A divide seems to be developing between the way Australia wants to be seen (its brand), and how it is shown to the world (its marketing) .     . . . 

The trend of travellers researching their holidays online has definitely been reflected in the massive increase of traffic to . . .       . . . .                          

K Star Walking Tours, a new enterprise in Port Douglas, has taken to the streets to give visitors (and even locals) a fresh perspective on our town     . . . . 

Hopeful entrants in the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition have until tonight to submit their best pic for their chance to win some amazing prizes.   .   . . . 

Before the first siren sounded at Cazaly’s stadium there was no doubt that the weekend’s clash with the Manunda Hawks would be the biggest.   . . . 

Issue 3 of 'Port Douglas - Jewel of the Pacific Rim' magazine has arrived and will be hitting the stands from today.  . . . .                         

Red Nose Day may have been on Friday, but it was Sunday's SIDS and Kids Cane Toad Races at the Ironbar which drew most of the attention, and    . . . 

The efforts of local green thumb and community legend, James Watson, have gone unrewarded due to a technicality in the Cairns Regional Council's       . . . .                          

Originals or covers? That's the quandary that faces many local musicians in the Port Douglas hinterland. And it seems that if earning a living from music. . . . 

Road tours on Cape York feature strongly in an exciting new 'Great Tropical Drive' brochure now available to tourists . . . . .  .   . . . 

The 2010 Kuranda Roots Festival pulled out all the stops despite wet weather to put on a phenomenal cultural event for Far North Queensland . . . .                         

The bid from pro whaling nations to overturn a 24 year ban on commercial whaling has failed, but whales are still at risk from the well publicised     . . . 

According to the Tourism Forecasting Committee, the improved economic backdrop will see international travel to Australia increase by 5.5%       . . . .                          

According to a news article on 9News, a new report says Australia could power itself entirely by renewable energy within a decade, halving the     . . . . 

Nanna Soderstrom's 'Beyond Philosophy' photographic exhibition which opened at the Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns last week has been  . . . . .                         

Local marine tourism operators will be better equipped to keep an eye on the Great Barrier Reef after completing comprehensive training in reef health     . . . 

A fundraiser for SIDS and Kids will be held from 4pm to 8pm this Sunday 27 June at the Ironbar in Macrossan Street.The Ironbar is home to the popular  .       . . . .                          

The Federal Government is being urged by forest and timber industries to include the burning of native forests to produce electricity as part of our  . . . 

Flames of the Forest Aboriginal Cultural Experience are extending their trading to three nights a week with the addition of Tuesday to its long  . . . . . . . . 

Kevin Rudd stands down as PM - A meeting of Labor MPs was called to be held in Parliament House in Canberra at 9.00am this morning (Thursday 24th June) at which a leadership vote between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his challenger Rt Hon Julia Gillard was to be conducted.

18 months ago Port Douglas took another step forward as a premier tourist destination via a Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce multi . . . . .                         

The inaugural Trinity Honda/Port Douglas Police Charity Golf Classic tees off on Friday 16 July from 11am at the Mirage Golf Club. Proceeds from   . . . 

Traditional paper based brochures are being used less by Australians when researching travel according to the latest study by Google. The.       . . . .                          

Princess Cruises are to base three liners in Australia for the first time in 2011/12 as it unveiled its largest ever season of voyages Down Under    . . . 

It might be a small instrument, but the 2010 Cairns Ukulele Festival is being billed as the biggest, most diverse ukulele festival ever held in the . . . . .                         

Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, has welcomed an announcement that a high level tourism forum between the Australian Government and  . . . 

Perth will embrace a legion of live music acts this summer with promoters billing the coming concert season as the biggest and busiest the city has .       . .                          

The Kylie Minogue of Asia, Award-winning Hong Kong actress and singer-songwriter Karen Mok, is visiting Tropical North Queensland this week     . . . 

Our lucky winner of two tickets for the Kuranda Roots Festival chosen from over 80 entries is Colleen O'Brien. We have contacted her direct by email.  She will be meeting up with our journo who is covering the event and if there is a special act or performer she wants to meet, we'll be arranging for her to have a chat and get a photo back stage to make the day a truly memorable one.  Congratulations to Colleen, we know you'll have a superb day.   . . .                       

Kuranda Roots Festival brings its solid line-up of roots and reggae to Kuranda Amphitheatre this weekend. With a stellar bill of artists that . . .                       

Six months ago, almost to the day, my four and a half month old son, Xavier Bennett Churchill, died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We'd sold virtually . . . 

Unemployment in the Far North has dropped from 12.4% to 8.9% in the last two months, showing that the region is "recovering and rebuilding"     . . . .                          

With whales being such a prominent feature on our reef at the moment, it's poignant to note that the fight for their survival continues as the International  . . . 

Queensland's famous Muttaburrasaurus and Kronosaurus queenslandicus could be the latest Aussies to make it big in Hollywood if Steven      .         .       .  

Cairns will be hosting it's second Jobs Expo on Friday 25 June at the Cairns Showgrounds.  This second Jobs Expo will bring employers, . . . 

