The Femme Files

Picture Perfect: Port Douglas

There are two types of holidays: those destined for adventure, and those meant for relaxation. I took the latter recently, travelling to the small North Queensland town of Port Douglas for my “babymoon.” I have been going to Port Douglas on holiday since I was a child, and despite growing from a sleepy little seaside village with a couple of hotels to a popular and often overrun tourist destination, the town still retains its unique charm.

We decide to stay at the Sheraton Mirage, the first resort to be built in Port Douglas, opening in 1988. It’s this hotel that is largely responsible for the boom in tourism to the town in the 90s – and staying there you can see why. Despite still looking exactly as it probably did in the 80s, complete with faded pink pylons, jazzy palm tree emblems and brass-buttoned staff uniforms, the Sheraton Mirage is a gorgeous hotel designed to make guests relax. Huge saltwater lagoons snake around the centre of the resort, with little sandy beaches, waterfalls and lush tropical scenery. There are two, three and four bedroom villas to stay in, located around the 18 hole golf course, but we opted for a lagoon-front hotel room (well there is still only two of us at the moment!). The rooms aren’t much, sparsely decorated and still fitting the early 90s vibe, but the bed is comfy, the minibar well stocked and our own private balcony literally perched on one of the many lagoons. With the temperature somewhere in the low 30s, we strip off and dive straight into the shimmering water. 

If you’re after a more luxurious stay, my girlfriend swears by Coconut Grove http://www.coconutgroveportdouglas.com.au - where you can wade in your own plunge pool while admiring the coastline below.  Alternatively, a Hypoxi client recommends Bale (recently acquired by Peppers Group) http://www.peppersbaleportdouglas.com.au if you are planning a trip for a party of 8 or more and want a 5 star experience but the convenience of kitchen facilities.  With the pristine waters of the Barrier Reef at your doorstep – you can’t go wrong either way.

The week passes quickly, as our days spent eating, swimming and sleeping blur into each other. One of the main drawcards of Port Douglas is the fabulous restaurants, many of which celebrities have dined at while shooting a movie in town (think Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Kate Hudson, John Travolta). The local Chinese even displays a proud picture of Bill Clinton downing some dim sum to lure customers! Local produce is often on the menu – we ate kangaroo, crocodile and some delicious local reef fish. Restaurants I’d recommend include 2Fish for incredible seafood, Bucci for good Italian, Salsa Bar for atmosphere and mango margaritas, Watergate for drinks before dinner and Nautilus for a romantic evening under a canopy of evening stars. Re-Hab has the best coffee in town and for the most incredible gelato head to the family-run shop next door to Zinc restaurant at the end of Macrossan street.

While we passed the time doing as little as possible, there is plenty to keep you occupied in Port Douglas. Visit the Great Barrier Reef or take a Daintree Rainforest tour, head to Mossman gorge to swim in ice-cold fresh water or learn to scuba dive, deep sea fish and more. The best time to visit Port Douglas is between May – October, when the beach is free of stingers and the rainy season is over. Flying into Cairns, the coastal drive up takes about an hour – book a spot on one of the many buses that travel to and fro each day.