Mission Beach Tourism News
Cairns Airport welcomes the return of Tiger Airways.
The airline announced today it will resume flights into Cairns with a daily Melbourne – Cairns return service, commencing 25 April 2012.
International Coaches & Tours can provide private transfers to your Cairns and Port Douglas Accommdation: http://www.internationalcoachesandtours.com.au/transfer.html
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said Tiger’s resumption of the busy Melbourne – Cairns route has been long awaited.
“That Tiger will again operate services into Cairns on what has been voted Australia’s fastest growing route just ahead of our peak season is very welcome news indeed.”
“Tiger commenced flights into Cairns in September 2010 and proved a popular airline even while operating on late night arrival and early morning departure times,” Mr Brown said.
“We also welcome the fact that Tiger is going to provide a daytime service, arriving into Cairns at 12:15pm and departing at 12:45pm, offering greater convenience for its passengers.”
“It is also excellent news for the regional economy with a daily domestic service calculated on average to provide an additional $75million per annum in gross regional product and generate 843 new jobs in the region.”
Today’s announcement comes after ongoing negotiations between Cairns Airport and Tiger Airways that commenced soon after services where withdrawn due to action by CASA in 2011.
“We have worked closely with Tiger Airways to find the right time to relaunch their Melbourne – Cairns service,” Mr Brown said. “With those flights set to recommence we will continue our negotiations and are confident we can work with Tiger to achieve further growth on Melbourne – Cairns as well as encourage them to introduce new routes.”
Bring your 'Best Friend' along on your beach holiday!
The Shack on Mission Beach is a Pet Friendly Budget Luxury Holiday Home at South Mission Beach.
Don't waste a day because of your flight times!
International Coaches can pick you up and drop you off at a time that suits you. We will also collect your luggage and store it while you are on tour, we will then drop you and your luggage to the Airport or Hotel after your day tour! Kuranda is a perfect option for your arrival or departure day!
SYDNEY TRAVELLING FILM FESTIVAL COMES TO TOWN 11-13 NOVEMBER 2011
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MARGARET POMERANZ & DAVID STRATTON FROM AT THE MOVIES AND AUSTRALIAN MUSIC ICON CHAD MORGAN
The Sydney Travelling Film Festival lifts the curtain on its annual event in Cairns, bringing a weekend of world cinema and three very special guests to Cairns City Cinema, 11-13 November.
The festival will offer audiences tales from France, Israel, Norway, UK, Italy, Japan, USA, Argentina and Australia. The program caters to all tastes, from life in a monastery to classic Australian comedy, road trips and French animation.
Special guests this year include At The Movies film critics, David Stratton (founder of the Travelling Film Festival in 1974 and Sydney Film Festival Director 1966-83) and Margaret Pomeranz who will introduce the Cairns festival’s Opening Night Australian feature, The Hunter - a gripping physiological drama based on the novel by Julia Leigh and directed by Daniel Nettheim, starring Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill.
To celebrate their 25 years together on Australian television, Margaret and David will also present at Cairns a special screening of P. J. Hogan’s classic 1994 Queensland comedy, Muriel’s Wedding.
Another special guest at Cairns is iconic country music singer, Chad Morgan, who is hosting a Q&A after the screening of the Australian documentary I’m Not Dead Yet – the story of Chad’s legendry life of almost 60 years on the road, narrated by Australian rocker Tex Perkins.
Alongside these Australian features is the winner of four Israeli Academy Awards - The Human Resources Manager and Academy Award® nominated animation by Sylvian Chomet (Triplets of Belleville) The Illusionist. The festival line up also includes Official Selections from the Sydney Film Festival; the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, Happy Happy; romantic comedy Medianeras, the internationally acclaimed Le Quattro Volte and new documentary from Errol Morris, Tabloid. The closing night film is the visually ravishing adaptation of Haruki Murakami's best-selling novel, Norwegian Wood, with an evocative score from Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead.
The Cairns Sydney Travelling Film Festival also showcases three acclaimed Australian short films including Nullarbor, winner of the 2011 Yoram Gross Animation Award at Sydney Film (screens with The Illusionist) and finalists in the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films – Cropped, in an outback home a family makes a mysterious discovery (screen with The Human Resources Manager) and Owen Trevor’s Two Laps, a tale of a two men and their annual race (screens with Happy, Happy). Alongside these Australian short films is short film from Singapore, Tiong Bahru, Official Selection at Sydney Film Festival.
