Port Douglas - Cairns - Cairns Beaches - Palm Cove - Tropical Qld Accommodation
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Port Douglas is essentially a small area of land surrounded by water - a property developer's dream! To the east is the spectacular Four Mile Beach and the clear blue water of the Coral Sea. To the west (where you find the Marina and the Yacht Club) is the mangrove lined Dickson's Inlet and Port Douglas waterways.
The heart of Port Douglas is made up of a triangle that incorporates
Macrossan Street - the main shopping area - and the Four Mile Beach. You
are likely to be very comfortable (financially and otherwise) if you own
property on the hill that overlooks this Golden Triangle.
- The Marina, a Map Incorporating the "Golden Triangle", and the Four Mile Beach
Port Douglas is a beautiful spot, and the area's fame and popularity is further enhanced by its close proximity to two of Australia's most precious assets, the Great Barrier Reef and the majestic rainforests of Daintree and Cape Tribulation national parks.
Background
The Port Douglas township, 66 kms north of Cairns, was established towards the end of the 19th century after the discovery of gold at Hodgkinson River. It grew quickly, and dwindled. As recent as 50 years ago the town was little more than a fishing village with a population of 100.
In the mid-1980's, tourism boomed in the region with the aid of the late Christopher Skase who built the world-class Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. The rest, as they say, is history.
The current population of "locals" is probably around 1,200 - 1,500, and many of these have migrated from much colder climates such as Melbourne or even New Zealand.
Macrossan Street
The main shopping area in Port Douglas is Macrossan Street. In fact, just about all the shops and restaurants in Port Douglas are located in Macrossan or in the nearby Marina.
There is a myriad of high quality boutiques and restaurants, as you will
no doubt see for yourself. There is also a district lack of franchises
such as McDonald's and KFC, although a certain franchise bakery was permitted
to open shop last year.
- Marina Mirage
Marina Mirage Port Douglas is a significant nautical gateway to Port Douglas and Tropical North Queensland. It is the departure point for world renowned Quicksilver Connections luxury vessels and for a flotilla of luxury cruise vessels, yachts and private motor cruisers.
The superbly located waterfront retail complex of Marina Mirage Port Douglas combines exclusive shopping and fine dining in true tropical Queensland style.
- Four Mile Beach
One of the many attractions of Port Douglas is the fine hard beach which is considered to be one of the north's best. The sand on the Four Mile Beach is so firm that it has been used for horse races, motor cycle races, foot races and even as a landing place by planes en route to New Guinea with official air mail.
These days the beach is a favourite place for swimming, sun baking and long invigorating walks, especially early morning walks, by locals and tourists alike.
- Tourist Activities
Visitors to Port Douglas will invariably spend a lot of time doing what
tourists do best - lazing around the pool, sun baking, swimming on the
Four Mile Beach, and shopping or dining in Macrossan.
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They will spend a fair bit of time away from Port Douglas, visiting the spectacular attractions nearby. Reef tours will of course leave from the Marina, and day-tour operators usually pick up at the resorts. However, a car may come in handy when visiting the Tablelands,
Cape Tribulation or the Mossman Gorge. Please see tourism
& things to do for full details of what to see around Port
Douglas. |
- The Habitat in Port Douglas
The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is an Environmental Wildlife Park which is located in Port Douglas Rd just near the Port Douglas turn-off on the Captain Cook Highway.
It describes itself as a wildlife park of the future - where visitors can wander through the four different and unique habitats of North Queensland - rainforest, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands - and view over 180 species that call these ecosystems home.
- Sunday Market
The Port Douglas Market is open every Sunday with a large choice of fresh local produce, gifts, arts & crafts along with souvenirs of the region. Perhaps not as large as the Kuranda markets, but definitely worth a look if you stay in Port or if you are passing through.
- Port Douglas Accommodation
Port Douglas has the full range of accommodation, from luxury hotels
and resorts such as the Peppers
Beach Club, to affordable holiday apartments, youth hostels and even
caravan parks near the beach. Stella
Resorts Group has a dominant market position after the acquisition
of all the Outrigger Resorts,
and Latitude 16 is
a group of smaller resorts that are perfectly located where Macrossan
meets the Four Mile Beach .... (more).