CAIRNS ECLIPSE 2012
S uvenir Booklet Wednesday 14 November 6:38AM
Welcome from the Mayor We are on the eve of one of the most spectacular and historic moments the Cairns region will likely encounter.
Witness a rare natural phenomenon... Just after sunrise on 14 November 2012, a 140km wide shadow will be cast across our region, blanketing everything in darkness as the Moon passes in front of the Sun. The last total solar eclipse in Cairns was in 710AD and the next one in Cairns won’t be until 2237.
Contents Pg 3
Welcome from the Mayor
Pg 4
About the Cairns region
Pg 5 A total solar eclipse what, where, when and why Pg 6
What’s on for the eclipse
Pg 8
Safety tips for the eclipse
Pg 8
Top viewing spots for the eclipse
Pg 9
Map of the total solar eclipse path
Pg 10 I mportant information about road travel during the eclipse Pg 10 B e patient and be prepared during the eclipse Pg 10 Road closures during the eclipse Pg 12 What’s on offer in our region
On 14 November, residents and visitors will “look up” in unison to experience a true natural phenomenon – a total solar eclipse. For those who live here, we have been provided a front row seat for this rare show. Embrace this event, plan to spend it with friends or family. If you have a view of the sunrise from your home, take advantage of it and invite your neighbours. People from around the world have recognised the significance of this event and are travelling to be here. I hope our residents will make them feel most welcome. If you are a visitor to our region, we invite you to take the opportunity to further explore the natural wonders of the Cairns region – including but not limited to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage rainforest. We also offer a warm welcome to the scientific community, which will record and analyse every aspect of the eclipse. It is somewhat fitting that in a region that defines itself as being “adventurous by nature”, we have been handed this special opportunity to witness a spellbinding natural event. I do urge everyone to view the eclipse safely and enjoy this rare experience. Enjoy!
Pg 16 Natural hazards in our region Pg 18 Where were you for the eclipse? Pg 19 Council contacts
Bob Manning
mayor | cairns regional council
Cairns Eclipse 2012
3
Earth
Moon Sun
Earth’s orbit
About the Cairns region Cairns Regional Council extends from Bloomfield in the Daintree National Park in the north, to the sugar village of Mirriwinni in the south. Part of Australia’s World Heritage listed Wet Tropics, the region is framed by lush rainforest to the west and north, and by the Coral Sea and World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the east. The region is an important gateway to the nearby Atherton Tablelands and the outback Savannah region west of the Great Dividing Range. This is home to more than 168,000 people, with a further two million tourists visiting each year (around half from overseas). The Cairns region is Australia’s fourth most popular destination for international holiday visitors after Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and many people who visit for a holiday come back here to live. The Cairns region encompasses the traditional homelands of different rainforest Aboriginal ‘Bama’ language and clan groups, including the Mamu, Njadgon-Jii, Yidinji, Djabukay and Kuku Yalanji people. Cairns Regional Council acknowledges the custodians and first people of this country, and respects their ongoing relationship and responsibility to their land and sea.
4
LO K UP Souvenir Booklet
Total eclipse in path of totality
A total solar eclipse what, where, when and why
A total eclipse of the Sun will occur over the Cairns region in the early morning of 14 November 2012. The last total solar eclipse in Cairns was in 710 AD and the next one won’t be until 25 April, 2237. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun and blocks some or all of the Sun’s direct light. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun and blocks it completely, forming a shadow on the Earth. For this to occur the Sun, Earth and Moon form a straight line in their orbits and it will seem like the Moon has covered the Sun. At the time of the total eclipse, the sky will go very dark with a glowing light around the horizon, planets and bright stars will be visible and the Sun’s spectacular outer atmosphere (the Corona) will appear. Eclipse viewing times Location Bloomfield Cape Tribulation Mossman Four Mile Beach Oak Beach Wangetti Beach Ellis Beach Palm Cove Yorkeys Knob Holloways Beach Cairns Esplanade Gordonvale Babinda Bramston Beach
Start 5.44am 5.44am 5.44am 5.44am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am 5.45am
Total Eclipse 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.38am 6.39am 6.39am
Duration 56sec 1min 26sec 2min 3sec 2min 3sec 2min 4sec 2min 3sec 2min 2sec 2min 2sec 2min 1sec 2min 1min 58sec 1min 47sec 1min 19sec 1min 26sec
End 7.39am 7.39am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.40am 7.41am 7.41am 7.41am
Cairns Eclipse 2012
5
What’s on for the eclipse
Port Douglas Eclipse Festival
Solar Eclipse Marathon
Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce received a $40,000 grant from Council’s Major Events Grants Program in February 2012. The funding was awarded to provide a festival from Sunday 11 concluding on the evening of Tuesday 13 November 2012 to compliment the eclipse.
