Sat 31 Jul

The Week in News

Wed 28 July

The Great Barrier Reef has been listed as one of 15 travel destinations being ruined by tourism. According to Mother Nature Network, a . . . . .     

The Crocs went into Saturday’s game against South Cairns at the Croc Pit undermanned, but refreshed after last weekend’s bye.     . . . .     

Cairns will become the first Australian city to host a museum dedicated to indigenous culture, Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier   . . .       

Looking for something else to claim on your tax? A proposal has been put to the Federal Government which would allow Australians to get   . . . . . . . .   

Tue 27 July

Budding travel writers have the chance to win a holiday by Facebooking about their favourite Queensland trip. The TQ campaign is calling . . .       

A fundraiser for the 2011 Cairns Blues Festival is being organised at The Fig Tree Bar at Cairns Showgrounds on Saturday 31st July starting at 6pm. . . .     

The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has urged both the Government and the Opposition to give tourism industry concerns a high priority . . . . .     

Fri 23 July

Voting for the Port Douglas Magazine Awards 2010 has now got quicker and easier thanks to the new online voting form. . . . . 

More than a 120 people voted on Newport's poll which posed the question "Should Port Douglas have CCTV to maintain the safe environment . . . .   

Following on from the Newsport article 'Budget van travellers growth explosion' on Tuesday, we have since talked with Paul Hoye from CRC . . . . .      

Silky Oaks Lodge has taken another step forward in its efforts to secure more internet bookings by becoming a website partner of . . . . . . .   

Nothing says it's Christmas more than a giant Ugandan mountain gorilla holding a sign. Anyone who's cruised down Owen Street in the last . . . .   

Port Douglas is well known for its food. Over 60 restaurants and cafe's line the streets tempting passers by with a huge range of culinary . . . . . .   

Thu 22 July

North Queensland farmers are being told to complete Environmental Risk Management plans by the Queensland Department of Environment. . . . .

A group of international scientists say they have discovered what the Great Barrier Reef looked like thousands of years ago.

A group of international scientists say they have discovered what the Great Barrier Reef looked like thousands of years ago.  A scientific group took part. . . .  

A new recycling program is about to be launched at the Meridien Marina which will allow boat and shop owners to lessen their environmental .   .   . . . 

Considered as the benchmark of underwater films, the International Festival of Marseille, France, attracts more than 25 000 visitors   .         .   .   . . . 

Wed 21 July

Many thanks to our friends at Quicksilver who sent through the exciting news that Migaloo, the only albino humpback whale in the world is   .     .   . . . 

The Queensland fishing industry have reminded the Labor Government to consider regional voters' thoughts when deciding on a proposed   . . . . .

On the Newsport on Monday we ran an article titled "Feral animals create CO2 cloud" about the amount of carbon dioxide released into the .   .   . . . 

Many thanks for our friends David and Tyna Whyte from Solar Whisper River cruises for sending this weeks Daintree River report .         .   .   . . . 

Celebrating the forthcoming release of their debut album Nothin’ To Lose, FNQ's own up-and-coming roots reggae band Zennith are     .     .   . . . 

After a two week break, both junior and senior netball is back in full swing every Tuesday at the Port Douglas Sports Ground     .   .   . . . 

Tue 20 July

The past 12 months has seen a massive growth in the budget Combi Van travellers visiting Port Douglas and the far north.     .   . . . 

Janice Walker gave a heartfelt speech

More that 100 people gathered at the Cairns Regional Council's Mossman offices yesterday to welcome in NAIDOC week with the .   .   . . . 

Primary and secondary schools across Australia will have access to funding for solar panels and rainwater tanks from 15 July 2010, under new funding    .       .   .   . . . 

A large number of Queensland marine park tourism operators are ignoring climate change as a business issue, according to a recent survey.   . . . 

For those of you who have lived through the global financial crisis, hearing the word ‘super’ may raise your blood pressure or make you anxious about . . . 

Mon 19 July

The inaugural Port Douglas Police Charity Golf day held at The Mirage Country Club was an outstanding success . . . . .

It was a much anticipated VFL clash between Bendigo Bombers, and AFL's newest team from the Gold Coast, that was held at Cazaly's Stadium in   . . . 

