Port Douglas and Cairns 21 - 26 January 2022

We have been in lock down for quite a while and getting on the plane is something I really missed so knowing that we were about to board on the plane was an amazing feeling 🤩

2 weeks before to our trip to Queensland, you'd need to do the rapid test and fill in an online form but that was scrapped just before we went so we were super lucky.

Our trip was only for 5 days with 3 tours booked and I think that was enough as we wanted some free time to explore ourselves. If you haven't been to Port Douglas or Cairns, make sure to read on.

Day 1 - Friday 21 Jan 22: Travelling to Cairns.

Dropping our little Pixie at our bff's place was hard cus we love spending time with her but we needed some time away to rejuvenate. If you are a dog owner, you'd know the feeling 😭

We have chosen the 8:45pm flight so Scott could work and not having to use his annual leave so this flight was perfect. We got to the airport 1.5 hour earlier to check in, walk around and do abit of work before we caught our flight. It was a 3 hour flight on Jetstar which wasn't too bad. Once we landed in Cairns airport we picked up our car hire which we got upgraded from a normal Sedan to a massive monster truck which we were super lucky! The drive was 1 hr from Cairns to Port Douglas which was a bit scary at night but we managed.

We booked to stay at the Ramada resort to stay here for 4 nights. Nothing fancy and the reason why we booked here cus of the cheap price.

Day 2 - Saturday 22 Jan 22: Chilling out and Water rafting.

We have our white water rafting tour booked at 2pm because we wanted to sleep in and not having to rush on our holiday. We drove to the main strip in Port Douglas which took only 10 minutes to get there. It started to rain abit so we decided to have our breakfast at Cafe Fresq. We had their Irish breakfast and the pulled pork sandwich which were very meaty and filling. Then we drove to Lake Placid which was near Cairns for our rafting tour. It was still drizzling with rain but stopped just right before we did our rafting. The instructor was very good and man.... we had a blast on this tour. It was so much fun and I highly recommend anyone to do this. There were heaps of kids on the rafting as well ( Age 12+). Phone wasn't allowed but they have a photographer to take photos for you which was $55 and you will get about 70 pictures. Totally worth it! This tour also had a pick up transfer but we decided to drive cus the tour finish around 5pm and we wanted to stay back in Cairns for dinner.

We walked around in Cairns, had some drinks at a Rooftop restaurant/ bar called Rocco which was really nice then ended up having Indian for dinner. We were going to have Japanese but when we were crossing the street, there was an incredible smell from the restaurant so we couldn't resist. We had Lamb Masala and butter chicken with naan bread. OMG it was so delish! Marinades Indian Restaurant. Cairns.

Driving back to Port Douglas was a bitch cus it took another hour and by the time we got back it was late so we were both tired. We got an early start for our Cape Tribulation tour at 9am so had to wake up early.

Day 3 - Sunday 23 Jan 22: Cape Tribulation and Daintree tour.

We had a full day tour booked with pick up. It was a bit manic at first as when we got picked up, the tour guide asked everyone what they wanted to have for lunch as it was included. Some people were so fussy e.g. no tomato in my burger, no sauce, blah blah blah. It was just annoying that's all when we were already late and the fussy eaters just wanted to be fussy.

When we got to the first stop Mossman Gorge Centre, the tour had a morning tea session which was optional. Basically it's for those who wants to have breakfast but even if you opt out, you'd still have to wait for them so that's another time wasting.

When the tour finally started, we had an Aboriginal welcome ceremony which was pretty cool. We got to learn how they use mud/coal to write their indigenous name on their arms and that the natural painting also helps protect them from insects.

After the ceremony we took a bus up to the river. It was a really nice rainforest walk. We had 45 minutes to check out the river and walk back, but we didn't swim cus it was way too bloody cold. There were a lot of people so we found a side track where we had to walk through the rocks in order to be away from people. Got some nice shots here as well!

Next stop was the Daintree River cruise where we got to see some crocodiles, lunch before Cape Tribulation then back to our accommodation with a quick pit stop for famous Daintree Ice cream.

I personally didn't think the tour was amazing but the welcome ceremony was something that you needed to do which I don't think you can book separately by yourself. Part of doing a tour like this is that you need to be prepared with fussy people. Maybe I'm just bloody old that I get annoyed with high maintenance people. Like you know how we needed to get back to the bus within 45 minutes? Some people were 15 minutes late so we missed the bus and they didn't even say sorry.

Day 4 - Monday 24 Jan 22: Great Barrier Reef tour.

