• January 12, 2026

FAM Report: A tropical adventure in Port Douglas & Cairns

FAM Report: A tropical adventure in Port Douglas & Cairns

FAM Report: A tropical adventure in Port Douglas & Cairns 1024 768 micebook.

Last month, micebook joined a group of UK event planners at Australia Next, Tourism Australia’s incentive showcase, which took place in Melbourne (check out our Destination of the Month feature on the city here) followed by a post-Fam to Port Douglas and Cairns in North Queensland.

Dan Walker, Director of Experiences at First Event gives the lowdown on the second leg of our Australian adventure, which featured everything from unique Indigenous experiences to an unforgettable helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef…

A change in state (from Victoria to Queensland) brought a welcome change in climate and pace. Landing in Cairns, you are straight into the tropics; the humidity increases, whilst the rest of you slows down.

It is only 60 minutes from Cairns to Port Douglas, but a stop-off at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures breaks the travel perfectly. A family-run wildlife park, the main draws (or jaws) are floating amongst the ‘salties’ (saltwater crocodiles) while they snap at food, all while learning about their habitat and population control. It was a short but welcome window into the native species of Australia, who doesn’t love seeing a Koala or stroking a baby Wallaby?

Port Douglas is a town of 3,000 inhabitants, all of whom rely on tourism, and the care and attention to guests truly shines through. It is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Wet Tropics of Queensland (including the Daintree Rainforest) and the Great Barrier Reef.

We stayed at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, which is well-suited to larger groups with multiple outdoor dining options and a spa and golf course on the property. For a boutique option, Silky Oaks Lodge offers uber-luxury, all-inclusive accommodation in the canopy of the Daintree. The view from the restaurant is unparalleled as you look out into the rainforest.

Heritage and history are fundamental to a programme here. We enjoyed a traditional dot-painting class with Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley. I found it very relaxing, funny, and reflective. While art isn’t for everyone, the cultural conversation to conclude the session helped frame our afternoon in the rainforest perfectly.

The ingenious population of the Kuku Yalanji have been custodians of the forest for thousands of years. A guided Dreamtime Walk was an epic conclusion to the day. Following a traditional smoking ceremony, our guide taught us ancestral techniques for food, shelter, and medicine. Meandering through the world’s oldest rainforest is a sensory overload, a cacophony of sounds, sights, and smells. It was a natural wonder and educational experience that brought the whole day of cultural immersion to a powerful close.

A day at sea followed with a short hop to the Port Douglas Marina for a 90-minute trip to the Outer Reef Pontoon courtesy of Quicksilver Tours. It is a snorkelling and scuba diving paradise, with a submersible boat trip for those who prefer to stay dry. It was a little choppy heading out, but very relaxing onboard the pontoon. The helicopter trip back to Cairns over the reef offered a vantage point fitting of a true incentive trip, complete with sightings of turtles and reef sharks. I’d never been in a helicopter (and never wanted to) until Australia, and the experience over the reef is enough to settle the worst flying nerves.

Cairns was a step back up in pace, though not quite that of a major city. Crystalbrook Riley is a smart property with an inviting pool and rooftop bar for pre-dinner drinks. While not in the heart of the rainforest like Port Douglas, you can easily access the Reef. The Kuranda Skyrail offers a stunning view above the canopy and can be combined with short walks or a train ride back down to Cairns to mix up the day. The cable car was an enjoyable way to break up the journey to a beachside table at Nu Nu, offering relaxed Australian-fusion cuisine with sustainability at the core.

Crucially, there are direct flights from Cairns to Singapore, making the Melbourne (or Sydney) / Cairns & Port Douglas multi-centre viable without a second connection flight back.

A Meaningful Connection

I arrived in Australia expecting to leave with a broader network, a much better understanding of the country, and the knowledge of how to sell the destination with my own lived experience.

But I left with much more than just an experience. I left with a feeling, a connection to the people, the culture, and a rich history. This moved my journey from simply a “trip of a lifetime” to one rooted in friendship, purpose, and place, one I will surely never forget.

Incentives should always aim to create wonderful experiences, but I believe Australia’s incentives go further. The country offers a seamless mix of culture, adventure, and luxury that creates unforgettable moments for attendees, whether it’s dot painting with local artists, exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, or enjoying unique dining experiences.

Incentives in Australia don’t just deliver a trip, they create meaningful, lasting connections to the people, culture, and history of the country, making every event truly exceptional.”

A massive thank you to Tourism Australia, Business Events Australia and both CVBs from Melbourne and Tourism Tropical North Queensland for putting up with Team GB (we were high maintenance) but also for their warmth, humour and hospitality throughout, which sums up the Australian people to a tee. You truly demonstrated the very best of Australia.

 

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