Kuranda Visitor Information Centre celebrates 20 years of welcoming visitors to the Village in the Rainforest.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre has become a central hub for those visiting Kuranda. “The Centre provides essential visitor information services for locals and tourists exploring the Village in the rainforest and Council is very proud of the high level of customer service the staff and volunteers maintain,” Cr Toppin said.
Over the past 20 years, the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre has been the recipient of many industry awards, including a Bronze and Silver award for Visitor Information services at the Queensland Awards.
The opening of the original Kuranda Visitor Information Centre on 22 May 2000 by then State Minister for Tourism, Merri Rose, was a vital step in Mareeba Shire’s revitalisation programme for Kuranda Village.
Originally planned as part of the ‘main street programme’ and financed by a tourism levy, the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre’s completion came at an exciting point for the Village. Long-term planning, consultation with the community and marketing meant that at a time when North Queensland was experiencing increasing competition worldwide, the Village could be united and confident in its future.
The new Visitor Information Centre was completed in August 2014 and has lifted the service level for visitors with a Wet Tropics interpretive corner, live insect displays, local art and books for sale and a tour desk.
Mayor Angela Toppin said the volunteers were the backbone of the information centre. “I thank the enthusiastic team of volunteers who have consistently supported the centre, with many still active for nearly the whole time it has been open,” Cr Toppin said.
The 20th celebrations were attended by the Mayor, councillors, staff and volunteers where long service badges were also awarded to volunteers.