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

PORT DOUGLAS, DAINTREE & THE CAPE TRIBULATION AREA 293
in this low-rise complex on Four Mile Beach, a short walk from town. The
apartments are airy and respectably furnished with an open-plan kitchen (some
with dishwashers), tiny but up-to-date bathrooms, cool tile floors and balconies.
All are serviced weekly. Room no. 4 has a garden patio as well as sea views. The
roomier penthouses (nos. 11 and 14) have rooftop living areas overlooking the
sea and larger bathrooms. If you don’t mind missing out on a view, the two-bedroom
units in the gardens at the rear are a little darker but also cheaper and nice
enough with cane furniture and a patio or balcony.
17 The Esplanade, Port Douglas, QLD 4871. & 1800/621 195 in Australia, or 07/4099 5397. Fax 07/4099
5206. www.portdouglasbeachfront.com.au. 17 units (some with shower only). High season (June–Oct and 18
Dec–14 Jan) A$200 (US$130) 1-bedroom beachfront apt; A$240 (US$156) 2-bedroom beachfront apt; A$165
(US$107) 2-bedroom garden apt; A$250 (US$163) 2-bedroom penthouse. Low season A$150 (US$98) 1-bedroom
beachfront apt; A$170 (US$111) 2-bedroom beachfront apt; A$125 (US$81) 2-bedroom garden apt;
A$180 (US$117) 2-bedroom penthouse. Extra person A$25 (US$16). A$6 (US$3.90) crib. AE, DC, MC, V. Free
undercover parking.Transfers from Cairns airport are A$25 (US$16) adults,A$16 (US$10) children 4–14,A$70
(US$46) family of 4, each way. Amenities: Outdoor saltwater pool; tennis court; bike rental; tour desk. In
room: A/C, TV, VCR, kitchen, laundry, hair dryer, iron.
Port O’Call Lodge There’s a nice communal feeling to this modest motel on
a suburban street a 10-minute walk from town. Backpackers, families, and anyone
on a budget seem to treat it like a second home, swapping travel stories as
they cook up a meal in the communal kitchen and dining room. The rooms are
light, cool, and fresh with tile floors, loads of luggage and bench space, and small
patios. The compact bathrooms are efficiently laid out with old but neat fixtures
(BYO hair dryer). Only the deluxe rooms have a TV, clock radio, self-serve tea
and coffee facilities, and a minifridge. The hostel rooms have private bathrooms
and no more than five beds and/or bunks in each. A 26-bed bunkhouse opened
in 2001, and includes facilities for travelers with disabilities. At night the lively
poolside bistro, Port O’ Call Bistro (p. 294), is the place to be. Other facilities
include free board games, a pay phone, Internet access, guest safe, and a kiosk.
Port St. at Craven Close, Port Douglas, QLD 4871. & 1800/892 800 in Australia, or 07/4099 5422. Fax 07/
4099 5495. www.portocall.com.au. 28 units (all with shower only). High season (June–Sept, Christmas and
Easter) A$89–A$99 (US$58–US$64) double; shoulder season (May and Oct) A$79–A$89 (US$51–US$58)
double; low season (Nov–Apr) A$69–A$79 (US$45–US$51) double. Extra person A$11 (US$7.15). Hostel
rooms A$23 (US$15) or A$22 (US$14) YHA/Hostelling International members; bunkhouse A$21 (US$14) or
A$20 (US$13) YHA/Hostelling International members. Children under 3 stay free. MC, V. Free minibus to and
from Cairns Mon, Wed, and Sat. Free on-site parking. Bus stop at front door. Amenities: Restaurant; outdoor
pool; 3 golf courses nearby; access to nearby health club; bike rental; tour desk; coin-op laundry; nonsmoking
rooms. In room: A/C, TV, fridge in double motel rooms.
A LUXURY B&B HIDEAWAY IN THE COUNTRY
Marae Finds Your hostess Andy Crowe has turned her architecturally
stunning timber home, on a rural hillside 15km (9 1 ⁄2 miles) north of Port Douglas,
into a glamorous and soothing retreat. The rustic-meets-sleek contemporary
bedrooms have white mosquito nets and smart linens on timber beds, and
elegant bathrooms. The downstairs room opens onto a plunge pool overlooking
the valley. Wallabies and bandicoots (a kind of small marsupial) feed in the
garden, kingfishers and honeyeaters use the pool, and butterflies are everywhere.
You can enjoy the company of Andy’s Jack Russell terrier and an irrepressible
cockatoo called Cactus, laze on the two decks, or wander the rainforest trails
of Mossman Gorge just a few kilometers away. You’ll need your own transportation
here.
Lot 1, Chook’s Ridge, Shannonvale (P.O. Box 133, Port Douglas, QLD 4871). & 07/4098 4900. Fax 07/4098
4099. www.marae.com.au. 3 bedrooms (2 with shower only). From A$140 (US$91) double. Minimum 2-night