Jim's Travel & Photographic Blog: Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, Australia

Once thought of as a playground for the rich and famous, Port Douglas and the surrounding hinterland has recently become a holiday destination for travellers on all budgets. With increased numbers of affordable domestic and international flights into Cairns, coupled with a picturesque seaside drive along the Captain Cook Highway, means this iconic region has never been more accessible, enjoyable and appreciated.

Far North Queensland.

Back in the 1980s when Port Douglas was emerging from it's former life as a sleepy fishing village and a fledgling tourist industry was being established. With both the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, Port Douglas very quickly became an all year round location. Nowadays accommodation can be found for all budgets, from backpacker hostels, motels, private and boutique hotels to top of the range five star resorts.

Dickson Inlet.

Court House Bar.

ANZAC Park.

Rush hour.

Local constabulary.

Dixon Inlet.

I am particularly fond of this region of Far North Queensland, having spent a good deal of time exploring the area from a base in nearby Palm Cove a couple of years ago. I recall pouring a healthy measure of Bundaberg rum and coke at ten minutes past six each evening. Then sitting back and watching the sky turn black as thousands of giant fruit bats flew over the villa from their roost on Double Island just off Palm Cove, to the Rainforest for the night to feed. Port Douglas and Palm Cove are the type of places you feel instantly at home, a rare find nowadays and priceless!

Palm Cove.

Palm Cove.

Gorgeous wee chapel.

View from chapel window towards sea.

Returning from a day out on the Great Barrier Reef through the Coral Sea, you get the same view of the natural Dickson inlet with it's lush cliff top on one side and fascinating mangrove shore on the other side, that a certain Captain Cook would have witnessed as he passed by in 1770, during his epic voyage to map the East Coast of this great southern land.

Island on Great Barrier Reef.

It's my Island.

Homeward bound.

Unbelievable colours on reef.

Entering Port Douglas.

Exploring the mountain rainforest village of Kuranda using the scenic railway you get a small taste of the expanse of this spectacular land. High up in the rainforest canopy, using man-made walkways to reach impressive viewpoints leaves you breathless and maybe perhaps a wee bit nervous.

Kuranda scenic railway.

You never know what you'll find in the rainforest.

There is a multitude of adventures to be had in this fantastic land. When all else fails, there’s always time for a bit of relaxing on Four Mile Beach.

Four mile beach.

Four mile beach.

Local race night at the Iron Bar.

The weather is tropical and as such you should consider this when planning your trip. During the Australian winter months from May to October, the evenings are a little cooler, rain is as 'rare as hen's teeth' and the humidity is at it's lowest. November to April however, is the ideal time for European visitors to take advantage of the lower airfare costs. You will however get caught in some rain; but it's warm rain! The rains are generally well behaved anyhow and visit mainly during the nights, giving temporary and some welcome relief from high daytime temperatures.