Advance Cairns is partnering with Southern Cross University (SCU) to develop Tropical North Queensland’s food tourism potential.

The organisations have pooled their resources to host a series of field days in Atherton, Millaa Millaa and Cooktown that are designed to assist farmers to increase their returns by selling direct to local consumers and visitors.

While travellers are well acquainted with the region’s traditional reef and rainforest attractions, there are a growing number of travellers wanting to explore the unbeaten track, meet the region’s characters, and taste the unique food this region produces. TNQ’s high quality and diverse agricultural products are currently shipped to central markets as commodities. While this will always be the main market for the region’s produce, there is significant potential to increase yield for farmers by selling direct or value add to some of the region’s production.

Advance Cairns and SCU have received funding through the Australian Government Department of Resources Energy and Tourism to support a series of food tourism forums and nature-based tourism field days to provide farmers with an overview of the opportunities and help them decide if they have the potential to diversify. A selected number of these farmers will then be supported through a business development program to ensure they set up in a way that compliments both their farming operations, and can effectively leverage the opportunities tourism presents.

SCU Manager of Research Extension and Development, Rose Wright said the project was a catalyst for change in Tropical North Queensland.

“There has been a lot of work done in developing food and tourism links in this region, but this program will bring it all together to ensure the region’s farmers make the most of the opportunity and that they are meeting appropriate standards and expectations of visitors and locals alike,” she explained.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for farmers and landholders to find out how to value-add to what they are already producing in a way that links them with local consumers, visitors and commercial users and promotes their produce in a totally new market. It is also a great opportunity for existing food tourism outlets to work more collaboratively.”

Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said the support of the Australian Government had allowed Advance Cairns to employ a project officer to promote the workshops program to the region’s farming community. Sue Fairley, a former small business field officer with the FNQACC, and former rural partnership development officer with DPI based in Kairi, has been appointed in the temporary role.

Ms Fairley will facilitate the running of the three field days, which will run as follows:

Monday March 30

• Food tourism and value adding produce
• Locations: Atherton

Tuesday March 30

• Nature-based tourism diversification
• Location: Millaa Millaa

Thursday April 2

• Food, farm and nature tourism
• Locations: Cooktown

For further information or to register for a workshop contact Sue Fairley on 0417 735 724.