Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 6 . QUEENSLAND & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Tips The Secret of the Seasons
High season in Port Douglas is generally from June 1 through October 31.
Pickups from your Port Douglas hotel, a 27-speed mountain bike, a snack, and
drinks (and lunch on the full-day trip) are included. Transfers from Cairns and
Palm Cove are extra. Experienced mountain bikers can descend the steep 14km
(8 1 ⁄2-mile) Bump Track through dense rainforest from the top of the Great
Dividing Range on a half-day trip designed for a maximum of eight riders.
WHERE TO STAY
Although there are plenty of ritzy hotels and resorts in Port Douglas, you can
find good, inexpensive places. Many of the value-for-money choices are holiday
apartments with kitchens (you can save money on meals). Booking agent Port
Douglas Accommodation (& 1800/645 566 in Australia, or 07/4099 4488;
fax 07/4099 4455; www.portdouglasaccom.com.au) represents several affordable
apartments.
Archipelago Studio Apartments You won’t find a friendlier or more
convenient place to stay in Port Douglas than these apartments, 10 seconds from
the beach and less than 10 minutes’ walk from town. Your hosts Wolfgang Klein
and Christel Bader are eager to help with tour bookings and to give useful
advice—and they also speak fluent German, conversational French, and some
Spanish. The apartments are on the small side (most suit only three people, at
the most), but all are well cared for and were refurbished in 2001. You can opt
for a tiny Garden apartment with a patio; or upgrade to a Balcony or Seaview
apartment, both a bit larger and with private balconies. Seaview apartments are
quite roomy, and have side-on views along Four Mile Beach. Towels are changed
daily and linen weekly, but general servicing will cost A$20 (US$13) extra.
There’s no lift and no porter, so be prepared to carry your luggage upstairs. Children
under 3 are not catered for.
72 Macrossan St., Port Douglas, QLD 4871.& 07/4099 5387. Fax 07/4099 4847. www.archipelago.com.au.
21 units (all with shower only). High season (June–Oct) A$118–A$199 (US$77–US$129) double; low season
A$96–A$169 (US$62–US$110) double. Extra person A$20 (US$13). 3-night minimum stay applies. MC,V. Free
undercover parking. Amenities: Outdoor saltwater pool; nearby golf course; 6 nearby tennis courts lit for
night play; access to nearby health club; spa; tour desk; coin-op laundry and laundry service; same-day dry
cleaning can be arranged; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, kitchenette, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
Comfort Inn Port Douglas This neatly maintained little motel, part of the
Comfort Inn chain, is just a 10-minute stroll from town. Rooms are good-size
and kept spick-and-span. The bathrooms are a little old but have plenty of
counter space and nice thick towels. Hair dryers are available from the front
desk. The motel’s spacious and hip Mediterranean restaurant is popular with
locals. The pool is lovely, but not very private. Four Mile Beach is a short stroll
away (in stinger season, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the stinger net).
123 Davidson St., Port Douglas, QLD 4871. & 07/4099 5266. Fax 07/4099 5821. www.comfortinnport
douglas.com.au. 17 units. High season A$110 (US$72) double; low season A$99 (US$64) double. Extra person
A$15 (US$9.75). Children 3–12 A$5 (US$3.25). Cribs A$5 (US$3.25). AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar; outdoor pool; tour desk; room service (breakfast only); coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV, minibar,
kitchenette, iron.
Port Douglas Beachfront Terrace Value The best-value beachfront accommodations
in town, especially in low season, may well be these clean, quiet units