Tickets on sale now at the cinema box office (07 4031 1077) and online at eventcinemas.com.au
Opening Night and guest sessions selling fast!
For full program details visit sff.org.au – Travelling Film Festival – Cairns
Where the outback meets the sea, Karumba will be the centre stage of the inaugural Barra, Beef and Bulldust Expo held 4 - 6 November 2011. Tours and attractions will also be promoted along the Savannah Way and Overlanders Way on-route to Karumba.
The free regional Expo at Karumba will showcase projects, organisations, goods and services ranging from corporate and local businesses, to community organisations and health services, to agriculture, art and education. There will be entertainment for all ages during the Expo.
A major evening event (ticketed) is planned to follow the Expo with a feast of local barramundi, beef and prawns and drawcard entertainers: Troy Cassar-Daley, Mary G, David Hudson and Shane Howard.
The expo will provide an opportunity for people across the Gulf region to showcase the community, natural resources, culture and economic prospects to the wider Gulf regional community, business leaders, politicians and other government decision makers, primary producers, industry, tourists and natural resource management practitioners.
The event is envisaged to be a catalyst for building partnerships and networks, extend the business and tourist season in the region, raise the profile of all sponsors, stallholders and activity hosts, generate opportunities for increased investment and business collaboration and increase the sustainability of land management practices across the region.
Visit their website for the Event Programme and Ticket information http://www.barrabeefandbulldust.com.au
We are delighted to announce that the Tablelands branch of Hire For Baby will open on Monday! Juanita Hunter (nee Paronella) is a born and bred Tablelander and is looking forward to assisting with all your baby equipment requirements!
Phone 4091 1047 or email tablelands@hireforbaby.com
We are delighted to announce that the Tablelands branch of HIRE FOR BABY will open on 1st August 2011.
This is a fantastic opportunity for people living in or visiting Atherton, Mareeba and the surrounding areas to take advantage of HIRE FOR BABY's fantastic products, fantastic prices and fantastic reputation!
Contact cairns@hireforbaby.com for more information!
Come on out to the Daintree and join our tree planting celebrations. Help Rainforest Rescue plant 1000 trees and create a rainforest. An activity suitable for all ages. Bring the family. Help restore the natural environment.
Where: At Lots 21 & 28 Ironbark Rd, Diwan (off Cape Tribulation Road)
When: Tuesday to Friday 22-26 February 2010
Time: 9.00am - 12 noon
Cost: FREE
The Daintree Rainforest is the most significant tropical rainforest in Australia and sustains a unique range of flora and fauna. over the past 100 years parts of the Daintree hve been cleared to create land for farms that are no longer in operation. Replanting these cleared areas with rainfroest trees provides important habitat for the endangered Cassowary and 100 other rare and threatened species found in the Daintree.
Rainforest Rescue is a not for profit organisation commited to protecting our rainforests forever. For further information, please visit rainforestrescue.org.au or phone 1300 763 611 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au
Published results of a survey conducted in 2007 by Galaxy Research found that nearly $1Billion is spent on unwanted Christmas gifts each year. In a bid to rescue rainforests at the same time as Christmas, not for profit organisation Rainforest Rescue is running a ‘Rescue Christmas Campaign’ offering unique Rainforest Gift Cards, targeting those 'difficult to buy for' friends and loved ones.
Right now, rainforests and their inhabitants are under greater threat than ever.
In the Daintree of far North Queensland, large areas are situated on freehold land and laws and regulations to prevent development are inadequate. Securing and protecting rainforest habitat for the endangered Cassowary — of which only 1,000 remain — is urgent. Meanwhile, only 1% of the most diverse ecosystem in New South Wales — The Big Scrub — remains. Planting and restoring this area is vital to the survival of over 38 threatened species of flora and 61 species of threatened fauna.
Rainforest Rescue are protecting rainforests with projects that re-establish habitat through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest. Amongst other project outcomes, this year Rainforest Rescue successfully planted over 10,000 rainforest trees and acquired their 11th property in the Daintree.
