A Season of Sailing in Queensland

The colder winter months need not shy us from the crystal waters of Queensland - this is the season when spectacular racing regattas begin along the coastline and it's kicking off in the blue waters of Mooloolaba Bay with the newest event, Sail Mooloolaba on from June 4th - 12th, coinciding with the 15^th Musto Etchells Australasian Winter Championship from June 9th - 12th. 

If you're keen to get there for it, there's also some great ways to involve yourself in the spirit of sailing:

* Learn to sail with Sunshine Sailing Australia, with international ocean racer John Bankart at the helm. He offers a range of courses for novices through to experienced sailors keen to improve their skills. Based at Mooloolaba Wharf, you can choose from sailing lessons for the kids through to easy sailing skippered yacht charters.  

* The Mooloolaba Yacht Club welcomes visitors joining the club members for an afternoon of sailing around the Mooloolaba Bay. Fun sails are held every Wednesday and Sunday. Meet on canal side of The Wharf Tavern at The Mooloolaba Wharf Complex, at midday and 11am respectively. 

* Get out on the water with Liquid Getaway’s range of boat tours including scenic rides, surfing, snorkeling safaris and whale watching tours. Based at Mooloolaba Wharf, Liquid Getaway’s custom designed 12 seat boat provides a thrilling way to get close to marine life, including a pod of resident dolphins, turtles, rays and other wildlife during the ride.

Now in its second year, the Season of Sailing aims to attract visitors to sailing events being held from now until September along the Queensland coastline.

The Season of Sailing website offers a whole range of getaways where you can enjoy being part of these famous events including the world famous Hamilton Island Race Week. 

(Images courtesy Queensland Holidays apart from top right Etchells Australasian Winter Championships photo, courtesy of  Kylie Wilson.)

North Queensland is open for business post Yasi!

After experiencing one of the worst cyclones (Yasi) to ever hit Australia, North Queensland needs our help now more than ever! How? With your tourism of course!

Why would you go to a destination that has been devastated, you ask. Simply because apart from the very few unlucky towns and islands that did sustain damage, for the most part, North Queensland is still an ideal holiday destination with places north of Innisfail completely untouched by Yasi.

Tourism operators, hotels and resorts in such areas as Cairns, Port Douglas, Daintree and further north are all experiencing a mass of cancellations - this is happening even in places as far south as The Whitsundays - and many companies will be pushed to the limit.

So come on Australia; you've been told! Don't run off overseas for your next holiday. Get your bum to North Queensland - and see that Queensland is still the place where Australia shines! (image: Tourism Queensland)