Great Barrier Reef Tourism News

Poseidon Rescue Fishermen

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

Two Port Douglas men, including local business and sports identity Steve Mulqueen, had been fishing on board a 5.5m recreational vessel when a wave swamped the boat near Pratt Rock, northeast of Port Douglas, about 4.30am on Saturday.

Yesterday, owner of commercial dive boat Poseidon, Peter Wright, said the dramatic rescue operation began after an orange flare was spotted about 10am."We often recover debris & other floating bits and pieces, but never  live people," he said.

The men got into trouble when a freak wave came over the back of their boat, and it was then hit by a second wave which forced them to abandon ship. The men grabbed life jackets and flares before they jumped clear. Mr Wright was on board when Poseidon skipper, Richard Taylor, spotted what he thought was an orange smoke signal, off to the starboard side, about 22 nautical miles off Port Douglas.

"After going toward the smoke for a few miles, two men were sighted hanging on to a large red Esky in the water," Mr Wright said. Both men were wearing life jackets and appeared fairly calm. "They were quite cold, given they’d been in the water in just a T-shirt and shorts," he said. "It was very fortunate they had the foresight to grab the flares container. They didn’t require medical attention so they stayed on the boat and we gave them a good feed and hot shower until we arrived back at 4.30pm."

The two men involved in the ocean rescue were not available yesterday. However, the wife of one of the men told The Cairns Post her husband was healthy and in good spirits and had thanked the crew of Poseidon for their actions.

The whale season is still booming

Sunlover Reef Cruises - Sunlover Reef Cruises News Feed

The whale season is still booming and we've been spotting whales regularly on our way to and from Moore Reef!
So get your customers excited as there is so much more fun waiting for them at the Sunlover Pontoon!!
Your Sunlover Team

WHALES! WHALES! WHALES!

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

What a wonderful time of year to be visiting Port Douglas! Visitors to our region are being thrilled with amazing encounters with these fabulous
creatures.  Passengers on board Poseidon are spending time in the water with Dwarf Minke Whales.  A record 14,000 Humpback Whales are heading up the coast this year to breed and some boats have spotted small herds already.

The Minke's visit boats during stationary time at the mooring sites.  Passengers are having the opportunity to jump in and
swim with the Minke's, having close up, personal encounters.  The Minke's will stay around this region until the end of September.

As the whale season kicks in we expect to see Pods of Humpback Whales on the journey to and from Agincourt Reefs.  Last year we were stopping to watch pods of up to 5 whales at a time.  Whales obviously enjoy these encounters as they display playful acts of tail slapping and breaching.

If you have not been to the reef, this is the time to get out there and see these animals while the weather is great with clear water and
lots of marine activity.

Inspire the Experience!

Newest Reef Location Opening

Passions of Paradise - Passions Of Paradise News Feed

Passions of Paradise is proud to announce the official opening of our newest reef location — Long Bommie!  Long Bommie is 200 meters long and offers amazing swim throughs, pristine corals and a spectacular array of marine life.   Recently some of our certified divers and participants on our agents day have been the only passengers able to experience this new site. Now that our new mooring is complete we are able to give all passengers access to a truly untouched reef location! Passions now boasts two exclusive reef locations, Long Bommie and Paradise Reef along with our Michaelmas Cay destination!  Passions of Paradise will have a brief ribbon cutting ceremony at Long Bommie on Wednesdays trip and complimentary champagne will be flowing on the return trip for all passengers on board!

Coral Coast Triathlon 29th May

Sheraton Mirage Resort - Sheraton Mirage Resort News Feed

Coral Coast Triathlon 29th May

CORAL COAST TRIATHLON

The Coral Coast Triathlon is a tradition in Tropical North Queensland that will join the Challenge Cairns festival of events for the first time in 2011.  Taking place the weekend prior on the 28th-29th May 2011, the Coral Coast Triathlon starts and finishes in the paradise of Port Douglas with a course featuring Four Mile Beach.  Olympic, Sprint and Enticer distance options will be available for both individuals and teams.

