Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Great Barrier Reef,” below). The cost of the trip from Cairns is A$24 (US $16)
one-way, A$36 (US$23) round-trip, half price for kids 4 to 14.
A one-way ticket aboard
Sun Palm Express Coaches
(
&
07/4031 7577
) to
Port Douglas hotels is A$28 (US$18) from the Cairns airport. Fares for children
are half price.
There is no
train
to Port Douglas, and no scheduled air service. A small air-
port handles light aircraft and helicopter charters. A
taxi
from Cairns would run
close to A$100 (US$65); call
Black & White Taxis
(
&
13 10 08
in Cairns).
VISITOR INFORMATION
Write for information to the
Port Douglas
Daintree Tourism Association,
P.O. Box 511, Port Douglas, QLD 4871
(
&
07/4099 4588;
www.pddt.com.au). The association has no visitor informa-
tion office in Port Douglas. Instead, visitors should visit one of several private
tour information and booking centers in town. One of the biggest and most
centrally located is the
Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre,
23
Macrossan St. (
&
07/4099 5599
), open from 7:30am to 6pm daily.
GETTING AROUND
Of the major rental companies, only
Avis
(
&
07/
4099 4331
) has an office in Port Douglas. Check out the local companies,
including
Port Douglas Car Rental
(
&
07/4099 4988
) and
Crocodile Car
Rentals
(
&
07/4099 5555
). All rent regular vehicles as well as four-wheel-
drives, which are needed if you plan to drive to Cape Tribulation. If you need a
taxi, call
Port Douglas Taxis
(
&
07/4099 5345
).
A good way to get around the town's flat streets is by bike.
Bike 'n' Hike
(
&
07/4099 4000;
www.bikenhike.com.au), 40 Macrossan St, is open daily
from 8am to 6pm or later and has a large range of good mountain bikes from
A$17 (US$11) a day or A$11 (US$7.15) a half day.
Port Douglas Bike Hire
(
&
07/4099 5799
), corner Warner and Wharf streets, rents bikes for A$14
(US$9.10) a day or A$10 (US $6.50) for a half day. The shop is open from 9am
to 5pm daily.
EXPLORING THE REEF & THE RAINFOREST
DISCOVERING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Without a doubt the most
glamorous large vessels visiting the Outer Reef are the
Quicksilver
Wavepiercers
(
&
07/4099 5500
) based in Port Douglas. These ultrasleek,
high-speed, air-conditioned 37m (121-ft.) and 46m (151-ft.) catamarans carry
300 or 440 passengers to Agincourt Reef, a ribbon reef 39 nautical miles (72km/
45 miles) from shore on the very outer edge of the Reef. After the 90-minute
trip to the Reef you tie up at a two-story pontoon, where you spend 3
1
⁄
2
hours.
Quicksilver departs Marina Mirage at 10am daily except Christmas Day. The
cost for the day is A$165 (US$107) for adults and A$85 (U.S$55) for kids 4 to
14, or A$415 (US$270) for a family. Coach transfers from your Port Douglas
hotel are an extra A$5 (US$3.25) adults, A$2.50 (US$1.60) children. Guided
snorkel safaris cost A$35 (US$23) per person, and introductory dives cost
A$119 (US$77) per person. Qualified divers take a dive-tender boat to make
two dives for A$119 (US$77) per person, all gear included. Because Quicksilver
carries so many passengers, booking snorkel safaris and dives in advance is a
good idea.
The dive boat
Poseidon
(see “Diving the Reef,” earlier in this chapter) wel-
comes snorkelers. It presents a Reef ecology talk en route and takes you on a
guided snorkel safari. Lunch and transfers from Port Douglas hotels are included
in Poseidon's price of A$135 (US$88) for adults and A$100 (US$65) for chil-
dren 3 to 12.
