Palm Trees and Port Douglas
Port Douglas and Palm Trees
Port Douglas in our opinion is simply stunning. The town is located 70 kilometres north of Cairns and has a population of approximately 3,500 people. Although this coastal town is a very popular tourist destination for backpackers and holiday makers and with all those extra people it turns this town into a bustling place.
Port Douglas is well known for it’s for super yacht marina. If you are wanting to catch a glimpse of some extravagant yachts then head to the marina and have a look for yourself. Make sure you drop into Lure Restaurant for a drink. It is simply stunning to sit back and enjoy happy hour on the harbour.
What should you do and where should you go?
Here are our top three things to do and our favourite place to eat.
Hire A Boat with Port Douglas Boat Hire
This is by far the best experience we have had on our travels. Down on the marina you can hire a boat and drive through the small rivers surrounded by mangroves. Yes these are croc waters but if you don’t go swimming you will be fine. You can take your own fishing gear or there is everything for hire. Take a picnic lunch and sit back on the calm waters and cruise around the rivers….Keep your eyes peeled for the crocs sunbaking on the banks. We highly recommend this experience!
No boat license required.
Yes, yes, yes….. Add this to your bucket list and head on there. Mossman Gorge is a short drive from Port Douglas and is worth the small entry fee to enter. No cars are allowed to drive through the National Park. So upon arrival you will park your car and there is a bus that picks you up and takes you to the entry of the walking trails and the swimming holes.
The cost of entry is reasonable-
| As of July 2020 | |
| Adult | $12.30 |
| Child 5-15 years inclusive | $6.20 |
| Infant 0-4 years | Free |
| Family Pass – 2 Adults + 2 Children | $30.00 |
The swimming holes are not open all of the time and will depend on the water levels. Between the months of June-October are usually the months safe for swimming. Even if you decide not to go for a swim you can still sit back and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the sounds of the waterfalls and beautiful scenery. Don’t forget your sneakers and take a hike on the walking trails.
Four Mile Beach
This is a popular beach and is patrolled daily with lifeguards. This beach was a winner for us as it had a net and safety flags. Which is perfect for that beach swim. We loved going for a swim, making sandcastles and just floating around in the salty water. It had been a while since we had swam in a beach so this made it all that extra bit special.
B17 Burgers
This place is funky and has a really cool vibe. It is located on the main street in the town and sells the best range of burgers. You can sit inside or outside and chill out listening to some cool tunes. I would recommend the chicken and brie with BBQ sauce burger! It was amazing! Washed down with an icy cold SSB wine or a pint of Great Northern.
The strip in Port Douglas has plenty of nightlife, restaurants and day time drinking holes. It’s nice to stroll up and browse the shopping markets and stalls. There are plenty of handmade goods and clothing stalls along this street.
For our accommodation we stayed in a caravan park and enjoyed getting to know our neighbours. The best thing about travelling Australia is the people you meet. Put on a smile, say good morning and straight away you will have a chat about the travelling life. Everyone is friendly and it’s never to hard to find another travelling family or couple to swap tips and experiences with. This is part of the beauty of travelling.
Kylie and Dan