When you gaze out of the office window more than you check your emails and the winter chill becomes too much to bare, its time to call Wendy van der Wolf at Tropical Retreats to plan the ultimate break to Tropical North Queensland. It’s where the rainforest meets the reef and few places on earth can boast such unique natural attractions.
How to plan
Planning your holiday with Tropical Retreats provides you with your private host to tailor a getaway to suit your imaginative style and budget. Whether you’re after tranquillity, activity an escape from everyday madness, Wendy (your host) will cater your ultimate experience. Wendy truly understands service, leaving the renown “what ever when ever” W Hotel service for dead!
Where to stayTropical Retreats offers well over 50 different options of accommodation from beachside villas to rainforest retreats. I had the opportunity to see many of the breathtaking properties each with their own unique rare beauty. One of my favourites was, The Beach House at Newell Beach.
The Newell Beach House is an hour or so drive north of Cairns International Airport along The Captain Cook Highway (past Port Douglas and on through the rural "sugar town" of Mossman). This retreat offers spectacular views overlooking the Coral Sea to Port Douglas, Snapper Island and Low Isles. A Balinese influence rustic oasis in pristine location without the busy hustle and bustle. The in-house facilities are endless - swimming pool, Television, Stereo, BBQ on ocean deck, indoor/outdoor and beachfront dining, 2 bicycles and fully equipped kitchen. Unlike 4 Mile Beach in Port Douglas, Newell Beach has not been commercially exploited, perfect if your idea of a holiday in paradise is endless sandy beaches surrounded by rain forest covered mountains with cascading crystal streams running into azure waters. There is a golf club, selection of small family run restaurants as well as corner shops full of locally grown produce. For the adventurous, the Daintree rainforest is on your doorstep and Mossman Gorge is a great afternoon escape.
Where to eatYou certainly won’t go hungry; Port Douglas is renowned for its wide range of restaurants, cafés, coffee shops and take-aways. One of my top eating spots is The Court House Hotel.
The hotel is a very popular venue and one of the oldest original historical buildings in Port Douglas. From every angle in every room of the hotel has the most spectacular views overlooking the mountain ranges and Coral Sea. The perfect spot to watch the sunset and catch the boats coming in from a spectacular day on the reef is upstairs at the Sunset Lounge, also a great spot to retire for a nightcap drink. The Beer Garden has live entertainment from Thursday to Saturday. With 4 different eating and hang out spots there is something here for everyone.
What to doPort Douglas: The charismatic village of Port Douglas is located 60km north of Cairns International Airport. The drive north from Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway has fantastic coastal scenery. Make sure your camera is handy as there are a few lookouts worth pulling over for. Port Douglas is the place to unwind, relax and forget absolutely everything. It has a year round temperature of over 20° C and is very laid back. ‘Port’ offers all the conveniences and luxury imaginable for all budgets. Port is the nearest mainland town to the Great Barrier Reef while the world heritage Daintree and Cape Tribulation are at your doorstep.
Sunday Market: A leisurely stroll though Port Douglas Market on Sunday is a must. The market is held every Sunday in Market Park. The scenery is beautiful; expect views of the mountain ranges and Coral Sea. There’s something for every one - wood carvings, henna tattooing, vintage clothes, local fruit, arts and crafts, jewellery, fresh coconuts and Sitar music. Market hours are from 8am until 1.30 pm.
The Great Barrier Reef: Undisputed as one of the world’s most important natural assets. It is the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg. A visit to Port Douglas is not complete until you have experienced this underworld haven. I recommend a day trip with Poseidin Tours. They take you to 3 spectacular sites on the very edge of the Outer Great Barrier Reef, at the ‘Agincourt Ribbon Reefs’. They are long narrow reefs flushed out at every tide by clear oceanic water welling up from the Coral Sea Trench near by. Coral thrives in this clear water, creating spectacular gardens and a huge variety of marine life.They provide both snorking and scuba diving for the more experienced. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the snorkling and scuba advisers will make you feel completely at ease. The advisors teach correct use of equiptment, safe techinques and an informative talk on the bioligy and history of the reef.