Lisa Woolfe, left, with Ponant Chairman Asia Pacific Sarina Bratton at ACA 2022 in Townsville
The A$232m Townsville Port Channel Upgrade, which will allow vessels of up to 300mtrs to safely access the port, will be completed next year, Lisa Woolfe told delegates at the 2022 conference of the Australian Cruise Association in Townsville North Queensland this week.
Woolfe, director visitor economy and marketing for Townsville Enterprise Limited, said the joint project of the Australian federal government, the Queensland state government and Port of Townsville Limited will attract larger vessels that currently bypass the port.
‘Unlimited’ attractions
She said Townsville and its surrounds haveunlimited tourist attractions for cruise ship passengers, from the reef to rain forest, from outback to islands.
She said Townsville has Australia’s only Museum of Underwater Art, created to inspire and educate people about reef conservation, with pieces by renown underwater sculptorJason deCaires Taylor.
Hand-feed kangaroos and cuddle koalas
There are Billabong Sanctuary, an Australian native animal wildlife parkwhere visitors are allowed to hand-feed kangaroos and cuddle koala bears, excellent snorkelling and sailing tours atnearby Magnetic Island and covered wagon rides to see the Texas longhorn herd at Charters Towers.
Helicopter tours from Townsville to Palm Island, the mainland of the Greater Palm group, showcase Aboriginal culture and artwork.
Woolfe said the Reef HQ Aquarium, which is closed for upgrading, will reopen in 2024 and is a place where visitors can experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet.
First-hand experience
Delegates had a first-hand experience of ‘outback’ Townsville when they dressed as cowboys and cowgirls for a gala dinner at the Hervey Range Rodeo.
Highlight of this action-packed evening was seeing Australian Cruise Association CEOJill Abel mount a horse and gallop across the arena.
