Apart from a calendar just bursting with festivals and shows, there is an absolute plethora of special events to get amongst in Tropical North Queensland.
An event unique to the Great Barrier Reef is the Coral Spawning which depending on the location of the reef, happens in November or December. Diving is the best way to witness this spectacular feat of nature, though depending on the weather, snorkelling can also provide a reasonable view. Some dive boats organise overnight coral spawning trips.
Another major event on the water is the Hog's Breath Clipper Cup Sailing Regatta which runs between May 23 and 29 in the waters off Port Douglas. A series of seven races of various classes, the week culminates with a special presentation to the winners at the Marina Mirage followed by a glittering party.
The biggest event on the big game fishing calendar is the Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic held between October 1 and 7. This is a prestigious club tournament but is open to anyone who is interested and can afford to compete! A more modest, yet very popular fishing competition is the Tinaroo Barrra Classic on Tinaroo dam on the Tablelands. Held in mid-November, as the name suggests, it is a tournament to land the legendary barramundi, renowned as a fierce, fighting fish.
One of the biggest events on dry land is the Cairns Amateurs, dubbed the "Spring Racing Carnival of the North". Held over the first weekend of September at the Cairns Turf Club, the Amateurs is a quality thoroughbred race meeting but is better known as a premier social and fashion event. The Cooktown Amateur Turf Club holds two day race meetings twice a year (usually June and August) that attract people from all over Cape York.
The Oktoberfest, held on October 20 and 21 at Barlow Park in Cairns, is an event that attracts thousands of people each year. A huge range of international beers, wines, champagnes and a variety of food are housed in a series of marquees.
Port Douglas plays host to a couple of events that have become institutions. The Blues Festival held on the American Independence Day weekend (July 2) at the Courthouse Hotel features big name blues artists and fireworks during the evening. The International Marbles Competition held on August 27, also at the Courthouse Hotel, is loads of fun and open to anyone who can get a team together - actually knowing how to play marbles is not a big prerequisite!
The Laura Festival, which is held every two years in June (next one 2001), is the biggest indigenous festival in Queensland. Held in the small, Cape York Peninsula township of Laura (approx 250 kms north west of Cairns), the Festival attracts more than 1,000 Aboriginal performers from 25 Cape York and Gulf of Carpentaria aboriginal tribes. It is a celebration of indigenous song, dance, arts and crafts.
The Mareeba Rodeo, held every July in Keribee Park, is one of the biggest rodeos in Australia. Events include steer-roping,'bucking bronco,' bull-riding, barrel-racing, boot-scooting contests and a bush dance.
The Karnak Playhouse, a semi-open air amphitheatre in the Daintree Rainforest, north of Port Douglas, stages weekly laser and visual arts shows but also promotes special celebrity guest performers several times a years. The Mena Creek Cultural Festival (near Innisfail) held on August 15 and 16 celebrates the amazing cultural diversity of the Johnstone Shire with music, dance and food.
