Travelling with Children
Cairns and Port Douglas
Cairns and Port Douglas
This page is not intended as a travelogue. My intention is to highlight the attractions with family appeal and to leave the reader to decide on their itinerary and then to join the dots.
As I sit down to write this, we are just about to leave for Far North Queensland, taking two grandchildren on holiday. Over the past few years we have made an almost annual pilgrimage and now it is the youngest's turn to experience 'what my cousins did'
We will stay in Port Douglas and in Cairns. While in Port Douglas we will visit the Daintree and the Discovery Centre, the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas having breakfast with the birds, play on the sand at Four Mile beach, Stroll around Mosman Gorge and visit the crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventure. When in Port Douglas on a Sunday, the market is a very good place to spend a few hours and probably more than just a few dollars.
Cairns provides a good base to explose Kuranda, Tajukapi Aboriginal Reserve, swim in the public swimming pool, visit the night market and many mor things to see and do.
We will stay in Port Douglas and in Cairns. While in Port Douglas we will visit the Daintree and the Discovery Centre, the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas having breakfast with the birds, play on the sand at Four Mile beach, Stroll around Mosman Gorge and visit the crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventure. When in Port Douglas on a Sunday, the market is a very good place to spend a few hours and probably more than just a few dollars.
Cairns provides a good base to explose Kuranda, Tajukapi Aboriginal Reserve, swim in the public swimming pool, visit the night market and many mor things to see and do.
Not too close - they are wild.
Wildlife Habitat
First stop after check-in in Port Douglas is a visit to the award-winning Wildlife Habitat which you probably noticed as you turned off the highway and into Port Douglas. What better way of letting the children realise that they have left the 'big smoke' behind and that this holiday is going to be different. At 'Breakfast with the birds' or 'Lunch with the lorikeets' the kids will be able to hold a range of birds that are brought around by the 'keepers' well as having their photo's taken while cuddling a Koala or holding a snake whilst you enjoy a pleasant meal .
There are also two-acres of habitat, allowing guests to walk among hundreds of species of native and local Aussie animals, spread over the four ‘habitats’ :-– Woodland, Wetlands, Rainforest and Savannah. –
You will see a full range of fauna, including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles birds and the rather reclusive cassowary. A packet of food can be bought at reception when entering and hand feeding the kangaroos is an added bonus.
Your entry ticket allows you to return again, over the following three days - an offer we had to accept because "Kangi is hungry"
https://www.wildlifehabitat.com.au/
First stop after check-in in Port Douglas is a visit to the award-winning Wildlife Habitat which you probably noticed as you turned off the highway and into Port Douglas. What better way of letting the children realise that they have left the 'big smoke' behind and that this holiday is going to be different. At 'Breakfast with the birds' or 'Lunch with the lorikeets' the kids will be able to hold a range of birds that are brought around by the 'keepers' well as having their photo's taken while cuddling a Koala or holding a snake whilst you enjoy a pleasant meal .
There are also two-acres of habitat, allowing guests to walk among hundreds of species of native and local Aussie animals, spread over the four ‘habitats’ :-– Woodland, Wetlands, Rainforest and Savannah. –
You will see a full range of fauna, including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles birds and the rather reclusive cassowary. A packet of food can be bought at reception when entering and hand feeding the kangaroos is an added bonus.
Your entry ticket allows you to return again, over the following three days - an offer we had to accept because "Kangi is hungry"
https://www.wildlifehabitat.com.au/
Discovery Centre - Daintree
Having visited the fauna, it is time for the flora and what better place than the Discovery Centre in the Daintree, 60 km from Port Douglas and about 120 km from Cairns. This involves crossing the Daintree river by ferry so it is advisable to start early to avoid a long delay.
The Daintree Rainforest boasts the highest variety of plants and animals found in any rainforest on the planet. It is also widely accepted as being the oldest tropical rain forest in the world. +
When you enter you are given a hand held speaker that tells you what you are looking at, in your choice of language. There are elevated walkways and a high tower to look down on to the tree canopy. You can see the parasitic plants, and epiphytes - plants that grow on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain. There are also models of some of the worlds earliest inhabitants just to add a touch of reality.
