What’s New
Investor confidence is soaring in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, resulting in a magnitude of multi-million dollar investments being injected into the destination. Find out what new hotels, offsite venues, tours and activities have launched and what’s on the horizon.
Cairns Convention Centre Redevelopment
The Cairns Convention Centre commenced a complete redevelopment and expansion in 2020. The project injects $176 million into a refurbishment of the existing centre, plus the addition of 10,000sqm of new exhibition and function spaces and a total redesign of the exterior look. The refurbished existing footprint of the Centre reopened in May 2021. The extension and final part of the project is to be finalised in August 2023.
DoubleTree by Hilton renovation
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns completed it’s major room and lobby renovation project. The modern upgrade has undoubtedly enhanced the delegates stay, including new bathrooms, carpets and contemporary furnishings.
Pullman Cairns International refurbish
The Pullman Cairns International Hotel has finished rejuvenations to 225 guestrooms. The 11 meeting and event spaces throughout the hotel have also been refurbished which includes a giant 42m2 LED screen installed in the Grand Ballroom.
Lagoon House Restaurant
Lagoon House Restaurant has opened within the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. Nestled between the resort’s sparkling blue lagoons, and sheltered by swaying palms, the menu is inspired by the tropics. Now an ideal location for events or corporate lunches and dinners.
Cairns Airport International Terminal Redevelopment
Work is underway on on the $50 million overhaul of Cairns Airport’s international terminal, the first major upgrade of the building since it opened more than 30 years ago. Cairns Airport is Australia’s seventh busiest for international passengers with direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Bali, Auckland and Port Moresby.
Fitzroy Island Resort Upgrade
Fitzroy Island Resort has undergo a $2.5 million refurbishment. The resort had new contemporary styling to reflect the spectacular ocean surrounds of Fitzroy Island. As well as new bathrooms, walkways, extended balconies, refreshed pool and pool bar area, the events space and conference rooms are looking refreshed.
Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation
Opened in 2022, delegates can now explore the rainforest canopy at the brand new Treetops Adventure site in Cape Tribulation, where they’ll experience a bird’s eye view of the ancient Daintree Rainforest.
Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours
100% Indigenous owned and operated, Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours, has launched its tours, a short 15-minute boat ride from Cairns CBD, include experiences such as an eco-cultural walk.
Mercure Cairns
Accor has welcomed the Mercure hotel brand back to Cairns with the opening of Mercure Cairns. The refurbished hotel emerges following a multi-million dollar upgrade.
Cairns Domestic Airport Upgrade
The Cairns Airport completed a $55 million renovation to the Cairns Airport Domestic T2 Terminal. The large scale refresh included a total restructure to the departure and arrivals lounge area where a line-up of local products and businesses were added, including Ochre Restaurant, Rattle’N’Hum and The Pier Bar.
Wildlife Habitat’s New CrocArena Experience
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas has launched the CrocArena and the “Swim with the Salties” experience. The Queensland-first allows delegates to swim in the croc’s kill zone with only a sheet of perspex separating them from these modern-day dinosaurs with killer instincts. CrocArena is purpose built for crocodile shows, including grandstand seating for 300 people, and an underwater viewing area.
Silky Oaks Lodge Refurbishment
Silky Oaks Lodge, luxury accommodation in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, has undergone an $20 million refurbishment. Owned by Baillie Lodges, this iconic property now competes with the world’s leading luxury lodges while reflecting the essence of the region.
Esplanade Dining Precinct Now Complete
Construction is complete on the $28 million Esplanade Dining Precinct. The engaging layout features new contemporary awnings that offer better weather protection, an extended dining area, gently curving road alignment, inviting vertical gardens and grassed mounds, and extra footpaths to improve pedestrian connectivity.
Crystalbrook Collection Joins The Line Up
Crystalbrook Collection has added three new 5-star properties to Cairns, totalling over $550 million worth of investment since 2018. The total development of Crystalbrook Riley, Crystalbrook Bailey and Crystalbrook Flynn has added 877 new accommodation rooms to the city’s inventory and an array of chic restaurants and bars, and versatile events spaces.
Oaks Cairns Hotel Redevelopment
Oaks Cairns Hotel was born after a a $12 million conversion of the prime corner in the heart of the Cairns central business district. The now five-storey hotel overlooks the newly redesigned Esplanade Dining Precinct and Lagoon, with views out to the Coral Sea. The hotel takes full advantage of this with rooftop restaurant and bar, Oak & Vine.
New Reef Magic Pontoon
Experience Co. have launched the first new pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef in over a decade.
At 1003sqm, the new Reef Magic pontoon is one of the biggest on the Great Barrier Reef, and has a daily capacity of 250 delegates. Adding to a delegate’s traditional day on the reef, the pontoon has a fully functioning scientific lab where reef research and projects will be conducted.
Cairns Domestic Airport Upgrade
The Cairns Airport completed a $55 million renovation to the Cairns Airport Domestic T2 Terminal. The large scale refresh included a total restructure to the departure and arrivals lounge area where a line-up of local products and businesses were added, including Ochre Restaurant, Rattle’N’Hum and The Pier Bar.
Performing Arts Precinct New Venue Options
With the addition of the award-winning Cairns Performing Arts Centre, adjoining Munro Martin Parklands and nearby Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, the options for events in Cairns just got a little more fancy. Perfect for presentations, performances, welcome functions, engaging gala dinners, you name it!
Coming Soon…
Nautilus Aviation’s E-Helicopters
Nautilus Aviation has partnered with Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility solutions to develop electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) operations. Nautilus Aviation has ordered 10 e-VTOLs, ready to commence flying in 2026. The e-VTOLs program will mean scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef will be using zero-emission electric aviation.
Fairmont Resort Port Douglas
With plans to open in Port Douglas hospitality hotel group Accor will bring 253 rooms, several restaurants, a day spa, a treetop walk, and panoramic conference facilities, planned around resort-style pools and built to seamlessly blend with nature.
Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina Hotel Development
Crystalbrook Collection have announced plans are in development to build a 100-room, five-star hotel alongside a 30-room ‘ultra-lux’ hotel at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas – Australia’s northern-most developed yachting launch pad.
Stay tuned for more updates from Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Accommodation on the Centre Stage
Accommodation options in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef are increasing, renewing and delighting delegates. Investment in the region is at an all time high, with new hotels and hotel refurbishments topping many What’s New lists this year!
A New-Look Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
A lot has changed in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef in the last five years, with investment in the region at an all-time high. After two years of COVID-affected travel, we invite you back to explore the improved ‘natural place to meet’.
Whatever the weather, Cairns is the natural place to meet
Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is a full sensory experience for delegates. Our seasons deliver warm days all year. Regular rainfall over summer and autumn keeps the landscape a rich green; the rainforest is at its most lush and waterfalls are full and spectacular for pre and post-touring adventures.
8 Ways to be a More Eco-Conscious Event Manager
In case you missed it, there’s a green-tourism revolution afoot, with travellers increasingly making more conscious choices. Business events are a big driver of travel so let’s keep the green momentum going for delegates.
