Regional Events Calendar 2016

JANUARY 2016

Date Event Details23 - 24 January 2016 BMX National Series

www.bmxaustralia.com.auNational series returns to Cairns for the National series

FEBRUARY 2016

Date Event Details16 - 23 February Chinese New Year

www.cadicai.orgGrafton Street lights up with the annual Chinese New YearFestival street parade which includes a lion dance, market stallsand food.

MARCH 2016

Date Event Details5 March Port Douglas Sevens

www.portdouglasrugby.com.auDay of Sevens in the Tropics, whilst the tournament has comefrom humble beginnings it has grown substantially each yearand will become the significant Rugby event in the North ofQueensland.

12 - 20 March Feast of the Senseswww.feastofthesenses.com.au

The Feast of the Senses in North Queensland’s premier tropicalfruit event! Over the 9 day program, visitors will able to see,touch, taste, and smell the amazing ultra tropical fruit and foodthat comes from this vibrant region.

19 March Professional Bull Riderswww.pbraustralia.com.au

The convention center is stage for the Professional Bull Riders.

APRIL 2016Date Event Details15 - 17 April Dirt n Dust Festival - Julia Creek

http://www.dirtndust.comThe Julia Creek Dirt & Dust Festival offers three jam-packeddays of fun and entertainment. See the gutsy outback triathlonteams in action, back a winner at the Artesian Express OutbackHorse Races, enjoy the nightly outdoor concerts or check outthe Dirt & Dust Bull ride, sanctioned by PBR.

22 - 24 April Undara Outback Rock & Blues Festivalhttp://undara.com.au/orab/

This April, for the 9th year in a row, Undara Experience is set toerupt with the Undara Outback Blues weekend. With five artistsand performers over three days, this is a weekend to suit fansof all music genres.

23 - 24 April 2016 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup http://www.mtba.asn.au/mtbworldscairns/

Round 2 if the U CI MTB World Cup will take place at the famousSmithfield Trails.

23 - 24 April Open Mens State Championship Hockeyhttp://www.cairnshockey.com.au/events/hockey-queensland-state-open-mens-championship-cairns

North Cairns Hockey field hosts the State Championships.

27 April- 2 May Mickey Ink Port Douglas Race Weekwww.portdouglasyachtclub.com.au/exemplar-clipper-cup/

Race the winds in paradise in this action sailing event held overfour days.

29 April - 2 May Mt Garnet Races & Rodeohttps://www.facebook.com/mtgarnetrodeo/

Mt Garnet Races & Rodeo is a family fun day for people of allages and will include market stalls , historic displays and carshows, as well as group games and activities.

MAY 2016Date Event Details27 April- 2 May Mickey Ink Port Douglas Race Week

www.portdouglasyachtclub.com.au/exemplar-clipper-cup/

Race the winds in paradise in this action sailing event held overfour days.

29 April - 2 May Mt Garnet Races & Rodeohttps://www.facebook.com/mtgarnetrodeo/

Mt Garnet Races & Rodeo is a family fun day for people of allages and will include market stalls , historic displays and carshows, as well as group games and activities.

7 May UFO Festivalhttp://www.cardwellufofestival.com.au

UFO Festival held Annually in Cardwell full of intergalactic funand excitement for the whole family.

13 - 15 May Great Wheelbarrow Racewww.greatwheelbarrowrace.com.au

A Competitors gruel it out over 140km raising money for a goodcause as individuals or in teams..

15 - 16 May Herberton Pioneers weekendhttp://www.historicvillageherberton.com.au/pioneer-weekend

Showcasing over two days the unique aspects of this vintagevillage.

20 - 22 May Port Douglas Carnivalwww.carnival.com.au

Celebrates everything wonderful about tropical North QLDfeaturing music, art, wine and food and more.

29 May ECOfiestawww.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-environment/sustainability/ecofiesta

The Cairns ECOfiesta is a free community festival thatweaves environment, community and economy into a day offun, friendship and eco-inspiration.

JUNE 2016

Date Event Details5 - 10 June National Windsurfing Championships

www.greenislandnats.orgAustralian Windsurfing Association presents: Australian SlalomChampionships 2016; Australian Freestyle Championships2016 and Australian Freer Race Championships 2016 on GreenIsland competitions full of fun and camaraderie.