With their 'Rescue Christmas' Campaign, Rainforest Rescue are promoting Rainforest Gift Cards devoted to a range of projects that allow purchasers to nominate number of trees planted, or square metres / hectares protected. For example, $25 will save five square metres of the Daintree Rainforest which Rainforest Rescue will purchase and protect on the Gift Card recipient’s behalf. Each card details the gift with a special front cover photo or exclusive Leunig cartoon along with an inner description of the project outcomes achieved.
“Gift Card sales will make a significant contribution to both our Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project and the Plant a Rainforest campaign. This year more Australians are recognising how we need to make a difference when it comes to our environment.” Said Kelvin Davies, CEO of Rainforest Rescue.
Rainforest Rescue Gift Cards can be sent directly to a recipient anywhere in the world with a personalised message inside or they can be sent to the giver's address for personal delivery.
Critically endangered species like the Daintree's Southern Cassowary and Indonesia's Orangutans are among many who have little to celebrate this Christmas. And with deforestation causing 25% of global emissions, protecting rainforests is really a gift for everyone. Through their 'Rescue Christmas' campaign, Rainforest Rescue urge all those concerned for our planet to consider this easy and affordable way to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone.
Orders can be placed online at www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by phoning 1300 763 611.
Discount low season rates have kicked in for all the Port Hinchinbrook accommodation. You can now stay at one of our apartments or holiday villas for as little as $115 per night.
Rates return to normal for stays after the 31st of March 2009!
Rainforest Rescue announces the purchase of a tenth property through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project.
This is extremely good news for the critically endangered Southern Cassowary. It prevents another housing development with all its associated dangers – dogs, loss of corridors, traffic and road kills – from destroying the delicately balanced habitat of this “keystone” species of the rainforest. Property No. 10 is essential habitat for this fabulous big bird, whose numbers are far fewer than the already low previous estimates.
The vegetation type is described as wet to very wet vine forest with emergent large-fruited red mahogany, having a rainforest understorey merging into simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest. The biodiversity values of this latter ecosystem type are described as being “very species rich”. Lofty clumps of locally endemic fan palms and black palms grace the northern sector of the property whilst two species of cycad and numerous ferns abound in the denser southern part. These include the King Fern, which, with fronds up to 5 metres long, is reputed to be the largest of all ferns. It is as a primitive plant, very similar types having been around for 300 million years.
The process is now underway to have to have the land protected in perpetuity by an Act of the Queensland Parliament by having the property declared as the Tree Friends Nature Refuge.
In announcing this major step forward, Executive Officer Kelvin Davies was especially proud that it has been achieved without any government funding. “It’s a significant achievement for community conservation, proving that donations from individuals and businesses make a big difference,” said Kelvin.
Equally exciting is the news that Rainforest Rescue is now on the verge of buying an eleventh property. Property No. 11 is located less than a kilometre away and is just as critical for Cassowaries and other rare and endangered species, like the Bennetts Tree-kangaroo. It will provide a vital corridor through the rural subdivision from the Daintree National Park on its northern side to two declared Nature Refuges to the south.
“We only need to raise $85,000 to complete the purchase of this next vital property – such a small amount to preserve forever another slice of the irreplaceable Daintree – and we call upon concerned Australians to contribute to this campaign,” Kelvin adds. “The current owner is committed to conservation and is offering the lot to Rainforest Rescue at less than market value, so we have taken an option to purchase.”
With the end of the financial year looming, Rainforest Rescue is now seeking tax-deductible donations from the community or business sponsorships to protect this two hectares property to establish and protect forever the wildlife corridor that it offers between the Daintree National Park and the Perna Greene Nature Refuge.
David Suzuki, the internationally acclaimed broadcaster, journalist and biologist is making his voice heard as a spokesperson for Rainforest Rescue.
"Come on Australia" said David Suzuki. "This is important work. All Australians should get behind Rainforest Rescue and support the Daintree Buy Back and Project Forever Project" David Suzuki said;
The Daintree rainforest is currently threatened by rural residential development"
Make a difference with your tax-deductible donation today!
Or order a Daintree Gift Card for your friends and loved ones
You can read the full article on David Suzuki's Daintree message in the News section of the Rainforest Rescue Forum. David has also recorded two radio announcements for Rainforest Rescue. You can download MP3 audio tracks of David's 30 second spot (469KB) and 60 second spot (941KB)
