Giant snorkeller invades Sydney Harbour as part of Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s latest campaign

Giant snorkeller invades Sydney Harbour as part of Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s latest campaign

Sydneysiders may have noticed something unusual lurking in Darling Harbour lately.

Don’t worry, giants aren’t invading the city! It’s just Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s (TTNQ) latest bid to inspire Aussies to holiday in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

The activation, a giant blow-up snorkeller, will be floating in Darling Harbour until Saturday as part of TTNQ’s ‘Summer Great. Leave Greater’ campaign supported by Tourism & Events Queensland and Experience Co.

Pedestrians at Cockle Bay will see the eight-metre snorkeller and evening projections on the Australian National Maritime Museum’s roof showcasing the world’s largest and most diverse reef.

TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen said the campaign aims to encourage holidaymakers to fly to Cairns, where one in five people’s livelihoods depend on tourism.

“Holiday numbers traditionally spike to around 58,500 a day in Cairns and [the] Great Barrier Reef, but the pandemic has seen visitation fall to 8900, so capturing the domestic audience and their pent-up desire to travel has never been more important,” he said.

“With international borders not opening until at least mid-2021, the region is facing a major shortfall in visitation in summer.

“Australians have traditionally travelled to Cairns and [the] Great Barrier Reef to escape their winter with many believing it is too hot and wet in summer, but locals disagree.

“Summer is a very special time of the year in the tropics, as the warm rains arrive to regenerate the world’s oldest rainforest and its waterways, while the winds subside on the Great Barrier Reef resulting in crystal-clear water.

“This summer presents a unique opportunity to experience internationally-famous Cairns as a pure Aussie destination and to see it in a new light during the season when the landscape regenerates and the wildlife is more active.

“Iconic experiences like Skyrail Rainforest Cableway have reopened, new products including the Crystalbrook Collection’s luxury hotel Flynn are ready for guests, and our master reef guides are ready to show you just how special the Great Barrier Reef is.”

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]