5 - 13 June Cairns Airport Adventure Festivalwww.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/multisports/cairns.aspx

The festival features: IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns, Coral CoastTriathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Great Barrier ReefOcean Challenge, Quicksilver Reef Swim – Green Island, TheCairns Post Run for Cairns and McDonalds IRONKIDS Cairns.

TBA Kuranda Roots Festivalwww.kurandaroots.com

Three days of music, arts and culture in the rainforest.

10 - 12 June Weipa Fishing Classicwww.tourismcapeyork.com/event/weipa-fishing-classic

Three-day event in Weipa attracting tourists and locals as they-try their luck for the ‘big one’.

JUNE 2016 Cont.

Date Event Details10- 13 June Cooktown Discovery Festival

www.cooktowndiscoveryfestival.comA celebration of arts, culture, family and the coming together ofAustralia’s indigenous people and the European explorers ledby Captain James Cook.

20-26 June AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Final Direct qualifier for 2016 Rio Olympic Games

24 - 26 June RACQ North Queensland Gameswww.nqsfadmin.wix.com/nqgames

Multi-sport festival with more than 45 sports being delivered tocompetitors across the Cairns region with social and festivalactivities for participants.

25 June - 01 July Cairns to Karumba Bike Ridewww.ridefnq.com

Road riders tackle the 780km that divide Cape York fromCairns to Karumba while mountain bike riders take on theoutback tracks, rivers and creeks and explore the diverselandscape.

JULY 2016Date Event Details25 June - 01 July Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride

www.ridefnq.comRoad riders tackle the 780km that divide Cape York fromCairns to Karumba while mountain bike riders take on theoutback tracks, rivers and creeks and explore the diverselandscape.

27 June - 05 July ECOfiestawww.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-environment/sustainability/ecofiesta

The Cairns ECOfiesta is a free community festival thatweaves environment, community and economy into a day offun, friendship and eco-inspiration.

1 - 2 July Oak Park Raceswww.oakparkraces.com.au

Weekend of races and entertainment, the races have been heldfor over 100 years. It is an action packed family weekend withaccommodation available.

1 - 3 July Bramwell Cup Bush Carnival and Raceswww.tourismcapeyork.com/events/

Bramwell Stat ion is welcoming visitors to Cape York for thethird fun-filled carnival. The carnival promotes Cape York andenables visitors to get to know the station as the local do, whilehaving some fun, involve the neighboring communities andstations with some old style horse races.

3 July NRL Telstra Premiershiphttp://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=QLDRABB16

Sunday 3rd July, the Rabbitohs take on the Cowboys at BarlowPark.

5 - 7 July Cairns Classic PGAwww.pga.org.au/tourns/pro-am/event?id=Q004&season=2016&tour=qld

See the touring professionals play along side the legendprofessionals local and interstate amateurs.

JULY 2016 Cont.

Date Event Details15 - 17 July Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

www.ciaf.com.auCairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is a unique three day eventthat merges an art market with a celebration of QueenslandAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture.

16 July Toyota AFL Western Bulldog vs Gold Coast Sunswww.cazalys.com.au/afl-game/

Round 17, the Western Bulldogs take on the Gold Coast Suns atCazalys stadium.

16 July UMI Arts Big Talk One Fire Indigenous Cultural Festival www.umiarts.com.au

Weekend of races and entertainment, the races have been heldfor over 100 years. It is an action packed family weekend withaccommodation available.

16 - 17 July Mareeba Rodeo and Festival www.mareebarodeo.com.au

Top level competition and entertainment gives spectatorsplenty to watch over 2 days of full-on action form 7:30am eachday.

21 -23 July Cairns Showwww.cairnsshow.com.au

Regional Show.

30 - 31 July Cairns Relay for Lifewww.fundraising.cancer.org.au/site/TR/RelayforLife/CCQLD?pg=entry&fr_id=3123

Relay for Life is a fun and moving overnight experience thatraises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention,information and support services.

