Best picnic spot
The well-signposted Mossman Gorge is a five-minute drive away 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
If you can drag yourself away from the blissful solitude, head for nearby Newell Beach, a 20-minute drive away. Swim in the aquamarine ocean (when stingers aren’t in season) or go horse riding along the beach (+61 (0) 7 4098 7583; www.ridethebeach.com.au).
Best walks
The Mossman Gorge. While you are there, make for Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime, at the entrance of the gorge, where indigenous inhabitants of the local rainforest offer guided rainforest walks with demonstrations of traditional plant use and identification of bush tucker.
Shopping
The nearest supermarket is five minutes’ away in Mossman (IGA, 12 Front Street, Mossman 4873, +61 (0) 7 4098 1168). Head for The Golden Cane Bakery (37 Front Street, Mossman 4873, +61 (0) 7 4098 1907) for breakfast provisions. Visit Mossman market on Saturdays or the weekly market in Port Douglas on Sundays. They both sell locally grown fruit and vegetables direct from the farmers. Blood Orange, at 9 Warner Street, +61 (0)7 4099 4979, turns out homemade sauces, including luscious passionfruit or mango butter, as well as dips, gourmet meals, and fresh fruit and veg. Seafood House, 11 Warner Street, Port Douglas, +61 (0)7 4099 5368, sells seafood fresh from the trawler, as well as tasty smoked salmon, mackerel and, for the adventurous, crocodile. Open seven days a week.
Activities
The vibrant resort town of Port Douglas is a 15-minute drive away and offers a multitude of activities, including world-class golfing, day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, shopping, fabulous art galleries and world-class dining. Your hosts can organise day trips and a hire car.
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).
Smith Tip
Visit during the mango season and pack as many as you can into the ice box. When frozen, mangoes are much easier to slice and are a refreshing poolside snack. Simply take them out of the freezer and peel one half like a banana and the flesh will be soft enough to eat. It’s like eating an icecream (without the calories!) Alternatively, whizz them and make fruit smoothies or Mango Daiquiris.
