MARCH 2022
SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE RESORT, PORT DOUGLAS
ISSUE 6
POSTCARDS FROM
PORT DOUGLAS Welcome to the March 2022 edition of Postcards from Port Douglas! The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas and the region has been abuzz with activity since our last newsletter. With domestic borders open once again, we have enjoyed an exciting season up here in the Tropical North. The year started with a bang and shows no signs of slowing. Queensland international borders re-opened on 21st of February for some international markets, which means we are one step closer to welcoming back our overseas friends this year. We also can't wait to see our neighbours from New Zealand, who are free to travel to and from Australia without isolation beginning this month.
IN THIS ISSUE:
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Look after the community while building team relationships NEW BANQUET OFFERINGS Resort Executive Chef Belinda Tuckwell adds some exciting new menus for discerning delegates ACTIVITY SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT Sailaway Port Douglas has long wowed guests with private charter experiences AND MORE! Enjoy the March edition, the entire team looks forward to welcoming you!
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
GETTING OUT WHILE GIVING BACK If you’ve joined us at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas in the past, you’ve likely experienced the pure, unadulterated beauty that is Tropical North Queensland. With the Resort situated between two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, we are acutely aware of how our actions collectively impact the environment around us. For groups that are interested in connecting with our local community, there are some world-class CSR group activities in the region to experience.
1. Visit wildlife at the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat The Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat offers visitors an Australian wildlife experience with a difference. While an attraction at a glance, the Habitat is also home to the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for sick, orphaned and displaced native fauna. A private tour of the Habitat allows visitors entry to the rehabilitation center to meet the animals currently under care and to better understand the importance of caring for wildlife in the region.
2. Revegetate the Rainforest Daintree Life works with the Douglas Shire Council to identify high value areas that could benefit from revegetation. Their goal is to plant 500,000 trees by 2023, not only creating lush landscapes but also providing an expanded habitat for local rainforest wildlife. Delegates can spend an afternoon with Daintree Life preparing land for revegetation and actually planting trees themselves.
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3. Clean up the beach and protect the Reef Tangaroa Blue is a nation-wide organization dedicated to the clean-up and protection of Australian marine and coastal environments. Participants can join in on Tangaroa’s monthly cleanup of Four Mile Beach, which aids in reducing the amount of litter and debris washed out to the Great Barrier Reef, or can arrange a private cleanup with the organization.
4. Build bikes for the local community Create connection and give back to the community by participating in a bike-building exercise with members of your team. Unbeknownst to participants, after a series of interesting challenges to source bike parts, the finished products are gifted to local children.
5. Collect data on the Great Barrier Reef
Supplied with an underwater slate and a coral health ID chart, participants snorkel through key sites on the Great Barrier Reef while documenting their observations. Once back on board, their collected data is utilized to create a real-time display of the coral’s current health. A fantastic way for visitors to learn more about the Reef’s delicate ecosystem.
6. Offset company carbon emissions This carbon emissions challenge prompts participants to think about the impact that their actions have on the environment. After cooking up a lunch made with fresh produce collected directly from local farms, delegates will calculate carbon emissions that they have produced on their trip to the Tropics . They will then be taken to a site to plant the exact number of trees needed to offset their total group carbon footprint.
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RESORT BANQUET MENU GETS A MAKEOVER
When it comes to designing event menus, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas Executive Chef Belinda Tuckwell is no newcomer. With head Chef experience that spans several decades and several more continents, Chef Belinda has a penchant for feeding party-goers and conference delegates in a way that is delicious, interactive and unique. With beautiful new canapé additions, a day-by-day conference lunch menu for ease of selection, and fresh food truck and live station offerings, Chef's new menu will thrill even the most discerning event organizers. We sat down with Chef Belinda to discuss her thoughts behind the new menu, and some of her favorite dishes on offer.
What was the main reason you decided to revamp the banquets menus? It's been 2 years since a lot of groups have been able to hold conferences or incentive trips. We wanted to go beyond the norm and create food experiences that were memorable and really embraced our tropical location. So you're using a lot of local ingredients? Of course! We are using locally
MARCH 2022
sourced produce as much as we possibly can. We have kale from the Daintree, an ever-changing selection of freshly caught reef fish, prawns from the local trawlers, and fruit, vegetables and herbs coming daily from the Atherton Tablelands. What do you think event planners will enjoy the most of the new offerings? The food caravan and live food stations are really fun. They're a great way to enhance a stand-up
As local as it gets: Chef collects paperbark, bananas and banana leaves from the Resort's gardens for several dishes on the menu
cocktail and canapé function, especially if it's an outdoor event. What is your favourite new menu item? On our Seafood Buffet menu we've introduced a whole baked reef fish with fennel, dill and lemon, which just highlights the fish beautifully. We made it for a recent event with fresh coral trout and it was divine. Oh, and the fried chicken and kimchi bao available from our Bao Food Truck menu is pretty hard to beat.
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GROUP GOLF DAY AT THE MIRAGE COUNTRY CLUB For your next event, treat your delegates to a day on the green at the beautiful Mirage Country Club golf course. Designed by five time British Open winner Peter Thomson together with renowned architect Michael Wolveridge, the course is iconic to Port Douglas and Australian golf. Fringed by tropical foliage and a beautiful mountain backdrop, the unique layout takes players through the majestic grounds of the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and alongside Four Mile Beach. Whether you're seeking an afternoon break on the Aquatic Driving Range, a leisurely 9 or 18 holes with a select few delegates, or a fullyfledged tournament-style competition complete with commentators, trophies and customized polos, the possibilities for team building are endless. For large group bookings/tournaments dave@survivorgolf.com.au
For other inquiries info@miragecountryclub.com.au www.miragecountryclub.com.au
ACTIVITY SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: SAILAWAY No conference or incentive in Tropical North Queensland is complete without a day of sailing and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Sailaway sets the standard high, offering luxurious expeditions to spectacular Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef and to idyllic Low Isles, all with expert marine biologist guidance and first class service. If time is limited, for maximum wow factor a Sailaway Sunset Sail is a spectacular must-do. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination on one of Sailaway's four luxury and environmentally conscious sailing catamarans. Currently Gold Winner as the Best Tour Operator in Queensland, Sailaway has some great options for Private Charters to cater for a variety of interests, budgets and group sizes. Sailaway is ideal for small luxury groups or larger groups with the opportunity for multi vessel charters. Sailaway has been a local family business since 1985, with an enviable reputation for quality and consistency from a team who truly care about people and the environment. Celebrate in style and immerse yourself in nature, space and abundant fresh air. +61 7 4099 4200 info@sailawayportdouglas.com www.sailawayportdouglas.com MARCH 2022
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MEETINGS & EVENTS
The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas boasts some of the finest meeting facilities in the Tropical North, from the spacious Glade Pavilion to the intimate Pandanus Boardroom. Our unique outdoor event spaces give delegates a true sense of place after a day of conferencing or exploring. With beautiful tropical skies and sparkling lagoon pools as a backdrop, there is no limit to what our sales and events team can arrange.
For more information please reach out to Matt Sturt: +61 7 4099 0867 matthew.sturt@sheraton.com
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