Tropical North Queensland is preparing to take centre stage in 2026, in addition to the Cairns Crocodiles event run by Travel Weekly publisher Misfits Media, there is a calendar of milestone anniversaries set to reinforce the region’s evolution into one of Australia’s most dynamic leisure and events destinations.
From the 150th anniversary of Cairns to the centenary of the iconic Gillies Highway, the year will deliver a layered narrative of heritage, tourism growth and cultural connection across the region.
The Gillies Highway, renowned for its 263 corners across just 19 kilometres, turns 100 on 11 July, underscoring its longstanding role linking Cairns with the Atherton Tablelands and opening access to rainforest and hinterland experiences that have become central to the destination’s appeal.
At the heart of the celebrations is Cairns’ 150-year milestone, marked by a year-long program reflecting the city’s transformation into a vibrant tourism hub. The anniversary coincides with key industry pillars reaching major milestones, including the Cairns Convention Centre and Reef Hotel Casino, both celebrating 30 years of operation.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the scale of anniversaries highlighted the region’s enduring appeal.
“To have one of our iconic tourism attractions, Rainforestation Nature Park, celebrate half a century is a remarkable milestone in a regional destination,” he said.
“The anniversaries come on the back of Tourism Tropical North Queensland celebrating 50 years of destination marketing last year which has grown tourism in Tropical North Queensland into a $4.1 billion industry employing one in six people.”
Nature and conservation remain central to the story, with Green Island marking 120 years since its declaration as a recreational reserve, while the Great Barrier Reef celebrates 45 years since its UNESCO World Heritage listing – an accolade that continues to drive global visitation and conservation awareness.
The Rainforestation Nature Park celebration on in July will honour five decades of eco-tourism and cultural education, said co-founder Pip Woodward who established the park with her late husband Charles Woodward.
“When Charles and I first started this place, it was an orange orchard with a lot of potential and a crazy idea about Army Ducks. Fifty years later, I still pinch myself. We’ve built a business that we’re incredibly proud of, having welcomed millions of people from all over the world,” said Pip Woodward who continues to own and operate the business through The CaPTA Group.
“Having grown up on the property in its early days as Mountain Groves, my brothers and I are proud to continue the legacy of our parents, and their dedication to showcasing Tropical North Queensland’s unique environment and heritage through memorable guest experiences,” she said.
Cultural tourism also takes focus, with the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre marking 40 years of the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, a cornerstone Indigenous experience in the Daintree Rainforest.
Adding further momentum to the milestone year is the growing events calendar, including the high-profile Cairns Crocodiles marketing and media summit in May. The event is expected to draw tourism leaders, creatives and brands to the region, reinforcing Cairns’ positioning as both a leisure and business events destination while injecting additional visitation during the shoulder season.
From legacy attractions to contemporary events, 2026 is shaping as a defining year for Tropical North Queensland – one that not only celebrates its past but signals strong momentum for future growth in premium travel, sustainability and cultural storytelling.
