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Risque advert causes stir in Oz

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Source: Catherine Deshayes

A risque advertising campaign aimed at backpackers has caused a stir in Australia's Far North...

Billboards have been positioned along a highway in Queensland aiming to market Mission Beach - located between Townsville and Cairns - as a destination where you can 'get high, get wet and get laid'.

The town is popular with travellers looking to enjoy outdoor pursuits which include skydiving, whitewater rafting and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

But, according to the Cairns Post, locals say tourists tend to make the area a day trip destination rather than staying on.

The advertising push is a joint venture between backpacker hostel Scotty's Beach House, Skydive Mission Beach and RnR White Water Rafting and follows another controversial tourism campaign last year.

Under the slogan 'Cairns - Great Up Top, Fun Down Under', the image of a young woman in a soaked T-shirt was used with the slogan 'Gotta love the wet season'.

Another promoted hot air balloon rides with the line: 'Get high before breakfast.'

The brains behind the latest campaign said it was meant to be fun.

Scotty's Beach House owner Boyd Scott told the Cairns Post: "I've been in the backpacker industry for 22 years and from what I'm hearing they've (signs) hit the mark.

"Backpackers have come in and told me it's hilarious. We've done this to help Mission Beach and our individual companies by ensuring people don't just drive north or south without knowing our town is an adventure hub."

But not everyone thinks it is such a good idea.

Tourism chief John Hill said he did not want the region to get an 'Airlie Beach party town reputation.' Airlie Beach has hit the headlines on several occasions thanks to its reputation for partying and nightlife.

Mission Beach is one of only two areas in Australia where the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef join.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk