Visitors to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens are being urged to take extra caution following a report of a possible crocodile sighting in the lagoons over the weekend. While there has been no visual confirmation yet, the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has installed signage and will conduct investigations this week. As a precaution, authorities recommend that visitors and their pets remain at least five metres from the water’s edge. The public is also
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The Zonta Club of Bowen hosted a successful fundraiser on Thursday the 20th of March at Bowen's quaint and iconic Summergarden Theatre. One of the longest continually operating theatres in Queensland, our local cinema has been the cornerstone of the community’s entertainment scene since its opening in 1948 and is now owned and operated by the town's very own Ben DeLuca since 1962. The fundraiser featured a special screening of the heartwarming Australian film “What About Sal?” , written and dir
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Come down for a spectacular weekend of festivities at the Bowen Showgrounds and join in on The Bowen Easter Family Carnival 2025. With free entry and plenty of activities, food and festive cheer to go around, this event is an unmissable experience for the whole family! Dive straight in and get your adrenaline pumping with thrilling rides like the Super Sizzler or relax with a peaceful spin and enjoyable view on the ferris wheel. There are many gentle ride options for younger guests too such as
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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has announced that if he is re-elected in May this year, $250,000 will be committed towards upgrades to the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, ensuring it can continue delivering vital services in a safe, modern, and accessible space. “The Bowen Neighbourhood Centre provides essential support to people facing difficult circumstances, offering essential services that enhance dignity, wellbeing, and quality of life for people across the region,” Mr Willcox said
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Friday night was a shining moment for BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, as the team proudly claimed Gold in the Caravan & Holiday Parks category at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide. This remarkable win marks the third consecutive year that BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has taken home Gold in this category, officially securing its place in the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. With 185 entries over 26 categories, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort was
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The Whitsundays’ original and most awarded tour operator, Ocean Rafting, is stoked to take the podium and be recognised amongst Australia’s best tourism operators. Since 1984, the Australian tourism Awards have long been the nation’s premier recognition of excellence in the tourism industry. Ocean Rafting joined the nation’s best in the beautiful Adelaide and is beyond thrilled to be taking home a Bronze in the “Major Tour & Transport Operator”category in the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awar
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Last week, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched its Advisory Group, bringing together regional business leaders to drive strategic discussions and strengthen the united voice of the Whitsunday business community. “The Advisory Group will serve as a strategic think tank, reinforcing the Chamber’s position as the ‘go-to’ source of regional business expertise for all levels of government,” said Chamber President Allan Milostic. In its inaugural meeting, the Advisory Group rei
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Last week, I was on the road championing our incredible region on a national stage. It was an honour to Chair my first Queensland Regional Tourism Network (QRTN) meeting on Monday, where we discussed how we can work together to strengthen tourism across the state. I’m looking forward to the year ahead and what we can achieve as a collective. Next stop: the RTO Forum, which brought together tourism marketing organisations from across the country. We had insightful presentations from Tourism Aus
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As Mayor of the Whitsundays, I hear firsthand from residents about the challenges they face every day. One of the most pressing concerns I continue to hear, time and time again, is the shortage of doctors in our region. Right now, too many people in our community are struggling to get a timely appointment with a GP. Families, seniors, and workers are waiting weeks, sometimes even months, for basic medical care. This is simply not good enough. Our residents deserve access to quality healthcare,
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If you're looking for a peaceful escape, Whitsunday Gold Coffee is the perfect place. The plantation is famous for its locally grown coffee, and there’s nothing like sipping a cup made from beans grown right there on the property. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just looking to relax, it’s a wonderful experience. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the owner, Nikki, who is currently in the process of upgrading their aviary with new mesh and creating a serene nursery with a seated area. The
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Hi Everyone, Thank you to everyone sharing stories for the paper. This week, we’re featuring some exciting whale research. Whales hold a special place in my heart. Last year’s whale season gave me so many incredible moments, but one that stands out is hearing whale songs while scuba diving. Happy reading! Ruth “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth
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Everyone in the community is invited to come on down to Coral Sea Marina at 7.30am this Sunday for the inaugural Whitsunday Epic Walk for DV. Bring your walking shoes, dress in your active wear, grab your kids and your dogs, and get your mind and your body moving for a good cause. Organisers are encouraging participants to walk and talk as a group, creating a steady flow of conversation to start connecting about the important topic of domestic and family violence in our communities. Continued
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The Whitsundays shone brightly at the Australian Tourism Awards which were held in Adelaide last weekend, with three local businesses receiving national accolades. Raising the profile of the Whitsundays on a national stage, these local businesses are leading the way for local tourism and shining a spotlight on our region. The illustrious awards ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre in South Australia celebrated four decades of tourism excellence while showcasing the industry's finest. Ti