If time permits, you can take a cruise on the Daintree River and look for crocodiles in the wild, Crocodile Express is based near the ferry and the Daintree River Cruises. It is also worthwhile to take a walk on a boardwalk through the forest or enjoy an ice cream in an assortment of flavours. Yum
https://www.discoverthedaintree.com/
Having visited the fauna, it is time for the flora and what better place than the Discovery Centre in the Daintree, 60 km from Port Douglas and about 120 km from Cairns. This involves crossing the Daintree river by ferry so it is advisable to start early to avoid a long delay.
The Daintree Rainforest boasts the highest variety of plants and animals found in any rainforest on the planet. It is also widely accepted as being the oldest tropical rain forest in the world. +
When you enter you are given a hand held speaker that tells you what you are looking at, in your choice of language. There are elevated walkways and a high tower to look down on to the tree canopy. You can see the parasitic plants, and epiphytes - plants that grow on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain. There are also models of some of the worlds earliest inhabitants just to add a touch of reality.
If time permits, you can take a cruise on the Daintree River and look for crocodiles in the wild, Crocodile Express is based near the ferry and the Daintree River Cruises. It is also worthwhile to take a walk on a boardwalk through the forest or enjoy an ice cream in an assortment of flavours. Yum
https://www.discoverthedaintree.com/
Four Mile Beach
Four Mile Beach is a glorious stretch of white sand flanked by blue ocean on one side and lush green palm trees on the other. While the kids play in the surf or sand, the 'oldies' can relax in a comfortable beach chair.
If exercise is your fancy, you can join the throng walking up and down the beach or taking early morning exercise at a beach yoga class. During school holidays there are life savers on duty, and some of the accommodation facilities have buckets and spades for the kids to use.
Four Mile Beach is a glorious stretch of white sand flanked by blue ocean on one side and lush green palm trees on the other. While the kids play in the surf or sand, the 'oldies' can relax in a comfortable beach chair.
If exercise is your fancy, you can join the throng walking up and down the beach or taking early morning exercise at a beach yoga class. During school holidays there are life savers on duty, and some of the accommodation facilities have buckets and spades for the kids to use.
Some hotels offer bicycle hire and cycling along the water front has often attracted be but I have always bowed to the wishes of the kids to make sand castles.
After some fun in the sun there are eating places nearby and, of course, Macrossan Street, the main street in Port Douglas is a short stroll away with a number of coffee shops, restaurants and, most importantly, ice-cream parlours
After some fun in the sun there are eating places nearby and, of course, Macrossan Street, the main street in Port Douglas is a short stroll away with a number of coffee shops, restaurants and, most importantly, ice-cream parlours
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Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is a short drive down the highway, past sugar cane fields and an occasional cane train. On the most recent visit we were very favourably surprised by the quality of food served in the restaurant. Frequently these establishments are servicing a captive audience and you get what you get. This place could well be a stand alone restaurant. |
Sugar cane train
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Swimming in the water hole
A shuttle bus ferries patrons up to the gorge - a journey of just a few minutes. Once there, there are hiking paths, a suspension bridge and of course the water. Although there are signs warning against swimming, there were many who were enjoying a cooling dip.
www.mossmangorge.com.au
www.mossmangorge.com.au
Sunday market
Sunday in Port Douglas is special. The market is held between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on a grassy park, right on the waterfront overlooking the Coral Sea.
Local musicians busk and the there is the smell of a variety of cuisines. Don't plan on leaving without spending more than a dollar or two on clothing, souvenirs or 'goodies' for the kids
Sunday in Port Douglas is special. The market is held between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on a grassy park, right on the waterfront overlooking the Coral Sea.