AUGUST 2016

Date Event Details12 - 14 August Taste Port Douglas

http://www.tasteportdouglas.comTaste Port Douglas is Tropical North Queensland’s annualpremier food, beverage and restaurant event. The aim is tochampion the producers, the restaurateurs, chefs and industrytrailblazers to a nat ional and ultimately international stage,against the glorious backdrop of tropical paradise.

12 - 14 August Tropical Writers Festival www.cairnstropicalwritersfestival.com/index2016.html

The Cairns Tropical Writers Festival brings together stores fromthe region and Australian authors who have publishednationally and internationally. Featuring authors, regionalwriters, Public Arenas and exciting workshop programs aredesigned to ensure that there is something for everyone.

13 August Great Pyramid Race and Country Fairwww.pyramidrace.com.au

The Great Pyramid Race is a free family event run by The Great Pyramid Race and Country Fair Association Inc. as a service to the local community . The race has become an annual event where some of the finest and fittest present themselves and strive to concur this formidable mountain in unbelievable record times.

13 - 14 August Cairns Cupwww.cairnsjockeyclub.com.au

The Cairns Cup is a headline event of the Cairns social calendarand a major highlight each year for the local racing industry andone of the best things to do in Cairns.

AUGUST 2016 Cont.

Date Event Details20 August Miss Muddy

http://www.missmuddy.com.auMiss Muddy is a female only obstacle and mud festival with acourse of up to 5km from participants aged 13 years and over.Full of mud, colour, climbing, crawling, slipping, sliding a lots oflaughter, this un-times course is about women supportingwomen in a fun and non-threatening environment.

25 - 28 August Cairns Ukulele Festivalwww.cairnsukulelefestival.net

Cairns is the place to be for ukulele lovers and music loversalike the last weekend of August. The Cairns Ukulele Festival isa multi-day festival that brings people from all over the globeand from all walks of life and ages together to enjoy and makemusic.

26 August - 4 September

Cairns Festivalwww.cairns.qld.gov.au/festival/my-festival/welcome

Celebration of our community with an emphasis onshowcasing our amazing local talent.

SEPTEMBER 2016Date Event Details26 August - 4 September

Cairns Festivalwww.cairns.qld.gov.au/festival/my-festival/welcome

Celebration of our community with an emphasis onshowcasing our amazing local talent.

6 September Sail Cairnshttp://www.cairnsamateurs.org.au/sail-cairns-festival-cup-regatta/

Sail Cairns heralds in a new era of sailing, and embraces outlong history in a time honored competition for the prize of TheFestival Cairns Cup, Mayors Challenge Trophy.

8 - 11 September Cairns Amateurs www.cairnsamateurs.org.au

The Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival is four days of fun,fashion, glamour, food and entertainment built around twodays of horse racing each year.

11 September Ona Mission Multisport adventurewww.onamissionevent.com.au

The popular North Queensland event which features rainforestand beach running, mountain biking, ocean paddling andtrailing running up Dunk Island’s Mt Kootaloo.

17 - 19 September Cardiac Challengewww.cardiacchallenge.com.au

The 333km ride experience takes place in the dramaticallyvarying terrain of Tropical North Queensland in an ‘up closeand personal way’.

25 September Port Douglas Beach Picnic Raceshttp://beachpicnicraces.com.au

Horse Riding on spectacular Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas.Track side entry is free to spectators. VIP and Sand Bar ticketsavailable for purchase. Local bands and vendors add to theatmosphere of the Far North’s most unique event.

30 September - 9 October

Tropical Mardi Graswww.gaycairnsinfo.com.au/html/mardi_gras_2015.html

Every October, Cairns Tropical Pride welcomes visitors fromaround the world for 10 days of play in the gorgeousenvironment of Tropical North Queensland.

OCTOBER 2016

Date Event Details30 September - 9 October

Tropical Mardi Graswww.gaycairnsinfo.com.au/html/mardi_gras_2015.html

Every October, Cairns Tropical Pride welcomes visitors fromaround the world for 10 days of play in the gorgeousenvironment of Tropical North Queensland.

