Savannah Sounds strikes a chord for Far North Queensland tourism recovery
In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which tore through Far North Queensland in December 2023, the region’s tourism industry faced daunting challenges.
Visitor confidence wavered, and businesses were desperate for a spark of revival.
Enter Savannah Sounds on the Reef, a beacon of hope designed to breathe new life into the tourism sector and remind the world the tropical north was ready to welcome visitors once again.
Held in April 2024, this once-in-a-lifetime event transformed Moore Reef near Cairns into a spectacular concert venue, featuring acclaimed Australian music icons Sheppard and Lee Kernaghan, Golden Guitar Award winner Max Jackson, and captivating Indigenous group Kairos Kin.
Hosted on a scenic pontoon in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Savannah Sounds brought together over 100 local heroes and high-profile artists to celebrate resilience and recovery.
The event wasn’t just a concert though, it was a bold statement of strength for a community deeply impacted by the cyclone.
In addition to the musical talent, frontline workers, flood clean-up volunteers, and dedicated local specialists such as environmental officers and carers were all celebrated for their efforts and spirit of service.
This fostered a sense of community pride and has contributed significantly to the emotional and social recovery of residents in the region.
Savannah Sounds on the Reef was one of six key events delivered through the Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program, funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in response to Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
This initiative, supported jointly by the Australian and Queensland Governments, aimed to reinvigorate tourism in Far North Queensland following the cyclone, and assist with the region's economic recovery.
Savannah Sounds generated an impressive $1.5 million in publicity value and attracted significant media coverage, reaching an estimated audience of 41 million.
This success was amplified by a nationwide Channel 9 television special that aired in September 2024, which boosted the region's tourism profile and promoted another marquee event, Savannah in the Round, held later in the year in Mareeba, Cairns.
Following vibrant and unique events like Savannah Sounds on the Reef, visitors have flocked back to the Far North, drawn once more to this awe-inspiring part of Queensland.
Providing more than just an economic boost, the Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program has reinforced the power that comes from shared human experiences and how they unite communities during challenging times.
Rebuilding after a disaster goes far beyond bricks and mortar and bitumen and steel, it extends to businesses, industry, jobs and people. The heart and soul of Queensland.
With pride and confidence restored and more incredible events set for the months ahead, Far North Queensland and its world-leading tourism sector have emerged stronger from disaster and are ready to seize the future.
