The (w)right House

Best picnics

Pick up supplies from Taste on Macrossan, Shop 12 Saltwater, Macrossan Street, Port Douglas, +61 (0) 7 4099 5999. The well-signposted Mossman Gorge is five minutes away by car and is the prime spot for a romantic picnic and afternoon swim. The ancient rainforest borders a pristine river, which weaves its way through giant boulders big enough to accommodate your picnic blanket.

Best beaches

The white sand of Four Mile Beach is fringed with palm trees and is minutes from the house. During the stinger season (November to May) swimming is only permitted in the netted enclosure.

Best walks

The 10-minute stroll along the beach to the many attractions of nearby Port Douglas.

Shopping

The closest supermarket is Coles on Macrossan Street which sells a vast array of produce. The Sunday Market in Port Douglas is brimming with tropical fruit and vegetables. Make a beeline for the big truck parked near the fig tree with its tailgate open. Port Produce at 9 Warner Street, +61 (0) 7 4099 4989 also sells local produce. Seamarkets Australia, Cnr Grant and Warner Street, Port Douglas 4877, +61 (0) 7 4099 4625, sells seafood fresh from the trawler. Pick up homemade sauces and valuable cooking tips while you’re there. They even sell airline-approved seafood packs. Open daily from 08.30 to 18.30.

Activities

A day-trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. Marina Mirage is tucked away on the inlet and harbours luxury yachts, game fishing launchers and a fleet of small cruise ships, which all moor at 4pm so look before you book.  Plump for a smaller boat and smugly avoid the crowds. Divers and snorkelers should head to the luxurious and eco-friendly Aristocat, www.aristocat.com.au, which has hot showers on board and a licence to ‘passive dive’ with Minke whales, the smallest of the baleen whales. Sightings occur mid-June to mid-August.
Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime, Mossman Gorge, Mossman, +61 (0) 7 4098 2595; www.yalanji.com.au. The Kuku Yalanji tribe inhabits the local rainforest and offers one-and-a-half hour guided rainforest walks in Mossman Gorge.  Your guide will demonstrate traditional plant usage and identify Bush tucker.

A two-and-a-half hour beach and rainforest horse ride is the stuff of dreams (+61 (0) 7 4098 7583; www.ridethebeach.com.au).

Take a scenic helicopter ride to remote Aboriginal rock art sites and the outback, or try a heli-horse or heli-rafting safari (www.skysafari.com.au  +61 (0) 7 4099 3666).   

Cafes

Soul n’ Pepper

+61 (0) 7 4099 4499

Faces a former sugar wharf, is right on the water and is the perfect spot for a casual breakfast before the Sunday market. The freshly squeezed juices and tropical fruit platters are sublime and their signature breakfasts are served in cast iron frying pans.
8/2 Dixie Street, Port Douglas, Queensland 4877

Java Blue

+61 (0) 7 4099 5814

Java Blue serves the best coffee in town and is popular with locals so it’s always buzzing with energy. They serve fresh juices, wraps and sandwiches with a choice of bread.
3/2 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877

Beaches Café

+61 (0) 7 4099 4998

Classic Aussie beach kiosk with plastic chairs and a sand-covered floor. Wander in barefoot and grab an ice cream or tuck into one of their superb burgers.
Cnr Mowbray Street / Esplanade, Port Douglas, Queensland 4877

Restaurants

Nautilus

+61 (0) 7 4099 5350

This restaurant is the most romantic place to dine in Port Douglas, hands down. Under a canopy of towering palms, you are served sumptuous seafood by candlelight. Dinner only.
17 Murphy Street, Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877

Salsa Bar and Grill

+61 (0) 7 4099 4922

This charming restaurant, in an old wooden Queenslander building, dishes up tropical, modern Australian cuisine. The vibe is lively yet relaxed and is perfect for lunch or dinner. 2
26 Wharf Street, Port Douglas, Queensland 4877

2 Fish

+61 (0) 7 4099 6350

2 Fish is a great option for a casual lunch or dinner. The scallops with pancetta are beyond delicious and their speciality is market fish cooked seven different ways.
Shop 7, 20 Wharf Street, Port Douglas, Queensland 4877

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Queensland & Great Barrier Reef, check out our Queensland & Great Barrier Reef restaurant guide

For a full list of recommended activities in Queensland & Great Barrier Reef, check out our Queensland & Great Barrier Reef destination guide

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