Often attributed to Mark Twain but more probably first coined by a lesser known Englishman Charles Wentworth Dilke, the expression "There     . . . .                          

The organisers of the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition have asked us to send out a final reminder that entries for the Comp close in just     . . . 

The Northern Territory is about to come alive in 3D with the recent wrap up of a special film shoot in the Top End under partnership with      . . . . . . . . 

A potential cancer drug developed from an Australian rainforest plant is set to progress to human trials after fighting off inoperable . . . 

A whole pack of former Wallabies (and a former All Black) have accepted an invitation from the Cairns Old Crocs Rugby Union Club to play in .         .       .  

Premier Anna Bligh has announced several new initiatives to assist Queensland’s population boom.  Amongst them is a $4,000 boost in addition  . . . 

The ever popular Sailaway Sunset Sailing has increased scheduled trips to five evenings a week, adding Tuesday and Thursday with their   . . . .                          

Since time began, Australia and New Zealand have been fierce rivals. We beat them at cricket, they beat us at rugby union, we send our possums . . . . 

Our friends David and Tyna, from Solar Whisper Daintree River Cruises told us that last week they had some stunning days for wildlife spotting . . . . 

Legendary musician Lou Reed has been visiting the Port Douglas region over the past week, getting some rest and relaxation in the Port Douglas     . .         .       .  

With all teams keen to leave themselves in a good position as the midseason break approaches, it was a fast paced game that was won in . . . 

A media release recieved today from the office of Martin ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism and Jim Turnour  . .         .       .  

The Douglas United Football Club is holding a Soccer Mums and Friends Lunch at Billy's By The Sea on Friday from noon, to raise funds for the   . . . 

Last Saturday was a great day to be out in the Agincourt Reefs, with multiple sightings of Minke Whales on board Poseidon. The first encounter     . . . .                          

This Behind the Scenes article was provided to LiveScience in partnership with the National Science Foundation. Our oceans are getting warmer . . . 

Sightings of a Humpback whale heading north from the Whitsunday Islands has created a wave of excitement in Port Douglas. The majestic    . .         .       .  

The National Film & Sounds Archives Big Screen film festival opened in Port Douglas last weekend.  The gates opened at 6pm and the crowds were . .         .       .  

You're invited to celebrate our home in tropical Australia, through the eyes of Nanna Soderstrom, a European photographer whose truly . . . . .

Emerging professional artists, art practitioners and cultural workers in the region will receive a financial boost for their creative projects with the presentation   . . . 

The New South Wales Parliament has passed legislation that will allow accommodation to be offered within the boundaries of their National . . . .                          

Returning to Vertigo Bar at The Reef Hotel Casino for four special nights this month, The Australian Bee Gees Show brings back their internationally   . . . 

An increased emphasis on attracting international visitors from the "big five" international markets will be a key focus in 2010-11, Tourism . .         .       .  

According to a press release from the office of Curtis Pitt MP for Mulgrave, A world class cultural precinct has been given the green   light by the state   . . . 

Pedicabs are set to power up in the mains streets of Port Douglas again as alternative transport for the seaside village, after a decade long . . . .                          

According to a press release from Dynamic export Tourism Australia’s ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’ campaign has received positive feedback . . . 

Stinger enclosures will be reeled in from far northern foreshores in a two week schedule beginning tomorrow morning, signalling the end of the  .       .       .  

Two playful dwarf minke whales have been captured on video swimming in close proximity to snorkellers travelling with Port Douglas dive and . .         .       .  

Tourism agencies have become innovators in the arts of promotion—witness last year's job contest spotlighting the 'Best job in the world campaign . . .  

Tourism Queensland and Qantas Holidays have teamed up for a $1.6 million marketing campaign aimed at uncovering Queensland's best. . . . 

As you all know it is the anniversary of the Landing of Captain Cook at Cooktown this weekend and as usual there is a fantastic re-enactment   . . . .                          

Cook MP Jason O’Brien says the Bligh Labor Government’s 2010-11 Budget continues Queensland’s focus on rebuilding the tourism.       .       .  

Tuesday nights senior games kicked off with well fought battles from all the teams. In a game with great defence from both sides and many turnovers   . . . . 

245 scientists from 35 countries used World Oceans Day on 8 June to call for strong action from governments to create ''ocean-scale'' national . . . .   

Growth in UK and European visitors, particularly the under 30s, is an indication that the ground-breaking Best Job in the World campaign is . . . .                          

Magnetic Island sea life were seeing snorkels of a different kind as 23 nude snorkellers took to the warm waters to help celebrate World.   .       .       .  

By now you have probably heard about the Solar Eclipse Marathon to be run in Port Douglas in November 2012. This isn’t just your run of the.   .       .       .  

And once again the Crocs prevailed! Watson’s oval was awash with blue and white as both Crocs teams came home victorious after a . . . . 

Douglas Junior Netball sent representative teams to compete in the under 12’s and under 14’s division of the Fowler's Group Marlin Coast Regional . . . . 

As the economic climate improves, more travel and tourism jobs are becoming available, but the number of suitable candidates to . . . .   

Brisbane will be the major winner from Pacific Blue's new winter schedule with an additional flight per week from Hamilton and Dunedin, both . . . .                          

