Page 75 - Port Douglas Magazine 33

adventure. adventure.

THE TOP 5: Soon you’ll approach another set of stairs on your left, taking

you up to Flagsta Hill and the best views of the beach - it’s a
small sweaty climb, but well worth it. I can’t believe it took me
hikes Fun Fact: e agsta here was erected in 1880 to

18 months to nd it!

signal the arrival of ships and incoming cyclones, which
is how the hill got its name.
Retrace your steps, turn left and continue along the main path,
lapping up the ocean and island views. There’s not much in the
way of wildlife apart from butter ies and orange footed scrub

fowls but it feels like you’re immersed in nature.
Soon enough you’ll reach the small “summit” before descending
more steeply to the end. After passing some pretty bouganvillea
and the impressive Curtain Fig Tree you’ll emerge onto Rex
Smeal Park, one of the best sunset spots in town.
hezz, a London-born If you packed a stubby you can sit and watch the boats sail by.
School Teacher left Or if you’re here between 10am to 1pm, take a detour to the
quaint Port Douglas Museum around the corner for a peek and
England 10 years ago continue up to Flagsta Hill Lighthouse.

Swith her Sailor to explore
the world.
After stints in Prague, Thailand, bump track
Melbourne & Malaysia, (to the landing)
WORDS by Sherri Ottova Australia’s Tropical North she is - 4k return
now based in Western Australia.
four mile beach & ffl agstaff hill Her blog, Travel Mermaid - 1.5 hrs return
- 5.5k one way focuses on adventure travel & - moderate to hard
- 2hrs expat life. Through her travel Bump Track is a bit of an institution in Port Douglas and it’s
popular with locals, yet rarely gets busy.
stories, destination guides &
- easy photography, she hopes to inspire We usually just come to stretch our legs and take the quicker 4k
This leisurely walk is the most popular in Port Douglas as it’s the only route your next adventure in Australia! return route from Mowbray Valley to the landing where there’s

in the township (the others you need to drive to) and o ers a bit of everything Join her on her journey a bench with a nice view of the valley & Coral Sea. But it’s
- from beach to bush and banging views. certainly not a cop out route as it’s the steepest section of the
You can start at any time of day, although I like dawn or dusk in the wet season entire track, so those not used to hardcore hills may be feeling
as it’s cooler and means you can catch a sunrise along Four Mile, or a sunset travelmermaid.com it on the way up!
at Rex Smeal Park. It’s a great workout though.
We live at the southern end of Four Mile so often skip the beach walk and just Four Mile Beach

cycle to Flagsta Hill to complete this 1.5k track. That way we can enjoy a
sunset and grab dinner in town without having to walk 4k home! But each to
their own. You can also grab a shuttle or taxi if you need to get back to your
resort.
Here’s the route in action:
To start the hike, head to the southern end of Four Mile Beach if you wish
to cover the entire stretch (where the car park is) or simply enter the beach
“If you’re taking

from wherever you’re staying. Take o your thongs and enjoy the soft sand “
stroking your toes as you trot towards the rocky headland.
this hike really
FUN FACT: Although named ‘Four Mile’, the beach is actually four

kilometres! It was named a er the distance from Port Douglas leisurely, once
township to Craiglie (formerly known as Four Mile camp) which was

the rst settlement in the area. you reach the
If you’re taking this hike leisurely, then once you reach the end of the beach end of the beach

you can stop for a co ee, beer, or lunch on the Esplanade at Hi Tide or The
Lighthouse Café. Otherwise, step onto the pathway and meander right to the you can stop for

start of the Flagsta Hill track. As you reach the top of the stairs there’s some

saucy views of the palm-fringed beach, Coral Sea and neighbouring ranges. a co ee, beer
Continue on and you’ll nd the Flagsta Sky Deck (well worth a stop) and

a map of the track. Then you’ll slowly start your ascent up the gravel track, or lunch on the
which is a relatively easy climb, even for novice walkers. We normally do it

in our thongs, but you may be com er in trainers. There are a few viewpoints esplanade...”
along the way, notably of Low Isles & Snapper Island in the distance.
Sherri Ottova Rex Smeal Park
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 75