Welcome to Caloundra Tourism Inc E-news. We send this free newsletter to keep you informed of events and news that may be of interest.

Today’s weather from Caloundra     

Get down to Kings Beach on Friday morning and join in the fun and festivities that will be part of the live weather crosses beamed live around Australia as part of Channel Nine’s Today Show. Weather presenter, Steve Jacobs (pictured), will present the weather from Kings Beach while also meeting local personalities and telling his national audience that the patrolled beaches are fine and everything is clean again in readiness for Easter. Visit the beach between 6.00am and 7.30am and join in the festivities. One lucky child will win the chance to read the weather with Steve live on air. The live weather crosses are part of a number of marketing and promotional activities designed to highlight that the Sunshine Coast is back in business following the successful clean-up of the oil spill off Moreton Island. The cost of bringing the Today Show weather team to town has been met by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett visited Kings Beach last week to film a television commercial to be seen in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as part of the oil spill recovery campaign that is now valued in excess of $2 million. Caloundra Tourism thanks all of the individuals and businesses who are helping with the Today Show activity including Mint Shearwater Resort who provided the accommodation for the crew and special thanks to Dianne Ainsworth PR & Marketing.

The popular Kings Beach Pool will feature on Channel 9's Today Show this Friday 3rd April.

NZ in recovery sights        

Also in support of the Sunshine Coast oil spill recovery activities, Flight Centre is planning a national campaign in New Zealand supported by Tourism Queensland and partners. The campaign is worth over $200,000 that will include national television and press advertising, website promotion, electronic direct mail, store window banners and a Flight Centre flyer. The campaign sales period is 5-17 April and will focus on value-added packages to the Sunshine Coast particularly covering NZ's winter and spring school holidays (4-19 July and 26 September -11 October respectively.

Online social networking              

Caloundra Tourism is contributing to a rapidly growing presence within online social networking communities. We now have content to share with the world in the form of video and photos on a number of these popular sites including Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and Youtube. Social networking sites are gaining popularity as the place to find all sorts of information and many tourism destinations and operators are uploading their content.

Kiwis read all about it    

Travel writer Graham Reid visited Caloundra as part of a Tourism Queensland famil to the Sunshine Coast from 19-25 March. Graham was hosted overnight by Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters and also enjoyed a tour of Club Pelican, Caloundra Jet Ski tour of the Pumicestone Passage and a wonderful dinner at Tides Waterfront Dining Restaurant overlooking Bulcock Beach. The next day he visited local attractions Big Kart Track, Australia Zoo and Aussie World and experienced a Cruiz Away tour of the Mooloolah River. Graham’s writing the editorial content for a Sunshine Coast supplement to be distributed in New Zealand this month. The full colour, high gloss supplement will be distributed via the New Zealand Herald (150,000 copies) and Sunday Star Times (150,000 copies). Thank you to all operators who supported Graham’s visit that will help promote this destination to the all-important New Zealand market.

Icons in the making     

Hinterland artist Rex Backhaus-Smith (pictured above) is nominated as one of 300 potential icons who have made a lasting impression on the people of Queensland. Public voting is underway to narrow this list down to 150 of Queensland’s top icons. Also on the shortlist is Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin and Allan Langer. The final list is being put together as part of the celebrations to mark the 150th birthday of the state. There are 10 categories including state shapers, natural attractions, influential artists and sports legends. Register your vote at www.q150.qld.gov.au until April 30.

Driving visitors to Caloundra              

Event support by Caloundra Tourism will help drive more visitors our way. Sponsorship is being provided to assist with television exposure to promote the Maleny Wood Expo (pictured above) from May 2-3 at Maleny Showground over the Labour Day long weekend. This family event showcases the region’s finest wood artisans, environmentally-friendly building, and local produce. There will be woodworking demonstrations and lots of activities for the children. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm, admission is $10 for adults, $8 concession and free for children under 16. Further information at www.malenywoodexpo.com.au.

