Latest news with #TourismandEventsQueensland
ABC News
03-05-2025
- ABC News
Queensland government exploring how to preserve historic shipwreck sites
The wreck of the SS Yongala is a diver's Disneyland. After sitting on the ocean floor for more than 100 years, the 110-metre wreck off the coast of Townsville in north Queensland has developed its own ecosystem, and is home to a diverse range of fish species, sharks, rays and turtles. But there's another, darker side to the story of the SS Yongala. And it fascinates archaeologist Celeste Jordan. "Really, it is Disney diving, it's touted as Australia's Titanic," she said. A diver watches a turtle swim around the wreck of the SS Yongala off the coast of Townsville. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland/Nigel Marsh ) Wrecks deteriorating About 122 people were killed when the luxurious passenger liner sank in 1911 during a cyclone. There were no survivors. The SS Yongala before it was wrecked. ( Supplied: Maritime Museum of Townsville ) Despite a seven-day search, no official trace of the vessel was found until 1958 by divers, though there were reports of it being spotted by the Navy in the 1940s. Ms Jordan works at the state Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as a principal heritage officer. Celeste Jordan, diving in waters off the coast of north Queensland, is passionate about shipwrecks. ( Supplied: Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation ) She is part of a program searching for the final resting place of wrecks like the SS Yongala, mapping them and investigating how to preserve them. "Understanding ship construction, the cargoes they were carrying, the people on board, what their personal possessions were on board, [it] gives us an understanding of what we were doing [then]," she said. Ms Jordan said while sites naturally deteriorated, weather events being driven by climate change were speeding up the process. For example, she said flooding could affect wrecks through run-off pouring into the ocean, while cyclones increased wave action hitting the boats. Thousands of divers come to experience the abundance of wildlife around the SS Yongala each year. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) In January 2024, waves from Cyclone Kirrily ripped parts of the bow port side of the Yongala shipwreck because the boat was not protected by reefs. Preserving history Ms Jordan said she was investigating potentially scuttling (intentionally sinking) another boat or structural barrier to reduce the impact of rough water on the ship. Another issue for preservation is the threat of coral-eating bacteria. "[It] eats the black coral, and then the black coral dies and then of course … the super structure could fail because the corals don't hold it together as well," Ms Jordan said. She said if no preservation action was taken on the Yongala, it would continue to slowly deteriorate and eventually the wreck's structure would collapse. Ms Jordan said it would be an expensive and challenging exercise to preserve it, and for many shipwrecks, doing nothing could be the best option. Further south in central Queensland, the HMAS Protector forms a breakwater on Heron Island. The rusting remains of the HMAS Protector lie off Heron Island, forming a breakwater. ( ABC News: Jasmine Hines ) It's also a tourism drawcard for the island, with tourists snorkelling around the wreck. It was one of Australia's first Navy ships and the only vessel to serve in three wars, but the rusted relic has decayed significantly in recent years. The HMAS Protector with one of Australia's E class submarines during World War I, by marine artist John Ford. ( Supplied: Royal Australian Navy ) The state government is now urging tourists to avoid swimming around the wreck because of its sharp edges and falling parts. Ms Jordan said the best bet for preserving HMAS Protector would be to fully submerge it, which was not possible because of its location. "Really for the [HMAS] Protector, it's about planning for how it might continue to deteriorate so it doesn't interfere with how people use Heron Island," she said. All wrecked ships and aircraft that are at least 75 years old are protected by underwater cultural heritage legislation. The Queensland government says visitors should avoid swimming near the HMAS Protector wreck. ( ABC News: Jasmine Hines ) Burying wrecks in sand, road crash barriers While Queensland has yet to employ any of these tactics to save underwater wrecks, it has been done elsewhere in Australia. Ms Jordan said more than a decade ago there was some experimental work done preserving historic wrecks in Victoria and Western Australia. In Western Australia, a series of road crash barriers were put around the James Matthews shipwreck. Road crash barriers were used to surround the James Matthews wreck. ( Supplied: WA Museum ) It was then covered in sand to create an anaerobic environment, meaning oxygen could not impact the wreck. "Because it's such a unique example of a type of ship, it was decided that the need to preserve it was of greater importance for our understanding of that type of history than people viewing it," Ms Jordan said. "As researchers and archaeologists, you do have to sometimes weigh that up." The James Matthews under sand following its reburial in 2013. ( Supplied: WA Museum ) Ms Jordan said the James Matthews was historically significant as it was one of only a small number of There are about 1,400 shipwrecks and 150 aircraft in Queensland waters, but only 200 have been found and positively identified. ABC Capricornia — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Friday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Queensland government slammed for featuring e-bike on beach in new tourism ad
