Ever dreamed of being a contestant on a reality travel show like The Amazing Race? Well, you can take part in the slightly smaller scale 'The Great Race', with the chance to win an Apple iPod Touch.

The Amazing Race-style event, an initiative of Cairns Regional Council, will use digital applications to guide participants toward a series of clues, where history will be revealed and reality augmented.

“To join The Great Race, participants need to download the free Cairns Heritage Tour and Layar applications from iTunes,” Council’s Cultural Services Facilities Manager, Leslie Sparkes, said.

“You do need to be using an iOS-compatible device, such as an iPhone or iPad2, and you must register before Sunday by liking the Creative Partnerships Facebook page.”

A series of 10 tasks will be posted on the Facebook page at midday on Sunday, with the first two people to email the correct responses to the address specified to each win an 8GB iPod Touch.

Participants will be directed to certain locations by the applications and, in some cases, will be required to view an augmented reality image through their device’s camera.

Mayor Val Schier said the race was open to people of all ages and encouraged people to look at the Cairns CBD from a new angle.

“With a combination of historic photos and stories, and cutting-edge, futuristic technology, it’s a case of past, present and future all rolled into one,” Cr Schier said.

“It will be Cairns as you’ve never seen it before.”

For full information on The Great Race, visit www.facebook.com/creativepartnerships.