Educational Links

(from media.australia.com)

Located in the heart of the Asia Pacific region, Cairns Australia’s northern gateway continues to expand and improve with more options, experiences and well deserved accolades.   Cairn airport is currently under redevelopment and in a show of confidence in the destination airlines have increased flights and capacities to Cairns by 6,600 seats per week from domestic and international cities.  October 2010 will see an exciting new offsite dinner location open when the $11m refurbishment of the heritage listed Cairns International Cruise Ship Terminal is completed. The restoration work on the terminal, built in  1912, is being guided by specialist heritage consultants. It  is located on the shores of  the Coral Sea, opposite the convention centre and  will be an ideal venue for cocktail parties or gala dinners   James Cook University (JCU) was recently ranked in the top 5%of world universities based on 2008 assessments by two of the world’s leading university ranking systems and is an international leader in the area of tropical research.  The Cairns campus of JCU has $63m of further infrastructure development underway which will include a new School of Dentistry.  Great Adventures Green Island is a key focus for conference groups who require field trips to see an example of World’s Best Practice in regards to sustainability and environmental management. As one of the world’s most sensitive tourism developments, Green Island Resort engineers are able to provide “back of house” tours for delegates to discuss the facilities that enable the Resort to provide 100% electricity and 100% of all water usages to the Island as well as the elements to minimize impact and preserve the Island.  Cairns Convention Centre is again a finalist  in the AIPC “World’s Best Congress Centre Award”.  The Centre won the award in 2004 and was  in the top three in the last two surveys,  The Kuranda Scenic Railway – one of Cairns most iconic attractions turns 120 in June 2011.  The Cairns to Kuranda Railway was constructed between 1882 and 1891 and carried the first paying passengers on the 25th of June 1891. Still today considered an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude, approx 2.8 million cubic metres of earthworks were involved,  153 cuttings and 15 tunnels were all built by hand. When travelling on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway passengers experience the original heritage carriages and spectacular journey through the World Heritage Barron Falls National Park. This timeless journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls is a tribute to all the 1500 men that worked on this line 120 years ago.   Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort was awarded the Accor Australia Hotel of the Year.  The Hotel of the Year Award, 2009, was one of three accolades won by the resort who also won “Best Restaurant” and “Best Bar” for the Novotel brand across Australia.  Flames of the Forest have been voted in the top 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences.  Tucked away in a fairytale pocket of rainforest, Flames of the Forest has banquet seating for 900 delegates with the entire infrastructure and comfort clients need, but the magic only a candlelit dinner in the rainforest can provide.