Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia

Port Douglas at sunset

 







Why you should go.
 

What makes it special

A beautiful hour or so drive from Cairns along a road fringed by the coast on one side and forest on the other is Port Douglas. It is where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Coral Sea making it the only place on the planet where two World Heritage sites collide.

Port, as the locals call it, is a lovely upscale tourist destination that attracts Australians as well as globe trotters. Life here floats along at a sleepy pace. Many shops and restaurants close early. But, Port has all the trappings of the 21^st century -– minus high-rise buildings – you need for a great holiday. This is an idyllic base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef as well as the rainforest.

Port Douglas, the town

Port Douglas, the town
The tree-lined Macrossan Street is the town’s main artery. It is awash with boutiques, shopping malls, bars, cafés and top-notch restaurants. You cannot really go wrong whichever you choose, especially if you like fish. It is a foodies’ paradise.

A tropical heaven

Beaches
Golden sands adorned with coconut palms and sparkling crystal-clear turquoise waters lapping at the edge, the Four Mile Beach is a tropical heaven. Take a walk to the northern end to discover rock pools. Like most beaches in Australia, it is patrolled so you can swim safety. Occasionally, water crocodiles can be spotted here so watch out. 

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there
I flew with Qantas from Alice Springs to Port Douglas. For best rates visit qantas.com

Stay
You will find plenty of accommodation here ranging from budget to luxury. I stayed at the boutique Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel. Overlooking the Four Mile Beach it is the only hotel in town to have beach and ocean views. Hi Tide Cafe-Bar-Restaurant is an idyllic setting for dining. Another plus of the hotel is that it is only a couple of minutes’ stroll to the main street. Catering only for adults, it has bags of charm. The owners, Gavin & Kylie along with their team are warm and welcoming. It is easy to forget you are in a hotel. For more information and best rates peninsulahotel.com.au

Alice Springs, Red Centre, Australia

Why you should go

Alice, as it is better known, is not only an artistic hub, it is full of interesting places and Aboriginal heritage sites. Put simply, this sleepy place is unique.

Background
Located almost in the centre of Australia, snugly tucked between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice is remote. It may be the third largest town in the Northern Territory but as there are fewer than 30,000 inhabitants, it has the feel of a small village.

The personality of the people
Spirited and unconventional, the population of Alice make this town rather special. Many along the way have added their contribution to the town’s story. Evident is the strong cultural tie with the Arrernte people.

Best view
From the top of Anzac Hill, on which there is a memorial dedicated to those who have lost their lives fighting for their country, you can see great vistas of the town and the MacDonnells that surround it.

Todd Mall

Mix with the people
Todd Mall is the town’s main drag. As you would expect, there are some great cafés, restaurants and bars here where you can strike up conversations with the locals. Do not forget to visit some of the art galleries selling interesting Aboriginal art, that line the street. There are also plenty of quirky boutiques for you to mooch around. The Visitor Information Centre can be found here as well.

The Todd River

Heritage buildings
On Parson Street you will see some lovely buildings including The Residency, the former home of the Government Resident of Central Australia, built in 1928 and the the Old Stuart Town Gaol from the early 1900s.

Culture injection

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility (rfdsalicesprings.com.au) runs tours every half an hour from 9am until 4pm so you can learn more about how the service works. On the nearby Stuart Terrace, is the former women’s prison which is now home to the Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame (pioneerwomen.com.au)

The Telegraph Station (alicespringstelegraphstation.com.au) the birthplace of the Alice Springs township, is a must on most tourists’ itinerary. Set up in 1871, messages were relayed between Darwin and Adelaide. They also linked with an underwater cable network to London, which enabled the first communication between Australia and England.

Araluen Arts Centre (araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au) renowned for its Aboriginal art is the hub of the Araluen Cultural Precinct where you will you find museums, a theatre and Arrernte sacred sites.  

Go for a walk
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is probably quite unlike a garden you have been to before. Founded in 1956 by Olive Muriel Pink, it showcases plants from Australia's centre.

Check out the Todd River which is dry the majority of the year.

Parrtjima2018

Best festival
Parrtjima (parrtjimaaustralia.com.au) a free 10-night festival, is a special experience. The dates differ every year. This year, 2019, it is being held from April 5 to April 14. This authentic Aboriginal light extravaganza has some amazing light installations from Aboriginal Artists. Set against the MacDonnell Ranges this is the stuff that make memories. As you listen to music or hear a talk you are mingling with the local community.

The festival takes place at the Desert Park a place that has strong links to the local Arrernte people.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there
I went by coach from Uluru. You get to see spectacular scenery as you pass through the outback including seeing Atila (Mt Conner) which tourists often mistake for Ulluru. For more info visit aatkings.com

Stay at
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters. A short walk from Alice Springs CBD, this is regarded as the best hotel in town. For more info visit ihg.com/crowneplaza