The tropical backpacker resort has scooped BEST BACKPACKERS CAIRNS for a second year running at the Tropical Tourism North Queensland Awards. In addition to this outstanding accolade, The Northern Greenhouse also took out a Finalist position for BEST BACKPACKERS QUEENSLAND in last week's Tourism Queensland Awards.

To cap off the swag of November awards, Anna Skeer the travel consultant at Northern Greenhouse has been awarded the WINNER of the Cairns Tourism Association's Hospitality Award. Anna has proved once more that she is an integral component of the Northern Greenhouse's dedicated customer service focus.

For further information on these awards, or to arrange an interview or viewing of the Northern Greenhouse, please contact Hayley McKee on + 61 3 9639 9406.

Over the past few weeks, we have had regular sightings of Male Cassowarys on our guided boardwalk tour.  Join us on tour and you to may have a chance of seeing these beautiful rare birds.

Our clients have been treated to a rare sighting of an Albino Kangaroo on a regular basis on our way to Chillagoe. 

Over the past few weeks we have new additions at the Mareeba Wetlands on our Chillagoe Caves and Outback Tour.

There are now 5 baby Emu Chicks with our resident family of Emus at the Wetlands.  The Male Emu (Dad) is doing a great job of raring these chicks and often is waiting for us on arrival for our morning tea to show off his new family. 

TOURISTS got a bit more than they bargained for on Monday when Fat Albert – the dominant male crocodile on the Daintree River - leapt out of the water and sank his teeth into the railing of their boat. David White, owner and operator of Solar Whisper, said he spotted the river's two big males, five-metre Fat Albert and four-metre long Scarface, scrapping over territory about 2.30pm on Monday. "At this time of year, this is a fairly common occurrence, making trips out on the river so exciting for our passengers," Mr White said. "When male crocs fight they are full of testosterone and can act aggressively towards any-thing nearby. "Knowing this, we idled quite some distance away, ensuring we gave the boys plenty of space to rumble. "However, Fat Albert broke off the fight and vanished under the water, re-appearing  seconds later right beside the boat. Suspecting Fat Albert's intentions, Mr White threw the boat in reverse and moved his passengers to the far side of the boat. Not intimidated by the fact that he was taking on a boat nearly twice his size, the big boy of the river launched himself out of the water with his powerful tail. As he dropped back into the water, Fat Albert snapped at the tourist boat, leaving a couple of dents in the welded aluminium hull and the top railing, more than a metre clear of the water. Mr White said no-one had been in danger during the attack but it left him and his passengers understandably rattled. ''It was pretty scary," he admitted. "It’s not the first time a croc has had a go at a boat on the Daintree, but it’s the first time he's left marks on a boat." Mr White said he didn’t blame Fat Albert for his display of dominance, and certainly didn’t want any action taken to remove the monster saurian. "He was letting us know who was in charge of the river”, Mr White said. "In -future I'll give fighting crocodiles even more space." After assaulting the boat, Fat Albert chased off another smaller crocodile, while Scarface took out his frustration on a nearby mangrove tree. And it's not just male crocs that get cranky during the mating season. Nesting females will defend their nests against any real or perceived threat to their offspring. Although crocodiles are most likely to be aggressive in rivers and estuaries, Port Douglas locals received a timely reminder that they can also be a threat along beaches and in lagoons. Warning signs were placed along southern Four Mile Beach last week after a reported sighting, while rangers from the Department of Environment and Resource Management spent Wednesday morning setting floating traps in the Reef park lagoon. A reminder from the Queensland Government earlier this month reminded people to be particularly croc-wise during the breeding season, which lasts until April. "This time of year, it can be more dangerous because the males are full of testosterone," Mr White said. "When there's just one it’s not so bad, but if you see two crocs having a go at each other stay well clear."

RICHARD KOSER – Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette 22 October 2009

koser@tpd.newsltd.com.au

We are proud of our achievements over the past 3 years, having been voted in the top 1% of Hotels in the World by Expedia.

The Expedia Insiders' Select List is as voted by guests - based on value, service and customer ratings. We have been in the top 1% for 2007, 2008 and now 2009.

Don't take our word for it, come and experience quality for yourself!

THE Skytrans Cairns Taipans are urging fans to relinquish their normal orange or blue garb for Saturday night’s home game against the Adelaide 36ers – and don pink.

The Skytrans Taipans are taking part in the Go Pink campaign as part of the Cancer Council Queenslands' Breast Cancer Awareness Month and are encouraging supporters at Saturday night’s game to also get behind the cause.

Skytrans Taipans mascot Joe Blake will be appearing in a special edition pink uniform which will later be auctioned online with proceeds going to the Cancer Council Queensland.

There will be volunteers at the game selling pink ribbons and wristbands, while others will collect donations throughout the night.

Breast cancer awareness month runs throughout October and the Cancer Council Queensland is running a number of events in Cairns including a Girls Night In on October 30 and a Pink Ribbon High Tea on October 25.

The Skytrans Cairns Taipans are also providing several prizes for the Girls Night In, a ladies only event, to be held at the Cairns Airport’s International Check-in Hall 7pm to 10pm.

Skytrans Taipans Sales Manager Matt Bolton said the Go Pink campaign was an important community event the club was proud to be supporting.

“Cancer affects so many people in the community, people from all walks of life, so we jumped at the chance to do what we could to help the campaign,” Bolton said.

“Our club’s mantra is “100% Community”, so we felt it was important for us to do what we could to help raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.

“We want to see a sea of pink at Saturday night’s game as opposed to the usual orange or blue that our fans normally wear.

Mal Fraser, Cancer Support Coordinator at the Cancer Council Queensland in Cairns says "It is wonderful to have such enthusiastic support from  the Cairns Taipans. Events such as this help us to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and assist us to fund our vital research and support programs."

