Far North Queensland’s vibrant events calendar has received a major boost, with the Crisafulli Government awarding nearly $2 million in funding to support 40 events across Queensland as part of its Destination 2045 strategy.
The funding comes through Round 2 of the revamped $14 million Homegrown Destination Events Fund, which is set to deliver more than $213 million in economic benefit and generate over 887,000 visitor nights between June 2026 and June 2027.
The Destination 2045 strategy aims to cement Queensland’s reputation as the events capital of Australia, reversing a decade of decline and rebuilding confidence in the state’s tourism and visitor economy.
Under the second funding round, nearly $2 million has been shared across 40 events in 12 destinations statewide. Event organisers can access grants of up to $300,000 over three years to help grow standout local events that attract visitors and showcase Queensland as a must-visit destination.
This is incredibly exciting for Far North Queensland and a huge vote of confidence in the events that locals love and visitors travel here to experience. It’s fantastic to see long-standing and much-loved events like the Cairns Marathon and Cairns Festival continuing to receive support, while also backing new and emerging events such as the Australian UFO Festival that add something unique and fresh to our region.
Far North Queensland Funding Recipients
Far North Queensland events receiving funding include:
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Australian UFO Festival 2026 – $20,000
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Cairns Marathon Festival 2026 – $15,000
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Cairns Festival – $35,000
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Cooktown Discovery Festival – $40,000
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Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival – $45,000
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North Queensland Elite Rodeo – $30,000
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Taste Port Douglas – $20,000
With strong investment in homegrown events and a clear long-term vision through Destination 2045, Queensland’s events sector is set to thrive, delivering unforgettable experiences for visitors and lasting benefits for local communities.
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