The second series of the Port Douglas Fun Run was held on Saturday 5th June and was again a huge success with a fantastic turnout of 50 .   .       .       .  

Art House Port Douglas is inviting you to grab your digital camera and notebook, and learn the ins and outs of photography at a free class at the . . . . 

Looking for a way to get your creative juices flowing? Art House Port Douglas Inc is running          a two day printmaking workshop spread over    two  . . . .  

Kids and parents from the Port Douglas Community Kindergarten were guests at the Port Douglas State School on Wednesday to help celebrate Under .       .       .  

Port Douglas’ own, Actin Fitness, did the hard yards in this year’s Cairns Relay For Life on the weekend, in order to raise much needed funds for cancer    . . . .  

We've been talking a lot recently about the National Film & Sounds Archive’s Big Screen film festival (Sunday, 13 June from 6pm at Rex Smeal Park    . . . . .   

After the first Winter Cricket was played last year, enough interest was generated for another season to commence. There has been a bit of a shack up . . . .                          

With Carnivale 2010 a fading memory, and the onset of winter seeing temperatures plummet into the mid twenties, we look to our cosy local pubs to           .   . . . 

The new $4 million commercial from Tourism Australia titled ‘There’s nothing like Australia’ has had a mixed, but mostly unfavourable reaction . .  

The Wet Tropics Management Authority are running two competitions for the kids to help celebrate the Year of Environmental Sustainability . . .  

Port Fusion will be hosting it’s 3rd quarterly networking event on Thursday 17th June from 5pm in the Lotus Lounge at Rydges Sabaya Port Douglas.       .       . . . . .   

North Queensland's tourism body launched its new campaign last week at the nation's biggest tourism event. The Australian Tourism Exchange            . . . . . .                          

The Great Barrier Reef is about to star in a groundbreaking BBC television documentary, the likes of which has never been seen, producers say        .   . . . 

Tourism Australia has released the much anticipated 'There’s Nothing Like Australia' TV commercial at ATE in Adelaide this morning.  The ad, which.       .       .  

A collective sigh was exhaled as the last of the events concluded a successful 2010 Carnivale, highlighted by the ‘Seafood Extravaganza’, ‘Food          . . . . . .                          

Supporters of Variety, the children’s charity, are organising a fundraising dinner at the Highlander Tavern in Julatten tonight from       . . . .  

Qantas and Tourism Australia have launched a three-year $44 million partnership to market Australia to the world. The deal, announced this morning in     .       . . .   

Meet Daniel Rotolo, owner of Port Douglas Paint & Panel, a welcome new business operator to Port Douglas, and one whose blood runs Ferrari Red      .   . . . 

Newsport Publishing are delighted to be able to report that The National Library of Australia in Canberra requested a copy of each of the quarterly editions .       .       .  

Queenslanders and their mates are being asked to celebrate their state in a campaign aimed at restoring pride in the prawn industry. Focusing      . . . .  

Tourism Queensland has opened the doors for residents of the Whitsunday’s to provide feedback on the effect of tourism on their day to day lives   .       . . . . .   

The first artists have been announced for this years Kuranda Roots Festival on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 June. The Beautiful Girls, Zennith, Kooii   ...

After 19 months of rehabilitation, Matilda the Hawksbill sea turtle has been released back into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef at Green Island  .   . . . 

For the last time this year the boys made the epic trek to Fretwell park to take on the South Cairns Cutters. For years the clash of the two farthest   .       .       .  

Douglas Junior Netball Under 10s Mossman Primary and Port Dolphins played off at Port Courts last Tuesday.  Both teams played a great game and.   . . . 

Our friends David and Tyna White from Solar Whisper Daintree River Cruises have reported that through this week on the River they and their   .       .       . . .  

This is a friendly reminder to all you film buffs out there that on Sunday, 13 June from 6pm, the National Film & Sounds  Archive’s Big Screen   . . . .  

The last Sunday of Carnivale, 30 May, saw over 100 competitiors run in the Hahn Super Dry Port Douglas Duathlon over 2 distances as  .       . . . . .   

Quicksilver has donated $1,310 to Paws and Claws, proceeds of Quicksilver’s 10th annual 500 card game.  64 enthusiastic players from the tourism        . . . . . .                          

The Seafood Extravaganza at Meridien Marina has been hailed as the “highlight of Carnivale 2010” as literally thousands of people flocked (or .       .       . . .  

Managing Director of privately operated and funded, tourismportdouglas.com.au, Sam Cullen has recently returned from China where . . . .

Over 1200 people turned up to The Abbotsford Convention Centre for the Melbourne Guitar Makers Festival over the weekend of the. .       . .   

The final three races of the Exemplar Coaches & Limousines Clipper Cup 2010 sailing regatta concluded on the weekend. Once again very     . . . . . .                          

Simon Asquith hails from Byron Bay, one of Australia’s best known tourist destinations and famous for its surf, endless beaches, and laid . . . .  

As more and more people turn to non-traditional mediums like newspaper websites, and social commentary blogs to get their daily news, another phenomenon has hit Australia that will accelerate this trend even faster.   . . .