Page 100 - Port Douglas Magazine 32

Living The Dream

Words by Emma Tunnock

After packing like a lunatic, throwing bike rides, and lots of family pool fun. As for The iconic Four Mile Beach is on our door-
three kids in the back of the car, the rain in the wet season, it’s beautiful. It step, and if I can wrangle myself out of
and frantically making dog sitting brings instant relief to the humidly, brings bed before the day takes hold, a morning
arrangements, we were off – in early July out an even greener shade of green, and walk on the beach is the best tonic for the
last year we turned our backs on a soon showers clear as quickly as they come. soul. Four Mile Beach is always beautiful,
to be locked down Melbourne and hit the and never the same. In the wet season the
road, sights set on Port Douglas. Then there is the relaxed pace of life. stinger nets offer protection at the northern
Having just returned to work after maternity
My husband and I have long had an leave with my third child, we’re busier than end, and we often take the kids down late
on a Sunday afternoon for a paddle in the
affinity with the Douglas region – we have ever juggling three kids, full time work and shallows. From May to October, you will
taken several trips up over the years, and no family help around - but we’re calmer find us playing and swimming at the beach
were married at the Sugar Wharf nearly a than ever. After a quick day care drop off, just about every weekend.
decade ago. It’s long been a dream of ours I drive a beautiful 15 minutes into Mossman
to pack the family up, and hightail it to the for work. My husband works remotely from There is an abundance of activities,
Far North, but despite hours spent perusing home, puts on dinner, and we are now the outings, and things to do, most of which
realestate.com, neither of us thought we family that eats together before 6pm – a involve being immersed in nature, and all
had the guts to do it. feat we would never have achieved in our of which are must-dos. Snorkelling and/
or diving on the reef – before long, you
will want to get yourself a boat and make
it part of daily life. A day trip across the
Daintree – explore remote beaches,
soak up spectacular scenery, and stop
for exotic fruit ice-cream that will change
your life. Explore the Tablelands -
hidden amongst the character-rich towns
of Kuranda, Yungaburra, and Mareeba
you’ll find stunning waterfalls, lakes, and
watering holes, not to mention cotter’s
markets, boutique shops, and the famous
scenic railway. Then of course, you can’t
underestimate that doing nothing is doing
something if you’re living in the serenity of
the tropics.
Living and working in Douglas has allowed
us to better understand our precious
Indigenous culture. The First Nations
People and their connection to the land
is truly cherished and celebrated. Our
children will inherently grow up with a deep
respect and understanding of the culture of
our First Nations People, an understanding
they could not have living in the suburbs of
a big city.

Eva, Tommy & Emilia taking a dip As for community – what an unexpected
joy. There is a genuine warmth and
previous life. There’s no long commute to connectedness in the Port Douglas
Fast track nine months later, add a bit of iron the concrete jungle, no working from a community. In the six months we have
will and a pandemic to kick us into gear, crammed space at home, no mass cooking
and we now call Port Douglas home, and and freezer overstuffing – just a more lived in Port we have developed great
we couldn’t be happier. relaxed way of being. friendships and enjoy easy catch-ups with
neighbours. There’s also so much on offer
So why did we make the move, and what Spectacular scenery. Did I mention my for kids, including a mind-blowing range of
are the top reasons to live and work in commute into work? Living and working community sporting clubs and programs.
Douglas? in the tropics we are surrounded by Then there are the community groups, and
Firstly, the weather - it’s warm, and it’s warm the lushest rainforest and kilometres of networks – a treasure trove of wonderful
initiatives and very special people.
all the time. Sure, it can get ridiculously cane fields. We are nestled between the
sticky over the Summer months, but as mountains and served up every shade of So, there you have it. The mess, toddler
long as you have the survival kit – a pool green you can imagine. I joke that my drive tantrums, and routines of daily life may not
and air con, you’re laughing. The wardrobe to the nearest shopping centre might take disappear, but they are so much easier to
is as easy as shorts, t-shirts and hats – no 45 minutes longer than it used too, but the embrace when you’re living the dream.
jumpers, no layers, and if you’re a kid in day view sure has changed. Driving the coast
care, then no shoes necessary. Bring on road from Cairns to Port Douglas still takes
countless evenings outside, early morning my breath away.

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