Whitsunday audiences were greeted with a wonderful surprise when they tuned into their televisions this week to see a local tourism operator in the spotlight alongside Hollywood star Zac Efron.
Journey Beyond’s Cruise Whitsundays announced their participation in the newly released season of Netflix series ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’, which became available on the streaming platform late last week.
For its second season, Efron headed Down Under alongside wellness expert Darin Olien to travel Australia, learn about sustainable living practices, and experience Australia’s culture and beauty.
When natural splendour is being sought in the Antipodes, it’s unsurprising that Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld would feature heavily in the Great Barrier Reef episode of the series.
Focusing on the environmental factors facing coral reefs within the world’s largest reef system and the restoration techniques being used to try and restore and sustain the natural wonder, the episode ended with Efron and Olien spending a night at the Cruise Whitsundays Reefworld.
The Reefworld facility is Cruise Whitsundays award-winning, permanently moored pontoon found 39 nautical miles from the coast of Airlie Beach at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. It is most famed for its ‘Reefsleep’ for overnight guests, as well as receiving a recent gold win as Major Tour Attraction and Gold for Unique Accommodation at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards.
Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton-Brown said the episode gave a “perfect balance of reporting tough environmental facts, while also providing great insight as to what is being done to mitigate those challenges and gives hope for future generations.”
“Cruise Whitsundays is incredibly proud to be involved with this production,” Ms Branton-Brown said.
“This episode highlights how lucky we are to live and work on the Great Barrier Reef, and why it’s so important we do what we can to protect it.”
Ms Branton-Brown said that Zac, who has been diving globally for over 15 years, was in awe of the beautiful patch of nature at Hardy Reef, which elicited genuine excitement and enthusiasm.
Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton thinks this is a fantastic coupe for the region at such an important time for international markets
“What an incredible opportunity for Cruise Whitsundays to be featured on a global platform like this. Now more than ever it’s crucial for The Whitsundays to be front of mind for international holiday makers,” Mr Hamilton said.
And, as if the recent accolades and the global exposure weren’t enough to convince travellers to book a night at Reefworld, Efron gave a stunning endorsement of the site for good measure.
“I will relive this moment in my head forever and ever. It’s truly one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Efron said.
“I’ve never seen coral that alive and thriving and so many different colours.”
Zac Efron spent a night at Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld as part of his series ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’
Reefworld has been raking in the successes in recent weeks, both with international recognition on the Netflix series and as a double Gold winner at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards
