Words by Jamie Jansen

For more information about Port Douglas Luxe Tours, click here.

For Agostino Arrigo and Josephine Warnet, the landscapes of Far North Queensland are far more than a scenic backdrop.

Their lives are defined by the region’s natural rhythms, from years spent navigating luxury charters across the Great Barrier Reef to embracing the ancient wonders of the Daintree, a deep-rooted connection that naturally evolved into Port Douglas Luxe Tours. 

By turning this intimate local immersion into a sophisticated, personal service, the pair has created an experience where true luxury is found in the depth of the connection to the land itself.

In a town like Port Douglas, which has long been synonymous with the finer things in life, their venture feels like a natural evolution of that legacy, offering a refined and thoughtful way to experience the raw beauty of the region.

This philosophy of a “private concierge on wheels” is shaped by a lifetime of high-stakes hospitality that spans the globe. Agostino spent years as a skipper on luxury reef charters and yachts, a career that began in his native Sicily, a world-renowned hub for the maritime elite. 

“I was already familiar with that high-end market,” he explains.

“People come to Port Douglas expecting something special, and we are here to offer exactly that, but in a way that feels curated.”

Josephine’s background is equally impressive: a rare combination of high-end luxury and deep immersion in the wild.

While she is now an acclaimed wildlife photographer, and was recently featured with a stunning shot of a Cassowary on the January 2026 cover of PORT DOUGLAS Magazine, her sense of hospitality was honed during her service in the French Army as an attendant to the President of France. 

That “presidential” standard now extends to every guest who steps inside their luxury vehicle. The vehicle serves as a sanctuary from the tropical heat, featuring plush leather seating, privacy glass, and a cabin fridge stocked with chilled water and champagne.

It is an experience defined by the finest details, right down to the refreshing cold towels waiting for guests as they return from a walk in the rainforest.

The couple’s combined international heritage also allows them to offer their services fluently in English, French, Italian, and German, ensuring a seamless, personal connection for guests from around the globe.

 

 

As Agostino notes: “Economy class will get you to the same destination as first class, but the experience of the journey is completely different. We focus on that feeling of being truly curated and considered.”

The service is built around removing the stress of planning entirely. Rather than requiring guests to navigate a rigid schedule, Agostino and Josephine act as personal architects for the day, handling every logistical detail and curation.

Their experiences are entirely tailored to a guest's interests, often starting with a simple request: “We are here for three days. Show us the magic.”

The result is a seamless, multi-dimensional itinerary. One day might involve a private charter to the Great Barrier Reef, the next a helicopter flight over the Coral Sea, dining in exclusive venues, or a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands.

“We don’t really have limits,” Agostino says. “Guests tell us what they want, and we create it.”

This ability to “create the magic” is rooted in Agostino's deep local passion, attention to detail, and meticulous planning. Josephine brings a unique lens to these itineraries, guiding guests not just through landscapes, but into them.

Her intuitive knowledge of the region’s most elusive inhabitants, from the Southern Cassowary and platypus to the rare Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo, adds a layer of depth that goes far beyond traditional sightseeing.

Recognising that many travellers want to stay fully present in these moments, Josephine also offers the option to act as a private photographer for the day.

Her expert eye captures both the wildlife and the guests within the landscape, allowing travellers to put their cameras away and simply enjoy the moment, knowing professional, high-resolution memories will follow.

The couple remains adamant about keeping the business small and exclusive. “If someone books us for the day, we are fully dedicated to them,” Agostino insists. “This isn't just a job; it’s a lifestyle. We’re doing what we love, nature, hospitality, and meeting people from around the world.”

By blending Agostino’s Sicilian maritime flair with Josephine’s French precision and ecological knowledge, the pair has created a way to experience the region that feels as expansive as the Great Barrier Reef, yet as intimate as a private conversation.