Valentine’s Day 2021: List of restaurants, events in Cairns, FNQ
Whether you’re marking Valentine’s Day on Sunday as a couple or celebrating solo, there’s plenty of options on offer for a memorable day or whole weekend. SEE THE LIST
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WITH a range of once in a lifetime tours, world class restaurants and an abundance of idyllic spots to while away an afternoon on Valentine’s Day, the Far North is romance capital this weekend.
Delight in a meal at one of the region’s award-winning restaurants or plan a weekend escape at one of the many attractions in the area.
GETAWAY: ThalaBeach Nature Reserve – a member of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World – has dining with unbeatable views and a Valentine’s weekend menu on Saturday and Sunday, with three courses for two for $150.
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival ahead of a meal featuring seared scallops, reef fish and a delectable desert platter.
Thala has fantastic local rates – a night in the Junglewalk Bungalow starts at $249 compared with the usual rate of $415, and the normal a la carte menu is also on offer.
FRESH: Take a picnic to one of many enchanting waterfalls in the region and enjoy a refreshing dip.
Perhaps one of the most cherished is Millaa Millaa Falls, which cascades into a picture-perfect swim spot and is well worth the drive.
Or take a 4km hike into Wallaman Falls – Australia’s highest permanent single drop waterfall has an alluring.
MORE NEWS
Try this: 20 new Far North hobbies
Your vote: home of best burgers
LOVERS: Go on a little adventure to secluded Lugger’s Bay at Mission Beach – known locally as Lover’s Beach. It can only be accessed via the 8km return Kennedy walking track at the southern end of South Mission Beach.
Be sure to time your visit with low tide as the sea swallows the sand and laps the rainforest and rocks at high tide.
GOURMET: Ochre Restaurant is offering an extraordinary dinner for $77 per person on Saturday February 13 and Sunday February 14. Start with wattle seed damper with dukka and macadamia oil, then choose an entree from sashimi, twice cooked pork belly, salt and pepper quail or quinoa salad.
Main course options include prosciutto wrapped chicken breast, Morganbury pork fillet, Tablelands beef striploin or a barramundi fillet with lemon myrtle laksa. Delectable desserts include a deconstructed banoffee pie, heart shaped wattle seed pavlova, chocolate self-saucing pudding, or selected Gallo cheese.
EXCITE: Vivaldi’s on the Esplanade has a five course menu with prices from $89 to $119 per person and timeslots of 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm, and 8.30pm. The menu features jumbo prawns in Moscato bisque, dill butter barramundi, shallot-crusted rack of lamb and an elegant love cake with mango sorbet.
CRUISE: The luxurious airconditioned catamaran Spirit of Cairns is offering a sumptuous three course dinner with fresh seafood and local produce and love-themed desserts on a 2.5 hour calm water cruise overlooking the sparkling lights of Cairns. Cost is $110 per person.
INDULGE: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino’s Romantic Room Package is $189 including a glass of bubbles, chocolate dipped strawberries, parking, and a complimentary drink in the Casino. The romance theme continues with the casino doing a Junior Suite prize package every Sunday in February and creating a Love Potion cocktail.
The casino is offering a beautifully crafted degustation dinner with a Valentine’s theme that includes seared green tea tuna, tamarind five spice pork belly and Wagyu beef – $169 per person or $229 per person with matching wines.
GLAMOUR: Crystalbrook Flynn is offering one-night stay with a complimentary upgrade, bottle of prosecco, Eleme Shower Butler including signature oil, and salt scrub to lather up, two signature Flynn robes to take home and a sweet surprise on arrival.
Crystalbrook Riley’s Valentine’s package includes a complimentary room upgrade to Resort King, a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck on arrival and rose petals on the bed, dinner for two at Paper Crane’s Paper Crane Hearts with a three course set menu, a breakfast hamper and late check out.
