Cairns post-Covid: Far North tourism expected to boom past Easter

Tourism and hospitality businesses have been operating at pre-Pandemic levels over the Easter weekend as tourists flock to the region with positive signs ahead for the immediate future.

TOURISM and hospitality businesses have been operating at pre-Pandemic levels over the Easter weekend as tourists flock to the region with positive signs ahead for the immediate future.

Marina Terraces Port Douglas has limited availability until September.

Co-owner Michelle House said it was such a positive sign to see all the states travelling again and the best thing she has seen was people uniting.

“We had one group that was a party of 10 people from different states of Australia,” she said.

Port Douglas is also starting to feel the amount of tourists emerging from the different states.

“You can’t get a park anywhere in Port Douglas. Most of the restaurants seem very booked. Bookings are difficult,” she said.

While school holidays are ending on Tuesday in Queensland both Victoria and New South Wales have another week.

Sydneysiders making the most of the Easter Holidays in Cairns with a visit to the Cairns Aquarium; Charlotte Weaver, Rosie McNeice (3), Eric Weaver, Jacoba Weaver, Aria McNeice (5), Elenore Weaver and David O'Hare. Photo by Emily Barker

“Its really good. We are seeing a lot of families from Victoria, they’ve been locked out for so long, they just want to get out.

“A few months ago we were getting a lot of Queenslanders but now it’s all interstate people.”

With hotels fully booked, reef operators are also feeling the effects.

Quicksilver Cruises Tourism managing director Tony Baker confirmed it was a very busy period with his business finally seeing lots of customers.

“This is a great week because all of the states are on school holidays,” Mr Baker said. “The school holidays are always a busy domestic period. It’s great to see lots of domestic customers with lots of people holidaying at home. It’s great to see.”

Some tourists have enjoyed their time so much they plan on coming back at the same time next year.

Brisbane couple Bree and Andrew Haydon arrived with their family for the FNQ (soccer) Youth Cup and decided to make a holiday out of it.

“I was very very surprised by Cairns, it was very relaxing. It was just a really lovely time,” Mr Haydon said.

QLD_CP_NEWS_SCHOOL_HOLIDAYS_15APR22

The couple also enjoyed the drive to Port Douglas and all the lookouts.

“We absolutely loved Hartley’s (Crocodile Adventures) and the kids loved it too,” he said.

“The atmosphere and the staff were friendly, everything was in one place, they got to see the crocodiles and the snakes.”

With school holidays ending in Queensland and the Easter break ending the airport is expected to be super busy again.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said they will keep seeing this throughout the holiday period.

“With the Easter long weekend and QLD school holidays coming to an end on Monday, we are expecting Easter Sunday and Monday to be busy as people return home from holidays,” Ms Barker.

He encouraged people to arrive early and plan for extra travel time.

Originally published as Cairns post-Covid: Far North tourism expected to boom past Easter