Cairns is the closest international airport for groups to fly into, with Singapore being just over six hours away on a direct flight. This means the Queensland location is great for multi-destination trips, or those with global attendees coming from various countries. Even those travelling from Europe will accept the jetlag after experiencing sights that cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet.Nautilus Aviation facilitates the Great Barrier Reef flight experience from its Port Douglas base, as well as scenic flights over the Daintree Rainforest, a day exploring the idyllic Undine Clay or Vlasoff Sand Clay, a rainforest waterfall escape and tours that include snorkelling or aboard a semi-submersible craft. The company has two helicopters - a three-seater and a six-seater - with tours bookable for a minimum of two guests per flight.What’s more, Cairns and its neighbour Port Douglas, have a variety of high-quality hotels and venues that will provide much more than just a good night’s sleep for qualifiers…HOTELSCrystalbrook Riley, CairnsThe property has 311 rooms and suites with a variety of restaurant and bar options including modern Asian Cuisine at Paper Crane and Mediterranean cuisine at Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, Rocco. But one feature that cannot be ignored is the hotel’s 10,000-square foot lagoon pool - perfect for guests to cool down in whilst enjoying Cairns’ tropical climate. Crystalbrook Riley also has six meeting and event spaces, from boardrooms servicing small groups of 15 to larger spaces that can host up to 420 standing. They also offer a multitude of group activities including; beehive workshops, didgeridoo playing, boomerang painting and even virtual laughter yoga sessions.Sheraton Mirage Port DouglasThis 295-room property has fully embraced its tropical surroundings and gives the illusion of being on a secluded island in the middle of the Pacific. But it’s also home to North Queenland’s largest resort conference facility - the Glade Pavilion (1,000 pax). The property has a total of 18 indoor and outdoor venues, meaning that whatever the occasion, groups of all sizes can work or play together with ease. The Sheraton Mirage also offers a sugarcane rum masterclass for up to 20 guests, a ‘Save the Reef’ beach cleaning activity for 10-20 guests and their ‘Italian Connection’ experience where 20-150 guests can experience a menu that pays homage to the Italian cane cutters of the 19th Century.VENUESCairns Convention CentreThe venue is currently undergoing a massive A$176million refurbishment and expansion to modernise its facilities and maximise the centre’s capabilities, all of which is due to be completed in 2023. An improvement that will only build upon an already beautiful building which truly embraces the nature that surrounds it. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let in loads of light, while also gifting delegates with views of the tropical green foliage outside. And the aesthetic brings the rainforest indoors with its natural colours and materials. But the expansion will go one step further with a large undercover, tropically planted forecourt and an external terrace with views of Trinity Inlet. The convention centre can host up to 5,000 theatre-style in its arena but will also have smaller meeting rooms for 110 seated after the refurbishment.Cairns AquariumThe centrally-located aquarium acts as both a venue and an option for group activities. For smaller groups of up to 15 (with three groups maximum per day) there is a 30-minute guided tour of the Turtle Hospital - a chance to get up close and personal with the native turtles that are recovering from injuries. Other tours include Aquarium by Sunrise and Aquarium by Twilight, both for 15-20 people with a maximum of 200 guests per day. But for those looking for a more unique dining experience, Cairns Aquarium has five unique spaces on offer. from The River Room (60 seated) where guests can dine under gum trees and enjoy views of whiptail rays, to the Oceanarium and Deep Reef Rooms found 65ft underwater with a capacity for 100 seated.", "inLanguage": "en", "wordCount": "743", "isAccessibleForFree": "True" }

Helicopters over the Great Barrier Reef

Incentive travel is supposed to provide once in a lifetime experiences that truly reward and recognise those that have qualified for the trip.

And there is arguably nothing more special than flying above one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in a helicopter. Being low enough to see sharks swimming between the coral, but high enough to see the vastness of the Great Barrier Reef from above.

Cairns is the closest international airport for groups to fly into, with Singapore being just over six hours away on a direct flight. This means the Queensland location is great for multi-destination trips, or those with global attendees coming from various countries. Even those travelling from Europe will accept the jetlag after experiencing sights that cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet.

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