Tourism

Sunburn and blisters were the order of the day for the dedicated walkers who braved the scorching heat at this year’s Conquer the Corrugations. Around 180 people walked the 42km between Archer River and the Coen biosecurity centre over Saturday and Sunday.

Hooking a barra in the Territory is about to make some lucky fishos a lot richer as Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish has officially opened.

Continued thirst for pubs, particularly in regional Australia where demand has increased by 135%, has pushed yields down further, according to Real Capital Analytics. Benjamin Martin-Henry, RCA’s head of analytics, pacific said despite rolling lockdowns across much of Australia over the last 18 months, property investors have shown a remarkable interest in acquiring pubs, with transaction volume on course to eclipse previous highs.

The world-famous Daintree National Park has been handed back to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, part of 160,000 hectares of land in Cape York that is again in the hands of traditional owners following an agreement with the Queensland government. The planet’s oldest rainforest joins Uluru and Kakadu as UNESCO world heritage sites under management of First Nations people.

Belinda Ross. More than 150 athletes from across WA participated in the second ever Denmark Half Marathon held by the Denmark Running Club on Sunday, September 26 ... The newly-developed lookout area at Lights Beach created a healthy vibe of excited runners who travelled to attend the event.

There is blooming good news for the Clarence Valley. Following its unfortunate cancellation last year, the 2021 Grafton Jacaranda Festival will go ahead as a Covid-19 safe event and continue its 87-year tradition, while recognising some events are not possible due to the ongoing pandemic ... The Grafton Jacaranda Festival is the oldest floral festival in Australia and its broad appeal has cemented it as a must-do calendar event.

The Club Motor Inn has been sold for $4.5 million, nearly 18 months after owners the Narrabri Bowling Club entered into voluntary administration ... Narrabri lies in the heart of the Namoi Valley, around six hours’ drive and 568 kilometres north west of Sydney, in what is an agricultural and administrative centre that is being transformed into one of the state’s largest gas mining regions.

Thursday Island has put on a spectacular display of Torres Strait Islander culture for the Winds of Zenadth festival ... “It may have been limited to only a two-day festival, but reached deep into our hearts as the sounds of the warup (island drum) and trum/luumoot, combined with our songs, brought joyful tears to all who attended" : Torres Shire CEO Dalassa Yorkston.

The Caloundra Music Festival program has been released with a new line up of artists and schedule allowing you to plan your weekend so you don’t miss a beat.

A free community stargazing event at Cunderdin on 29 October 2021.

Kendall Jennings. Koondrook Barham was graced with a visit by the paddlesteamer Emmylou on Tuesday afternoon, September 14. Built in Barham in the 1980s and named after American country singer Emmylou Harris, the vessel is a small motel catering for 16 passengers and a small crew of three or four. This was the first visit from PS Emmylou in 38 years and was shadowed by the Pride of the Murray on its Echuca return leg. The Pride of the Murray is returning from Swan Hill, where it was in the dry dock for maintenance.

Kirstin Nicholson. Regardless of the weather, runners and walkers can be seen pounding the paths of Garden and Gilrule Parks in Cohuna every Saturday morning. They are part of a global organisation called parkrun. parkrun is a free, timed 5km event held every Saturday morning, not just in Cohuna, but all over the world, originating in England in 2004. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome and it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are.

Denmark's first Classic Boat Show will run alongside the Great Southern Classic Car Show with the boats on the Denmark River at Berridge Park on Sunday, September 26 from 10am-3pm. The classic boats on show will range from some built in the 1920s to retro boats built recently.

A popular East Kimberley event held in May this year, and supported by the McGowan Government, injected around $6 million into the local economy and recorded its highest-ever ticket sales.

Cairns and the Whitsundays are closer than ever to Rockhampton with the first SkyTrans flight touching down in Rockhampton for the first time yesterday afternoon ... “Watching that first Dash 8-100 touch down yesterday was actually quite the moment because I know how much this new route will mean to our community and visitors,” Mayor Williams said.

Six meerkats are getting set to make their public debut at Rockhampton Zoo this week, just in time for the September school holidays. The new meerkat mob now call the Rockhampton Region home – after arriving all the way from Taronga Zoo.

Back for its highly anticipated second year,  Strings Attached: The West  Australian Guitar Festival  is bringing together players, makers and enthusiasts of the stringed-persuasion for a weekend of guitar-fuelled entertainment in Margaret River, WA.

Gabrielle Duykers. Wool processing factory MiniJumbuk is planning a $500,000 expansion for its Naracoorte retail shop in an effort to attract more tourists ... Marketing manager Darren Turner said the business wanted to create an “engaging” experience for visitors. “You’ll be able to walk out into a safe environment and see manufacturing happening. We want to be able to show how things are still made here in Australia.”

Port Hedland Council has endorsed a proposal from Aviair to provide financial support to continue operating four return weekly inter-regional flights from Port Hedland, connecting the port city with Karratha, Newman and Broome over the next five years.

The team behind Blackbutt Avocado Festival is pleased to launch the Blackbutt Shopfront Art Trail from Saturday 11 September ... Arts Project Officer Olivia Everitt said, “The Blackbutt Shopfront Art Trail celebrates an opportunity for artists and businesses to come together. We thank the businesses involved for embracing this exhibition concept, and encourage locals and visitors to enjoy the artworks as you shop in town, stop for a coffee or enjoy the Rail Trail.”

The number 22 proved to be extremely lucky for dad Jamie Hutton, who celebrated Father’s Day in style when he won a new boat at the Weipa Fishing Classic on Saturday night. Jamie, who was born on the 22nd, purchased key ring 1722 and was the 22nd person to be drawn into the major prize pool.