Home to two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef offers exceptional off-site venues that are sure to impress delegates during their social events.
Repurposing historic buildings and infrastructure creates distinctive event spaces while retaining links to the region’s industrial, agricultural and cultural history. Cairns & Great Barrier Reef offers a range of venues where delegates can experience this history as part of their business event program.
The Mill
The Mill is Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s newest offsite venue, located ten minutes from the city centre. Originally built in 1886 and expanded in 1921, the venue was acquired by the Rankine family in 1962 and remains the largest timber yard north of Brisbane, Queensland.
The Mill has been refurbished with a concrete floor and has the capacity to host events up to 2,000 guests. It offers options for undercover seated galas, and to extend outdoors onto the lawn under the stars, creating a festival atmosphere. You can even design your own fairground, complete with a Ferris wheel, giant slide, and dodgem cars!
Event set up at The Mill
Event set up at The Mill
Gala Dinner at the Tanks Art Centre
Gala Dinner at the Tanks Art Centre
Dinner set up at Sugar Wharf, Port Douglas
Dinner set up at Sugar Wharf, Port Douglas
The Tanks Art Centre
Nestled within the breathtaking Cairns Botanic Gardens, just five minutes from the vibrant city heart, the Tanks Arts Centre stands as a remarkable testament to creativity and innovation. This iconic venue is ingeniously housed within three repurposed World War II naval oil storage tanks, each rich with history and character.
Originally constructed in 1944, The Tanks have been thoughtfully transformed by the Cairns Regional Council into extraordinary spaces while retaining their original charm through striking oil-stained timber columns supporting the expansive roof, creating a unique blend of rustic and contemporary aesthetics.
With capacity to accommodate up to 1,200 guests in a cocktail-style arrangement across the three tanks and the lush rainforest gardens, The Tanks is perfect for large gatherings. Alternatively, it offers intimate banquet-style seating for 330 guests, allowing for creative configurations that encourage engagement and interaction.
Port Douglas Sugar Wharf
A tribute to the rich agricultural history of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, the heritage-listed Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas stands as an enduring symbol of the region’s past. Built in 1904, this iconic structure predates the highway that would eventually connect Port Douglas to Cairns.
Once bustling with activity, the wharf was linked to a train line, allowing cartloads of sugar to be effortlessly transported from surrounding farms to waiting ships.
Today, the Sugar Wharf has transformed into one of Port Douglas’ most sought-after event venues, offering breathtaking 180-degree views across the sparkling Coral Sea. With ample space, the open-air deck can accommodate 120 guests under the sky, while the original timber-clad interior can host up to 200.
Outlook to Trinity Inlet from Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
Outlook to Trinity Inlet from Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
Interior of Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf
Interior of Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf
Welcome Party at Sugar Shed
Welcome Party at Sugar Shed
Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal & Hemingway’s Brewery
Constructed in 1910, the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal and Hemingway’s Brewery stand as exquisite examples of traditional timber and iron wharf architecture overlooking the breathtaking Trinity Inlet, framed by the lush, green mountains rising majestically in the background.
Heritage listed in 1999 and over a century old, they seamlessly blend the charm of history with modern amenities. Authentic wall cladding, ornate wooden trusses, and original lead nails tell a story of craftsmanship from a bygone era, while the polished concrete floors and exposed timber beams ooze rich character.
The Cruise Liner Terminal is an idyllic setting for breakfast or lunch, inviting guests to soak in the natural beauty, or for a grand gala dinner, where the shed doors can be thrown open to welcome the tropical breeze and reveal a canopy of twinkling stars.
Adjacent to the terminal, Hemingway’s Brewery offers freshly brewed beers crafted on-site and accommodates a variety of group sizes offering versatile seating options both indoors—with inviting views of the brewing process—and outdoors featuring picturesque waterside vistas.
The Cruise Liner Terminal and Hemingway’s Brewery’s waterfront location, heritage character and proximity to the Cairns Convention Centre and city hotels make them practical options for off-site functions.
The Sugar Shed
Nothing embodies the spirit of North Queensland quite like sugar cane. As Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s top agricultural crops, vast fields of lush sugar cane nestled at the foot of the majestic mountain range sway gracefully in the breeze.
A 15-minute drive from the city’s hotels brings you to the Sugar Shed, which remains an integral part of a working cane farm. This unique venue has been thoughtfully transformed to celebrate the rich agricultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes of the region. Timing your visit for sunset is essential, as the experience is nothing short of magical. Picture yourself sipping a cold beer, served from the tray of a front-end loader as the sky gradually shifts from deep blue to vibrant pink and orange as the sun dips behind the mountains before the lively sounds of a band can be heard performing from the back of a flatbed truck.
Wolf Lane Distillery
Tucked away in a charming city laneway, stands a beautifully repurposed red brick horse stable, dating back to 1905. This enchanting venue has a colourful history, having once served as a bank and a real estate agency. However, the creative minds behind Wolf Lane have meticulously restored it, peeling back layers to reveal its original character and transforming it into a distillery and bustling cocktail bar.
This venue offers an ideal setting for after-dinner drinks, where guests can unwind in a cosy atmosphere or take part in engaging cocktail-making sessions that spotlight the essence of a quintessential North Queensland gin. For those looking to make a larger statement, events can spill out into the lane and curate their own lively street party.
Wolf Lane Distillery Cellar Door in Cairns
Wolf Lane Distillery Cellar Door in Cairns
Dinner at Cairns Art Gallery
Dinner at Cairns Art Gallery
Event set up at Screen Queensland Studios
Event set up at Screen Queensland Studios
Cairns Art Gallery
Infuse your dining experience with a touch of artistry by hosting your event in the breathtaking surrounds of the Heritage-listed Cairns Art Gallery.
Constructed in 1934, this remarkable venue originally served as one of the government buildings in the vibrant city of Cairns. In 1994, it was transformed into the Cairns Art Gallery, preserving its historical charm while embracing contemporary elements.
Today, the gallery offers an enchanting backdrop for exclusive seated dinners accommodating up to 70 guests, allowing them to dine surrounded by captivating Australian artworks. For those looking to elevate the atmosphere, the original balconies provide a lovely setting for cocktail parties, welcoming up to 120 guests.
Screen Queensland Studios
Did someone mention Bond? James Bond? Transforming a former retail hardware store into a cutting-edge film and television studio complex, Screen Queensland Studios offers a distinctive industrial setting for gala dinners, awards and other private functions, approximately five minutes from the city centre.
Soaring ceilings and polished concrete floors create a contemporary backdrop for an upscale event, while a red-carpet arrival can add a touch of Hollywood glamour. The studio setting also offers a private and versatile environment for events looking for something a little different from a traditional venue.
From history and heritage to fine art, film, timber and tanks, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef offers a collection of distinctive venues that showcase the region’s character and provide planners with alternatives to traditional event spaces.
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is a complimentary service offering support to meeting and event planners looking to bring a business event to the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region.
