Quickies Issue # 104, Summer 2010

As we look forward to the New Year, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe festive season and a prosperous 2011. With warm tropical wishes from the Quicksilver Group Crew.

Twelve was an auspicious number for the opening of the 12th Cairns and Great Barrier Reef specialist retail travel shop on the 12th of November in Shenyang, capital of the prosperous Liaoning Province of North East China. » Read More

The Port Douglas Road, lined by its famous avenue of giant palm trees, is looking more pristine thanks to the efforts of the Quicksilver team who took part in the annual Clean Up Australia weekend for the �Great Northern Clean Up�.

Pictured are some of the fantastic Quicksilver crew and families who volunteered to keep Australia and Port Douglas beautiful! » See Image

The water temperature is warm, it’s a few days past the full moon and it’s the time of year when marine biologists and dive enthusiasts get excited!

» Read More

Congratulations to the Seawalker @ Green Island team on their outstanding milestone of reaching 100,000 Seawalkers since starting these unique underwater tours on Green Island some 7 ½ years ago. The lucky 100,000th Seawalker, Koichi from Japan celebrated on Green Island with the Seawalker crew. » Read More

We’re pleased to announce that our commitment to tangible Climate Action initiatives have been recognised with Climate Action accreditation extended to include not only our Quicksilver Outer Reef and Low Isles Cruises, but also our Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises and our dive and snorkel vessels Silversonic and Silverswift. » Read More

Congratulations to Green Island Resort Activities Officer, Sid Scott, who was recently jointly awarded the “Best Employee Award” at the 2010 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence. Sid also won this award in the 2009 Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence. » Read More

Quicksilver was pleased to host “Honeymoon Testers” Mark and Denise Duffield-Thomas for a trip to Low Isles aboard Wavedancer recently. As winners of the Irish publication Runaway Bride and Groom competition, they have travelled the world testing the best honeymoon destinations and in the process have broken the world record of saying “I do” over 85 times! » Read More

Green Island was chosen by Tourism Australia as a key location to showcase the Great Barrier Reef for the New7Wonders of Nature Campaign. Campaign Ambassador, Andy Ridley, is pictured here on Green Island before travelling with Great Adventures for a day at the Outer Reef. » Read More

Teeming with local fresh produce, here’s a delightful appetizer from our Quicksilver Chef and Catering Manager, Frank Hunold. Enjoy!

In slightly choppy conditions the 5th annual Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim attracted a record number of swimmers in the 1.5km and 3km swim on Sunday 26th September as 119 competitors swam in this unique Great Barrier Reef event. With swimmers from as far afield as Melbourne, Brisbane and a strong contingent from Townsville, it was the young swimmers from Cairns that took out first place in all divisions.

The Quicksilver Group is delighted to be again co-ordinating our annual Christmas Charity Appeal.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the tourism industry and friends of tourism to support our local region. » Read More

Reg Bloomfield - Great Adventures Pontoon Caretaker

A behind the scenes glimpse at tourism on the Great Barrier Reef.

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a once in a lifetime experience for most people, but for Reg Bloomfield, one of Great Adventures pontoon caretakers, his job (which he agrees may be one of the best in the world!), is living on the Great Barrier Reef. » Read More

I visited Port Douglas with my family of 4. We took the Quicksilver cruise to Low Isles (Wavedancer) and the following day took the cruise to the Outer Reef.  I have travelled a fair bit since then and done several day cruises in New Zealand and nothing compares to the experience we had with Quicksilver.  It was such a smooth experience for us with little children.  The food was good, there was nothing more we could have asked for while on the boats.  Your staff were friendly, the guided snorkelling tour with the marine biologist was great (though I did panic initially, but was looked after). The boats had plenty of space for everyone and overall it was such a great experience.  I don't think I would have ever mailed to tell you this, until we realised what other companies are offering. Hats off to you guys, keep up the good work!  We have recommended your company to all our friends travelling to The Great Barrier Reef.

Thank you!
Mary, Adelaide

• Did you know many fish make sounds? Many damelsfish such as humbugs and anemonefish actually make chirping sounds.
• At night parrotfish construct a mucous sleeping bag in which they sleep. It most likely helps to prevent predators from smelling where they are.
• Fish cannot close their eyes because they do not have any eyelids. However, they do sleep, some lying quite still on the seabed tucked between corals