Port Douglas Tourism News

Poseidon Rescue Fishermen

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

Two Port Douglas men, including local business and sports identity Steve Mulqueen, had been fishing on board a 5.5m recreational vessel when a wave swamped the boat near Pratt Rock, northeast of Port Douglas, about 4.30am on Saturday.

Yesterday, owner of commercial dive boat Poseidon, Peter Wright, said the dramatic rescue operation began after an orange flare was spotted about 10am."We often recover debris & other floating bits and pieces, but never  live people," he said.

The men got into trouble when a freak wave came over the back of their boat, and it was then hit by a second wave which forced them to abandon ship. The men grabbed life jackets and flares before they jumped clear. Mr Wright was on board when Poseidon skipper, Richard Taylor, spotted what he thought was an orange smoke signal, off to the starboard side, about 22 nautical miles off Port Douglas.

"After going toward the smoke for a few miles, two men were sighted hanging on to a large red Esky in the water," Mr Wright said. Both men were wearing life jackets and appeared fairly calm. "They were quite cold, given they’d been in the water in just a T-shirt and shorts," he said. "It was very fortunate they had the foresight to grab the flares container. They didn’t require medical attention so they stayed on the boat and we gave them a good feed and hot shower until we arrived back at 4.30pm."

The two men involved in the ocean rescue were not available yesterday. However, the wife of one of the men told The Cairns Post her husband was healthy and in good spirits and had thanked the crew of Poseidon for their actions.

Macrossan House Makeover

Macrossan House - Macrossan House News Feed

Macrossan House has had a major makover. The Apartments now feature

• New Sleepyhead top of the range beds.
• All new Linen, pillows, cushions and bed throws
• New fridge freezers (no bar fridges here)
• New Digital LCD TV,s with Austar
• and best of all the property now has a HEATED POOL !!!

WHALES! WHALES! WHALES!

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

What a wonderful time of year to be visiting Port Douglas! Visitors to our region are being thrilled with amazing encounters with these fabulous
creatures.  Passengers on board Poseidon are spending time in the water with Dwarf Minke Whales.  A record 14,000 Humpback Whales are heading up the coast this year to breed and some boats have spotted small herds already.

The Minke's visit boats during stationary time at the mooring sites.  Passengers are having the opportunity to jump in and
swim with the Minke's, having close up, personal encounters.  The Minke's will stay around this region until the end of September.

As the whale season kicks in we expect to see Pods of Humpback Whales on the journey to and from Agincourt Reefs.  Last year we were stopping to watch pods of up to 5 whales at a time.  Whales obviously enjoy these encounters as they display playful acts of tail slapping and breaching.

If you have not been to the reef, this is the time to get out there and see these animals while the weather is great with clear water and
lots of marine activity.

Inspire the Experience!

Coral Coast Triathlon 29th May

Sheraton Mirage Resort - Sheraton Mirage Resort News Feed

Coral Coast Triathlon 29th May

CORAL COAST TRIATHLON

The Coral Coast Triathlon is a tradition in Tropical North Queensland that will join the Challenge Cairns festival of events for the first time in 2011.  Taking place the weekend prior on the 28th-29th May 2011, the Coral Coast Triathlon starts and finishes in the paradise of Port Douglas with a course featuring Four Mile Beach.  Olympic, Sprint and Enticer distance options will be available for both individuals and teams.

Port Douglas Carnivale 19th - 29th May

Sheraton Mirage Resort - Sheraton Mirage Resort News Feed

Port Douglas Carnivale 19th-29th May

There’s music, arts, sports, food, culture and all styles of entertainment…and absolutely every reason you need to hang out in Port Douglas!

For 10 balmy days and nights each May (May 19th - 29th 2011), the festival of Carnivale takes over the seaside resort village of Port Douglas offering a chance to flirt with life and engage in a kalidescope of free and ticketed events.

Now 18 years old, Carnivale has grown from a street fiesta to a broad program which involves the entire community.

There are family favourites like the Street Parade, the Seafood Extravaganza,  the Four Mile Beach Day and the AME Bullride Spectacular.  Get a taste of the tropics at the Sheraton Mirage Longest lunch, The Food, Wine & A Taste of Port Event, or eat out on Wharf street at the new Plates Of Port event.  Sports lovers can play in the Port Douglas Golf Challenge held at Sea Temple Golf Club and Mirage Country Club, or catch the action in the Exemplar Clipper Cup regatta.

It's still early days and many events dates are yet to be confirmed.  The following events for the 2011 programme are confirmed. 