Local musicians busk and the there is the smell of a variety of cuisines. Don't plan on leaving without spending more than a dollar or two on clothing, souvenirs or 'goodies' for the kids
Lady Douglas
You are perhaps now thinking about something more relaxing and what could be more relaxing than a river cruise? The iconic Lady Douglas takes you searching for estuarine crocodiles and other wildlife, on an idyllic calm water river cruise through the mangrove forests around Port Douglas. Cruises depart daily from the Marina, right in the heart of Port Douglas. The kids also get a chance to steer the boat
You are perhaps now thinking about something more relaxing and what could be more relaxing than a river cruise? The iconic Lady Douglas takes you searching for estuarine crocodiles and other wildlife, on an idyllic calm water river cruise through the mangrove forests around Port Douglas. Cruises depart daily from the Marina, right in the heart of Port Douglas. The kids also get a chance to steer the boat
The river bank
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Last years joy is this years disaster
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Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery
The Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mossman is a true Aboriginal experience where you can learn about Aboriginal art and Aboriginal culture. They hold one hour sessions where you can paint your own own canvas or boomerang. Workshops only daily, Monday to Friday, at 9am and again at 3pm.
www.janbalgallery.com.au
The Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mossman is a true Aboriginal experience where you can learn about Aboriginal art and Aboriginal culture. They hold one hour sessions where you can paint your own own canvas or boomerang. Workshops only daily, Monday to Friday, at 9am and again at 3pm.
www.janbalgallery.com.au
Hartleys Crocodile Adventure
Check-out at your Port Douglas hotel is early morning but check-in At Cairns is mid afternoon and it is just over an hours drive. What can be a better way to spend a half day than by visiting Hartleys Crocodile Adventure, about 20 minutes outside Port Douglas, on the Captain Cook Highway.
When you enter, you are given tickets for a short boat cruise around the lake, getting close and personal with the locals. See them jump out of the water for a piece of chicken.
Back on the land, there are a number of shows, including cassowary, wallaby, quoll and koala feeding and a crocodile attack show and a snake show. Enough to keep the little ones and their adult 'keepers' thoroughly entertained. There is also the opportunity of a souvenir photo shoot holding one of parks residents - a snake or a koala.
www.crocodileadventures.com
Check-out at your Port Douglas hotel is early morning but check-in At Cairns is mid afternoon and it is just over an hours drive. What can be a better way to spend a half day than by visiting Hartleys Crocodile Adventure, about 20 minutes outside Port Douglas, on the Captain Cook Highway.
When you enter, you are given tickets for a short boat cruise around the lake, getting close and personal with the locals. See them jump out of the water for a piece of chicken.
Back on the land, there are a number of shows, including cassowary, wallaby, quoll and koala feeding and a crocodile attack show and a snake show. Enough to keep the little ones and their adult 'keepers' thoroughly entertained. There is also the opportunity of a souvenir photo shoot holding one of parks residents - a snake or a koala.
www.crocodileadventures.com
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Music for the dance performance
Tjapukai Cultural Park
I believe that a holiday should be part educational and part fun, but the educational bit should be enjoyed as if it were fun. What better place to achieve this outcome than at the Tjapukai Cultural Park where the kids can paint a boomerang, make jewelry, learn to throw both a spear and a boomerang as well as watch a number of cultural shows. They can learn that for some, a visit to the medicine mane does not involve a visit to the local medical centre and flashing a medicare card. The can also watch a dance presentation and see fire being made by rubbing two sticks together.
Go online and check out the times for the different activities to ensure that you get the most out of your visit. No need to eat bush tucker as there is a very nice restaurant and, of course, a souvenir shop.
www.tjapukai.com.au
I believe that a holiday should be part educational and part fun, but the educational bit should be enjoyed as if it were fun. What better place to achieve this outcome than at the Tjapukai Cultural Park where the kids can paint a boomerang, make jewelry, learn to throw both a spear and a boomerang as well as watch a number of cultural shows. They can learn that for some, a visit to the medicine mane does not involve a visit to the local medical centre and flashing a medicare card. The can also watch a dance presentation and see fire being made by rubbing two sticks together.
Go online and check out the times for the different activities to ensure that you get the most out of your visit. No need to eat bush tucker as there is a very nice restaurant and, of course, a souvenir shop.
www.tjapukai.com.au
Throwing a boomerang
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Making fire
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Spear throwing
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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
The Skyrail is a cable car adventure that takes you 7.5 km from Smithfield at the base, to Kuranda at the summit and travels over the oldest rainforest in the world. The journey has two stops where one can get out and enjoy the forrest or overlook the Barron Falls. The journey take you 540 metres up to Red Peak, the highest point, before going down just over 200 metres to the Kuranda station
Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal is located just 15 minutes from Cairns and 50 minutes from Port Douglas. There is ample parking or there are busses that can get you to the base station.
