Tropic Weekender: Our guide to the best events and things to do in Cairns
We may be in for a shower or two this weekend but don't let that dampen the festivities. Taste Port Douglas kicks off, Salt House hosts its annual Wine and Food Fest, and Cardwell welcomes some extraterrestrials with their very own UFO Festival.
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Thursday 11 August
Taste Port Douglas Food and Drink Festival is kicking off the weekend with a bevy of events celebrating all things delicious in the Far North. It all begins with golf and a sold out launch party, but never fear, there's still plenty of events to sink your teeth into.
Friday 12 August
The Taste Port Douglas Long Lunch is on under the glorious Poinciana trees in Market Park - fingers crossed for sunshine. There's a few tickets remaining, $199 per person.
Devil’s Thumb Distillery is also hosting a Mixing and Masterclass Experience with the opportunity to blend your very own gin. Tickets are going for $149 per person.
The Dr Edward Koch Foundation is hosting Spring Fashion Charity Lunch raising awareness and money toward mental health promotion and suicide prevention initiatives. Tickets can be purchased for $99 per person, and the day includes live music, an auction, and three course lunch.
Cairns Tropical Writers Festival is back this year with local, national, and overseas writers, readers, and storytellers coming together to share their talents and network with others in the industry.
Ernest Hunter is having an Author's Talk following the release of Reef Madness: Digging up dirt on early depictions of Indigenous Australians. This is a free event register online.
The Redlynch Twilight Markets are on, a family friendly start to the weekend that begins from 4.30pm.
Saturday 13 August
The annual Cardwell UFO Festival is on this weekend, making for a unique experience for the whole family. Back by popular demand is the C-Files Tour, where you venture to spots with UFO sightings.
Saturday at Taste Port Douglas is a busy one. You've got Sheraton Festival Village brimming with culinary delights, Cafe del Mar hosting an Ibiza sunset party, and a series of lunches and dinners at some of our Far North Queensland's favourite eateries.
Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival is on with dance and music performances, Japanese food and more.
Salt House Food & Wine Festival will be celebrating and showcasing a range of winemakers, distillers, brewers, and producers. The festivities begin at midday, with tickets available online and at the door.
If you're after something a little different, a Terrarium Building Workshop is on at Green Room by Manik.
Or, head over to Jonsson's Farm Market at Stratford for a taste trip! They're giving away Ruby Berry miracle fruit cubes for you to try. The miraculin in the miracle fruit makes sour and bitter foods you subsequently eat taste sweet. So suck on a lemon! (Believe us, it will taste like lemonade or lemon cake.)
Sunday 7 August
Massive Market Day as part of Cardwell's UFO Fest is on. Beginning at 8am Earth time, there'll be over 80 stalls to peruse and round off the weekend. You may even get to see the mysterious Cardwell lights.
Mount Sheridan Plaza Market is back, and helping to entertain the kids this Sunday morning.
Wrapping up Taste Port Douglas is the Seafood Feast and Fat Mango BBQ. Tickets are $199 per person and include entry to both events.
CQUni is having an open day showcasing their range of TAFE and Uni courses. Register online.
Rainforestation Nature Park begins their week focusing on rainforest plant science to mark National Science Week, while Cairns Children's Museum will be hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) session at the Holloways Beach Markets with plenty of educational play.
