WHITSUNDAYS - ONE OF THE SIGNATURE QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCES UP FOR GRABS

_{28 April, 2010}

Sailing to Whitehaven Beach onboard the Camira and a three-night luxury stay at Marina Shores is one of 10 signature experiences to go under the hammer as part of Queensland Holidays Ultimate Auctions Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt announced today.

Ms Jarratt said the Ultimate Auctions, which go live online from 3pm, Tuesday, April 27 offered holidaymakers the unique opportunity to bid for 10 Queensland experiences they would not be able to get anywhere else.

“As well as the chance to head to Whitsundays, punters will have the chance to bid on stargazing at Charleville, a trip for five of their nearest and dearest to Magnetic Island, a Whitsunday site-seeing getaway, cooking with MasterChef’s Matt Preston, having some family fun in the Whitsunday sun, staying at the famous Birdsville Hotel during the Birdsville Races, escaping to Brisbane’s scenic countryside and more,” Ms Jarratt said.

“From Port Douglas to Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef to Queensland's Outback – these are experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.”

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Queensland Holidays Ultimate Auctions showcased the unique experiences Queensland holidaymakers could enjoy.

“It’s access all areas travel and to top it all off the proceeds from many of the items on offer go to charity.

“Bidding starts as low as $1, but the competition can mean that some experiences end up selling for top dollar.

“If you miss out however, all bidders will be given the opportunity to purchase the same experience at the regular retail price following the auction.”

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said the user-friendly Ultimate Auctions site was modeled on the popular eBay platform, making it familiar and easy to use.

“By tapping into the popularity of eBay-style shopping and the popularity of the internet to book holidays, Ultimate Auctions presents a convenient way for Queensland tourism operators to sell their products,” Mr Hayes said.

“These offers will go out to the 350,000 subscribers to Tourism Queensland’s www.queenslandholidays.com.au e-newsletter so there’s no doubt the bidding war will be fierce.”

Mr Hayes said Tourism Queensland was at the leading edge of destination promotion in the digital sphere.

“Over a period of seven or eight years, including the huge splash made internationally by the ‘Best Job in the World’ campaign, TQ has proved itself to be a force to be reckoned with globally.”

For more information on the auctions and to bid visit http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/travel-tools/auction/auction_home.cfm.

Media contact-

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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