About Us
The Region
The tropical North Queensland region of Australia has good reason to claim the unique tag of the Exotic Fruit Bowl of the World, although there’s much more to the region … there’s also exotic produce.
The extensive array of seafood, game meats, aquaculture, pasta, fresh flowers, the flourishing new certified organic and bush food industries, or the less perishable and more hardy items like pepper, ginger, Asian spices and greens, cassava and taro, nuts, dehydrated foods, coffee, tea, sugar, are now in high demand and destined for elegant dinner tables or bountiful BBQ’s around Australia and the world. But there’s even more to soak up … the luscious tropical ice creams, liqueurs and wines… all have a part to play in the growth of Tropical North Queensland
But how can such a diverse collection of exotic foods flourish in such a small geographical area?
Tropical zones are known to be green belts because a vast majority of the world’s plant and animal species exists in this region. In fact, our very existence and health of the planet depends on this Green Belt to replenish the world’s oxygen.
The east coast of tropical Australia, i.e. far south from Cairns to way north past Port Douglas, is bound on one side by the world’s largest natural aquarium and on the other by Green Belts of steep mountain ranges. When combined with fertile volcanic soils, and coastal maritime winds carrying moist air; tropical rainforests are subsequently produced.
Throughout this entire region diverse micro-climates exist; each with different soil, rainfall and geographical conditions. This provides all the essential factors necessary for growing and producing a year-long supply of intriguing produce and fresh and dried tropical fruits. In fact, more varieties of exotic and tropical fruit grow in TNQ than almost anywhere else in the world.
But the birth of the oversized ‘fruit bowl’ is worth grasping … and more importantly, understanding why the TNQ region is so significant in world terms.
The People
Earlier last century people came from all over the world to work in the mining, pearling and sugar cane industries yet their culture and cuisine remained alive. It was only four decades ago that people recognised that tropical and exotic fruit was more suited to the tropical climate than the fruit of the southern regions of Australia. They subsequently introduced many exotic plants that were ultimately to become a dynamic and unique part of this wonderful lush, quietly dynamic region.
Today the region has evolved with a new generation of farmers who keep abreast of trends and communicate with chefs and end users to deliver a product suited to the market. Farmers are now value adding their primary produce into some very unique food and beverage products.
Industry Support
There is a significant factor that has strongly contributed to the growth, and success of this tropical region.
Around the world, there are few politically stable tropical regions … areas that have safe agricultural standards, exceptional research and development, that are sensitive to the environment, as well as being safe areas in which to live and visit. This is a surprising fact when considering this issue, because almost without exception the tropical North Queensland region is possibly the only tropical region in the world that fulfils these criteria.
The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry works to capitalise on Queensland’s advantages to grow regional economies and strengthen industries.
The Department delivers a range of services to achieve regional economic growth, transform and build up industries and to assist business owners improve their operational and management skills.
The Department works closely with key regional economic development stakeholders, industries, businesses, research organisations and universities, and government bodies to achieve the best outcomes for the State.
The Department has been very supportive of the website and has contributed to its current upgrade.