TNQ Writer
Follow the sun north this winter and satiate your love of running, riding, festivals and art in the home of Tropical North Queensland events!
Get Ready to Rodeo
Celebrate a hat trick of outback life and spend a few days camping at the Mount Garnet 3 – 5 May, Chillagoe 17 – 18 May and Mareeba 13 – 14 July Rodeo Carnivals. For those looking for country but comfy, stay in Cairns and let the cowboys come to you as they take on the challenge of riding bulls Rambo and Aussie Bob at the Professional Bull Riders competition.
Immerse yourself in the excitement of the North Queensland Games, 3 – 6 May, a grand celebration of competition, sportsmanship and community with 2,000 competitors across 50 sports. Feel the adrenaline rush as Crankworx returns to Cairns 22 – 26 May for its third instalment of wild Whip-Off, eye-watering Speed & Style and jaw-dropping Downhill, accompanied by four days of Party in Paradise events featuring local acts, DJs, and Aussie musical larrikins Beddy Rays and legends Spiderbait.
Race 'n' Ride
Events on two wheels dominate the season with the UCI Mountain Bike Masters World Championships riding into town 15 – 19 May, followed by the Cairns to Kurumba Charity Bike Ride 21 – 28 June and the Reef to Reef Mountain Bike Festival 25 – 28 July. Not to be forgotten, The Great Wheelbarrow Race celebrates its 18th anniversary on single tyre power, raising money for the local community while traversing the breathtaking landscape of the Outback savannah.
Get into the iron spirit
Peddle power moves to foot power in June for the annual Ironman Cairns & Cairns Adventure Festival 14 – 17 June, backed up by the 3,000 competitor-strong 7 Cairns Marathon 14 – 15 June.
Party In Paradise
Not to be outdone, the iconic Port Douglas Carnivale 26 – 28 May celebrates 30 years of partying in paradise with a stellar suite of events designed to keep you entertained for three days. Australia’s leading female country singer, Amber Lawrence, will headline the Paradise Picnic before nostalgia takes over at the Absolutely 80’s Smash Hits Show. The more refined music lover will appreciate the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the stars, while those who prefer to dance up a storm can hit Tropical Neon Nights and the Sheraton Sunset Sessions. Festival favourites, including the Macrossan Street Parade, Family Beach Day and Pooch Party, will all return for the biggest celebration to date!
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Sports22 - 26 May 2024
Crankworx Cairns
The ultimate experience in mountain biking brings it’s world tour to Cairns
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Food & Wine24 - 26 May 2024
Port Douglas Carnivale
An annual celebration of the tropics where you can ” Watch. Dance. Play” in a mecca for lovers of all things food, fun and sun.
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Music25 May 2024
Red Hot Summer Tour
A festival favourite tour.
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Arts & Culture1 - 30 Jun 2024
Markets – June
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Arts & Culture1 - 30 Jun 2024
Local Events, Arts and Culture – June
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