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Sustainable Aviation Fuel has officially landed at Whitsunday Coast Airport. Mayor Ry Collins says it is “the perfect fit” for a region shaped by the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and driven by a passion for protecting it. Made from renewable resources like waste oils and crop residues, SAF cuts carbon emissions without compromising performance — marking a major step towards cleaner, greener air travel in the Whitsundays. Mayor Collins praised Virgin Australia and Viva Energy for their lead
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Will Donald Trump’s presidency lead to a stock market crash and how will that affect your retirement plans? We’ve all watched on as Donald Trump has taken a wrecking ball to the established world order over the last few months. This has led to what is officially called ‘a correction’, where share markets have fallen by over 10%. Will this turn into a ‘crash’ where markets fall over 20% from their highs? The real answer is no one knows. Trump’s policies are so aggressive that no one has any prec
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Pinnacles Airlie beach is, as their name suggests, taking tourism to new pinnacles both in the Whitsundays and right across Australia. Last weekend they took their place on the podium among Australia's top tourism operators, proudly taking home the Silver medal in the “Self Contained Accommodation Category in the prestigious 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide. Since inception, these awards have stood as the pinnacle of excellence across Australia's vibrant and thriving tourism se
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March 30 1925 was a significant date in the history of the Proserpine Ambulance. On this day, a meeting was held at which Superintendent of the Mackay Ambulance, Mr Culverhouse, announced that the Mackay Centre had decided to make Proserpine an Honorary Centre. This marked a turning point for the town and its district after years of efforts to establish a much-needed service. Fourteen years earlier, an ambulance centre was established in Proserpine by Mr W Morse, Superintendent of the Mackay Am
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Hi Everyone, It’s not every day that we have multiple stories vying for the front page of this newspaper, but this week is definitely one of those occasions! Even in our low-key little region, we still manage to make state, national, and even global headlines from time to time. This week, we made international news with the incredible announcement that some of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics will be hosted right here in the Whitsundays! This means world-class sailors will compete in our turquoise
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Friday 28 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Jessica Cash (4pm–8pm) Saturday 29 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Nearly Neil - A Neil Diamond Tribute (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Drew Blundell (4pm-8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music & Chill DJ Session (1pm–6pm) Sunday 30 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Nearly Neil - A Neil Diamond Tribute(2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul
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28 Pram Pushers, Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-10:30am 28 Seniors Computer Program, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-2:30pm, Bookings Required 28 Seniors Bingo, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9:30am-12pm, $7.50pp & Seniors Card 28 Drop-in Baby Clinic & Baby Play, Cooinda Family Centre, 10am-12pm 28 Adult Roller Skate Class, PCYC Whitsunday, 6pm-7pm 28 Alcoholics Anonymous, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 6pm-7:30pm 29 North QLD Cross Country Championships, Gailbraith Park in Canno
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Big things are developing in Bowen, and the Whitsunday Regional Council wants your say on the future of the foreshore. Mayor Ry Collins said the Masterplan presents exceptional possibilities for the area - “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Bowen’s foreshore into a vibrant, well-connected destination,” Mayor Collins said. “By defining priorities for staged delivery, we aim to improve public spaces while attracting investment that benefits both locals and visitors.” Manage
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The Proserpine Entertainment Centre is planning ahead for next year and they want to hear from you! PEC, with the Whitsunday Regional Council, have released an entertainment questionnaire to find out what the community wants to see most coming to the Whitsundays in 2026. The survey has options to choose what type of acts and activities you would like to see being brought to the PEC From music concerts to comedy nights, there’s options across the broad spectrum of talented live acts the PEC coul
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A group of local children has shown an incredible sense of generosity and community spirit at a young age. With their hearts in the right place, they raised nearly $100 from selling old toys to donate to the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network. It’s a beautiful reminder of how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. Rather than spending the money on lollies for themselves, these kids chose to donate the $97.05 toward a cause that impacts their community in a power
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The Whitsunday Regional Council want to inform the community about a recent scam involving a fraudulent QR code on a parking meter in Airlie Beach. The code directs users to enter their credit card details, which is part of a scam. If you've scanned a QR code on a parking meter recently, we strongly encourage you to check your bank statements for any unauthorised transactions. **Please be aware that Airlie Beach uses ticketless parking machines and only accept coin payments or direct card payme
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The fishing around Airlie Beach certainly hasn’t been all that enjoyable with all the rain lately. But wet season is coming to an end, and we know many of you are itching to make the most of every good weather window coming up. Dam The dam has been fishing pretty well over the past week and we expect it to keep doing so. With the recent rains, focus on anywhere there’s still water flowing into the dam, as well as windswept points. For lures, 4-6” paddle tail soft plastics are your best bet. We
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