Port Douglas ~ another way to the Great Barrier Reef
Port Douglas is situated about 60 kilometers north of Cairns, and is one of the oldest towns in Far North
Queensland and one of the best sites to access the diving on the great barrier reef. Back in the 1880’s it was a
‘boom’ town serving the needs of the pioneers working in the goldfields and servicing the smaller towns in the far
north. When the takings from the goldfields petered out, because of the excellent growing properties of the region,
it became the headquarters for the sugar industry.
An episode that helped the decline of Port Douglas in the early days
was the fact that the long awaited railway which was supposed to come to the area, stopped at Cairns. This made a
lot of the business’s move from the area, and Port Douglas became a sleepy backwater.
The 1970’s saw a rejuvenation
of the area when tourists discovered the uniqueness of the tropical paradise. In spite of all the development that
has taken place over the last twenty five years or so, it's uniqueness still remains. Port Douglas still retains the
feeling of being a quaint little village. There are fabulous restaurants, resorts and hotels in the area, and the
waterfront markets on Sundays are worth a visit in their own right.
Within easy reach are two of Far North Queenslands spectacular scenic wonders. These are the Daintree/Cape
Tribulation rainforests and easy accessibility to the Great Barrier Reef. Both can be explored on a day trip
basis.
The day trip from Cairns to Port Douglas is an easy drive with numerous special spots to stop off on the way.
The Far North Queensland trip is not complete without a trip to "Port" and if you have the time to spare on your
vacation, don’t stop here. Venture a little further north. You will not be disappointed. This is a paradise that
will be a talking point of your Australian adventure for many years to come.
