A heartening call to re-visit Queensland
By Rama Gaind
Queensland is always calling because there’s so much to see and do there. It is heartening to learn of the concerted efforts undertaken by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) to attract visitors from across the country, and to helping operators recover following recent weather events.
Private tour guide, Natalie Jones, ensured our travel experiences were unique from scenic, staying in plush hotels, partaking of delectable food and wine tastings to exciting land adventures and exhilarating on-water tour or two!
The ‘Unmissable Holiday Deals’ campaign launched in Australia and New Zealand ended last month and was designed to get travellers booking a trip, with more than 500 deals on offer across the state. As well, there are trade and aviation partnership campaigns with Air New Zealand, Helloworld, House of Travel, Bonza, Luxury Escapes, My Queensland, Webjet and Jetstar to support the campaign. Competition is ongoing for great deals.
North Queensland recovery activity continues with the ‘It’s tropical holiday season’ and ‘Tropical Dollars’ campaigns having launched to promote the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway’s comfortable gondola cabins and see the spectacular Barron Gorge in its free-flowing glory. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Marketing activities to promote Townsville and the Whitsundays have also got underway to help attract visitors back following recent climate impacts. Tour operators are relieved to realise that high value tourism sites are looking as fabulous as ever. In Port Douglas, day trips have recommenced to Opal Reef, while team members continue work on the critical coral nurture program in between showing off their underwater spectacle. Another neighbouring operator has reinstated tours filling some boats with curious reef trippers while also turning into a “floating ferry” service transferring travellers between Cairns and Port Douglas for a super scenic journey.
In Cairns, operators have reinstated their reef tour schedules, while approximately 90 minutes south of Cairns operators are back to taking intrepid snorkellers to beautiful Beaver Cay, where pink, purple and mauve soft corals pop.
Mark Olsen of Tourism Tropical North Queensland has some reassuring news. “While certain areas are grappling with the aftermath, Cairns is ready to receive tourists and provide a warm welcome to those seeking an unforgettable holiday experience.”
Tourism in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has bounced back with operators in the tropics urging travellers not to cancel their getaways and simply “turning up” for a north Queensland holiday. Visitors can help “immensely” to boost the region’s rebound efforts.
Take to the skies for a bird’s-eye view of the tropics. Nature lovers know that after rain the region comes to life with stunning greenery and breathtaking waterfalls. We once again soared above an ancient canopy and saw the spectacular Barron Gorge in its free-flowing glory on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is the original scenic rail journey to Kuranda. This spectacular experience travels over bridges and through tunnels hand-made by north Queensland’s pioneers over 120 years ago. Traversing the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park, it is considered one of the world’s great railway journeys.
Explore Kuranda, the village in the rainforest, just 25 kilometres northwest of Cairns, a charming mix of unusual surprises, colourful characters and natural beauty, perched at the top of a rainforest clad mountain. Kuranda is also home to the world’s first Cassowary Art Trail. If you are interested in wildlife, you can’t go past Birdworld Kuranda which is home to over 350 birds. Next door is Kuranda Koala Gardens, one of the few places you can cuddle a koala.
Staying at the Crystalbrook Riley in the heart of Cairns was sensational. It’s a hotel full of little luxuries, from faultless service to an outdoor swimming pool that overlooks the Coral Sea … and the Pacific Ocean is in the distance.
An ultimate great escape!
In the new year, we welcomed a new governing committee at Gayatri Mandir, led by President Anit Ram and a team of 12 members. The committee members’ expertise, deep knowledge and commitment have been seen through three successful events this year. Once again, the Moreton Bay Ramayan Mandali set the tone for a prosperous year with Hanuman Chalisa Recital. We are thankful to Pravind Prakash and his team for their ongoing support. The committee has vowed to ensure that all the events and programs continue with similar enthusiasm and vigour.
The Hindu Society of Queensland celebrated its anniversary on 26 January of its establishment and community accomplishment. The committee members (past and present), devotees and volunteers honoured the occasion with their presence. The event commenced with a Pooja led by Pundit Sanat Pandeyji and a havan sponsored by community members. Punditji also sheds some light on Gayatri Mandir’s 30-plus-year journey. Our newly elected president, Anit Ram, delivered a special message to the community outlining our Bracken Ridge Project Development and our vision for the years ahead.
Gayatri Mandir resonated with chants and praises of “Jai Shree Ram” as hundreds of devotees arrived for the darshan of Shree Ram Lalla live telecast. The public mood was a smooth blend of devotion and festive fervour. Thousands of diyas were lit, and the atmosphere was like embracing Diwali-Once more. We thank The Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh Qld Vibhag for their inspiration and organisation.
For All bookings and enquiries, please visit our website or contact Nirla Pandey ( Events Organiser). Please visit our website, 
Prem Chand was appointed Justice of the Peace (Qualified) on 20 October 2023 by the Director and Registrar of the Justices of the Peace Branch.
Dear readers, the global observance of Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas (Parents’ Worship Day) experienced a notable upsurge in participation, with a growing number of community members, organizations, educational institutions, religious institutions, and social groups actively joining this unique festival. It’s a day when kids from all backgrounds come together to worship their parents. They put a tilak on their foreheads, put a garland of flowers around their neck, and basically treat them like gods! It’s a way for them to show their all respect and get parents’ blessings.
Opening Ceremony of Taiwan Imagery Exhibition, 2024 Taiwan Culture Festival
