Take a scenic one hour drive along the magnificent Captain Cook Highway that starts in Cairns situated in Far North Queensland, Australia, and stop in Port Douglas, a lively small village for a great nautical and diving pleasure.
Article continues below
Port Douglas was a small sleepy village once. Thanks to the Gold Rush in the late 1800's it became the main port for gold mining fields, the target of many gold prospectors that were searching for a better future, and the host of even more accommodations. The result: today Port Douglas is a favourite luxury holiday resort for the rich and famous and Australia's premier holiday destination.
Port Douglas is a true shopping Mecca for everyone interested in spending money in a big style. Marina Mirage, a five star resort-style marina, is also a perfect place for al fresco dining and enjoying a cup of coffee and a view on yachts and luxury cruise vessels. Take a drive on the Bally Hooley Steam Railway, a small 55 years old steam train once used to transport sugar and passengers that runs from the Marina Mirage station, and meet Sheraton Country Club, a golfer's paradise rated as one of the world's best resort courses.
Don't miss Sunday Market to see some of handmade furniture and art. If you want to meet historic North Queensland and the heart of the village, stretch your legs to a bustling tree-lined Macrossan street that offers trendy stores, world-class restaurants, charming sidewalk cafes and a magnificent Aboriginal art galleries. For even more excitement stroll through Wharf Street, one of the Australia's finest residential addresses, and find out why people like Port Douglas so much.
Who knows, maybe your eyes will catch a house that is on sale. And if, by any chance, it is located on the perfect place overlooking rainforest mountains and the sea... Well, it will be hard to resist.
What makes Port Douglas attractive are not just luxury accommodations and excellent shopping experience, but something that money can't buy. It is about Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Even for the experts it is hard to describe how it feels to dive in warm water surrounded by explosion of colours of one of the most beautiful reefs in the world, giant wrasses and exotic fishes.
But you don't need to be an expert for deep-sea diving to meet underwater world because there is a range of activities for everybody that will bring that beauty to you. The experience tough to beat.
Untouched tropical Daintree Rainforest offers wonderful outdoor experience for all in love with wilderness. There you won't have just the opportunity to learn something about its diverse ecosystem and its numerous species. There you will hear sounds of the virgin forest, meet its trails and beaches and Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal tribe or "Rainforest People" that feels it as their home. You will meet the whole new amazing world of the rainforest, its ancient cave paintings and sacred sites.
Take the best of Port Douglas. Lay down and enjoy the sun on its Four Mile Beach, swimming and sailing. Leave the crowd for a day and take a tour to the idyllic Low Isles situated just 15km of Port Douglas. Enjoy its peace and quiet, its coral reef very close to the islands, dive and make friends of its inhabitants turtles. Back to Port Douglas learn more and visit Shipwreck Museum that hosts a collection of shipwrecks from all around Australia.
You certainly won't forget Port Douglas so soon. It offers so much that it won't be a surprise if you decide to visit it again. Note in your calendar November 14, 2012. On that date at 6:38am Port Douglas will be in the pole position for a total solar eclipse. Join the crowd and be a part of the unique event in the unique place on Earth. ■
