New Queensland Tourism March 2017

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

The cooler autumn months are upon us, but Queensland is still heating up with a string of new tourism products to whet your appetite and awaken your adventurous side. From sailing The Whitsundays to exploring our solar system in Brisbane, and feasting on local produce in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, see what you can embark on in the sunshine state.

Twist and shout!

Take a drool-worthy coastal location, build 13 winding waterslides around its 32-metre lagoon style pool, and what do you get? An adventure wonderland. The iconic BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort in Airlie Beach will bring water fun to life with the opening of Australia's largest resort waterslide park in April. Big kids can plunge from 23.2 metres high, while little ones can opt for the mini slides and tipping bucket.

The pool is already equipped with two giant jumping pillows, while the resort features an outdoor cinema, 18-hole mini golf course, tennis court, pedal carts and an animal park. From camping to three-bedroom cabins available, nightly rates range from $35 to $235.

Further Information:
www.adventurewhitsunday.com.au

Rolling in the deep…Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

The myriad of food trails that meander along the lush, rolling hills supplying the Sunshine Coast with fresh produce are one of the region's best kept secrets. Until now. Noosa Hinterland Tours has recently launched 'Taste of the Hinterland', a paddock-to-plate food experience that connects visitors with local farmers in Montville, Maleny and Mapleton. Small groups of 12 will discover the finest tomatoes at Noosa Reds before enjoying morning tea at The Falls Farm and a local lunch washed down with a boutique brew and a side of sweets.

Tickets are $139 per person with three departures and drop off points – Noosa Junction, Noosa Heads and Noosaville.

Further Information:
www.noosahinterlandtours.com.au

Everything old is new again.

Airlie Beach's Club Crocodile has shed its skin following a $5 million refresh that has given the 1987-born Queenslander-style hotel a facelift and new name to match - Mantra Club Croc. Refurbishments include fresh décor inspired by its coastal surrounds in all 160 guest rooms, upgrades to the conference, dining, leisure and common areas, and a brand new tropical-vibe lagoon pool with adjoining spa plus a poolside restaurant and bar. Special opening rates start from $109 per night.

Further Information:
www.mantragroup.com.au

To infinity, and beyond!

Feel starry-eyed as you explore Michael Benson's Otherworlds: Visions of our Solar Systems exhibition at Brisbane's Queensland Museum starting March 4 through to July 2, 2017. Science meets art through a collection of 64 photos that reveal raw data from digital NASA archives in an abstraction of planetary solar landscapes imagined through the human eye. The interstellar experience, with free entry, is a sample of what's to come at the World Science Festival from March 22-26.

Further Information:
www.network.qm.qld.gov.au

Slithering into Port Douglas

Lizards and snakes and frogs, oh my! Hartley's Crocodile Adventures near Port Douglas has begun construction of a new Reptile Exhibit, set to showcase more than 20 different cold-blooded critters to add to the 70 or so reptiles and amphibians already on display. The popular sanctuary also offers wildlife presentations and croc-spotting boat cruises on the Hartley Lagoon. Open from 8.30am to 5pm daily, entry prices start from $18.50 for kids and $37 for adults.

Further Information:
www.crocodileadventures.com

Oh buoy, the reef awaits!

'Seas' the day and explore the Great Barrier Reef sailing from Cape Tribulation Daintree National Park to Mackay Cay aboard a luxury Lagoon 500 sailing catamaran, the first of its kind in Australia. Sailaway's new Eco Tourism Full Day Outer Reef Sailing Adventure takes you 10 nautical miles off the coast where a glass-bottom tour and snorkel adventure awaits. Take a guided underwater tour with a marine biologist and see turtles, clam gardens and the spectacular coral reef systems. A buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and your caffeine essentials are supplied along with snorkelling gear. Prices start from $248 for adults and $171 for kids, with $10 of each booking going to local re-forestation. Tours commence April 7, 2017.

Further Information:
www.sailawaycapetrib.com

Australia's best beach? We know just the place.

Few people could imagine anything more spectacular than the seven kilometre stretch of white sand and turquoise waters that form Whitehaven Beach. Which is why this Whitsundays' gem has been crowned the best beach in Australia, for a fourth consecutive year, as part of TripAdvisor's 2017 Travellers' Choice Awards. Whitehaven topped the list for the quantity and quality of travel reviews and beach ratings over a 12-month period.

Yet to experience its beauty in the flesh? We recommend arriving by catamaran and sailing right onto its sandy doorstop.

Further Information:
www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au