Tanks Arts Centre named one of Queensland’s Best Experiences

The Tanks Arts Centre, a performing and visual arts venue in Cairns, has been named a Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) 2019 Best of Queensland Experience with an impressive score of 95 out of a possible 100 points.

Tanks Arts Centre is a business unit of Cairns Regional Council, in the Cultural Services Branch. Situated in the Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct, just 4km north of the city’s CBD, the centre is an innovative multi-use, contemporary arts facility housed in three converted World War II naval oil storage tanks, and set among a lush rainforest backdrop.

The Best of Queensland Experiences is a TEQ innovation program that guides the Queensland tourism industry to deliver exceptional customer experiences, create positive word of mouth, help attract more visitors, grow expenditure and increase market share.

Tanks scored well above the Queensland benchmark of 60 points and the Tropical North Queensland benchmark of 80 points, based on online customer reviews, consumer expectations and best industry practice.

Tanks Arts Centre combines two main functions, that of a ‘presenter’ organisation offering a range of arts and cultural events and activities to a wide audience, and also as a community cultural development organisation which aims to proactively engage local communities in cultural expression and participation.

Council purchased the land on which the Tanks stands in 1991 to address the community's need for more arts space and associated facilities.

The Best of Queensland Experience report uses a weighting system to rate attractions against five criteria. The Tanks Arts Centre received perfect scores for Consistent Delivery of an Exceptional Experience; an engaging social media presence; and its online booking (provided by Council through Ticketlink).

Mayor Bob Manning said the most important benchmark was customer reviews, with a score of 92 for “consistent delivery of an exceptional experience”, adding "everyone who visits the Tanks, performers and audience members alike, falls in love with the venue.

“We are generally quite modest about our successes but to come out on top of the rankings, and a long way ahead of tourism experiences Queensland-wide, is a real feather in our cap.

“But for us, the best measure of success will always be how much our community enjoys their visit to Tanks. And with 60,000 attendees taking in shows, exhibitions and festivals over this past year, it’s clear that they do.”

It is expected that the TEQ results will widen Tanks Arts Centre recognition across Queensland.