Port Douglas Carnivale 19th - 29th May

Sheraton Mirage Resort - Sheraton Mirage Resort News Feed

Port Douglas Carnivale 19th-29th May

There’s music, arts, sports, food, culture and all styles of entertainment…and absolutely every reason you need to hang out in Port Douglas!

For 10 balmy days and nights each May (May 19th - 29th 2011), the festival of Carnivale takes over the seaside resort village of Port Douglas offering a chance to flirt with life and engage in a kalidescope of free and ticketed events.

Now 18 years old, Carnivale has grown from a street fiesta to a broad program which involves the entire community.

There are family favourites like the Street Parade, the Seafood Extravaganza,  the Four Mile Beach Day and the AME Bullride Spectacular.  Get a taste of the tropics at the Sheraton Mirage Longest lunch, The Food, Wine & A Taste of Port Event, or eat out on Wharf street at the new Plates Of Port event.  Sports lovers can play in the Port Douglas Golf Challenge held at Sea Temple Golf Club and Mirage Country Club, or catch the action in the Exemplar Clipper Cup regatta.

It's still early days and many events dates are yet to be confirmed.  The following events for the 2011 programme are confirmed. 

19th May:  Carnivale Club Comedy Night at Sugar Wharf
20th May:  Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch
20th May:  Carnivale Street Parade
20th May:  Opening Gala at Sugar Wharf
21st May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
21st May:  Airing of the Quilts
21st May:  Bulls Masters T20 Games
21st May:  Food, Wine and a Taste of Port
22nd May:  Wildlife Wonderland
22nd May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
22nd May:  Seafood Extravaganza
22nd May:  Port Douglas Carnivale Market Day
22nd May:  Airing of the Quilts
23rd May:  Port Douglas Golf Challenge Perpetual Trophy
24th May:  Port Douglas Golf Challenge Perpetual Trophy
25th May:  Fashion Retailers Showcase and Wine Tasting at the Sugar Wharf
26th May:  Neil Murray Live in Concert at the Clink Theatre
27th May:  Food Fight and Wharf St Food Fair
28th May:  Four Mile Beach Day
28th May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
28th May:  Daintree Station Bullride Spectacular
28th May:  Douglas Songwriters Challenge Grand Finale at Carnivale Club
28th May:  Palates of Port
28th May:  Theatre Sports Competition at the Clink
29th May:  Port Douglas Carnivale Market Day
29th May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
29th May:  RRR Mountain Bike Challenge
29th May:  Coral Coast Triathlon
29th May:  Greaat Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge

Last year, Port Douglas welcomed thousands visitors from Australia and overseas who partied with the locals of the village under the clear blue skies of May and found, as those who live there already know, there is much to celebrate here.

Carnivale Facts:

Getting there:  Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar have daily flights to Cairns. Express Chauffer Coaches offer transfers between Cairns and Port Douglas. 

www.portdouglasinfo.com 

will be happy to arrange your accommodation and transfers.  Skysafari can arrange helicopter transfers from Cairns to Port Douglas.

Further info:
Port Douglas Carnivale, (May 19th - 29th 2011), Email: info@carnivale.com.au  Web:  www.carnivale.com.au

Lizard Island unveils new look

Lizard Island Resort - Lizard Island Resort News Feed

Lizard Island – Australia’s most northerly island resort on the Great Barrier Reef has undergone a soft refurbishment to reflect the beauty and surroundings of its location.

The refurbishment, completed by interior architects Pike Withers, sees a fresh look for the Lodge Bar and Osprey.s Restaurant, plus new furnishings for the Anchor Bay Suites and Sunset Point Villas.

The refurbishment is aimed at significantly improving the guest experience and reflecting the beauty of Lizard Island.s location, a rugged yet beautiful 1,000-hectare island sitting right on the Great Barrier Reef, fringed with colourful coral reefs.

The Lodge Bar and lounge have been transformed with the introduction of a brighter and more modern palette to recapture the crisp and vibrant atmosphere, creating relaxed yet sophisticated interiors. Natural materials such as stone and timber are used throughout to create warmth and character, set against a backdrop of clean white with splashes of colour.

