this year, but now the region is showing its softer side and blooming into life.

A new televsion commercial airing in the Eastern states is promoting the great chance to see and experience the lush, green landscapes to boost the Outback economy by driving more tourists there.

Active explorers have been identified as a key market for Queensland and include both domestic and international travellers who want to be challenged by their holiday, enjoy adventure activities and love to explore.

The advertisement also followed Tourism Queensland's 'After the Rain' print and online campaign, which offered great deals to travellers to the region. Visitors to Queensland's Outback looking for adventure travel can still take advantage of these discounts with deals on sale until the end of June.

Uncover Queensland

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +1200

Tourism Queensland and Qantas Holidays Uncover Queensland

Tourism Queensland and Qantas Holidays have teamed up for a $1.6 million marketing campaign aimed at uncovering Queensland's best holiday deals.

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said the "Uncover a great deal of Queensland" campaign would promote deals from around Queensland under three key themes - beach, adventure and luxury.

"This is an exciting new campaign which will have a great reach - particularly in our target markets of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria," Mr Lawlor said.

"More than 140 tourism operators from around Queensland have signed on for the campaign, offering a range of great accommodation and sightseeing deals for travellers.

"The deals also fall under three key themes - beach, adventure and luxury - giving couples and families great choices on the type of break they're looking for."

Mr Lawlor said the campaign would be promoted through a variety of media and trade channels.

"This partnership between Tourism Queensland and Qantas Holidays means the campaign can be marketed to potential holidaymakers in so many ways," he said.

"Radio ads have started in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and online advertising is currently running on www.qantas.com/queensland.

"Television commercials and press activity will begin this week, as well as advertising through Qantas's extensive communication channels and flyers distributed to travel agents across the country.

"There are also incentives being offered to Qantas frequent flyer members to earn extra points when booking one of the packages.

"This is a great chance for Australians to have the perfect winter break in Queensland at a fantastic price."

The Uncover a great deal of Queensland campaign runs until 11 July, for travel until 31 October 2010.

For more information, contact Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15, go to www.qantas.com/queensland or contact your local travel agent.

Best of Backpacking

Mon, 31 May 2010 21:00:00 +1200

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading, The Honourable Peter Lawlor released this statement about the launch of the Backpacking Queensland Guide Book...

A new backpacking guide launched on the Gold Coast today will soon be helping travellers explore and experience the best Queensland has to offer, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor has announced.
Mr Lawlor said the Backpacking Queensland initiative, which was supported by Tourism Queensland, would assist backpackers to navigate their way around the state during their travels.

"The guide is the first of its kind to be produced, and we hope it will become an essential that every backpacker travelling in Queensland will have in their back pocket," Mr Lawlor said.

The 64-page guide features images and content to focus on the youth, student, backpacker and adventure market. It includes maps, descriptions and pictures of the many travel destinations in Queensland.
"It includes a range of interesting content for backpackers looking for Queensland experiences such as sight-seeing tours and entertainment and leisure activities," Mr Lawlor said.

"As well as highlighting Queensland's diversity and natural attractions, the guide provides information on accommodation and places to seek out temporary work to encourage more young travellers to spend their time visiting and working in Queensland."

Mr Lawlor said the guide's aim is to target all backpackers from all countries and would be readily available across Queensland, as well as through tourism offices internationally, and selected travel agencies which specialise in the Queensland market.

"60,000 copies have been printed and these will be distributed throughout hostels, airports and transport operators throughout Queensland and the southern states, plus through a range of additional channels such as English language schools in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

"Backpackers will be able to download a copy from the Backpacking Queensland website.www.backpackingqueensland.com.au"
Mr Lawlor said backpackers were some of Queensland's most important travellers.
"Backpackers stay longer than traditional visitors, spend more money and travel more widely," he said.
"They live and work in local communities and develop friendships which see them visiting again and again throughout their lives."

Mr Lawlor said in the year ending December 2009, 370,000 backpackers visited Queensland mainly coming from United Kingdom, Europe, Korea and the USA.
"The amount that backpackers spend on their trips to Australia is also significant, in 2009 it totalled $3.5 billion. This represents a 10 per cent increase from the previous year," he said.

You can download a copy of the Backpacking Queensland Guide Book right here!