The Solar Eclipse Marathon will take place in Port Douglas on November 14 2012. All runners meet before sunrise in the start area at Four Mile Beach where breakfast will be served.
For three nights in the lead-up to the solar eclipse, Port Douglas’ Market Park will be a hive of activity and free live entertainment. The tropical night air will be filled with sweet sounds, transformed into a sea of bustling energy and colour, bursting with home-made art, crafts and fabulous food stalls; all supported by local and nationally renowned artists performing live on stage.
At 6:38am, a total solar eclipse lasting two minutes will occur. As soon as the Sun re-emerges from behind the Moon and the corona disappears the race will begin, making the Solar Eclipse Marathon the first ever sporting event with an intergalactic start gun!
Street performers will dazzle the crowds as they mingle through the festivities. You will be able to purchase your solar eclipse glasses and get information on the best local tours and activities. Take in the ambience with a drink at the bar and enjoy the evening with friends and family. Kids will be entertained with workshops, carnival rides, games and magicians. This will be an event for all! The festival will run Sunday 11, Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 November from 6pm until 10.30pm each night. Wharf Street will be closed to traffic. Eclipse Fooket The Port Douglas All-Stars will field an AFL team and a cricket team to take on the Rest of the World in both codes in a simultaneous sporting demonstration never before encountered. Spectators and players will not know where to look as a game of cricket is contested at the same time as a game of AFL football on the same field.
This spectacular one off event is the launch pad for the 2013 and ongoing annual Canegrowers Great Barrier Reef Marathon. Visit www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au. This is first and foremost an adventure and parts of the route have challenging terrain where extra care must be taken and the level of service provided on normal city marathons cannot be expected. This marathon is about the experience and gaining unforgettable memories rather than winning and recording a good time. For more information on the Solar Eclipse Marathon visit www.solar-eclipse-marathon.com.
For more details and the latest Port Douglas Eclipse Festival news visit portdouglaseclipsefestival.com.au or follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter.
Cairns Eclipse 2012
7
Safety tips for the eclipse
Top viewing spots for the eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as it passes between the Sun and the Earth. On 14 November 2012, parts of Queensland will experience a total solar eclipse. The following are tips for viewing this rare phenomenon safely:
Here are some of the top viewing locations for this spectacular event:
1. Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
It is possible to suffer serious and permanent eye damage by looking at a solar eclipse the wrong way, even for a very short time.
2. Always use solar eclipse glasses, or filters that have been made specifically.
Your Home!
The best seat in the house is yours!
1. Cairns Esplanade (northern end)
P lease note: Eclipse only visible from the Esplanade at approximately 6am (15 minutes after first contact), subject to weather conditions.
3. Look for filters that have been appropriately certified.
3. Northern Beaches
If so, do not use them as they will not fully protect your eyes.
5. Do not use solar eclipse glasses or filters that do not show compliance with the Standards listed above.
They may do you more harm than good.
6. Do not look directly through binoculars, telescopes or camera optical viewfinders. It is not safe to use regular sunglasses, exposed film or x-ray film to view a solar eclipse.
7. Alternative safe viewing methods include using pinhole, binocular or telescope projection. Visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Sun-Earth Day website for details on how to do this safely. For information on filters for telescopes or binoculars visit NASA’s eclipse website.
Map information courtesy of the Astronomical Association of Queensland. www.aaq.org.au
Cairns
2. Open fields
4. Before using solar eclipse glasses or filters, check to see if they are scratched or damaged.
The Path of Totality is between the orange northern and southern limit lines. The teal lines show the duration of the total eclipse.
If you can see the sun from your house or neighbourhood then stay and enjoy. Within two weeks from the solar eclipse (start of November 2012) check your view of the sun from your home. If you can see the Sun at 6.38am then your home is a great location to view this natural event.
These filters attach to hand-held glasses, telescopes or binoculars for safe solar eclipse viewing.
These filters should be certified against the European Standard for personal eye equipment (EN 1836:2005+A1:2007) or the Australian Standard for welding shields and goggles with a lens category higher than 12 (AS/NZS 1338.2:1992 & AS/NZS 1338.1:1992).
