Interstate travel may be off the cards but when you have Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep is there really much to complain about? Queensland tourism operators are calling on locals to be their much-needed tourists over the coming months. To entice them, many are offering a selection of enticing packages and deals.
One particular property that can’t wait to see travellers return is the recently renovated Daydream Island Resort. The resort is reopening on 1 July with a special winter escape offer for Queenslanders. The famous ECO-certified resort in the Whitsundays will be re-opening with 280 newly refurbished rooms and suites that centre around the resorts main attraction, the only Living Reef in Australia bursting with marine life.
The Queensland Locals Winter Escape offer includes a full buffet breakfast in Graze Restaurant each morning, free WiFi access and complimentary use of all non-motorised water sport and resort recreational activities. Plus, guests will receive a 25 per cent discount on food and beverages. Kids under 12 years can stay for free and eat for free from the kid’s menu when accompanied by an adult.
The offer is valid from 1 July to 20 December, 2020, subject to availability. Rates start from $125 per person per night twin share (min 2 pax per room). To book call 1800 888 288 and quote LOCAL20 or visit daydreamisland.com.
Other deals and packages on offer this month
Cains and Great Barrier Reef
Room with a view
Consider which island to paddle to at Mission Beach where you can get a beachfront room at Castaways Resort & Spa for just $129 a night. castaways.com.au
Sleep in a treehouse
Snuggle by the fire at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat with a 50 per cent discount for stays of more than two nights in their treehouses, including the villa treehouses suitable for families. A complimentary breakfast hamper is included for the first morning. rosegums.com.au
Relax in the rainforest
Relax in the rainforest with a cheese patter and pate, French champagne, imported beers and a stocked coffee machine at Mist at Cape Tribulation. Stays of two nights or more are discounted by $100 a night.
mistatcapetribulation.com.au
Great Barrier Reef day trip
Passions of Paradise, Down Under Cruise and Dive and Ocean Freedom are operating tours to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns on alternate days with a 30 per cent discount. Includes snorkelling and lunch.
passions.com.au
downundercruiseanddive.com.au
oceanfreedom.com.au
Escape for two nights
Pullman Cairns International is offering a complimentary upgrade to Premium Harbour View, free car parking, a late checkout and a $50 food and beverage credit for two priced at $189 a night. Phone 4031 1300.
pullmancairnsinternational.com.au
Stay in Australia’s best lodge
Mt Mulligan Lodge is the only Australian property to make the Conde Nast Traveller 2020 Hot List. To celebrate, the Northern Escape Collection property is reopening for Queenslanders with the special rate of $800 per night, all-inclusive for two guests – a saving of $900 per night.
northernescape.com.au
Discounted beach apartments
Amaroo at Trinity Beach is offering discounts of up to 30 per cent so you can score yourself an apartment with direct beach access from $500 a week.
amarooresort.com
Fly to a sand cay
Admire the Great Barrier Reef from above before you land on your own private sand cay off Cairns for a bottle of bubbles. Nautilus Aviation is offering 40 per cent off the price of helicopter sand cay trips, scenic flights and day trips to Mt Mulligan Lodge.
nautilusaviation.com.au
Holiday like a celebrity
Holiday in style and head for one of the exclusive properties in the Port Douglas area frequented by Oscar winners. Executive Retreats is offering a 25 per cent discount on stays of three nights or more at their properties including the highly-coveted Bali Hai where Gold Logie winner Rebecca Gibney held her glamourous wedding.
executiveretreats.com.au/accommodation/bali-hai
Room with a view
Spend your days paddling to different islands as you stay at Mission Beach. You can get a beachfront room at Castaways Resort & Spa for just $129 a night.
castaways.com.au
City staycation
Stay in the heart of the city at Shangri-La The Marina Cairns for just $189 and enjoy your choice of an early check-in or a late checkout plus an upgrade. It includes free parking and a bottle of wine with a cheese and antipasto platter on check-in.
shangri-la.com/en/cairns/shangrila
Embrace the beach lifestyle
Embrace the beach lifestyle at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore with three-bedroom apartments just $300 a night for a minimum two-night stay.
lancemore.com.au/alamanda
Kick back on an island
Fitzroy Island Resort has 30 per cent off its Welcome Back Activity Package for a minimum two-night stay for two. It includes return transfers, daily one-course breakfast, snorkelling equipment, one hour kayaking, glass bottom boat tour, fish feeding and self-guided rainforest walks.
fitzroyisland.com
Jump for joy
Bungy jumping at AJ Hackett Cairns is just $139 and your friends can watch with the new Tower Climb & Lookout Lunch or Dinner Special. Climb the 196 steps for the perfect photo opportunity. Enjoy a burger, chips and soft drink afterwards all for $19 or $9 for a child.
ajhackett.com
Stay and dine
Stay at Hilton Cairns for just $150 a night for two with a $50 dining credit for each night of the stay. Enjoy breakfast at Café Sunrise and lunch and dinner at Mondo’s overlooking Trinity Inlet.
Bookings taken directly on 07 4050 2000.
Sunshine Coast
The Retreat Beach Houses, Peregian Beach
Wake up to the sound of the ocean before making tracks through your own private beach entrance to watch the sunrise at The Retreat Beach House in Peregian. Use the codeword RELAX for a 30 per cent discount on three-night stays or longer before 31 July.
theretreat.com.au
Newport Mooloolaba
Newport Mooloolaba is inviting families back these school holidays with savings of up to 40 per cent. From your ocean or harbour view apartment breath in the fresh salty air, go for daily walks along iconic Mooloolaba Beach and enjoy fine dining with Mooloolaba Esplanade and The Wharf Mooloolaba right on your doorstep. Prices start from $197 for two nights or five-night stays from $122 per night with one night free. Valid to 31 July. www.newportmooloolaba.com.au
Caloundra Holiday Centre
Enjoy beachfront views with a rooftop spad at unit 21 Grand Pacific. For a limited time you can book seven nights and only pay for six in this Waterfront Penthouse with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. If you can’t stay for a full week you can book between three and six nights with a 10 percent discount.
caloundraholidaycentre.com.au
Secrets by the Lake
Stay in your own secluded treehouse at Secrets on the Lake in Montville! Located in the rainforest on tranquil Lake Baroon, there is limited one-night stays from $450 or you can book-in for a special dining experience. Secrets Dining on the Deck offers panoramic views of the water, mountains and rainforest, has a fully licensed bar and is open six days a week serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
secretsonthelake.com.au
Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland town of Maleny is Spicers Tamarind Retreat who are welcoming back visitors with a number of special deals including their ‘Birthversary’ special, inviting visitors to celebrate life’s momentous occasions with them, or simply rejoice at the end of isolation. Prices start from $1198 for two nights and includes luxury accommodation in a forest villa, daily a la carte breakfast and a three-course dinner at The Tamarind or in-house barbecue pack. spicersretreats.com
Glass House Mountains Eco Lodge
Glass House Mountains Eco Lodge offers a truly unique experience. Their accommodation offerings include a resorted 125-year-old Queensland timber church, a Victorian Train Carriage built between 1882 and 1886 and resorted 60-year-old Queensland train carriage. Book now using the code GHMECO to enjoy complimentary tropical breakfasts mid-week. glasshouseecolodge.com
Find out more: tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