Osprey.s Restaurant has been fitted out with a series of comfortable banquettes in vibrant blue fabrics for more relaxed dining while looking out over the reef, while a blue, white and aqua feature tile has been introduced to the rear wall. The Lodge Bar has also been enhanced with new modern furniture and low height credenzas and bookshelves.

Lizard Island.s guest rooms have also been upgraded with the Sunset Point Villas and the Anchor Bay Suites refurbished with new furniture and striking colour palettes. Set in a broad sweeping arc along Anchor Bay, within easy reach of Osprey.s Restaurant and the Lodge Bar, the Anchor Bay Suites deliver breathtaking views and a pathway down to the beach.

A key feature of the interior design is the seamless blend of indoors and out, thanks to an elegant and spacious open plan, with large verandah and daybed. The Anchor Bay Suites have been re-furbished with soft aqua, turquoise and coral colour tones, with the daybeds and armchairs re-upholstered in strong marine colours. New furniture has been introduced, with coffee tables and floor rugs, and re-upholstered lounges.

The Sunset Point Villas are set high on Sunset Ridge amidst native eucalypt trees and bushland, with filtered sea views over Anchor Bay or Sunset Beach. Offering easy access to a string of secluded beaches, each villa has a private deck with comfortable Australian timber squatter chairs and a hammock.

The Sunset Point Villas have been enhanced with big deep built-in banquettes for guests to lounge in their rooms, and a warmer colour palette of palm greens and light sandy colours, reflecting the barefoot elegance of these rooms. American oak veneer is used throughout to introduce some warmth, while new Spanish Crema Maroc stone is used in the bathrooms, with new showers and vanities.

Robyn Pontynen, General Manager of Lizard Island, said: “This has been a significant project for us and we are delighted with the end result. Lizard Island now has a fresh, new look that accurately reflects the beauty of its surroundings here on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Award winning and a constant favourite in the world.s „best. lists, Lizard Island is located right on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. An idyllic retreat fringed with pristine coral reefs, crystal clear waters and 24 powdery white beaches, it offers the postcard perfect setting for an Australian island holiday.

Lizard Island boasts unrivalled dive sites and snorkelling with myriad corals, fish, clams and sharks to entertain. Divers can mix with green sea turtles and giant clownfish, and snorkellers are rewarded for little effort with 100-year-old giant clam gardens just moments from Lizard.s beaches.

Offering guests exceptional fresh gourmet cuisine from new Executive Chef Mark Jensen, guests can enjoy a candlelit dinner on the verandah of Osprey.s Restaurant overlooking the beach or a more intimate private dining experience – sand under foot, stars up above with a 7-course degustation menu on the beach.

Formula 1 Champion visits Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island - Qualia News Feed

Formula 1 Grand Prix Fernando Alonso takes a holiday to beauitful Hamilton Island staying at the luxurious Qualia.
There was a couple of buggies that were painted his racing colours for his stay. Fernando enjoyed the recently opened Golf Course on Dent Island only a 10 minute ferry across from Hamilton Island.

Fernando Alonso will be back to competition in Kuala Lumpar at the Sepang International Circuit on April 8th.

New Baby Koala - Baby O!

Hamilton Island - Palm Bungalows News Feed

Meet the newest member of the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park, Baby O! Named after Oprah who recently visited.

She is just over 1kg at 10 months old and eating 80% leaf and 20% milk. Her Mum is Gretchen.

Hamilton Island Wildlife Park is open for Breakfast (7:30am - 9:30am) and Lunch. This dining option is very popular for the families as you can cuddle a koala after your beautiful meal.

Heron Island Dive Festival

Heron Island Resort - Heron Island Resort News Feed

NEWS Dive in to the Heron Island Dive Festival 2011 Heron Island is celebrating its status as one of Australia's top dive destinations with the launch of the Heron Island Dive Festival 2011, from September 5th to 11th. The Heron Island Dive Festival 2011 will kick off with a gala BBQ and drinks on the Wistari Terrace, followed by an introduction of the week's stellar line up of acclaimed speakers and diving industry leaders, including: • Award-winning nature and wildlife photographer Gary Bell • Renowned marine scientist and underwater photographer Dave Harasti • Author and diver rescue specialist John Lippmann • Celebrated underwater photographer Bob Halstead

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