Inside Australia - a Guide to Port Douglas

One of the best ways to experience Australia is to get away from the big cities. Or even the smaller cities. Thought it's internationally known, Cairns is smaller than I expected it to be. But I really enjoyed my time north of Cairns in Port Douglas quite a bit more.

Here's some handy information to help you get the most out of a visit up to Port Douglas.

Why Go?

The rural areas of Australia are some of the most relaxing places you can find. Traffic is practically nonexistent, and you'll find all sorts of fun. Port Douglas puts you in range of great beaches and Cape Tribulation, an extra-isolated outpost near the very scenic Daintree Rainforest.

Getting there is pretty easy: Rent a car in Cairns. Since traffic is pretty light, it's a great place for Americans to get the hang of driving on the opposite side of the road. The road is twisty, so keep your eye on it. If you must gawk at the awesome beaches, be sure to pull over.

The Vibe

Port Douglass has a very moneyed, upscale vibe. Maybe it's the yachts, the cool houses, the designer clothing shops and the restaurants. Still, it manages to not be snooty. That's definitely a plus. Also, you're likely to meet Australians who are on holiday themselves. They're a cheery bunch who are quick to welcome people from abroad. During our time, we met only one Australian with a sour disposition, and he was kind of putting on an act.

See, Cool Stuff, Stay and Eat at ...

On the way to Port Douglas, swing over to Kuranda for a look at the Venom Zoo. I recommend not doing this before you go camping in the Bush. Otherwise, you'll think sound you hear is a deadly venomous snake on its way to kill you. I also recommend renting a boat down at the docks. We spent a few hours putting up the river in a small skiff with an outboard motor, and it was a ton of fun, even without seeing much wildlife. It was just nice to smell the air and see the boats. It's also smart to take a drive further north to the Cape Trib Exotic Fruit Farm. There, you can taste all sorts of exotic fruits that you've never heard of, and will rarely see anywhere else - breadfruit, mangosteen, white sapote and star fruit, for example. While you're there, see if you can arrange a guide for a nighttime hike into the Daintree Rainforest. You'll see all sorts of neat creatures and just have a good time poking around the rainforest at night. Tours like this and the fruit tasting are a great way to meet other travelers.

If you need a place to stay and grab a meal, I really enjoyed the Port O Call Lodge. It's small and friendly with rooms to suit many price ranges. The rooms are very sleek but comfortable. You also get a discount at the attached bistro, and even at regular price it's still one of the tastier and more affordable dining options in town. After dinner, though, I enjoyed a visit to Wicked Ice Cream to get something sweet and surf the Internet.