Transformational Experiences
Transformational experiences connect incentive groups with the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics rainforest and the region’s First Nations cultures through immersive activities and locally delivered experiences.
From reef conservation and citizen science to cultural experiences, rainforest interpretation and wellbeing activities, planners can build experiences around their event objectives and delegate interests.
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Reef Connect with Reef Unlimited
Conservation, culture and citizen science are combined on the Reef Unlimited Reef Connect program to give delegates a deeper understanding of the Great Barrier Reef and its World Heritage values.
Marine biologists and cultural guides provide a personalised experience showcasing reef conservation and monitoring activities for private charters and non-exclusive groups between 10 and 250 on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef which can be tailored to your event.
Whether it’s attaching coral to reef-stabilising structures called MARRS Stars, helping to monitor marine life or talking to cultural guides about their connection to Sea Country, delegates can take part in activities focused on reef biodiversity and marine conservation.
Marine biologist guided snorkelling tours reveal the many symbiotic relationships between marine creatures and help delegates identify the species they encounter. Afterwards they can join the marine biologist in a laboratory on the Great Barrier Reef to ask more questions and see the work being undertaken by GBR Biology to monitor and care for the Reef.
If delegates prefer land-based activities, they can travel to Green and Fitzroy Islands instead of the Reef Magic pontoon and do a cultural island walk. The First Nations cultural guides also take delegates on a glass-bottom boat tour and do interactive cultural presentations.
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Frankland Islands with the Entrada Travel Group
A short journey through the cane fields south of Cairns city takes delegates to the Frankland Islands on the Great Barrier Reef where they can snorkel and explore rock pools that reveal marine life at low tide.
Secluded Normanby Island in the Frankland Group National Park can be accessed on an exclusive charter for 46 delegates or two groups totalling 92 guests, where they can enjoy a private island experience. The island landscape is revealed after a boat ride through a mangrove river system where crocodiles are often spotted on the banks.
Explore the fringing reef of the island on a guided snorkelling tour with a Master Reef Guide and on a semi-submersible cruise before a tropical buffet lunch. Your island experience can be tailor made, where your delegates can compete in a fun island treasure hunt, or a team building activity such as an amazing race.
Join the Master Reef Guide exploring the island and its rock pools to discover small stingrays, clownfish and anemones left behind by the tide and learn why it is so important to protect the marine environment. Sift through the sand to find sand stars, tiny single-celled organisms that are extremely rare and can be found at Normanby Island and in Okinawa, Japan.
Spend some free time snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding before boarding the boat. Return to the city for a dinner cruise with Spirit of Cairns on Trinity Inlet to talk about your reef encounters as you cruise past the city lights.
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Waterfall, Wetlands and Scenic Rail with Down Under Tours
Experience diverse landscapes, Aboriginal culture and Tropical North Queensland environments on a tour from wetlands to rainforest and beyond. Down Under Tours connects delegates with the region’s environmental and cultural stories on the Waterfall, Wetlands and Scenic Rail tour.
Join a guided walk through a remnant feather palm forest and past Jabiru Lake, learning how community efforts transformed this former farm into valuable wetlands supporting prolific birdlife.
At Barron Falls a Djabugay Aboriginal Guide gives an authentic welcome with a Calling to Country ceremony and shares Dreamtime stories of the mighty waterfall known in language as Din Din.
The ancient rainforest is left behind for the food bowl of the Atherton Tablelands and lunch on the family-owned Skybury Coffee Plantation, where papaya and coffee are grown. Mobs of wild kangaroos can be seen before a stop at Emerald Creek ice Creamery to sample locally made tropical ice cream.
The day ends with an unforgettable journey on the historic hand-built Kuranda Scenic Railway, giving another perspective of the Barron Falls as it carves its way through the Barron Gorge National Park.
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Saltwater State of Mind with Sunlover Reef Cruises
Experience saltwater and sunshine on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover Reef Cruises. Delegates can unplug and connect with Saltwater State of Mind, a day immersed in nature.
Snorkel with a marine biologist and learn about the delicate balance of life on the Great Barrier Reef and the resilience of the world’s largest living organism. Go deeper on an introductory dive or helmet dive and see the Reef from a different perspective with a semi-submersible tour or on a scenic helicopter tour.
Delegates can take part in citizen science programs, participating in monitoring surveys for reef conservation initiatives that supply data to help the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority monitor and protect the Reef.
The experience provides an opportunity for delegates to spend time together outside the traditional meeting environment, combining reef activities, team interaction and marine education.
Saltwater State of Mind highlights the connection between people and nature, bringing delegates together through shared experiences on the Great Barrier Reef.
To Learn More, Contact Amy Davis at [email protected]
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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Celebrating 30 years of operation, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes delegates on an immersive journey connecting them with the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest. An $85 million upgrade is improving the accessibility of Skyrail with new infrastructure including see-through gondolas to provide a quieter, enhanced experience for guests.
Delegates can experience the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest from gondolas as they glide above the canopy, taking in views across the rainforest.
The stories of the Traditional Custodians of the land can be heard with the Skyrail Audio Guide App before descending to the forest floor. Join a Skyrail Ranger to learn about the Wet Tropics rainforest and environmental management.
The experience can be tailored to groups with additions including a fully guided Interpretive Ranger option and Skyrail’s Sustainability Seminar, which gives delegates an insight into sustainable tourism practices.
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Sustainability and Pampering with the Crystalbrook Collection
Delegates can continue their inner journey when they return to their hotel to unwind with yoga by the pool overlooking the ocean or with the corporate spa offering from the Crystalbrook Collection available for groups or individuals.
Make relaxation and tranquillity a part of an event with a curated spa experience at Crystalbrook Riley or Crystalbrook Flynn and pamper delegates with curated Eleme gift bags in their rooms featuring luxurious bath oils, Sodashi skincare, Mayde Tea and We Are Feel Good Inc suncare products.
Crystalbrook’s dining offerings across several bars and restaurants continue the transformational experience with menus noting Climate Calories to show if your meal’s ingredients are locally sourced, sustainably grown or caught, and culturally considered.
Dine at Crystalbrook Riley’s rooftop bar Rocco, overlooking the city and the Coral Sea, Crystalbrook Flynn’s Boardwalk Social on the bustling Cairns Esplanade or Crystalbrook Bailey’s CC’s Bar and Grill featuring Australian produce.
Together, these initiatives give delegates an opportunity to learn more about Crystalbrook Collection’s approach to hospitality and incorporate sustainability focused experiences into their stay.