“Joe Blake is going to have a pink uniform, and probably some other fun surprises up his sleeve as well.”

The Taipans take on the Adelaide 36ers at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday from 7.30pm.

The cost of a holiday including air fares, accommodation, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the Rainforest for yourself and your family, can be quite frightening.

Let us help you to take the financial worry out of your next holiday.

With this in mind, we are offering you a lay-by system for your accommodation, and if you would like us to arrange your trips, we can do that also.

After paying the deposit, small monthly increments will make your holiday much easier on your pocket.

Just call us on our free call number 1800 067 966 to discuss your holiday requirements and we can work out the total cost and the easy payment plan.

If you are not in Australia, just email us with your details.

Here's a sneak peak at what is coming up at the Pink Ribbon High Tea...

Health, beauty and wellbeing demonstrations by Mii Spa, Body Shop, Curves, Awakening Therapies, College Cuts, Active Gym and Breastscreen. Fancy a make up make over, relaxing shoulder massage, a new hairdo or maybe some wellbeing advice? Then put your name in the draw on the day and you could be the lucky one who is selected to enjoy one of these exciting demos.

There will be a fashion show with a difference thanks to 2XS Models, not like your usual catwalk show, this is a performance. Get set to be impressed!

Inspiring guest speakers will talk about why we all need to take time out for ourselves to relax and reconnect (don't forget to sign up for your locals discount card with Mii Spa), plus stories of adventure and courage after battling breast cancer Sharon Cohrs will share her story as she conquers the mountains of Nepal.

The high tea again is set to be superb, the music magnificent, the fashions exquisite and the prizes plentiful!

Don't forget to wear your best pink outfit - there will be a prize for the best dressed.

Want a sneaky peak at some of the auction prizes?....

• A beautiful surprise hamper from Simply Hampers
• 1 night stay at Daintree Eco Lodge plus a la carte breakfast
• Skydive Cairns 11,000ft jump from a perfectly good airplane
• Mii Spa 2.5hr Heavenly Treatment + 1 nights accommodation at the Sebel Cairns
• 1 night at The Hotel Cairns plus a 3 Course Hot Rock Dinner & Breakfast
• A gorgeous lamp from Beacon Lighting
• Awakening Therapies Package - Massage, Acupuncture, Hemaview
• Teeth whitening package from Future Dental
• Artwork by local Cairns artist Regan O'Neill
• A cupcake tower by Cupcake Creations
• 30mins in a stretch Hummer for you and 13 friends, 6 bottles of pink sparkling followed by a night with Sam Powers and 7 double passes for all your friends woohoo!!!

Tickets are limited and selling fast so don't miss out on Cairns premier pink ribbon event.

1st October sees the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Pink Ribbon Day on the 26th October is an annual event to encourage women to be breast aware and highlight the importance of breast cancer research. Funds are continually needed to support further research, so October is the major fundraising month.

Due to the success of last year, the Pink Ribbon High Tea event will be held again this year at the Shangri La Hotel on Sunday 25th October. This year the event will be supporting the Cancer Council which is fantastic news due to the local support provided, plus a small portion of the funds raised will remain in Cairns to support the local breast cancer support groups.

Tickets are $65 and are now available from Breastscreen, Cancer Council, The Wax Room Southside and Awakening Therapies. Hurry as they are selling fast!

Included in the afternoon is a spectacular high tea, interactive demonstrations by Mii Spa, Body Shop, Curves, Awakening Therapies, Breastscreen and College Cuts. There will also be a fashion show with a difference, many prizes to win, inspiring guest speakers plus some jazz by Evergreen to chill out to.

It is an afternoon not to be missed!

Free Movies each Tuesday at 10.30am shown at the Casino Sportz Arena - Level 2 of the Casino.

Tuesday 6th October - Doubt (Rated M)
Drama - Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman & Amy Adams

Tuesday 13th October - He's just not that into you (Rated M)
Comedy / romance - STarring Jennier Aniston & Juston Long

Tuesday 20th October - Passengers (Rated M)
Drama / Thriller - Starring Anne Hathaway & Patrick Wilson

Tuesday 27th October - Appaloosa (Rated M)
Drama / Western - Starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen & Renee Zellweger

Rainforestation Army Duck Driver Murray Freeman has celebrated reaching his 30th year of employment at the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda.

Murray started working at Rainforestation on 23rd September in 1979, when it was known as Mountain Groves. At the time, the only other army duck driver was founding Managing Director Charles Woodward.

Murray remembers starting his employment with the company particularly well as he married his wife Laura the following week.

“So techinically, you can say I’ve been married to my job longer than I have my wife!” he said.

In those early days, Murray’s duties were varied and extended beyond just driving an army duck, from serving behind bar, to helping out in the restaurant.

“I remember on my first day, I wore good clothes to work, then my first task was a trip in the old truck to the dump – with a particularly messy batch of rubbish,” he said.

Over the years, Murray has seen the attraction evolve from a small business employing six people, to an internationally successful operation with currently 75 employees.

Due to his extensive knowledge of amphibious war vehicles, Murray has often been used as specialist consultant for film and television productions, such as the Steven Speilberg produced mini-series The Pacific which is currently in production.

Rainforestation Managing Director Charles Woodward said it was great to see a long-term employee remain so dedicated and passionate about their work.

“After 30 years, his tours have remained fresh and interesting – although some of his jokes haven’t changed,” he said.

“Murray has been presented with many opportunities to move into more senior roles, but has turned these down as he is content in this role, and continues to give it 100%. We are pleased to see him reach this milestone, and are proud of his ongoing commitment to Rainforestation,” he said.

Today, Murray has the additional responsibility of training the army duck drivers on driving, safety skills and guiding.