Port Douglas Tourism News

Recent Sightings

Billy Tea Bush Safaris - Billy Tea Bush Safaris News Feed

At present on our Cape Tribulation day tour we are seeing juvenile cassowary on our boardwalk as there is an abundance of fruit, which is providing our guests with rewarding experience.

The crocodiles have been seen sunning themselves on the banks as winter approaches. Chillagoe tour, at the Wetlands the fresh water crocodiles has been seen, bush birds are very active and the emus have been seen regularly.

Wedge Tail Eagles are also a lot more active, plenty of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Agile Wallabies have been seen.

Australian Muster Experience

Australian Muster Experience - Stockmans Lunch News Feed

Stunt riding and an Australian barbecue add to the true-blue flavour of a new $10 million tourism venture near Port Douglas.

The Australian Muster experience offers visitors an up close and personal view of daily life on a cattle station - enjoying spectacular entertainment from the sidelines as stockmen deftly muster cattle and brave bucking bulls.

The Stockman’s Lunch Muster and the Grand Outback Experience for dinner operate Wednesdays to Fridays at the 19th century inspired outback cattle station, uniquely framed by rainforest and with spectacular views to Port Douglas.

NOW OPEN!

Australian Muster Experience - Grand Outback Experience News Feed

Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping epic “Australia” captured the Outback experience on a cattle station. Now travelers can get a taste of life on a cattle station with the brand-new Australian Muster experience near Port Douglas, Queensland.

Staged at a purpose-built facility backing on to the rainforest of Daintree National Park, the Australian Muster Experience is owned by a cattleman and features spectacular entertainment as stockmen deftly muster cattle and brave bucking bulls.

The $10 million AUD tourist venue seats 400 people and through the end of June, travelers will enjoy two-for-one prices on all programs. Rates from $91 AUD or $119 AUD including round-trip transfers.

Indeed, stunt riding and an Australian BBQ add to the true-blue flavour of the newly-opened Australian Muster Experience near Queensland’s Port Douglas.

The experience will provide its visitors with an up close and personal view of daily life on a cattle station – enjoying spectacular entertainment from the sidelines as stockmen deftly muster cattle and brave bucking bulls.

Owned and managed by Mossman-based cattleman Gordon Pringle, the Australian Muster Experience is staged at a purpose-built facility backing on to the beautiful rainforest of Daintree National Park at Whyanbeel, a short drive north of Port Douglas.

“An authentic Australian Outback experience on a cattle station is a must on many travel itineraries following the interest generated by the movie Australia,” said Pringle, who runs cattle on several nearby properties.

“The Australian Muster Experience allows visitors to experience the excitement of life on a working cattle station while visiting the twin World Heritage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest in Tropical North Queensland.”

With seating for 400 people, the $10 million AUD tourist venture is also targeting the lucrative business events tourism market with its unique outback dining experience within easy reach of Cairns and Port Douglas.

The Stockman’s Lunch Muster and the Grand Outback Experience for dinner operate Wednesdays to Fridays at the 19th century-inspired outback cattle station, uniquely framed by rainforest and with spectacular views to Port Douglas.

Celebrating 30 years of cruising

Quicksilver - Wavedancer Low Isles News Feed

Quicksilver is celebrating a major milestone of 30 years since commencing the first cruise to the idyllic Low Isles in 1979.

Throughout the decades, our modes of transport to the island (and even sarong styles!) have changed, as seen in some of the earlier photos, but the appeal and natural beauty of this picturesque coral island remains unchanged. Quicksilver’s 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran, Wavedancer, sets sail daily from Port Douglas to Low Isles where guest numbers are limited and a host of reef activities await.

We’ve always known this is a special island and in June 2008, Low Isles and its historic lighthouse were formally registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List in recognition of their place in Australia’s cultural and Indigenous heritage. This is a first for the Great Barrier Reef, and is very significant as it is the first time one location has received a dual listing for both Indigenous history and Australian cultural heritage.

Quicksilver’s marine biologists travel to Low Isles every day to inform, educate and bring to life the history of the island. Guests can join a marine biologist guided beach walk to learn about the unique marine life living at the waters edge and then follow the heritage trail through the island and see the historic lighthouse. A marine biologist guided snorkel tour to view the reef with informed eyes is also included.

Pure Dive Launch

Calypso Reef Cruises - Calypso Snorkel News Feed

CALYPSO LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE DIVE VESSEL - ‘Pure Dive’

Calypso Reef Cruises in Port Douglas are very excited to announce that they will be launching a dedicated dive vessel this year in April. Set to be named ‘Pure Dive’ and designed specifically for serious divers the custom designed vessel will travel to exclusive and pristine dive sites north of Port Douglas. The 16 metre dive catamaran will travel with 25 guests and is set to impress the dive experience seeker.

