Port Douglas – Sophisticated Shopping and fine Dining
The chic and upmarket seafront town of Port Douglas can be reached within an hour from Cairns via the beautiful coastal road. This drive in itself is stunning and offers a couple of fascinating places to stop that will enrich the experience of anyone on their way to sample everything that Port Douglas has to offer.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
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Dedicated to crocodile conservation, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is located close to Hartley’s Creek and was the first place in Australia to breed crocodiles in captivity. Explore the five different wildlife zones, where you can spot several different species of crocodiles, in addition to snakes, wallabies, koalas and a wide variety of other wildlife.
Sun, Sea and Stunning Scenery
Grab the perfect photo opportunity at Rex Lookout, situated on the coastal road. This beautiful spot offers stunning views of Trinity Bay and the Coral Sea, which laps at the shores of Four Mile Beach. This is the best-known beach in Port Douglas and is lent an air of exclusivity by the luscious palm trees that line the beach, hiding the buildings and development of the outside world from view.
Experience Daintree National Park
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Within easy reach of Port Douglas, you can find the UNESCO-listed Daintree National Park, where the clear waters of Mossman Gorge run through the oldest rainforest in the world. Mossman Gorge offers some of the best freshwater swimming in Tropical North Queensland, and you can let your cares melt away in these tranquil waters at the heart of the rainforest.
Journeying on through the lush greenery will bring you to Cape Tribulation, where the Daintree Rainforest suddenly gives way to white sand, and land meets sea. Seeing this stark contrast in scenery is a breathtaking experience.
Dining in Port Douglas
Port Douglas has established a reputation as one of Australia’s premier dining destinations, truly offering something for everyone in an upmarket and intimate environment. The town’s location in a fertile growing area means that fresh produce is always available, and its food and wine festival, held here each August, attracts many well-known chefs from around the world. Michelin-trained British chef Spencer Patrick has two restaurants here.
The choice of dining in Port Douglas is eclectic; the high-end restaurants nestle alongside laid-back waterfront cafes. You’ll find plenty of traditional Australian cuisine, as well as the tastiest menus from Europe and around the world.
The Port Douglas Shopping Experience
Port Douglas offers a varied and intriguing shopping scene. Boutique fashion stores sit alongside galleries exhibiting work by local artists, and the craft shops offer a wealth of handmade gifts and souvenirs. To enjoy the Port Douglas shopping experience to the fullest, however, it’s essential to take in the Sunday Markets on the waterfront. Offering a huge variety of products made and grown by the town’s residents, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
