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Port Douglas is less than
a 1 hours
drive north of Cairns International airport.
You,
our Port Douglas
Beachfront Terrace guest, have just been greeted by our chauffeured
coach driver and within minutes of stepping off the plane have left the
city, passed through the last traffic lights and began one of
Australia's most scenic and delightful coastal tours.
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Twenty minutes later your vehicle
rounds a bend and there for the first time in the distance you see Port
Douglas. A raised promontory seeming to float on the horizon and
connected to you by an almost endless beach. For the next 30 minutes
your anticipation increases, you are heading north, the distant
rainforest clad mountains draw closer and the completely unspoiled and
deserted beaches roll by.
A few minutes to go and you
enter the lush sugar cane growing area that fringes Port Douglas.
Your driver explains that apart from eco tourism, the growing of
cane and the local fishing fleet are the only other major activities
in the region.
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You are now 58 kms. from Cape Tribulation when your
driver turns right and enters the splendid colonnade of a thousand
mature oil palms that lead the way into Port Douglas.
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| Your driver has
described Port Douglas, its history and development. He
or she has pointed out that there is not a single
building constructed above the height of a coconut palm,
local planning prohibits this. You notice the complete
absence of "modern day" vehicle control
measures, we don't need parking meters or traffic
lights. As you enter the village a quick diversion takes
you past the modern marina facilities, the centre for
all The Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkelling trips
and then a right turn at the 100 year old Court House
Hotel, one of Port Douglas' fine historic timber
buildings and then down along our main street. |
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You are now 30 seconds from
your destination, the road appears to run into the sea but a
right turn takes your coach along the beach just a few metres
before coming to a halt. On your left the Coral Sea & on your
right Port Douglas Beachfront Terrace, you leave the air-conditioned vehicle and feel
the tropical warmth. A glance at your watch tells you that it
was just 55 minutes since you collected your baggage off the
carousel.
Welcome, you have arrived!
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