Flames of the Forest was the only dining experience north of Brisbane to named in the ‘100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences’ list in the Australian Traveller Magazine (March 2010). The list was put together by national cooking identities including Maggie Beer, Matt Moran and Peter Russell-Clarke and firmly places Flames of the Forest as a must-do culinary attraction and experience in Port Douglas. Located just 10-minutes from Port Douglas by car, the Flames of the Forest venue and experience is a combination of unique environment, gentle lighting, exquisite atmosphere and fine dining. On Thursdays and Fridays you can enjoy a cultural dining experience, with two Aboriginal brothers sharing their timeless oral traditions through story telling and music. Saturday nights are a night for romance, with Flames of the Forest combining flickering candlelight with ancient rainforest, fine food and premium beer and wines.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is just 25-minutes south of Port Douglas and is undoubtedly the best place to see Tropical North Queensland’s awesome fresh and saltwater crocodiles in captivity. Open daily from 8.30am-5.00pm, Hartley’s has over 2,100 metres of boardwalks and pathways that take you on a journey through woodlands and rainforest where you will see tropical birds, insects and other native fauna. Take a cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon, where you will be surrounded by 19 crocodiles, ranging in size from 2.5 – 5m, presented in their natural environment. There are a number of wildlife presentations held throughout the day, including koalas, cassowaries, snakes and native quolls. Hartley’s is also an active Crocodile Farm and tours are held twice daily (10am & 1.30pm) allowing you to gain an insight into the sustainable, commercial use of crocodiles. Meals are available in Lilies Restaurant.
Get out of the car and enjoy the sights of Port Douglas by horse drawn carriage. Horses in Port: Andalusian Horse & Carriage Company provides sunset champagne tours and joy rides throughout Port Douglas, suitable for the whole family. The white, French-inspired, single horse drawn carriage seats five and will make you feel like royalty. Joy rides are available by appointment and can last anywhere between 30-minutes and one hour. The sunset champagne tours are romantic and magical. The gentle swaying of the carriage combined with the rhythmic clip clop of the horse’s hooves will transport you back in time, to an era of romance and chivalry.
Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime are an award-winning cultural tourism operation that provides guided tours through the Mossman Gorge Area, just 15-minutes north of Port Douglas. The 1.5 hour walks take you on a gentle journey through the rainforest, on easy graded tracks, back time. The Kuku Yalanji Guides share their history, stories, culture, knowledge and skills, taking you to special places and culturally significant sites. See traditional bark shelters, learn about medicinal rainforest plant use, identify bush tucker and learn the history of Aboriginal cave paintings on this interactive walking tour. The Dreamtime Walks include tea and damper and are held four times daily. If you want to support and learn about indigenous culture, then this is the experience for you. It employs 100% Bama staff (Rainforest Aboriginal People) and is committed to cultural interpretation and empowerment.
Lady Douglas River Cruises provides trips of exploration in Dickson Inlet, Port Douglas, which is an Estuarine Conservation Zone listed as an Area of State Significance. Crocodiles are seen on over 90% of trips and you are also likely to see many different species of coastal birdlife including herons, waders, kingfishers and sea eagles. The skipper is well versed in local history, attractions, flora and fauna and will explain various features of interest, including the mangroves and crocodiles, along the way. Operating out of Marina Mirage three times daily, the Lady Douglas is comfortable, stable and has a licensed bar, making it a good option for a sunset cruise. Operating for over 20 years Lady Douglas River Cruises are somewhat of a Port Douglas institution and every trip passes the scenic waterfront and harbour, providing stunning coastal and mountain views.
Quicksilver Cruises are the most respected reef operator in Tropical North Queensland and run their daily services out of Port Douglas. Whether you want to take a wavepiercing catamaran to a reef pontoon, or sail to Low Isles, Quicksilver Cruises can provide it all, in comfort and luxury. The fast catamarans provide a comfortable, stable cruise to the reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. Here you can choose to dive, snorkel, swim or explore the underwater world from the dry surrounds of a semi-sub. Included is morning and afternoon tea, hot and cold smorgasbord lunch, underwater observatory, coral viewing, fish feeding and reef presentation by a marine biologist. Meantime, Wavedancer sails daily to Low Isles, an idyllic, unspoilt coral island that appeals to everyone. Visitor numbers are limited, to protect to the reef’s ecology.
Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary provides an amazing opportunity to walk through different tropical environments, including rainforest, wetlands and grasslands, all just five minutes from the heart of Port Douglas. Get close to the plants and animals of this unique attraction, including kangaroos, crocodiles, wombats and snakes. You can visit anytime during the day, or book a ‘Breakfast with the Birds’ or ‘Lunch with the Lorikeets’ package for a meal and a tour. Breakfast with the Birds is a daily event held between 8-10.30am in the wetlands section. The tropical buffet breakfast includes fresh fruit platters, cereals, pastries and hot items. If that is too early, Lunch with the Lorikeets is from 12-2pm and includes homemade soups, grilled fish, pasta, salads, steaks and a selection of fruits and cheeses. Tea and coffee are included, as are the birdlife companions, which range from lorikeets to curlews and herons.
Reef Sprinter is the ultimate adventure snorkelling cruise and the only 2.5 hour Great Barrier Reef trip in Port Douglas. The ‘sprinter’ is a purpose-built, 11.5 metre ridged inflatable boat that cruises at 40 knots, thanks to its 600hp engine. The Reef Sprinter will have you at Low Isles in just 15-minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the reef, before sprinting back to Port Douglas to continue your day on land. Perhaps most importantly, no one has ever been seasick on the Reef Sprinter, as it is a speed boat, not a ferry. There is a maximum of 14 passengers per trip, so you definitely avoid the crowds. If you aren’t a swimmer, you can still enjoy a Reef Sprinter experience as they do have a glass bottom boat tour available. There are three trips operating daily: advance bookings are highly recommended.
Fancy a round of golf? Then check out Sea Temple Golf, for the ultimate in luxurious courses and facilities. Open daily (except Christmas Day) this 18-hole championship links-style course is 71 par and 6,125m long, with tee times from 6.30am. Sea Temple Golf officially opened in 2000. Although it is membership based, it’s also open to visitors and offers corporate golf packages. The course is set against a backdrop of rainforest covered mountains and provides experienced golfers a challenging day out. Tuition is also available from a PGA qualified coach. Facilities include Verandah Bar and Restaurant, which is open daily from 7.30am – 3.00pm and serves breakfast, lunch and brunch. Bar service is open till 6pm, providing the perfect place to unwind and watch the sun set on another perfect day in paradise.
Skysafari provide scenic helicopter flights, day tours, aerial photography and private heli charter services. Operating from its Port Douglas base, the Skysafari helicopter fleet provides exciting day tour options to the reef, rainforest and outback. As long as you have two or more people per booking, Skysafari’s helis will depart on demand. Trips available include, but are not limited to: 15-minute scenic flights over Port Douglas, 20-minute fly overs of Cassowary Valley and the Daintree Rainforest, 50-minute flights over the Great Barrier Reef, or from the coast to the outback and back again. Longer flights and charters are also available. In flight commentary and transfers are included.
Synergy II is a luxuriously appointed, 62 foot sailing catamaran that provides a full day luxury sail and snorkel cruise charter service to the Great Barrier Reef, departing from Port Douglas. Limited to just 12 people, passengers aboard a Synergy II charter enjoy a culinary feast including delicious pastries, tea & coffee and a gourmet BBQ lunch featuring prawn and spring onion skewers, fresh reef fish, marinated breast of chicken, goats cheese salad, new potato salad, tomato, bocconcini & basil salad, followed by an afternoon tea of seasonal tropical fruits, delicious cheese platter, complemented with dried figs, water crackers and a selection of sweet treats including chocolate mud cake, white chocolate cheesecake and shortbread & nougat slice. And that’s just the food! There is two hours of sailing to the reef, three hours snorkelling and swimming, guided tours and everything you need all included.