The catamaran designed by both Newwave Catamarans and Graham Jones, will be built with comfort and the need for speed in mind. New and innovative hulls have been created that will allow for a comfortable trip at high speed to the very outer great barrier reef.

Directors Cathie & Graham Jones have been operating ‘Calypso’ for the last nine years. `Calypso’ provides day cruises from Port Douglas and caters for non-swimmers, first time snorkellers, introductory divers and dive enthusiasts. The company’s vessels are surveyed for 125 passengers but travel with only around 65 guests daily to the reef. Other features designed for comfort include top decks with sun lounges and large, spacious upper and lower foredecks with comfortable day bed seating to maximise outdoor relaxation.

“Over the last few years operating Calypso I have found there is a strong demand in the market to operate a vessel solely for dive enthusiasts. With the new design of this fast catamaran we will be able to access 3 exclusive sites on the Great Barrier Reef in one day,” Graham Jones said.

Specifications:

Exclusive Dive Vessel
Vessel Length: 15 metres
Cruising Speed: 30+ knots
Capacity: 35 (including crew)
Type: Catamaran

Herbies Beach Shack

Thala Beach Lodge - Thala Beach Lodge News Feed

Are you looking for a dining experience with a difference? 

Named after our world-renowned Executive Chef Herbert Gertzer (yes, the same fellow who has his own vege patch onsite!) - the new Shack provides an alternative dining option at Thala. 

Guests can enjoy a picnic-style experience for lunch or whilst relaxing as they watch the different colours of a spectacular Coral Sea sunset, right from the shores of Oak Beach.

There is something truly breathtaking when at one with nature...

Stay tuned for more options at Herbie's Beach Shack in coming months!

Dwarf Minke Whale sighting

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

Dwarf Minke Whales are back Monday 1st June, Poseidon had the first definite sightings of the year yesterday whilst at the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs!  Poseidon has 1 of only 3 day permits to swim with Dwarf Minke Whales, we expect regular sightings and interaction from now on...

Guests on board Poseidon had an experience of a life time when  they were visited by two adult Dwarf Minke Whales. The amazing encounter happened around 2pm on the last site of the day at Agincourt Reef. The whales were first spotted on the surface by the Skipper David Miller, while all snorkellers and divers were in the water. After the initial rush of excitement the crew assisted to assemble the guests to have a turn on the float line.
 
Poseidon holds one of only three permits issued to day boats by the marine park managers, GBRMPA, allowing passengers to deliberately swim with these curious and friendly whales that grow to 8 meters in length. This interaction is a world's first, and relies upon the operator following very strict guidelines to avoid disturbing these beautiful animals.

Swimmers in groups of ten are sent out along a floating line once whales have been seen near the boat. By following this passive approach, the whales invariably swim close to the swimmers to satisfy their own curiosity, often staying close by for over an hour until the boat finally has to move on.

These two incredible creatures stayed in the area for sometime, passing within 2 meters of the swimmers where various forms of behaviour were witnessed include bubble blowing through their blowholes and repeatedly presenting their white belly's by rolling onto their sides. Belly presentation is a bold way of signifying the animal’s willingness to mate. Who the lucky chosen person was we will never know! 
 
Then quite an incredible display of curiosity happened. One of the Whales came up vertically from below, surfaced in amongst the group of snorkellers and did what technically is called a “Spy Hop” i.e. Pointing it’s head well out of the water. It turned 360 degrees and everyone got the feeling it was looking them straight in the eye. Passengers were all ecstatic! It spy hopped on several more occasions during this encounter and surfaced frequently in amongst the snorkellers and right next to the boat. The whales were being quite friendly with the mooring line by rubbing their bodies up and down the ropes and pirouetting around the mooring. Passengers still on deck and swimmers in the water all had a chance to watch in awe. Swimmers came out of the water "over the moon" and completely spell bound by the experience, reducing some to tears over the encounter.

Even though it was an overcast day, the clarity of the water was spectacular with over 25 - 30 meters visibility which enabled our onboard photographer to capture these images. Although the winter months can be windy this is more than compensated by the clear water and chance of actually swimming with these amazing Minke Whales, helping Poseidon contribute to the collection of data that is so important to ensure their long term protection.

These encounters, whilst never guaranteed, are frequent during our winter months, and many whales are also sighted while the vessel is travelling. From early July, until late September, the much larger Hump Back whales are also encountered often giving breathtaking displays of breaching, tail waving and pectoral fin slaps.

Poseidon has an excellent photography service onboard for snorkellers or divers including rental of digital cameras with underwater housings, and CD 's or prints to take home. Photographs are the ideal way of remembering your day and this is available to guests by Oak Beach Productions providing excellent quality images of the day.

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