Port Douglas.

Just a 67 km spectacular scenic coastal drive north from Cairns, Port Douglas has a wonderful laid back atmosphere and a magical old world charm.

The town of Port Douglas in far North Queensland was founded in 1877 after a nearby gold discovery and the population grew quickly but dwindled again once the Scenic Railway from Kuranda was built in 1891.

A cyclone levelled the town in 1911 and the town was largely left alone until the 1980's when Christopher Skase financed the world class Sheraton Mirage and Marina Mirage resorts.

In 1996, then US president Bill Clinton and the First Lady enjoyed a holiday here as their only Australian holiday stop and in 2006 Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died at the Batt Reef, out from the town, when he was injured by a stingray while filming a documentary.

Located in tropical North Queensland, Port Douglas is a long way away from any major Australian cities, the nearest state capital being Queensland's capital, Brisbane, which is 1700km away by road.

The journey takes roughly 20-23 hours by car, so you can either make the trip part of your holiday by hiring a car and driving from wherever you’re coming from or just fly right in to Cairns.

There are many accommodation options available to the visitor, some great family holiday resorts as well as the “high end” luxury, which many have come to identify with Port Douglas.

The wide range of vacation options for Port Douglas is complemented by the world-class array of great restaurants and boutique shops.

We all need time out now and again and Port Douglas is a laid back tropical oasis with sophisticated worldly comforts and a small friendly village atmosphere.

Here you can go from business suit to barefoot, from frantic to free.

Refresh, restore and revitalise, in the aquamarine reef waters of the Coral Sea, the crystal creeks of Mossman Gorge, and the palm fringed golden sands of Port Douglas Four Mile Beach, which is right at your door and is a great place to watch the sun rise.

Explore the 'Reef And Rainforest Coast', a spectacular 200km stretch of Coral Sea coastline that includes Port Douglas.

Don't miss the World Heritage rainforest areas of Daintree and Cape Tribulation on a guided day tour or 4WD safari.

Be inspired by the amazing array of nature and wildlife and its glorious simplicity.

The climate is seductive, beautiful balmy days dissolve into wonderful tropical evenings with velvet starry skies.

Port Douglas is a feast for your senses; visit once and you’ll be back time and time again.

Enjoy………….

John.

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