A Local’s Guide To Port Douglas

We get the inside info on Port Douglas in North Queensland straight from the manager at United Backpackers Port Douglas.

Name: Chris Barber

Occupation: Manager at United Backpackers Port Douglas

Living In: Port Douglas

How long you’ve been in Port Douglas: Close to six months

The best place to hang out in Port Douglas: The bar at United Backpackers, of course! However, other than that, the sunset at Anzac Park is one of the most beautiful I have seen in Australia. Watching the day come to an end as you watch the boats roll into the Marina. Plus it’s hard to not be at the beautiful 4 Mile for the sunrise (if you can get up early enough).

The best breakfast in Port Douglas: The Little Larder

The best coffee in Port Douglas: Guests rave about the coffee at Origin Espresso, just around the corner from us.

Your favourite restaurant in Port Douglas: I’m a sucker for a good Mexican, and the aptly
titled restaurant Mexican is my favourite (try the Hibiscus margarita), however there are so many great restaurants in Port Douglas, you can pretty much take your pick of any cuisine you feel like. Also try the Surf Club; amazing food and huge servings at a great price for the budget traveller.

How you spend a weekend in Port Douglas: Either a day trip to the reef, or a sail and snorkel to Low Isles; at night a trip to Iron Bar for the Cane Toad races at 8.30pm, then on Sunday a visit to the markets at Anzac Park you can walk around for hours with so many great stalls. Stop for a beer and lunch at Central Hotel to recover from all the shopping then spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

The best day trips in/from Port Douglas: Active Tropics Cape Tribulation Day Tour, Calypso Reef Tour for a dive, Wavelength for a snorkel trip, and Hartley’s Crocodile Park.

Your favourite thing about living in Port Douglas: You know that thing called winter? Well, we don’t get it. A beautiful town with the main street having the Marina at one end and iconic 4 Mile Beach on the other. Everything you can do from Cairns you can do from Port Douglas without the busy city feel. Life is less complicated here, that’s for sure.

If you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be and why? South America; I did a short month stint in Colombia and Brazil which included an amazing trek through the Amazon Jungle, however I was by myself, and I would love to go back and share this experience with my girlfriend.

Chris is manager at United Backpackers Port Douglas, situated in the heart of town, 5 minutes
from 4 Mile Beach. Visit www.unitedportdouglas.com.au or call 07 4099 5011 to book your stay in Port Douglas.