Pop into Port Douglas

Famous for being the celebrity hangout of Far Northern Queensland, Port Douglas is an interesting little town an hour’s drive North of Cairns. The town fills up from July to September when Australians living in the Southern states flee their winter weather, preferring the balmy tropics. The drive to Port Douglas alone, makes a visit worthwhile, with spectacular beach views emerging every few minutes around bends in the road. Keep an eye on the road though.

The resort part of Port Douglas is built along 4 mile beach and offers accommodation ranging from backpacker hostel to pricey luxury resort. The centre of town is just a little further along the same road.

There are lots of specialty shops. Many cater mainly for tourists but all the necessary supermarkets, pharmacies and banks are here too. There is a marina from which day trips to the reef leave and which has several lovely eateries with a view over the boats, as well as lots of boutique shops. There is also a lookout high above town called Flagstaff Hill lookout, from which there is an amazing view South along the length of 4 mile beach. Shame I was there on a grey day!

On Sundays there is a lively market with a variety of stalls offering local crafts (cane toad purse anyone?) and services such as hair-braiding and massages. You can buy souvenirs, clothes, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as local produce including (amazing) chocolate, coffee, chutneys and candies. There are snack stalls including one selling coconuts to drink and once you have drunk the juice you can then hand it back to the stallkeeper who will drill out the flesh (I’m not joking!) and you can add honey and scoff that down too. There is something for everyone.

One of the best things about Port Douglas though is the food. There are so many eating options in Port Douglas including Greek, Thai and Aussie cuisine to name only a few. What they do all have in common is fantastic seafood. Check out Port Douglas, you won’t regret it.