PORT DOUGLAS
Area: Queensland
Country: Australia


Location:
In far N of Queensland, 25 mls NW of Cairns and its international airport, along Capt Cook Highway.

Telephone code from UK:
61 7

Website:
http://www.pddt.com.au

Position:
On Coral Sea coast, overlooking Great Barrier Reef and its islands, on lick of land jutting into sea; sprawls long way back along Port Douglas Road, link road to Capt Cook Highway. Backed by Atherton Tableland, with Mossman Gorge cutting into it just to N and Daintree River and National Park just beyond that.

Description:
A disappointingly soulless, hugely spread-out resort _ size-wise, the name of the beach (Four Mile) says it all. The "town" centre is sited on a spit of land jutting into the sea, where there is a main street of non-coast-facing shops, bars and restaurants. The sea front itself is backed by the scrubby ANZAC Park and features a few small jetties, but it's nothing like as picturesque as you might imagine. Away from the centre, hotels alternate with residential developments without a shop or restaurant in sight and a neverending 18-hole golf course fills much of the land between Port Douglas Road and the beach.

Suitability:
Couples of all ages in search of something quieter than Cairns. Limited appeal for families with small children.

Accommodation:
Reasonable spread of 3- to 5-star accommodation, but notable lack of anything cheaper which means the few youth hostels tend to overflow.

Shopping:
Limited choice in Macrossan Street and some hotels; better selection in Cairns or Kuranda. Sunday market.

Beach:
Fine, sandy and deserted; backed by palms. Troubled by box jellyfish Oct_May although nets form safety barrier for those who want to brave the water.

Entertainments:
Daytime: golf; tennis; fishing; shipwreck museum; rainforest wildlife sanctuary; diving courses. Nightlife: a few pubs; Cairns is a better bet.

Eating:
A few restaurants and fast-food outlets along Macrossan Street, some of them more health conscious than is typical of Australia. Hotels also have their own restaurants.

Public-transport:
Very limited public bus service, so you depend on hotel shuttles if you don't have a car. Private coach service S to Palm Cove and Cairns and N _ along increasingly rough roads _ to Cooktown and Cape Tribulation. Once-daily ferry cruise to Palm Cove and Cairns.

Local-excursions:
Tours of Daintree rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda (scenic train and skyrail). Daintree River cruises. Outback experience. Boat trips to Great Barrier Reef for swimming, snorkelling, diving, swimming and fishing.