Australia’s largest annual motorcycle event, The Ride for Daniel, (pictured below) is on Sunday, June 21, and is also being supported by Caloundra Tourism. Caloundra Visitor Information Centres are developing packages to tempt riders to extend their stay. Departing from the Big Pineapple carpark the ride takes a scenic route before finishing at the Ettamogah Pub. Registration from 7am, departing at 10am for a 50km ride, cost is $10 per rider with more information at www.ridefordaniel.com.au.

Eat your heart out        

Here’s another reason to send your guests for a drive out to the glorious hinterland. The best flavoured gourmet yoghurt is made there, according to the judges at the Grand Dairy Awards. The champion passionfruit yoghurt has been created by Maleny Cheese and is the latest in their long line of award-winning products. Other varieties include mango, mixed berries, raspberry and a very unusual lemon meringue and ginger. Congratulations to Maleny Cheese on adding to their list of award-winning products.

Back in the news              

News Limited writer Laura Albulario visited Caloundra late last year and her second article appeared in the Escape section of the Sunday Telegraph published in NSW on March 22 as part of an Easter Getaways feature. Laura and husband were hosted by Pumicestone Blue. A short breaks story by Alison Cotes was published in the Escape lift out of Queensland’s Sunday Mail also on March 22. Alison’s article centred on Cairncross Corner and she was hosted by Maleny Views Cottages and restaurants within walking distance. Alison revisited Caloundra to stay at Kings Beach as part of the oil spill recovery publicity and her subsequent story will be published on Sunday, April 5.

• 3-4 April: Orchid Show at Uniting Church Hall, Cnr Queen and Ulm Street, Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am – 3pm. Entry $3, children under 16 free.
• 4-5 April: Victorian Bushfire Appeal at Corbould Park. Sponsorship of all 15 races, gate takings and many other fundraising activities over the weekend will all go to the bushfire appeal. For further information visit www.sctc.com.au

• 5 April: Wine ... Art... Jazz exhibition at the Ettamogah Pub. The doors open at 11am until 3pm where you’ll be able to taste and purchase from a large selection of great wines, ales and local produce. There’ll also be a BBQ cooking demonstration, an art exhibition by innovative local artists and entertainment by renowned Sunshine Coast duo Jazzitude. $15 entry fee covers all tastings and entertainment. See www.aussieworld.com.au or phone 5494 5444
• 5 April: Tour de Kawana Charity Cycle around Lake Kawana to support Cystic Fibrosis Queensland. For further information
  
  Easter & school holiday events
• 10–13 April: Easter Fun Days at Australia Zoo. Free breakfast for all on Good Friday. Massive Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Catch the Easter Bunny and free kids activities on Easter Monday. Kids can be a Zoo Keeper for a Day - a special program that takes them behind the scenes. This runs every day from 10-20 April.
• 10-12 April: Australian Marathon Canoe Championships at Lake Kawana.
• 10-11 April: Queensland Eisteddfod 2009 at Lake Kawana Community Centre.
• 11-12 April: Twilight race meeting at Corbould Park on the turf track under lights Saturday or Sunday races with the Easter Bunny entertaining the children.

• 11-18 April: National Men’s Netball Championships at Caloundra Indoor Stadium.
• 14-17 April: Superstar Soccer - Easter World Cup Camp for kids from 6-12. Venue is Caloundra Christian College. Call 0432 555 074 or www.superstarsoccer.com.au
• 18 April: Opera on Kings featuring Vavachi Entertainment and the Caloundra Chorale at Kings Beach Park. Free event starting at twilight.
• 23-26 April: Australian Dragon Boat National Champs at Lake Kawana
• 2-3 May: Maleny Wood Expo at Maleny Showgrounds showcases the region’s finest wood artisans plus much more.
• 2-3 May: Sunshine Coast Antique & Collectables Fair at the Caloundra Indoor Stadium.
• 2-3 May: Relay for Life Kawana at Stockland Park supporting Cancer Council of Queensland. For further information visit www.relayforlife.org.au.

A complete list of events is available at: www.caloundratourism.com.au

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