According to a study commissioned by the Nature Conservancy and the Pew Environment Group they have found that 9.7 billion .   .   . . . 

New Zealand sensation, Fat Freddy's Drop are performing at Tanks Arts centre on Friday July 30th.  Fat Freddy's Drop’s pirate soul train has seen  .       .   .   . . . 

Fri 16 July

Local business owners have called for CCTV cameras to be installed in Port Douglas to prevent crimes such as assault and vandalism.       . . . . . . 

The Port Douglas streetscape has been under scrutiny of late with many businesses expressing concerns over the general cleanliness  .   .   . . . 

Patches of state and national parks around the country just aren't sufficient to protect Australia's native plants and animals.       .   .   . . . 

Not for profit sporting and community groups will receive a boost over the next six months through the Cairns Regional Council’s rates based . . . 

As you head off to see your accountant this year, I am sure you have already spent your tax refund - new shoes, fishing gear or a family holiday just . . . 

Thurs 15 July

Earlier this year the Chamber of Commerce invited Port Douglas businesses situated within the Marina and Macrossan Street to complete a    . . . 

Designs and ideas for the region’s urban future will be showcased today when the Queensland Board for Urban Places holds its general .   .   . . . 

Tourism Australia's Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, will be coming to Port Douglas at the invitation of TPDD's EO Doug Ryan.   .   . . . 

Around 30 students from the University of Queensland in Brisbane are spending a week in the far north as part of their studies in sustainable     .   .   . . . 

Biofuels made from plant material is gaining popularity in the search for a replacement for crude oil based fuel, and now a purpose built  . . . 

The Amity Affliction, one of Brisbane's hardest working live bands (originally from Gympie), will be heading to Tanks Art Centre as part of their   . . . 

Wed 14 July

On Sunday around 150 competitors took part in the annual Coral Coast Triathlon this year held on the shores of Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas.   . . . 

This Friday the Mirage Country Club will host the inaugural Port Douglas Police and Community Charity Golf Day, and you're invited to join in, have .   . . . 

Run out of ideas on how to entertain your kids? Well, if they're under five years old then Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns are running Artstart   .   .   . . . 

Tourism Australia will launch its new TV ad in China next month as it strives to convert strong interest in holidaying Down Under into firm . . . 

Port Douglas Crocs captain Evan Hocking

The Croc Pit was once again alive with action as the league's two most northern teams on the ladder and in location for a Saturday of hard hitting . . . 

Tue 13 July

In just 854 days the Solar Eclipse Marathon will commence with the now famous 'intergalactic starting gun"   . . . 

Tropical Journey's new 62 foot luxury catamaran, Aquarius, has moored at the Marina and plans to commence tours to the Low Isles from today, .   . . . 

The Port Douglas Magazine Awards 2010 are now open for voting, giving you the opportunity to throw your support behind your favourite businesses.   . . . 

Meridien Marinas will be hosting two seminars on 9 and 10 August for marine users to get comprehensive information on the complex issue of.   .   . . . 

Extinctions of 20 to 30 per cent of the world's species, more severe droughts, food and water shortages, and the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet     . . . 

Mon 12 July

According to an article in USA Today last week, Silversea Cruises have announced plans for a complete circumnavigation of Australia.   .   .   . . . 

A James Cook University professor in far north Queensland has been awarded one of Australia's most significant scientific fellowships.   .   . . . 

According to an article by Katherine Nightingale for ABC Science Online, global warming could have an unexpected effect on the clownfish star .   . . . 

Australian hotels need to start tailoring their product to Chinese travellers or risk missing out on the huge growth from the market, senior property .   . . . 

Fri 9 July

'The Big Marketing Guide', an online reference tool designed to help new and small tourism businesses with their marketing, media and PR, and  .   . . . 

As always at this time of year there is another big fortnight of entertainment and excitement awaits at Port's three biggest venues in town. Let's take a . . . .

According to Travel Today online, tourism should develop better non-advertising communication strategies as the industry, or it 'will never be able   .   . . . 

It's been a busy week at the Tourism Futures conference this week, but there aren't too many concepts to come out of the event that are more       .   . . 