Total solar eclipse 14 November 2012
With wide clear outlook to the east.
Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob beach, Trinity Beach (except southern end), Clifton Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach - northern and central sections.
Cairns north to south of Port Douglas 1. Wangetti Beach
Port Douglas and the Daintree area
1. Four Mile Beach 2. O pen fields
With wide clear outlook to the east.
3. Beaches
Cooya Beach, Newell Beach, Rocky Point, Wonga Beach and Cape Kimberly Beach.
Cape Tribulation Beach
The Daintree Ferry will be operating from 4am on the morning of the solar eclipse
This will ensure early access to viewing locations north of the river such as Cape Kimberly and Cape Tribulation.
Cairns Eclipse 2012
9
Important information about road travel during the eclipse 1. Be aware of a significant increase in the number of vehicles using roads.
On the morning of the eclipse, there may be a significant increase in the number of vehicles using roads particularly: • Bruce Highway - Innisfail to Cairns • Captain Cook Highway • Kennedy Highway (Kuranda Range Road) • Mulligan Highway • Mossman-Mount Molloy Road
2. Plan for delays. Road users travelling on the morning of the eclipse should plan for delays and reconsider any non-essential travel.
3. Drive to the conditions and be mindful of safety.
If you do travel to view the eclipse, drive to the conditions and be mindful of safety when choosing a suitable location to park. If possible, try and find a local vantage point to avoid driving on major roads.
4. Keep informed.
Up to date information about traffic conditions can be obtained from Queensland Transport and Main Road’s Traffic and Travel Information services: • Web: 131940.qld.gov.au • Phone: 131940 • Twitter feed: @131940_FNNQ
5. Don’t park illegally.
Police will be out in force and will be strictly enforcing illegal parking and will be removing cars which are parked illegally.
6. Follow all directions.
It is important that you follow all directions given by traffic controllers during changed traffic conditions.
Be patient and be prepared for the eclipse If you are travelling in Tropical North Queensland to experience the total solar eclipse, please be prepared for your journey.
Road closures
Fuel
Kuranda Range (Henry Ross) Lookout and Rex Lookout
Be aware that there may be large stretches of road that have limited fuel stations and that regional towns do not all have 24 hour fuel service. Always calculate your trip and fuel supplies.
RACQ
If you need roadside assistance, contact RACQ on 13 1111.
Water
Purchase your water supplies before starting your journey.
Public transport
Understand that public transport may be operating under a different timetable on November 14 and due to high traffic volumes, some trips may take longer than expected. Check with your local carrier for details.
Marine viewing
Cairns, Kuranda and Wangetti Closed
Lake Morris Road
Closed – residential traffic only.
Oak Beach
Closed – residential traffic only.
Open – a large parking area will be available opposite Wangetti College for a gold coin donation to the school. The beach is accessible from this parking area along a 400 metre road. The beach access road will be closed to vehicle traffic for the morning.
Flagstaff and Alexandra Range Lookout in the Daintree
Wangetti Beach
Palm Cove Boat Ramp
Boat ramps
Palm Cove Jetty
Parking on the side of highways is dangerous and in many cases the road shoulders are not suitable for stopping. You should identify a viewing area and plan to arrive there in plenty of time to view the eclipse.
Mowbray Street and Macrossan Street Island Point Road
Closed – from 4pm Tuesday 13 November until 12 midday on 14 November.
Road shoulders
The Esplanade Four Mile Beach
Closed (between Macrossan – Mowbray) – residential traffic only.
Open – to vehicular traffic however parking is limited. Once the limited parking capacity is reached the area will be closed. Viewing at Oak Beach is not recommended.
Be prepared for a very high tide on the morning of Wednesday 14 November. A 3.1 metre tide is expected at 9.17am. The Palm Cove Boat Ramp will be closed from 4pm Tuesday 13 November until 12 midday, 14 November. Boat ramps in the region may be very busy so be patient and plan ahead.
Port Douglas and Mossman
Open – until it reaches capacity.
Yorkeys Knob
Ray and Janet streets: Closed – residential traffic only.
Trinity Beach
Southern end Vasey Esplanade/ Possum Street: Closed – residential traffic only.
Closed – residential traffic only.
Murphy Street
Closed – residential traffic only.