Crystalbrook is doing a Rocco’s Lover’s Brunch on Sunday live music, a three course set menu and a complimentary ‘Pucker Up’ cocktail on arrival, Paper Crane Hearts is offering a three-course set menu, with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival and the opportunity to get creative with origami heart folding, and CC’s Bar and Grill is offering a romantic dining and wining three course experience with a glass of French champagne and a long stemmed rose on arrival.
SOAR: Experience the Great Barrier Reef with highlight like Oyster Reef and Arlington Reef from the skies in a fixed wing plane – soaring over incredible sights in a 30 minute flight is guaranteed to get your heart racing. Expect to pay about $199 per person
STROLL: Walk hand-in-hand through one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia at the Botanic Gardens, exploring the lakes and rainforest boardwalk before settling in dappled shade at the Zhanjiang Friendship garden for a picnic.
SING: Love songs in the library will be held at the City Library in Abbott St from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday February 12 – prepare to be serenaded by singer Andrea Allumay and guitarist Ian Lewerissa.
FLOAT: Rise early for an unforgettable dawn experience drifting in a hot-air balloon, witnessing the morning light over a spectacular landscape.
Private charters for two are available for Valentine’s Day. Self drive to Mareeba and hop into a memorable experience for $229 per person. Visit hotair.com.au
ESCAPE: Jump aboard Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises for the day and feel a world away from the everyday with a half or full day including either a tour or snorkelling gear and activities from $99 on a beautiful coral cay with white sandy beaches and abundant marine life.
Alternatively, stay at the four and a half star resort and soak up island life. Visit greenislandresort.com.au.
EXPLORE: Pack a picnic hamper and head to pretty Paterson Creek at Yungaburra, where there are beguiling spots to sit and while away an afternoon while keeping an eye out for the elusive platypus that inhabit the creek.
The 10-minute walk through woodland to Allumbah Pocket is worthwhile and there’s lots to do and see in Yungaburra.
CASTAWAY: Head south to Castaways Resort and Spa at Mission Beach, which is offering a Valentine’s special of beachfront accommodation for $149 per night including a chocolate gift on arrival, a 15 per cent discount for Drift Spa treatments, a light continental buffet breakfast and late check out.
GET SET: Celebrate in style at Mareeba Turf Club’s Valentine’s themed race day on Saturday February 13.
There will be late live entertainment with the popular Jacynta Lee. Bookings are required – visit trybooking.com.
SWEET: Shangri-La Hotel has special packages and has created Cupid’s Cocktail - a delightful mix of gin, lychee juice, lychee liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice with a pink hue.
Stay at the hotel from $195 per room, including breakfast for two in The Backyard, a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, and a room upgrade subject to availability, late check-out at 1pm, free parking and free wifi.
Order a platter of shells for two for $140 and dessert comes complimentary with The Backyard’s Executive Chef Aaron Habgood creating a fabulous Far North fondue.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Treat your loved won at Cazalys Cairns and indulge in a seafood tower for two including a chocolate parfait to share for $65.
The tower includes prawns, oysters, calamari, battered fish and scallops and is available from 6pm to 9pm. Guests can choose between a complimentary bottle of wine, or free meals for the kids.
CREATE: Stocklands is holding a range of activities including Chinese Dragon making workshops at 10am and 11:30am on February 13 and Lantern decorating workshops at 10am and 11:30am on February 14.
From Friday to Sunday there’ll be random giveaway of Hong Bao – lucky red envelopes - with exclusive retailer bounce back offers and vouchers and a Lion Dance will be held at noon on Sunday, along with a range of other activities.
Is your business offering a Valentine’s Day event? Leave the details in the comments below.
Originally published as Valentine’s Day 2021: List of restaurants, events in Cairns, FNQ
Explained: What Taylor Point sale means for Far North
A Labor election promise to buy Taylor Point is still alive with negotiations to purchase the coastal property or a “nuclear option” of compulsory acquisition still on the table, a Far North MP says.
Abortion laws in Qld: 40 years of fights and tears
The abortion debate in Queensland has always strongly divided opinion. This is our history. SPECIAL REPORT