Port Douglas is the name of a town located in far north Queensland, Australia, it is approximately about 70km north of cairns. This is equivalent to 40miles. According to 2011 population census, it has a population of 3,205 at that time. It is possible for the population of the town to double, with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season which is usually May-September. The town developed rapidly due to the mining industry that is based in the town while other parts of the area were established with timber cutting taking place in the area surrounding the Daintree river and the also settlement beginning to move in around the Mossman River by 1880. The town was name in honor of former premier of Queensland, John Douglas.
How to get there and around
With just an hour’s drive from Cairns Airport you are driving via the most spectacular coastal road with breathtaking views of the Coral Sea.
There exist a various options of transportation to your accommodations house in Port Douglas, Daintree or Cape Tribulation.
The Captain Cook Highway from Cairns, transports you past the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach, Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree Village and right into the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation.
The town has a number of heritage listed sites like Macrossan Street where FDA carstens memorial is, Wharf Street home to St. Mary’s by the sea, 6 Dixie Street for Port Douglas wharf and storage shed as well as 25 Wharf Street home to the Port Douglas court house museum.
When to come
On a yearly basis Port Douglas attracts tourist and locals alike to two significant festival periods. The first is the Port Douglas Carnival which is held towards the end of May and runs for ten days over two weekends starting with the Macrossan street parade attracting over ten thousand tourist and locals together. And the second festival time is held through October and November with the Sunset in the park music festival and porttoberfest North Queensland’s very own Beer Festival are held on the middle and last weekend’s of October.
The first weekend in November, Port Douglas turns into an athlete’s village to host the CANEGROWERS Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival. Competitors have the opportunity to race against the marathon Olympian in the Steve Mobeghetti Marathon; also Steve Moneghetti is the event ambassador.
Port Douglas continues to entertain taking the first Tuesday of November very seriously with an assortment of Melbourne Cup dining events. Both periods celebrate and embrace the regions unique tropical island like lifestyle.
Activities
Kite surfing is very popular at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, particularly during the months of winter when the trade winds blow from the south.
Port Douglas is famous for its many golf courses, restaurants, walks as well as five star resorts. Port Douglas is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Many organizations run daily trips from the marina to the outer reef and the Low Isles for scuba diving as well as snorkeling.