Return can either be via the Skyrail or the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a railway originally opened in 1891. A bus service links the railway to the skyrail allowing patrons to return to collect their vehicles.
The Skyrail is a cable car adventure that takes you 7.5 km from Smithfield at the base, to Kuranda at the summit and travels over the oldest rainforest in the world. The journey has two stops where one can get out and enjoy the forrest or overlook the Barron Falls. The journey take you 540 metres up to Red Peak, the highest point, before going down just over 200 metres to the Kuranda station
Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal is located just 15 minutes from Cairns and 50 minutes from Port Douglas. There is ample parking or there are busses that can get you to the base station.
Return can either be via the Skyrail or the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a railway originally opened in 1891. A bus service links the railway to the skyrail allowing patrons to return to collect their vehicles.
Scenic Railway
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Barron Falls from the second stopping point
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Rainforest from above
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Birdworld Kuranda
Birdworld Kuranda is located in the Kuranda Heritage Markets and is home to almost 60 species. It is both a children's delight and a photographers paradise, getting up close and personal with the 'locals', hand hand feeding them.
There is a warning sign as you go in. Please take it seriously. Some birds like jewellery as much as some ladies like jewellery, they both know how to get it. I am over 185cm tall and I casually walked in wearing a peaked cap. Within 30 seconds a bird had landed on my head and before I knew what it was doing, the button on the crown of the cap was gone. I was with two grandchildren at the time and had to live down the fact that a bird had got the better of their grandpa. It is tough when the kiddies realise that their adults are not invincible.
www.birdworldkuranda.com
Birdworld Kuranda is located in the Kuranda Heritage Markets and is home to almost 60 species. It is both a children's delight and a photographers paradise, getting up close and personal with the 'locals', hand hand feeding them.
There is a warning sign as you go in. Please take it seriously. Some birds like jewellery as much as some ladies like jewellery, they both know how to get it. I am over 185cm tall and I casually walked in wearing a peaked cap. Within 30 seconds a bird had landed on my head and before I knew what it was doing, the button on the crown of the cap was gone. I was with two grandchildren at the time and had to live down the fact that a bird had got the better of their grandpa. It is tough when the kiddies realise that their adults are not invincible.
www.birdworldkuranda.com
I like diamonds
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Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere and home to over a thousand of butterflies. Like Birdworld, it is quite possible that a butterfly will land on you, sending the children ecstatic. However the converse is true if they bypass you and target a brother or sister. Their are guided tours to the breeding area.
www.australianbutterflies.com
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere and home to over a thousand of butterflies. Like Birdworld, it is quite possible that a butterfly will land on you, sending the children ecstatic. However the converse is true if they bypass you and target a brother or sister. Their are guided tours to the breeding area.
www.australianbutterflies.com
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There are other attractions up in Kuranda:-
Kuranda Koala Gardens introduces you to a variety of Australian animals, from freshwater crocodiles to kangaroos. www.koalagardens.com
Kuranda Riverboat. You can take a boat ride and experience the wildlife and wilderness of Australia’s tropical north on a 45-minute cruise from Kuranda with onboard commentary. kurandariverboat.com.au
Kuranda markets, Being a major tourist destination, Kuranda has no shortage of shopping options. There are two major markets - The Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets and the Heritage Markets. There is also a range of strip shops including art galleries, fashion shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. www.kuranda.org/markets
Kuranda Koala Gardens introduces you to a variety of Australian animals, from freshwater crocodiles to kangaroos. www.koalagardens.com
Kuranda Riverboat. You can take a boat ride and experience the wildlife and wilderness of Australia’s tropical north on a 45-minute cruise from Kuranda with onboard commentary. kurandariverboat.com.au
Kuranda markets, Being a major tourist destination, Kuranda has no shortage of shopping options. There are two major markets - The Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets and the Heritage Markets. There is also a range of strip shops including art galleries, fashion shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. www.kuranda.org/markets
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