Closed
Weather A total solar eclipse will occur regardless of weather conditions however the visibility of the alignment of the Sun and the Moon may be impeded by cloud cover. Take the unique opportunity to experience this natural phenomenon! The total solar eclipse in this region is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The last total solar eclipse in Australia was in South Australia on 4 December 2002. The next significant total solar eclipse in Australia will extend from Western Australia through to Sydney in 2028.
What’s on offer in our region Our region offers a wonderfully diverse range of cultural and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. Arts and culture There are many opportunities to embrace our unique tropical culture: from art exhibitions, museums and galleries, theatre, concerts and live performances by local and visiting talent, as well as major cultural drawcards like the annual Cairns Festival and Port Douglas Carnivale. Cairns Civic Theatre Each year, the Civic Theatre presents local, national and international performances to entertain audiences from throughout the region. Find out about all the upcoming events and book online at www.cairnscivictheatre.com.au and www.ticketlink.com.au Tanks Arts Centre This community arts space is uniquely located in three refurbished World War II concrete fuel storage tanks, within the stunning Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct. The Tanks offers an eclectic Cairns mix of visual and performance arts Esplanade and workshops. Find out more at The Cairns www.tanksartscentre.com Esplanade is a stunning location for fun and activities for all ages. Cool off in the beautiful 4800m2 lagoon, laze on the green grass, enjoy a picnic or BBQ, stroll or jog along the boardwalk, work out on the Green Gym equipment, rock climb at the Bouldering Park, or simply relax and enjoy the regular live entertainment. K UP Souvenir Booklet 10 LOwww.cairnsesplanade.com.au
Cairns Botanic Gardens The Cairns Botanic Gardens, located on Cairns Libraries Collins Avenue at Edge Hill, covers 38 hectares and Cairns Libraries operates comprises the Flecker Gardens, nine branches – Babinda, Centenary Lakes, Mt Whitfield City, Earlville, Edmonton, Conservation Park and Tanks Arts Centre. Gordonvale, Manunda, The Visitor Information Centre is open Mossman, Smithfield, Stratford Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm – plus a Library Kiosk at Port and the Flecker Gardens gates are Douglas. Additional services open between 7.30am and include Homebound Library and 5.30pm every day. satellite libraries in aged care facilities. Visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au/library Cattana Wetlands The Cattana Wetlands is around 80 hectares of formerly degraded land which Council has rehabilitated into a nature conservation park. Facilities include BBQs, picnic areas, toilets, bird hides and 420m boardwalk through the Feather Palm Forest. The Wetlands are situated off Dunne Road in Smithfield, accessed by either Yorkeys Knob Road or McGregor Road, about 20km north of the CBD. Cattana Wetlands are open daily from 5.30am to 7.00pm. (Note: It may be necessary to close the park at different times during the wet season.)
Cairns Eclipse 2012
13
Sugarworld Gardens Sugarworld Gardens, Edmonton’s botanic reserve, is a great place to relax with the family. Located just a 20 minute drive from the Cairns CBD, these beautiful gardens feature an all-abilities playground, BBQs, volleyball court and a great shady area for gatherings, functions and wedding ceremonies. Sugarworld Gardens are open daily from 7:00am to 6:30pm. Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking.
Sugarworld Waterpark Sugarworld Waterpark, located at Sugarworld Gardens in Edmonton, is a great place to stay cool and have fun. The waterslides include the mat racer slide, the tandem tube raft slide and the supa-jet open body slide. The Kids Interactive Play Space is ideal for the littlies, featuring tipping buckets, water cannons and mini-slides. The Waterpark is open 10:00am to 4:30pm daily. For admission prices and more information, visit www.sugarworld.com.au or phone (07) 4055 5477. Camping grounds and caravan parks Council operates camping reserves at some of the region’s most picturesque settings: Palm Cove Caravan Park and Camp Ground 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove. Bookings – phone Caretaker on (07) 4055 3824.
Bramston Beach Caravan Park and Camp Ground 96 Evans Road, Bramston Beach. Bookings – phone Caretaker on (07) 4067 4121. The Boulders Boulders Road, Babinda Five campsites, camping is free for 48 hours only. No bookings required.
