Major international car rally organisers Targa Australia will be hosting a brand new event in Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) next summer, providing the area with a significant tourism boost.
The new Targa Great Barrier Reef rally will take place in TNQ each summer for the next three years thanks to a new funding deal between Cairns Regional Council and Tourism and Events Queensland, as they hope to attract more tourists and investors to the area.
The first Targa Great Barrier Reef rally will be held in TNQ between August 31st and September 2nd next year, with each day's racing starting and ending in Cairns, while the Saturday night will feature a Super Street Stage with live entertainment, providing an extra draw for the crowds.
Events hosted by Targa tend to not just be aimed at motorsport fans, but also their families and travel lovers, as they are centred around a particular destination, with the car racing 'built in' to this.
Mark Perry, director at Targa Australia, commented: "Targa is renowned for showcasing and bringing awareness to many of Australia's iconic and important World Heritage Areas through its TV specials, broadcast around the world, and will continue to do so with Targa Great Barrier Reef in highlighting the beauty and importance of preserving the Tropical North Queensland region."
Around 200 cars will take part in the Targa Great Barrier Reef event, with 15 different stages to the rally across an 800-kilometre course.
Starting in Cairns, the course will travel through Port Douglas, Innisfail and the Tablelands, providing motorsport lovers and their families with a chance to see the stunning scenery of TNQ for themselves.
Mr Perry explained: "It's a format that sees the event travel to the fans, stopping at a number of towns along the way."
He added that this means it's not just one location that will be in line to benefit from the tourism boost brought about by the rally, but much of the TNQ area.
