The Atherton Tablelands will have some very special guests this month – the writers and journalists who show the country how to holiday.

Tropical North Queensland is hosting the 2019 conference of the Australian Society of Travel Writers and Atherton Tablelands tour operators are ensuring they see the best of the best.

This includes the finest foods, sights, experiences and adventures available to travellers.

The journalists and writers will be shown around the Atherton Tablelands in style, from foodie tours, to exploring rainforest waterfalls and romantic rides among the clouds.

Brett Stevenson, chair of Tropical Tablelands Tourism, said participating local operators were pulling out all the stops to ensure the writers had an incredible time while in region.

“A diverse program of visits has been put together by Tourism Tropical North Queensland for these influential journalists and writers.

“Their experience of the Atherton Tablelands will hopefully inspire people in Australia and abroad about where they should travel next.

“We can promise they will be astonished about the quality of the experience as well as quantity of things to do.”

The visits by the writers will be held before and after the conference which is in Cairns from October 18-20.

The conference will include some of Australia’s best-known travel writers and will include speakers and workshops, annual awards and a gala dinner.

Issued by Tanya Snelling
media@athertontablelands.com.au

Arguably the world’s most gruelling mountain bike race – the Atherton Tableland’s Croc Trophy – celebrates its silver anniversary this year.

The Croc Trophy attracts an international peloton of riders each year and priceless international media attention with its testing terrain, hot conditions and superb mountain and jungle scenery.

At 25 years old it is regarded as the world’s oldest mountain bike stage race. This year organisers are mixing it up a bit – riders will get to see the event’s notorious namesake for the first time with an inaugural finish at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

As well, a special three-day race has been introduced for mountain bikers who want a taste of the demanding ride.

More than 120 riders take part in the Croc Trophy each year, with many from the heart of mountain bike riding, Europe.

Brett Stevenson, chair of Tropical Tablelands Tourism, said the reputation of the arduous event, plus the Europe-heavy contingent who ride it meant the Croc Trophy continues to be an international phenomenon.

“We have the very best European and Australian riders here so the Atherton Tablelands receives exceptional exposure during the 10-day event.

“Mountain biking takes viewers into the scenic heart of the Atherton Tablelands with tropical jungle one day and stunning Outback the next.

 “It is a great way of acquainting the rest of the world with the Atherton Tablelands’ spectacular scenery and lifestyle,” he added.

 The eight-stage, 10-day event starts in Cairns on October 12 and ends at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures on October 19.

 In between riders will have 1200 kilometres of racing taking on the Atherton Tablelands’ tracks and roads near the towns of Mareeba, Atherton, Herberton and Kuranda.

Issued by Tanya Snelling
media@athertontablelands.com.au