Welcome to our Autumn issue of Quickies,
keeping you posted with some of our latest news and happenings.
With a warm tropical summer, welcoming the Chinese Year of the Sheep, and even an underwater proposal, it�s been a wonderful time to visit our natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. Maritime royalty �Queen Elizabeth� also paid us a visit with Great Adventures Green Island Express doing ship to shore transfers for cruise passengers.
Whale season will soon be heading our way with the opportunity to sight the awesome gentle giants of the sea, humpback whales, and for our guests on Silversonic and Poseidon, the unique chance to swim with minke whales if encountered.
We hope you enjoy catching up on our latest news. Enjoy a break with our Quickies!
With warm tropical wishes from the Quicksilver Group Crew.
Poseidon, Quicksilver Group�s 24 metre catamaran designed for adventure dive and snorkelling is under the knife as we design and provide a much needed cosmetic overhaul to refresh and update her interior comforts.
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Poseidon has left her home base of Port Douglas for a month and moved to Cairns as we gut the inside and back deck area in readiness for her new fitout. Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said of the refurbishment �We are spending nearly $200,000 which includes installing new carpets, re-upholstered seating, vinyl flooring in wet areas, new outdoor timber seating and painting the deck area as the main components to ensure our passengers have the newest and best facilities available to enjoy their time at the reef.
We recognise the need to continually reinvest and keep our products to the standard of a five star reef operator and we look forward to presenting the new look Poseidon in time for Easter and the school holidays.�
Images show Poseidon�s interior gutted in readiness for her new fitout.
We can�t wait to show you the �after� photos!
In co-operation with the Australian Institute of Marine Science, an underwater webcam has been installed at Quicksilver�s Agincourt Reef activity platform and is now transmitting live images every 15 minutes providing an insight into the underwater reef world. As well as showing beautiful reef scape, the webcam will provide a base for scientific data and study. Passengers will also be able to view images live from the platform during the day.
In addition to the webcam, a solar powered weather station transmits live weather and scientific data to AIMS website.
You can check out the web cam here: http://data.aims.gov.au/aimsrtds/webcams.xhtml#01
An additional full time lifeguard from Surf Life Saving Queensland is now patrolling Green Island beaches. With Green Island�s popularity as a destination for many of our International and domestic visitors, SLSQ ensures beach safety 365 days of the year, now with 3 full time lifeguards.
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Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said, �For many of our guests this is the first time they may be swimming or snorkelling in the ocean and to have the lifeguards patrolling the beach along with a flagged swimming area ensures a safe environment for water activities.�
Green Island is the only local Island off Cairns with these iconic Aussie lifeguards.
Our Port Douglas based dive and snorkel vessels Silversonic and Poseidon are all about dive and snorkel adventures on the renowned Agincourt ribbon reefs. Visiting three different sites each day from a selection of around 30 pristine locations, both provide the perfect day for divers and snorkellers wanting to maximise their reef experience and time in the water.
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So what�s the difference between them? There�s more similarities than differences between these two premium vessels but here�s a snapshot to differentiate which may be best suited.
Download PDF flyer
It was the perfect way to start the new year for one love struck couple travelling aboard Silversonic. During a dive at Agincourt reef, Shane Furlong took the opportunity to propose underwater to his sweetheart Dani, and with a pre-prepared sign, the Silversonic crew were delighted to help.
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�There are so many fish in the sea, but you and I were meant to be. Dani will you marry me??�
We wish Shane and Dani a wonderful future and many more underwater adventures together
Did you know it was back in 1979 that Quicksilver started the first daily cruises to the picturesque Low Isles? We�ve always know it was a special place!
Wavedancer, our 30 metre sailing cat, takes just over an hour as she sets sail from Port Douglas to reach Low Isles coral cay lagoon.
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As a major turtle habitat, you�re bound to meet one of the locals snorkelling or from the glass bottom boat. Relaxing on the beach under a thatched umbrella or on the decks of Wavedancer, it�s the perfect day for island relaxation and a fantastic value all included day. The marine biologist takes you on a guided snorkel trip and island walk to learn so much more about this unique island.
Uninhabited apart from an island caretaker, the major landmark on Low Isles is its historic lighthouse built back in 1878! In fact the lighthouse, and Low Isles, are both registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List in recognition of their place in Australia�s cultural and Indigenous heritage.
If you�re a bit of a history buff, you can learn more about Low Isles and its historic lighthouse here: Low Isles Historic Lighthouse Information Sheet
With Nitrox or Enriched Air aboard our Scubapro liveaboard vessels, Pro Dive Cairns PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course is available specifically for divers wishing to attain the necessary qualifications to dive with this gas.