The Queensland government has been criticised for promoting the use of e-bikes on the state's beaches in its latest tourism campaign. The one-minute clip, designed to attract tourists to the state, shows a man riding an e-bike on the sand at a Surfers Paradise beach on the Gold Coast. It has prompted the local council to consider introducing laws around the use of electric vehicles along its 50-kilometre coastline. Bicycle Queensland has also expressed safety concerns for other beachgoers. The state's cycling body says it does not condone the use of bikes on beaches. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Alton Twine, Bicycle Queensland CEO and former City of Gold Coast transport director, said "e-bikes in particular don't belong on the sand". "The beach is there to be enjoyed by people recreating, lying on the sand, going for a swim, going for a surf, not to be riding a bike or any other vehicle up and down the beach itself," he said. The government's new tourism brand "That Holiday Feeling" was launched on Sunday. Mr Twine says bikes should not be used on beaches. ( Supplied: Bicycle Queensland ) Mr Twine said Bicycle Queensland would support the campaign if the scene was pulled from its ads. "One of the unintended consequences might be that people might look at that and then think that it's okay to ride their bike on the beach," he said. "We would support if they wanted to re-edit it and put it up on a bikeway — you can still show that people are happy and enjoying the tremendous environment that we have in places like Surfers Paradise." Tourism minister backs campaign However, Tourism Minister Andrew Powell has defended the campaign. "People complaining about a production clearly need a holiday," he said in a statement to the ABC on Tuesday. Tourism Minister Andrew Powell has hit back at critics and stands by the campaign. ( ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe ) Queensland Tourism's last campaign, which centred around the popular animated series Bluey about a family of blue heelers, cost about $9.2 million. Mr Powell said the cost of this year's campaign was yet to be determined. "The exciting thing about this brand is that it's not just one campaign, this is multiple campaigns, this could go four or five years … until we know how long it plays out, I haven't got a number for you," he said. No laws breached In Queensland, electric bikes can be used on roads and footpaths and there are no state laws prohibiting people from riding them on beaches. With local councils responsible for governing beaches within their jurisdiction, acting Gold Coast Mayor Mark Hammel said the council would now review its local laws around the use of e-bikes in that environment. "It's great to see the Gold Coast featured in the ad — I understand cycling on the beach isn't in breach of any by-laws," Cr Hammel said. " As part of the local law review, we will look at e-bikes on the beach. " A City of Gold Coast council spokesperson urged beachgoers to behave safely and respect others at all times. "Safety is our number-one priority. Electric bikes are required to be ridden in accordance with the Queensland government rules," the spokesperson said. "Illegal behaviour may be reported to police."
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rising Qld star headlines new tourism campaign with Madonna classic
A year after enlisting Bluey and Robert Irwin to put Queensland on international radars, local musician Kita Alexander has been recruited to attract interstate holidaymakers with a reimagined take on a Madonna classic. 'That Holiday Feeling', a new video campaign from Tourism and Events Queensland, features Alexander performing Madonna's iconic '80s pop anthem Holiday against a montage of the state's best assets and natural attractions. The celebrated destinations on display include the Great Barrier Reef and Mossman Gorge in North Queensland, K'gari's Lake McKenzie, the Sunshine Coast's Glasshouse Mountains, and Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves. Alexander, a singer-songwriter from Brisbane who lives in the Northern Rivers with her professional surfing husband, Owen Wright, and young family, launched the collaboration only a few weeks after finishing her support slot with internationally acclaimed pop artist Dua Lipa on her Australian tour. Loading 'I am such a proud Brisbane-born, Gold Coast-raised girl, who never in her wildest imagination thought she'd be the face of her home state's major tourism brand,' Alexander said. 'I want people to hear this song and feel a rush of excitement – like they need to book a Queensland getaway immediately.' Alexander listed the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island and Noosa as favourite 'happy places' in her home state. 'I love being by the water ... our beaches and ocean are honestly some of the best in the world,' she said.
