Outrigger Cairns Resort Opens

On Wednesday morning, March 15, we opened the doors for our first guest at our newest resort, Outrigger Cairns Resort.

The days leading up to opening day were, as always, hectic and demanding. In addition to the normal pre-opening challenges, Kris Nickelsen and his team had the additional challenge of having experienced a cyclone (Steve) with winds of up to 100 mph just two weeks before opening day and a cyclone alert the day before opening. Due to roads being closed because of flooding caused by Cyclone Steve on February 29, many items scheduled to arrive in the last two weeks before opening were delayed, with lobby furniture being delivered the day before opening, and artwork for behind the front desk arriving the day after opening.

The “soft” opening was attended by Cairns Mayor, Tom Pyne; the developer of the resort, Brian Ray; and local TV and newspaper reporters. Mayor Pyne commented this was an exciting time for Cairns, with the addition of an international resort chain like Outrigger boosting tourism to the region. Developer Brian Ray stated that the Outrigger brand is already well known by hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the world and would be a great asset to both the resort and the city of Cairns.

After a tour of the resort, the Mayor and media were taken to one of the penthouse suites for refreshments and further interview opportunities. Then it was back to work for Kris and his team, making sure our guests were being well taken care of and receiving true “Outrigger” hospitality.

With 124 rooms, our latest addition to the Outrigger family occupies the prime location in Cairns on the Esplanade and close to the casino, restaurants and shopping centers. Additionally, it is across the street from the planned Cairns Enhancement Project, which will feature a world-class park, tropical gardens and a swimming lagoon.

Come on down under sometime, and say G”Day to Kris and his ohana.