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With a greater percentage of Oxygen than Nitrogen than normal air, this means safer diving and potentially longer bottom times due to reduced nitrogen absorption which is especially attractive for older divers as well the experienced underwater adventurers including photographers and videographers.
This course is run in conjunction with Pro Dive Cairns� 3 Day 2 Night dive trip and consists of theory, two training dives and includes all post certification dives on Nitrox. Courses commence every day except Tuesday. For more information please contact the Pro Dive Cairns team at [email protected]
An added bonus for Green Island Resort guests, free wi-fi is now available from the comfort of our luxurious Reef and Island suites.
For Agents wishing to book online with live availability, we�re pleased to provide an online booking system for our Port Douglas (Quicksilver, Wavedancer Low Isles, Silversonic and Poseidon) and Cairns (Great Adventures, Silverswift and Ocean Spirit) products. For more details, contact your sales manager or email us at [email protected].
Our Sales team are just a click away with some great new product training videos with quick tips and personal insight into our wonderful and diverse range of Great Barrier Reef experiences.
Log into our Agent Resource Site or if you'd like access, just let us know at [email protected]
Videographers capture Green Island - Paradise Through Your Lens
Green Island was the picturesque subject for a destination video recently. As part of Tropical North Queensland�s �Paradise Through Your Lens� campaign, ten videographers from around the world are vying for $20,000 in prizes showcasing their experiences in the region on film.
With its beautiful reef and rainforest backdrop, Green Island was a picture perfect subject for three of the contenders. When completed, videos can be viewed at ExploreTNQ.com.au. Paradise Through Your Lens campaign is an initiative of Tourism and Events Queensland in partnership with TTNQ and Qantas.
EVENTS
From elite sporting pursuits to community events, the Quicksilver Group is delighted to support a raft of wonderful ways to experience and enjoy our unique World Heritage reef and rainforest home. Here�s a taste of what�s in store.
Earth Hour 2015, 28 March
On Saturday 28 March, the Quicksilver Group will once again be supporting the WWF global environmental initiative, Earth Hour, aimed at increasing awareness about climate change. As all non-essential lighting is switched off for one hour, guests staying at Green Island Resort will enjoy candlelit dinners in Emeralds Restaurant followed by stargazing and torch lit guided walks with the island activities officer.
Out further on the Great Barrier Reef, Pro Dive Cairns' liveaboard boats will also be participating to support Earth Hour.
Port Douglas Reef and Rainforest Carnivale, 22 - 31 May
The annual Port Douglas Carnivale is a wonderful celebration of life in our tropical paradise featuring events, entertainment and activities for all. It�s always a treat to see what our Quicksilver crew have created with their float for the fun and exciting street parade.
Quicksilver Reef Swim, Thursday 11 June 2015
Now in its fifth year, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival incorporating Ironman Cairns will once again feature the Quicksilver Reef Swim on Green Island. This amazing reef swim will see competitors tackle 1.5km or 3km swims in the sparkling waters of Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Green Island Windsurfing Championships, 7-11 June 2015
Around 40 keen windsurfing enthusiasts will be competing in the Green Island Windsurfing Championships from 7 - 11 June, 2015. You can watch some of these thrill seekers in action from the beach.
Great Adventures Green Island Reef Swim, Sunday 13 September 2015
Our annual Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim will once again see swimmers taking to the water to compete in 1.5km and 3km distances in this unique Great Barrier Reef swim. Competitors aged 12 years and over are eligible to enter. For more info or bookings, contact Great Adventures on 4044 9944 or visit http://www.green-island.com.au/oceanswim
Download the Ocean Swim 2015 PDF flyer
Butterflyfish are closely related to Angelfish, but are generally smaller and brighter coloured. They are some of the most colourful fish on the reef. They are usually seen in pairs. These pairs are lifelong mates, and may remain together exclusively for the duration of their lives � up to 25 or 30 years. They usually remain within a limited area, or home range, as they forage for a variety of small prey including worms, coral tentacles shrimp and small crabs. They have specially adapted teeth with small bristles on the ends that allow them to grip slippery prey. Feeding is limited to the daytime. At night, they retreat into crevices to sleep.
Ocean Spirit you made my day! Great crew and awesome food! I have been on few Reef day trips from Cairns, and I can guarantee you that your level of hospitality is definitely upper than other boats!
Thank you to all the friendly crew to make this day so special! I really recommend this day trip for family because children can start snorkelling from the beach or couple who want to relax.
Steph, France
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