Changes on Fraser

Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:00 +1200

From July 1st all Fraser Island backpacker tour operators are legally required to run accompanied tours on Fraser Island in place of the traditional self-drive safaris.

Beaches Backpackers have announced that their new 'Tag-Along' tours are the ideal mixture of a guided and a self-drive tour - offering a front lead vehicle driven by an experienced driver for all self-drive guests to follow. The guide will be able to offer a safe driving experience, while also helping out guests to navigate their adventure and provide unique information about the island.

Price changes will occur with the new tour format. and guests with vouchers are encouraged to get in touch to find out more about what their voucher will cover. For those purchasing an open-dated ticket, it is recommended to travel before June 30th 2010, as this will be one of the last opportunities to experience the Self Drive Tour in its present state.

Contact Casey Nelson of Beaches Backpackers if you have any queries about Beaches' Tag-Along tours, on 0439 933 335 or caseyn@beaches.com.au

Vantastic Vote

Wed, 26 May 2010 21:45:00 +1200

The World Nomads Vantastic tours have come to an end, but now voting will commence to find out who is the favourite Vantastic tour team.

Grab your chance to win an awesome roadtrip adventure pack worth AUD$5,000, just by voting from July 2nd to July 25th.

The prize includes:

- iPod Touch 32GB

- $100 voucher iTunes

- MacBook Pro 15’

- iPhone 32GB

- Canon Legria HF20 video camera

- WorldNomads.com adventure travel kit

The voting page will go live on 2nd July.

For more information about the teams and all you need to know check out http://journals.worldnomads.com/ambassador/story/58517/Australia/Van-Tastic-Adventures-WATCH-VOTE-and-WIN

or keep up-to-date by signing up as a fan to the Vantastic Facebook page, subscribing to the roadtrip videos on YouTube, or following Vantastic on twitter @van_tastic.

Ben's TV series

Wed, 19 May 2010 17:00:00 +1200

Millions of people throughout Europe, the UK, Asia, Latin America and Australia will be able to share the adventures of Best Job in the World Island Caretaker Ben Southall thanks to a new six-part Nat Geo Adventure series, which premiered in Australia on Thursday 13 May at 9:30pm on the National Geographic Channel.

Ben Southall was picked as the Hamilton Island caretaker last year - a $150,000 Australian ($133, 615 U.S.) job that saw him explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Southall was followed by cameras during his six-month stint and among the adventures captured on the documentary were sea walking, swimming with manta rays and turtles, sky diving, and eating a witchetty grub.
"I've had the chance to grab glimpses of the finished product and the crews have created a very entertaining insight into the experiences that made this the Best Job in the World," Southall said.

For more updates and details on Ben as a Queensland Tourism Ambassador visit - www.islandreefjob.com

Kidding around

Wed, 12 May 2010 17:00:00 +1200

A new domestic tourism campaign, which kicked off last weekend, is encouraging grown-ups to unleash their inner child and splash out on Gold Coast holiday attractions at kids’ prices. The national television, print and online campaign valued at $580,000 is a joint initiative between Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Flight Centre and Infinity Holidays.

More than 50 tourism operators involved in the campaign will offer visitors adults-at-kids prices for Gold Coast attractions as well as accommodation deals such as free nights. The ‘Gold Coast Grown Up’ campaign runs until 28 May with travel available until the end of November.

For more information about the campaign or to book your visit – http://www.flightcentre.com.au/goldcoast.

Backpacker survey

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +1200

Australia is a safe and tolerant destination according to a backpacker survey conducted by TNT Magazine and Global Gossip on behalf of the Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel (BTAP).
The results were presented at the ATEC Backpacker and Youth Industry Conference in Hobart recently.

According to an independent poll of 532 backpackers, most backpackers who visit Australia consider it to be a safe, tolerant destination with high quality service

Some 82 per cent of those questioned said Australia had an excellent or very good reputation for safety while only two per cent rated it as poor and none answered very poor.

Half of the surveyees reported that they would return to Australia to live and work on a long term basis, while 90 per cent would recommend the destination to other travellers.

Segway Safaris

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +1200

Imagine gliding gently, virtually silently through the lush surroundings of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Well, your dream is about to become a reality.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary introduces Segway Safari Tours. Get off the beaten track as you enjoy this fully guided 90 minute experience capturing the very best of the Sanctuary. Bookings essential