TROPICAL North Queensland is a stunning region for an incentives program, positioned within close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and speckled with an array of brilliant restaurants serving fresh, local cuisine. Jasmine O’Donoghue ventured up north, testing out a few of the top incentives offerings.
The rainforest
The Daintree, the world’s oldest rainforest has a myriad of activities to impress any traveller. For a shot of adrenalin, fly from tree to tree with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours. This thrilling tour led by fearless guides has a spectacular vista, overlooking where the rainforest meets the reef. Hidden high in the Daintree, there are a few tour operators such as Back Country Bliss who will make a day out of it. For those who like to stay a little closer to the ground, Back Country Bliss also operate a river snorkelling tour where travellers literally drift through the rainforest, keeping an eye out for turtles, eels, water dragons and fish.
The Reef
The World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef is swimming with ships ready to show off the region to groups. Snorkelling or diving from an idyllic coral cay, a pontoon in the middle of the ocean or straight off a boat are just a few of the experiences available. Sailaway Port Douglas offer three products daily on their five-star luxury catamarans. Their full-day and afternoon tours feature a sailing experience, marine guided snorkel tours, glass bottom boat tours and a guided heritage walk of Low Island. For a shorter experience, the company can charter a Luxury Sunset Sailing which is approximately 1.5 hours in length and departs from the Reef Marina in Port Douglas at 5pm. Sailaway’s two vessels are available to be exclusively reserved for a spectacular sunset sailing for up to 84 guests.
The wildlife
Australian wildlife can be a little hard to spot and some (like the saltwater crocodile), you may not want to simply stumble across. For guaranteed interactions, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is the place for a truly “Australiana” experience. Watch from a secure boat as giant crocodiles up to five metres in length launch themselves out of the water, or meet and greet snakes and try your hand at feeding the crocs from dry land. Groups over 100 can explore the park exclusively and interact with animals in smaller groups led by their own well-humored wildlife keeper. Breakfasts through to dinners can be arranged, with the Hartley’s Night Zoo and Hartley’s Night Adventures on offer during the evening. Last year’s extension of the viewing deck nearby Lilies Restaurant allows the venue to cater for 220 people under the roof, but there is the possibility for up to 500 people.
The Culture
At the entrance to Mossman Gorge lies the eco-tourism visitor and interpretive centre of Mossman Gorge Centre. Dreamtime walks led by Aboriginal guides can be tailored for groups, covering culturally significant sites, enchanting stories and the rich heritage of the landscape. The walks amble through the lush rainforest, over crystal clear rainforest streams, and communicate the relationship the local Kuku Yalanji community have with the landscape.