14
LO K UP Souvenir Booklet
Babinda Rotary Park Howard Kennedy Drive, Babinda. Camping is free for 72 hours only. No bookings required. Fitzroy Island Bookings can be made by calling Raging Thunder on (07) 4030 7990. Mossman Riverside Leisure Park Cnr Foxton Avenue and Park Street, Mossman. Bookings – phone Caretaker on (07) 4098 2627. Wonga Beach Caravan Park Wonga Beach Esplanade, Wonga Beach. Phone (07) 4098 7514. Boat ramps The Queensland Government provides a number of boating facilities, including boat ramps, pontoons and jetties, within the Cairns region. For a list of locations and facility types (including amenities, restrictions and site conditions), visit Maritime Safety Queensland’s website: www.msq.qld.gov.au and search “boating facilities”.
Markets Regular markets, including the famous Rusty’s and Port Douglas Sunday Markets, the Esplanade Markets in Cairns, and Yungaburra and Kuranda Rainforest Village Markets on the Atherton Tablelands, are an exciting part of our region’s cultural tapestry. Council presents regular markets in Cairns and Port Douglas, to showcase local quality stalls ranging from contemporary jewellery, woodcraft, pottery, locally made handcrafted goods, clothes, skincare and so much more. Visit Council’s website for more details www.cairns.qld.gov.au
Cairns Eclipse 2012
15
Natural hazards in our region Living and visiting the tropics comes with some natural hazards, so be prepared and stay safe. Being disaster ready Being tropical and low-lying, the Cairns region is particularly vulnerable to cyclones and other natural disasters such as floods, landslides or even tsunami. It’s vital that your household is ready and you know what to do, year-round. The wet season – November to April – is when cyclones and floods are most likely to occur. Cyclones are violent tropical storms with very strong winds and heavy rain which can also generate storm surge. This causes the sea level to rise high above usual levels, especially on high tides, and may push water in-land, threatening life and property. Visit Council’s website at www.cairns.qld.gov.au/disaster. Cyclone guides are available in a range of languages as well as Braille and Auslan. You can also follow Council’s Disaster Coordination Centre on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CairnsDCC) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/CairnsDCC) for information and updates during a disaster event. Crocodiles Crocodiles are an important part of north Queensland’s marine environments. Crocodiles are potentially dangerous; they are most active at night and during the annual breeding season (September to April). Obey crocodile warning signs and never take unnecessary risks in crocodile habitat. Never swim in water where crocodiles may live, even if there is no warning sign present. Take care when fishing and camping; don’t leave food scraps on boat ramps or at campsites.
16
LO K UP Souvenir Booklet
Mosquitoes Cairns has a tropical climate with lush rainforests, mangroves and high rainfall, all of which contribute to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and biting midges. Many mosquitoes are carriers of diseases such as Malaria, Ross River Fever and Dengue Fever. Fortunately, none of these diseases are endemic to the Cairns area. See www.cairns.qld.gov.au/dengue for information on defending against dengue and controlling mosquitoes. Beach safety Beach swimmers should take precautions: Swim at beaches patrolled by lifeguards Look for and observe warning signs Don’t swim when beaches are closed. Avoid jellyfish stings Check the beach status with the beach lifeguard. Wear a stinger suit during stinger season (especially important for children). Stinger season is typically November through to May, depending on conditions. Sun safety Protect yourself and reduce your risk Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses. When outdoors for work or play, try to hold your activities in the shade or take portable shade (e.g. shade tent, canopy or umbrella).
Cairns Eclipse 2012
15
Where were you for the eclipse? Council contacts get in touch
The total solar eclipse is a once in lifetime experience in the Cairns and Port Douglas region. Remember where you saw it and who you shared this phenonomal experience with on the morning of Wednesday 14 November 2012.
Post PO Box 359 CAIRNS QLD 4870 Email council@cairns.qld.gov.au Website www.cairns.qld.gov.au Facebook www.facebook.com/CairnsRegionalCouncil Twitter www.twitter.com/councilcairns
We watched the eclipse with: Friends, family, schoolmates, neighbours, tourists.... Who? ............................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................
Customer Service Centres
We saw the eclipse at: Home, on the beach at Port Douglas, at Palm Cove jetty, from our hotel... Where? ........................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................
18
LO K UP Souvenir Booklet
After Hours Emergencies Cairns Phone
4044 3044
Mossman Phone
4099 9444
Cairns Council Chambers 119-145 Spence St Cairns 4044 3044 Phone STD calls 1800 070 444 Mossman Mossman Administration Centre 64-66 Front St Mossman Phone 4099 9444 STD calls 1800 070 444
Cairns Eclipse 2012
19
www.cairns.qld.gov.au