Page 71 - Port Douglas Magazine 46

reader experience. reader experience.

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FROM

TO
FAMILY

HOW ONE COUPLE IS MAKING A LIFETIME
OF HOLIDAY MEMORIES IN PORT DOUGLAS.

WORDS by Keely Double

Watching our two young boys tear around the terrific A few years later and we were back again for a very
playground at Rex Smeal Park, I take a moment to make special trip, not least because our first son was born nine

a wish. The early morning sun is up, and a backdrop of months later. We simply adored our first experience at

large white sails and small silver boats glide through the a Port Douglas resort. Ramada was a world away with
harbour, headed out for a day on the Reef. I hope we’ll be its peaceful and tropical paradise vibe. We enjoyed an
coming back here forever. unforgettable experience to the Great Barrier Reef
snorkelling with turtles, clownfish and colourful coral.

My partner and I made our first trip to Port Douglas in

2008. It was New Year’s Eve when we flew into Cairns The rest of our days consisted of relaxing in dappled
from Brisbane, hopped on a shuttle and headed up the sunlight under knitted tree canopies, refreshing
sparkling turquoise coastline to Port Douglas. ourselves at the swim-up bar and slipping on sarongs to
enjoy dinner under the stars.

The air was hot and humid – even for two lifelong
Queenslanders – and we shared a moment of One year later and we were back with baby in tow! We
uncertainty as we hefted our bags out of the mini-van rented a private house with the grandparents atop the hill

outside Dougie’s Backpackers. But we were reassured by on Murphy Street and spent most of our days pushing
the cheap and cheerful exterior, indicative of the holiday a pram. We discovered the wonderful Origin Espresso,
we hoped lay ahead. We’d splurged on a double room owned by a passionate young couple from South Korea,

(with a private sink!) and we felt ourselves at the height and their heavenly coffee helped us through that sleep-
of luxury. deprived week, supplemented by fresh pastries from
Mocka’s Pies & Bakehouse.
We were 23 years old, we’d only been together six months,
and my memories of that trip are now muddled together Post covid in September 2020 Port Douglas was the
in one sweaty, sticky, happy week. I will never forget quietest we’ve ever seen it. We did meet lots of locals
traipsing back from town on a 38-degree day, lugging on this trip as the memories continued. Highlights
a couple of six-packs of XXXX Gold (this was before included croc-spotting aboard the Lady Douglas River

the explosion of local breweries) and bickering bitterly Cruise and my son tasting his first ever pizza at Chilly’s
about the heat. Reaching Dougie’s, we dived desperately Pizza. However, it was clear the town was hurting and
into the pool and emerged renewed, all fights forgotten we vowed to return soon.

as the Port Douglas magic re-worked its spell. It was 2022 by the time we made it back, and now we were

It was a few years before we made it back, and by then a family of four. This trip we opted for a self-contained
we were living in Sydney, suffering through southern unit close to the beach. We built sandcastles, dipped our

winters. We flew to Port Douglas in late August, this toes in the ocean, and meandered Macrossan Street with

time stretching our finances to a self-catered apartment our now double pram. Luck was on our side when both
in Macrossan Street. boys fell asleep at the same time and napped for nearly
two hours! We drank champagne and shared a dozen
We lingered over big breakfasts at local Fresq café and oysters at Wrasse & Roe in the afternoon sunshine. This

sipped cold beers with prawn buckets at the Tin Shed. was living!
I spent leisurely hours browsing the town’s excellent
bookstores, whilst my partner found a friendly group of 2023, we brought the whole clan along and had settled
fellow gym-goers at the low-key but well-equipped Port into an annual rhythm. Grandparents, siblings, partners
Douglas gym. and cousins all converged for the Easter long weekend,