6 - 8 October Opera in the Outbackwww.undara.com.au

As the sun slowly sinks below the distant horizon of thebeautiful eastern Gulf Savannah, the stage is set for some ofAustralia’s most accomplished operatic performers to deliverthe unforgettable experience that is Opera in the Outback.Ooramin Place Amphitheatre at Undara Experience is the siteof this annual iconic event now in its 15th year.

6 - 9 October Reef Feastwww.reeffeast.com.au

Reef Feast is the definitive gourmet food event in TropicalNorth Queensland. Reef Feast 2016 will celebrate the wonderfullifestyle of Tropical North Queensland, our magnificent GreatBarrier Reef and its abundant seafood, the diversity of ourtropical and native produce and our enviable relaxed laid-backlifestyle.

14 – 16 October Gravitate www.facebook.com/gravitatemtb

Experience the best Mountainbiking in TNQ during 2 excitin gweekends of events.Weekend 1: night MTB criterium; family s kills/kids rides; dawnto dusk DH; cairns DH racing; jungle dirt bowl jam; social SC

OCTOBER 2016 Cont.

Date Event Details16 October Taste of Tablelands

www.tasteofthetablelands.comThe Atherton Tablelands presents the ultimate garden partywith farmers from across the region selling their produce andchefs competing to serve up the best dish. Enjoy a local winewith lunch while the children make the most of their specialactivities.

20 - 23 October Tableland Folk Festivalwww.tablelandfolkfestival.org

Celebrating music, friendship and cultural understanding, theTablelands Folk Festival is the longest running folk festival inQueensland. Held in Yungaburra heritage village, surroundedby rainforest and crater lakes, it features family entertainmentover four days

21 – 23 October Gravitate www.facebook.com/gravitatemtb

Experience the best Mountainbiking in TNQ during 2 excitin gweekends of events.Weekend 2: urban MTB criterium; junior/senior skills; croctrophy stage 1; croc trophy stage 2; cairns enduro racing

22 October Babinda Harvest Festival https://www.facebook.com/Babinda-Harvest-Festival-121755321281219/

Annual event celebrating the region, its people and the start ofthe sugar cane harvest.

OCTOBER 2016 Cont.

Date Event Details22 – 23 October Bike Fest – Atherton

www.athertonbikefest.comBike Fest is the biggest and oldest mountain bike stage race in the world for individual participants. Come and watch a stage finish (Sunday) and start (Monday) and mingle with international riders.

22 - 29 October Croc Trophywww.croctrophy.com.au

One of the world’s hardest and longest mountain bikingadventures covers 770km across the Atherton Tablelands tohistoric mining towns in the outback. The race showcases themountain bike trails of Ride Cairns.

23 October Kuranda Festivalwww.kuranda.org

Cairns has always been big on festivals and with touristsalways on the lookout for fresh and fun things to do in Cairns,it’s not a mystery why. One yearly festival should be a fantasticweekend for all Kuranda Festival.

28 - 29 October Port Shortswww.portshorts.com/

A breathtaking location, the platform to showcase Australia’sbest short films and two of Australia’s most accomplished filmexponents sharing their knowledge with emerging filmmakers– the Port Shorts Film Festival is a feast for the senses.

NOVEMBER 2016

Date Event Details6 November Tropical Journey Great Barrier Reef Marathon

www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.auChoose from five different races - 74km JCU Ultramarathon,42kmSteve Moneghetti marathon, Sheraton Mirage halfmarathon, 10km and 5km. Race, stay and play..

10 - 13 November Port Douglas Marlin Challengewww.portdouglasmarlinchallenge.com

The annual Port Douglas Marlin Challen ge is held during thefirst weeks of November each year. Anglers from all overAustralia and the world come to Port Douglas to undertake thechallenge of fishing for one of the ocean's greatest prizes, theMarlin.

12 - 13 November Yungaburra Triathlon www.yungaburratriathlon.org

The inaugural Yungaburra Triathlon will draw participants andspectators to the picturesque Atherton Tablelands in Far NorthQueensland to help raise funds for our wounded warriors andawareness of the Soldier On organisation.

Date Event24 December Christmas Eve

25 December Christmas Day

26 December Boxing Day

31 December New Years Eve

DECEMBER 2016