If you read my last blog on the Hamilton Island trip, you'd know I had the shittiest time on the Great Barrier Reef tour cus it was raining non-stop. Like the rain was like 1000 needles poking you. I emailed and called the tour company about the weather so many times to make sure that we won't get the same shitty experience but turned out we got the best weather despite the weather report saying it was going to rain... Yay!!!!!! Since we were staying in Port Douglas, we did a tour that departed from here. I was thinking of departing from Cairns but the 1 hour drive would really tire us out. Eventually we found a tour from Port Douglas which the vessel takes up to 80 passengers with 3 levels so there were heaps of room for everyone. We did 3 snorkeling and lunch was included. We also paid $59 to hire an underwater camera as well.

The snorkeling was good but I kinda got over after our 2nd stop. Each stop we had 1 hour to snorkel. I mean I thought all the spots were the same but the 3rd spot was really good! Staffs were really nice and friendly. Lunch was so so.

It was an all day thing so by the time we got back we were tired. I think the tour was good but if I knew there was an option just to get to Great Barrier Reef to snorkel and come back then I'd do that instead cus I don't

care about lunch or snorkeling in 3 different places.

We got back around 4pm and had dinner booked at 8.45pm ( Yes Port Douglas' restaurants get booked out cus of staff shortage). So we had a swim at our resort, a few drinks and dined at Watergate restaurant. OMG we had

prawn hot pot, crocodile karaage and blue swimmer crab lasagne. Super yummy and highly recommended!!!

Day 4 - Tuesday 25 Jan 22: No activity day.

It was our last 2 days here and we didn't want to book anything as we wanted to keep it free to chill so we caught up with some work ( I know right! But when you work for yourself you have to check what's going on with your business).

After finishing up with our work I wanted to check out the villas where I have booked my clients previously. I emailed them initially for inspection but they said there might not be any villa available so I rang them on the day and lucky enough, there were 2 villas available so we went there for inspection.

Please excuse my language but I'm FUCKING IN LOVE with this resort and I will definitely come back to stay here!!!!!!

We inspected a 4 bedrooms deluxe villa which is 449sq in size. Massive space and the 2 master bedrooms were just simply out of this world. The other 2 rooms were still good but obviously when you divide among friends and family you'd need to consider who get what. Check out my inspection video.

Did you know you can have a private chef in your villa as well? Sick right?????

The resort also has a common infinity pool area which you can use but you will need to walk from your villa. Depending on where your villa is but it can be a bit far. Good to work out that dinner from last night

After our inspection, we went to Thala Resort for lunch. Amazing view and food! We had a crocodile bun, zucchini deep fried and lobster roll.

In the afternoon we got back to our resort, had a massage and dinner at Tin Shed. Make sure to book in advance which you can only book on the day. Their seafood chowder is the bomb!

Day 5 - Wednesday 26 Jan 22: Going home.

We had Crocodile and Ruben pies from Mocka's and ham and cheese croissants from Grant's kitchen.They were good but wasn't amazing. I don't want to sound like a snob but we are lucky with good food in Sydney. I just want to be honest with my taste buds, that's all.

After we checked out, we checked out the market at Crystalbrook Marina's market which was bloody hot! We were there literally 10 minutes then drove to Cairns. We then had lunch at Ochre restaurant where they serve native food e.g. green ants. Yeah that's right, green ants. It was definitely different and you need to try it once in your life.

We were going to buy some souvenirs but time was limited so we had to head back to the airport for our flight back home.

Flight back was comfortable. We downloaded some Netflix series to watch until we got home. Picked up our little fur baby Pixie cus we missed her so much.

Overall experience of this trip - 7 out of 10. The Boo Boo list😫 😫 Mouldy smell in our room at the Ramada. I'd not recommend anyone to stay here and pay more to be in a nicer place. 😫 Booked out restaurants in Port Douglas. 😫 Expensive price for restaurants in Port Douglas. Compared to Sydney even cheap eat is $20+. Nice restaurants $30+ The Awesome list😍 😍 White Water rafting. 😍 Great Barrier Reef trip. 😍 Aboriginal Welcome Ceremony. 😍 Beautiful weather even in the rainy season. 😍 Inspection of amazing private pool villas.

😍 Being on the planes.

So how much did we spend on this trip?

Flight (Check in luggage) - $340

Accommodation 4 nights @Ramada - $615

White water rafting - $155

Photo from rafting - $55

Cape Tribulation day tour - $195

Great Barrier Reef tour - $269

Car hire - $365

Total per person - $1,500

If we have to do the trip again in the future, we'd stay in Cairns instead and get all the activities out of the way. You also have plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from where they are not too expensive.

Then to finish the trip off I'd highly stay at the private pool villa for a few nights to relax before you head home.

If you are looking to go holiday in Cairns or Port Douglas, make sure to get in contact with me cus I've been there😎

📞 0425328050

📧 sekha@itravel-au.com