By CEO Rick Hamilton
THIS HALF of the year is jam-packed with events.
We’ve just finished the Great Barrier Reef Festival which, thanks to the dedicated committee, was a huge success again, and now we are mid-way through the Airlie Beach Festival of Sailing.
Then it’s straight into the Hamilton Island Race Week. And that’s just August!
It’s no surprise that events are held in our best weather months; everything usually aligns so that the skies are clear and bright, the temperature is mild, and there is a crispness to the views that is unique to this time of year.
In September, there’s a hot weekend with an event on to suit almost everyone: September 8-10 we have the Don River Dash, in Bowen, the adrenalin-pumping buggy and bike races held in the, hopefully dry, Don River.
Organised by another dedicated committee, this race attracts beginners through to professionals for the gruelling two days of racing.
Also on that weekend is the luxurious White on Whitehaven Long Lunch by Fish D’Vine.
If bikes and buggies aren’t your cup of tea, maybe champagne and oysters on Whitehaven Beach is a better fit; kick back and relax on one of the world’s most famous beaches, while the talented team at Fish D’Vine bring you endless seafood delicacies.
Now, if neither of those events speak to you, the weekend’s last event is the Whitsunday Trail Fest, a trail race run along the Whitsunday Great Walk (Sunday, September 10, 2023).
There’s a 58km or 28km trail race, a 10.5km Honeyeater Challenge and a kid’s beach race to keep everyone running.
Also happening in September is our Tourism Whitsundays AGM and Tourism and Events ‘Conversations with Industry’.
We are working through the final arrangements currently. Keep an eye out for the invitation in your inbox in the coming week.
Back to events, if you want to keep up to date with what’s happening for the rest of 2023 – there are still lots of exciting events to come in October, November and December – head to our website www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/whats-on.
Also available on our website is the current Cruise Ship Schedule for ships stopping into the Whitsundays for the rest of the year.
There are 26 ships currently scheduled to visit the Whitsundays – keep an eye on our Facebook page for a reminder the day before or check the full schedule at www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/cruise-ship-ambassadors.
