Thousands to travel to regional Queensland to enjoy ‘Activate Queensland! Country Week’

More than 10,000 local rugby league fans will get the chance to see their heroes play in seven regional centres across the Sunshine State for 2023’s ‘Activate Queensland! Country Week’, with teams travelling over 6,250km from their home bases to play Round 18 Hostplus Cup matches.
The weekend of July 15/16 will see Weipa welcome the Northern Pride and Sunshine Coast Falcons, with Wondai receiving its first taste of Cup action by welcoming the Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly Seagulls, while Proserpine, Stanthorpe, Biloela, Miles, and Kilcoy also play host to matches.
“It’s a great leveller for our players and our competition as it reminds everyone how tough it is for some of these communities who have to travel four or five hours to play a game of rugby league and the conditions they often play under,” competitions manager, QRL, Dave Maiden, said.
“Stage and Screen plays a pivotal role in the week-to-week running of our competitions.
Without the reliability and assurance of service from our valued travel partner, QRL state-wide competition fixtures wouldn’t run as smoothly.”
Such is the complexities of moving more than 500 people around the state in one weekend, a charter had to be sourced for the Cairns to Weipa to Cairns leg for Sunshine Coast Falcons v Northern Pride, something that Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith was particularly proud of.
“The Kenfrost Homes Northern Pride represent one of the largest geographical footprints in the competition and we’re very proud to be playing the game against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Country Round this year,” Smith, said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to go deep into our footprint and provide the remote communities with visibility of this level of rugby league.
“I know the communities and local businesses have been very motivated by the event and have generated a lot of excitement through the local schools, clubs, and different community businesses and organisations.
We’re very appreciative and excited about flying to Weipa this year.”
General manager of the iconic sport and entertainment travel company Stage and Screen, Adam Moon, said it was humbling to provide travel services for such a standout on the QRL calendar.
“We’re extremely proud to have had a 12-year partnership with QRL and to work hand-in-hand with the governing body to deliver Round 18 to seven regional centres around Queensland is something really quite special,” Mr Moon said.
“We run our business in a very different way to other mainstream corporate companies. We consider ourselves to be genuine partners with our customers – not just their travel managers. We thrive on making the impossible possible and sourcing a charter flight is the sort of thing our team lives for.”
Activate Queensland! Country Week – July 15/16 – Hostplus Cup Round 18
- Biloela: Ipswich Jets v Central Queensland Capras
- Kilcoy: Brisbane Tigers v Tweed Seagulls
- Miles: Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears
- Proserpine: Souths Logan Magpies v Mackay Cutters
- Weipa: Sunshine Coast Falcons v Northern Pride
- Wondai: Norths Devils v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
- Stanthorpe: Townsville Blackhawks v Western Clydesdales
- Bye: Papua New Guinea Hunters.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Activate Queensland! Country Week Adam Moon Dave Maiden Garreth Smith Queensland Rugby LeagueLatest News

WATCH: The Travel Weekly Wrap | 14 February 2025
Feel like your story should have got a run in our new video wrap? We'll be the judge of that, thanks.

Entire Travel Soirée puts the spotlight on niche travel
Niche travel is one of the hot topics at the moment, so we couldn't pass up the chance to learn more with Entire.

Happy Valentines! Jetstar launches 8 hour flash sale
Chocolate is nice, but a trip away is a lot better! You'll be in your partner's good books for months.

Chick-In, now open! KFC launches its own airline
We wonder if they are going to have a detailed plan, or, if they are just going to...WING IT!!

Travelport introduces Finnair NDC content and servicing solutions
The national carrier of the happiest country on earth knows a thing or two about NDC, just ask the team at Travelport.

Turkish Airlines confirms daily flights between Sydney-Istanbul
Ok Melbourne, you may have got in first, but Sydney is set to be the lead gateway between the two cities. Score: 1-1.

CATO opens nominations for International Women’s Day lunch ticket giveaway
With one of the Queens of last year's Olympic Games already announced, we know it's going to be one hell of a day!

Boutique luxury hotel opens in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane
Looking at the rooftop pool, this hotel looks like its situated deep in a Thai forest rather than the concrete jungle.

Croatia Airlines unveils new and restored routes to Milan, Prague, Madrid, Bucharest and Hamburg
When routes were scrapped early in the pandemic, no one would have thought it would be five years until they returned!

Salamander Voyages launches slow sailing itinerary in Türkiye
Okay everyone, time to sing - 'We are sailing, we are sailing, we are sailing...slowly...'

EXCLUSIVE: Emirates’ Captain Emily Sidoti on why gender disparity in aviation comes down to education
Emily is challenging stereotypes and inspiring a younger generation of women to earn their stripes.

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye
Should we wind up on a famil in Türkiye, we're making sure to get on one of the famed hot air balloons tours!

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
They say you feel the effect of alcohol faster in the sky... Only one way to find out.

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
As Pip said, when people come to Australia they do so for the experiences not their hotel's sheet thread count.

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.