The Age
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Rising Qld star headlines new tourism campaign with Madonna classic
A year after enlisting Bluey and Robert Irwin to put Queensland on international radars, local musician Kita Alexander has been recruited to attract interstate holidaymakers with a reimagined take on a Madonna classic. 'That Holiday Feeling', a new video campaign from Tourism and Events Queensland, features Alexander performing Madonna's iconic '80s pop anthem Holiday against a montage of the state's best assets and natural attractions. The celebrated destinations on display include the Great Barrier Reef and Mossman Gorge in North Queensland, K'gari's Lake McKenzie, the Sunshine Coast's Glasshouse Mountains, and Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves. Alexander, a singer-songwriter from Brisbane who lives in the Northern Rivers with her professional surfing husband, Owen Wright, and young family, launched the collaboration only a few weeks after finishing her support slot with internationally acclaimed pop artist Dua Lipa on her Australian tour. Loading 'I am such a proud Brisbane-born, Gold Coast-raised girl, who never in her wildest imagination thought she'd be the face of her home state's major tourism brand,' Alexander said. 'I want people to hear this song and feel a rush of excitement – like they need to book a Queensland getaway immediately.' Alexander listed the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island and Noosa as favourite 'happy places' in her home state. 'I love being by the water ... our beaches and ocean are honestly some of the best in the world,' she said.
ABC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Queensland banks on nostalgia with new Holiday tourism campaign that revives an 80s hit
Queensland tourism officials are harking back to the 1980s with a campaign based on a cover of Madonna's hit Holiday to remind potential visitors what it's like to visit Queensland. That Holiday Feeling features a video showing singer-songwriter Kita Alexander apparently escaping heavy traffic in a rainy city to blue skies in scenic areas of the state. A clip posted to social media shows destinations from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast to Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland, with the state's west represented by Charlotte Plains in Cunnamulla. A twisted metal sculpture of a Sauropod and her babies on the Natural Sciences Loop in the Quilpie Shire. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Queensland is trying to revive a lull in tourist numbers in 2024, when the cost-of-living crisis ate into holiday funds and better dollar exchange rates saw more people travel to Asia. "It's more than a tagline, it's a great opportunity for Queensland," Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said as he launched the That Holiday Feeling campaign on Sunday. Queensland Tourism's last campaign centred on Bluey, the hugely popular animated series about a family of blue heelers from Brisbane. This year's campaign seems more grown-up. Instead of bouncing a red balloon from scene to scene, holidaymakers are seen paddleboarding, hiking, swimming and snorkelling. Queensland is trying to attract more tourists to coastal destinations like Lady Elliot Island off Queensland. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Mr Powell couldn't put a figure on the cost of this year's campaign. But he said, if successful, it could roll out right up to 2032. "The exciting thing about this brand is that it's not just one campaign. This is multiple campaigns this could go four or five years," he said. " It could go all the way up to the Olympics. " Campaign built on nostalgia Nostalgia is driving the That Holiday Feeling campaign, with hopes holidaymakers will remember past trips to Queensland and decide to come again. The original Holiday single was released by Madonna in 1983 and reached the Top 10 in several countries. "We're unashamedly targeting other jurisdictions, so New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia," Mr Powell said. "Most of those would have had a family or themselves holiday in Queensland and they would remember that feeling that they had, holidaying here. We want to remind them of that." The broad campaign is also targeting Queenslanders, as well as international travellers. Several locations including Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland feature in the new tourism campaign. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the state was unmatched by any other destination at home, or abroad. "The platform That Holiday Feeling is really hard for anyone else, any other state, any other country in the world to argue with us on," Mr Davidson said. " We are the place to come to for a holiday in Australia, and we are the place to come to for a holiday globally. " Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the state's trying to attract domestic and foreign tourists. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Signs of an uptick over Easter Encouraging signs of a recovery in tourist numbers emerged on the Gold Coast over Easter, where occupancy rates hit 90 per cent, up 10 per cent on last year, Mr Powell said. Officials had feared that tourists would avoid the coast in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, which caused severe erosion on several beaches. "We worked with all of our airlines, we offered deals on and as a result we turned around what were some concerning stories and (we've) seen one of the most wonderful Easter school holiday periods yet," Mr Powell said. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he was looking forward to seeing further momentum in numbers. "The Gold Coast has always been the jewel in the crown of Queensland tourism, so we look forward to the new campaign building on the momentum we have been building, with record visitor spend over the last year," Mr Tate said. Kita Alexander sings a version of Madonna's hit "Holiday" in Queensland's latest tourism campaign. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Originally from Queensland, the campaign's "face" now lives in Byron Bay but returns to Hamilton Island for holidays. "I just love the beaches and the heat," said Ms Alexander, whose debut album was released last year. She said the highlight of making the campaign was lying on her back in the ocean for an hour near Heart Reef in the Whitsundays while a drone filmed overhead. "I was on my back telling the ocean I was its friend, because I was out there by myself," she said. " But I was fine and had the best time ever, and it was so magical. "