19th May:  Carnivale Club Comedy Night at Sugar Wharf
20th May:  Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch
20th May:  Carnivale Street Parade
20th May:  Opening Gala at Sugar Wharf
21st May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
21st May:  Airing of the Quilts
21st May:  Bulls Masters T20 Games
21st May:  Food, Wine and a Taste of Port
22nd May:  Wildlife Wonderland
22nd May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
22nd May:  Seafood Extravaganza
22nd May:  Port Douglas Carnivale Market Day
22nd May:  Airing of the Quilts
23rd May:  Port Douglas Golf Challenge Perpetual Trophy
24th May:  Port Douglas Golf Challenge Perpetual Trophy
25th May:  Fashion Retailers Showcase and Wine Tasting at the Sugar Wharf
26th May:  Neil Murray Live in Concert at the Clink Theatre
27th May:  Food Fight and Wharf St Food Fair
28th May:  Four Mile Beach Day
28th May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
28th May:  Daintree Station Bullride Spectacular
28th May:  Douglas Songwriters Challenge Grand Finale at Carnivale Club
28th May:  Palates of Port
28th May:  Theatre Sports Competition at the Clink
29th May:  Port Douglas Carnivale Market Day
29th May:  Exemplar Clipper Cup
29th May:  RRR Mountain Bike Challenge
29th May:  Coral Coast Triathlon
29th May:  Greaat Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge

Last year, Port Douglas welcomed thousands visitors from Australia and overseas who partied with the locals of the village under the clear blue skies of May and found, as those who live there already know, there is much to celebrate here.

Carnivale Facts:

Getting there:  Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar have daily flights to Cairns. Express Chauffer Coaches offer transfers between Cairns and Port Douglas. 

www.portdouglasinfo.com 

will be happy to arrange your accommodation and transfers.  Skysafari can arrange helicopter transfers from Cairns to Port Douglas.

Further info:
Port Douglas Carnivale, (May 19th - 29th 2011), Email: info@carnivale.com.au  Web:  www.carnivale.com.au

Poseidon is currently on annual refit

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

Poseidon is currently on annual refit and was actually out of the water on the slip in Cairns when Cyclone Yasi came through.  The disruption of cyclone Yasi has caused major delays to the work needed to be undertaken due to loss of power for a week and parts and materials not being able to be delivered by road from Southern Suppliers.  Therefore our Refit has now been extended and we hope to be back in operation by MONDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2011.
 
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay and we look forward to getting back out to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs as soon as possible.
 
Thank you.
 
From the Poseidon Team
Port Douglas
Australia

Daintree Eco Lodge open in Feb

Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa - Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa News Feed

Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa and it's lush rainforest valley, sustained no physical damage during Cyclone Yasi, however due to prolonged loss of electricity and services the Lodge & Spa is now not able to be open for business.

The electricity supply company has not confirmed when the supply will be restored as they are dealing with larger populated areas and essential services as first priorities.

We believe we will be fully operational again during the month of February.

Once power has been restored and all essential onsite infrastructure is fully operational, management and staff will contact you with the announcement that Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is re-opened.

As our office is now operating remotely, we encourage you to continue to make contact with us for all enquiries and advance bookings, as ultimately we want to be able to provide our unique experiences for your clients as soon as possible.

We are sure you appreciate our unfortunate situation as a small Australian owned and operated business and we sincerely thank you for your patience and your support.

Sheraton as tranquil as ever!

Sheraton Mirage Resort - Sheraton Mirage Resort News Feed

The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas has not sustained any damage to the building. Our beautiful lagoons and tropical gardens are as tranquil as ever. Cairns airport is now fully operational and the road between Cairns and Port Douglas is fully accessible.
We look forward to welcome guests back to the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas and appreciate all past guests and travel partners communications and well wishes.
We appreciate the kindness and the concern shown and expressed towards the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas’s Associates, Guests and the Resort itself.

Let's Go to the Reef!

Quicksilver - Quicksilver News Feed

The Port Douglas region and the Great Barrier Reef are as beautiful as ever & the Quicksilver wavepiercer is operating as per normal.

Walkabount from the 9th of Feb

Reef & Rainforest Connections - Daintree Walkabout News Feed

Daintree Walkabout should will up and running by Wed the 9th Feb. We are taking bookings now.

Daintree Walkabout Tour takes you through ancient rainforests and back to the Dreamtime with the local Kuku Yalanji tribe. Dine at Silky Oaks Lodge, then cruise the Daintree River and spot a crocodile, enjoy tropical fruit tastings and spend time in the historical town of Port Douglas.

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