So, you’re off on a business trip to Tropical North Queensland for a Port Douglas business event. Tough gig! In the old days, a ‘business trip’ may have conjured up mental images of men in suits flying to far-away cities, attending boardroom meetings and schmoozing clients with cocktails before catching a red-eye flight home. However today, business travel is including more options for partners and children to tag along. As the nature of the workforce continues to evolve and we see changes in the way business is conducted and salaries are negotiated, the very notion of what business travel looks like is changing as well. For some people, business travel is and sometimes has to be, a family affair, meaning that the kids go where the parents go. And so, there are conference and incentive activities for kids.
While the keynote speakers are delivering their pitches, we’ve wrapped up some of the best options for little people, either independently or as part of a tailored Kids Program while you’re in tropical paradise.
Does feeding a kangaroo get the kids all excited? What about handling a snake? Holding a baby crocodile will surely have show and tell stories go wild… The Wildlife Habitat offers a Junior Keepers Program incorporating animal feeding, interaction and projects to assist the keepers in their day to day activities. Open to 8 to 14 year olds, Junior Keepers is normally offered during school holidays for longer blocks of time, however can certainly be arranged for groups on request and availability. Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with The Lorikeets are also very popular kids’ activities – enjoy snacks at the Curlew Café whilst getting in amongst the birds.
Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Adventures does exactly what it says on the packet. Get up close and personal with prehistoric creatures whilst learning about the evolution and conservation of these giants. Feeling extra brave? Sign up for the Big Crocs Experience where you can pole feed a croc yourself (big kids over 16 years only).
Who doesn’t love a good train adventure? The romance of train travel is alive and well in Port Douglas with the historic Bally Hooley Rail from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina to St Crispins Station with stops at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and Oaks Port Douglas Resort. Kids (and grown ups) will love the authenticity of a traditional locomotive, complete with the sounds and scents of a bygone era. The Bally Hooley can be hired privately or ticketed for existing running days.
If the kids are that little bit older, make the most of the flat paths and wide beaches and get on yer bike with Port Douglas Bike Shop & Hire. Want to go further afield? Mountain bikes, road bikes, maps and local knowledge are on hand, and for the young and young at heart, The Bike Shop & Hire can arrange a two-wheeled Treasure Hunt for everyone!
It’s just not a trip to Tropical North Queensland if a search for Dory or a high-five with Crush on the Great Barrier Reef isn’t included, and options are a-plenty! Fancy a secluded island to let the little ‘uns run free? Calypso Reef Cruises offer a half day trip to Low Isles, perfect for exploring and snorkelling in the pristine island shallows. Prefer to get under the sea? Head out on Quicksilver Cruises to the private pontoon at Agincourt Reef where there’s an abundance of reef-based activities. Snorkel amongst the seahorses, spy schools of fish in the underwater observatory and get amongst the colourful corals on the semi-submersible.
More and more companies are now including Kids Club activities as part of their conference and incentive events schedule, showing employees they are more than just a cog in a wheel - the company cares for the whole family. Busy Bees Babysitting Services are more than just your usual carers – puzzles, craft, beading and old school games at the ready, there’ll never be a dull moment with these professional carers on board.
Want to ramp it up a notch? Dream of your own Kids Corner event and get Port Douglas Events & Hire to make it happen. How about an interactive circus? Jugglers, a bouncing castle, face painting, ice cream trucks, fairy floss machines, acrobat classes and a fire twirling show? What about an outdoor movie screening of Finding Nemo, complete with a marine biologist session before hand? Tee pee sleep over with indigenous storytelling by the fire pits? Can be done. The little people’s events are limited only by your imagination.
Discover everything Port Douglas has to offer in one guide – from flights and itineraries to venues, capacities and more.