State's north subject of Russian invasion

Queensland's far north has become a hot holiday destination for cashed-up Russians. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

RUSSIAN oligarchs and ex-KGB chiefs are turning to Cape York and Great Barrier Reef wilderness as the "new frontier" to hunt boar, fish for black marlin and bask in luxury.

Honeymooning couples from the former Soviet Union are part of the new order "glasnost" in tourism as they look to escape a brutal cold for adventure and warmth in the Sunshine State.

"The Cold War is over," said Natasha Arens, a Cairns-based Russian tour agent.

"Lots of Russians got very rich in the fall of communism and made their fortunes in diamonds, oil and gas.

"Now they want to come for holiday."

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Latest figures show the Russian bear soared 17 per cent in visitor numbers to Australia in the past year, up the same percentage rate but off a much lower base than the boom Chinese dragon market.

But these are no ordinary travellers - many are used to ultra-luxury resorts, private jets, helicopters and superyachts.

Some are keen to emulate the exploits of President Vladimir Putin, an ex-KGB officer who cultivates his outdoor, tough guy image by going bare-chested on hunting and fishing holidays in the Siberian wilderness.

Exclusive Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, north of Cooktown, voted the world's top resort lodge in 2012, confirmed it had become a popular destination for the Russian market.

"They are a market looking for luxury," said Lizard Island's Jill Collins, who rents out the whole resort for $270,000 a week.

Home to the Black Marlin Classic on the world-renowned Ribbon Reefs, Ms Collins said beyond fishing, snorkeling and eating fresh seafood the Ruskis "simply seem to love the climate".

In Moscow yesterday it was minus 13C compared to a balmy 30C in Cairns.

Australian filmmaker Ben Le-Van runs two beauty contests in the former Soviet Union and works and plays with Russia's oligarchs in the traditional ski-field playgrounds of Europe.

He has hosted small groups Down Under and said Queensland was the new hit "exotic" destination.

"These guys are ultra-wealthy - money is no object," Mr Le-Van said.

"They love glitz and glamour, fly in private jets and travel the world in luxury with an entourage of bodyguards and supermodels.

"They like Beluga vodka, Lamborghinis, and lavish parties with lots of gorgeous girls covered in jewels hanging off them.

"But some are into the Putin-esque thing of hunting and fishing in the wild and look for somewhere new.

"To them, Cape York is the new Courchevel (a swish ski resort in the French Alps)."

Dennis "Brazakka" Wallace, who founded Cape York Helicopters taking heli-fishing and hunting safaris, has flown Russian clients.

"They've got lots of money, heaps of cash, and want to be like Russian president Vladimir Putin, and go hunt and fish in remote wilderness areas, that's their thing," said the now retired aviator and skipper.

"We fly out and hunt pigs - or wild boar they call them - and catch barra and black marlin, but it's all a top-shelf expedition."

Russian tourists Sergey Gadelshin, 37, and Oleg Mikheev, 39, of Siberia this week flew to see "unattainable" Australia, taking in the Reef and rainforest before heading to the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne.

"For Russians, this is the new frontier," said Mr Mikheev, a construction baron in the oil-rich Ural Mountains.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said Russia was worth watching.

Latest figures show visitor numbers are up 17 per cent. China, too, was up 17 per cent but with 573,000 tourists compared with the 16,400 out of Russia.

"Although we're seeing big growth in recent visitor numbers from Russia, the numbers are coming off a pretty low base and the market still only ranks 32nd in terms of international arrivals," Mr McEvoy said.

"Russia is certainly on our radar."

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief Daniel Gschwind said both Cairns and the Gold Coast were popular with affluent Russians.

"We've got one eye firmly on the Chinese dragon. But we also need to keep our other eye on other potential markets like the Russian bear."

peter.michael@news.com.au

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