Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, located in picturesque Tropical North Queensland, is one of Australia’s most stunning destinations for business events.

Equipped with world-leading facilities, modern hotels and bucket-list experiences, the region has everything groups need for a memorable business event.

The region was on show for Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef’s annual showcase, Sell TNQ 2019. Here are some of the highlights the group of 30 event buyers got to experience during the event:

World-class venues

Cairns Convention Centre is the city’s hub for events and conferences, located 10 minutes from the Cairns International Airport and walking distance to hotels. The centre is about to kick off a $176 million expansion, adding an extra 3000 square metres of meeting and exhibition space. The centre will close from May to October 2020 for major works, with the final completion date set for early 2022.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has undergone a major refurbishment, revealing a fresh look across its guest rooms, bars, restaurant and conference rooms. The hotel has five meeting spaces, ideal for small to medium conferences with capacity for up to 200 delegates. Each space boasts natural light and updated AV, while the poolside grounds are ideal for outdoor events and team building.

Events with Cairns flair

As part of Sell TNQ, delegates were treated to various off-site events that showcased the collaborative nature of the local venues and suppliers. AJ Hackett revealed it’s not only the perfect place for thrill-seeking bungy jumps but, as the only licensed rainforest venue in Cairns, it’s also an event destination.

Partnering with Ochre Catering, the venue hosted a gorgeous event amongst the rainforest, complete with an impressive stunt jump from the 140-metre-high bungy platform.

Nu Nu Catering, based in Palm Cove, showcased its ability to host unforgettable dining experiences anywhere in the region, with an off-site event in a secluded cane farm. As the sun set, delegates enjoyed freshly shucked oysters, before sitting down for a long-table dinner in a rustic setting.

Located in the heart of Cairns, Salt House is another great setting for events and private dinners, which delegates experienced on the final night of the program. Salt House features a variety of event spaces, including a 20-seat private dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and surrounded by some of the world’s best wines and Champagnes.

Experiences like no other

A trip to the region isn’t complete without a day on the reef. Delegates were whisked off to Green Island Resort with Quicksilver Group, where they were given a first-hand look at the resort’s conference facilities and 46 guest rooms, before heading off on diving and snorkelling adventures. Quicksilver Group offers a variety of reef experiences across its 14 vessels, including exclusive charters for corporate groups. Back in the centre of town, Cairns Aquarium is drawing visitors in as both a captivating attraction and event venue.

Suited for cocktail events of up to 300 guests, the venue showcases the region’s reef and rainforest ecosystems in a modern setting. The venue is also home to Dundee’s Restaurant, which serves up quality local produce.

This article originally appeared in the Autumn edition of Spice Magazine.
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*Information correct at time of publishing