Holland, will have at least two passionate ex-pats cheering them on from the other side of the world on Monday morning, when the Dutch team.   . . . 

Thu 8 July

Port Douglas runners Emma Mills and Kate Cullen tested themselves like never before to succeed in completing the famous Gold Coast Marathon .   . . . 

Issue 3 of Port Douglas - Jewel of the Pacific Rim magazine will be hitting the top end of town in Sydney and Melbourne from 21 July in a bid to  .   . . . 

Three of Australiaís leading hip hop acts are touring North Queensland in July. They are performing at Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns on Friday 16th .   . . . 

That's the vision of Queensland MP Aidan McLindon, who told a national conference turning Cairns into Australia's version of Las   .   . . 

With a successful 2010 event which saw 24 bands perform over two days to thousands of fans, organisers of the Cairns Blues Festival are already   .   . . . 

The Court House Hotel Port Douglas Mudcrabs will be under new leadership this season with current wicket-keeper and Club Captain, Josh .   . . . 

Wed 7 July

On Monday, the Newsport reported that Queensland is seeing the fastest rate of population growth in Australia, and Cairns seems to be the place .   . . . 

With the new financial year just started, and many people taking this time to review their finances, we thought it timely to speak to some local.   . . . 

Quicksilver has launched night diving to the area with the new trips operating from Cairns, The Night Dive is designed for small groups of adventure .   . . . 

Davvyd Brown, better known as Paradise Birdman, is faced with the heart breaking decision to sell his Cockatoo, Henry, to avoid losing .   . . . 

Port Douglas has again been sought out as an A-list holiday destination with Ian Somerlander and Nina Dobrev from the hit TV series 'Vampire Diaries'.   . . 

Tue 6 July

Inspiring leadership and developing strategies to steer the tourism industry through economic uncertainty will be the focus of a national .   . . . 

A proposed expansion of the port near Bowen, a day's drive south of Port Douglas, to enable coal exports to increase from 15 to 50 million .   . . . 

Lacquered Homewares and Specialty Coffee opened for business in the Courthouse Retail Centre in April this year. It was a culmination .   . . . 

A win over the Saints at their home ground of Griffiths Park has always been a rare and cherished occasion for the Port Douglas Crocs, let .   . . . 

The Douglas Netball Association has confirmed that the date of their 20 Year Reunion Dinner will be on Saturday, 14 August at Sugar  .   . . . 

Mon 5 July

Branch Manager David Rootsey welcomed an invited client audience to introduce them to the newly refurbished Port Douglas Commonwealth Bank   .   . . . 

According to an article in the Australian last week Queensland has been named the fastest-growing state, with more people moving to it from   .   . . . 

According to a CSIRO media release, the world's deep ocean researchers – scientists whose field of interest extends into the uncertain world below   .   . . . 

Cairns International Airport

According to a letter received at many Port Douglas homes last week, the hard work to stimulate the local economy and protect jobs put in by .   . . . 

Fri 2 July

As of yesterday, the third round of tax cuts will be delivered by the Federal Labor Government, putting money in the pay packets of workers,    . . .       . . . .                          

The world's pre-eminent climate change group, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will "almost inevitably" reevaluate its . .   . . . . 

After the resounding success of ARTescape in the previous four years, the Cairns Art Society is continuing with a bigger and better ARTescape     .   .   . . . 

Thu 1 July

I first met Nicholas Tweedy, The Mentalist, yesterday as he handed me a business card from his wallet that burst into a ball of flame. .     . . . see video here! 

The Bligh Labor Government has approved $430,000 for projects aimed at boosting the economy of Far North Queensland.   . . .       . . . . . . . . .                          

If you're employed in the hospitality industry then the Australian Taxation Office has released a guide to assist you during tax time    . . . . 

shark photo under water

The World Youth and Student Travel Conference is being held in Beijing in October and Tourism NSW has announced it will fund a group of up to 10  .   .   . . . 

The good times keep coming for the Port Douglas Crocs with their reverse draw being held this Sunday from 1pm, giving you the chance to win .   . . . 

Wed 30 June

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 Stars Walking Tours Port Douglas

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     . . . . 

shark photo under water

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.   . . . 

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