With the recent addition, we now have two new Volvo luxury 57 seater coaches in our fleet travelling along the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Cairns and Port Douglas, one of Australia’s most scenic drives.

After the success of our first Volvo coach in early 2016 a second coach was commissioned and these vehicles have brought new levels of safety, quality and cutting edge technology to Far North Queensland.

The Vovlo Marcopolo B7R carries up to 57 passengers and comes with the highest possible current Exhaust Emission controls, proving to be among the cleanest and most fuel-efficient coaches on the Australian market. The coach exceeds current emission standards in Australia and has the equivalent of a 5 star ANCAP safety rating for coaches, with reversing camera and sensors, security and forward facing cameras, an LED lit interior and exterior along with a raft of other safety features.

The purpose built Learn to Dive Centre will include a 13 x 7m (43 x 23 ft) pool with a shallow depth of 1.35m (4.4 ft) at either end and 4m (13 ft) depth in the mid section, classrooms for dive lessons, a dive specialty retail outlet and offices. An exciting and innovative feature is the retractable roof allowing operation in all weather conditions.

Commenting on the Dive Centre, Managing Director Tony Baker said, “We are extremely excited about the development. We have fantastic dive sites off Port Douglas. We believe the Dive school will complement the services Quicksilver currently provides and bring another dimension for travellers who are considering a stay in Port Douglas. With a four day dive course we hope to attract a new market who will be spending up to a week in local accommodations and participate in other evening activities.”

CEO of Access Community Housing, Donna-Maree O’Connor said, “I would like to extend our thanks for your generosity in providing us with products that will be used as part of our efforts with the Dignity Packs for homeless people in the Cairns community. These Dignity Packs will provide some basic hygiene and clothing products to allow recipients a sense of dignity and well-being that many of us take for granted. We know this will benefit many people in our community who need our help.”

Access Community Housing is a local organisation providing temporary and permanent affordable social housing options for individuals and families living across Far North Queensland. A small gesture can mean so much for many and we invite other like-minded local businesses with excess product to consider donating to this worthy cause.

Originally from New Zealand, Perry learnt to dive while travelling in Egypt and loved it so much it became his career path. “I was enjoying it and spending my money on diving so thought it would be a good idea to start getting paid for it!” Perry’s dive master training took about a year and a half and his first job was in Thailand.

Pro Dive Cairns’ popular 5 day learn to dive course commences every day except Sundays. As an instructor you stay with the same group students from the classroom to out on the reef for the liveaboard experience to complete certification and Perry says no two courses are ever the same.

Whether students have never swum in the ocean, have a fear of the ocean, or whether English is not their first language, Perry said the job will throw up many challenges but it’s always enjoyable to help people achieve their dream of becoming a certified diver.

For more information about learning to dive, or even becoming a dive instructor, visit www.prodivecairns.com

Photo credit: Justin Brierty, The Cairns Post