Local knowledge of Port Douglas, please.
 

We are arriving in Port Douglas on the 18/11 til the 23/11. I am looking at the accommodation in relation to distances etc. We do not intend to hire a car (unless you fodorites think its necessary) and my youngest son is in a wheel chair so we need to stay somewhere central to the beach, restaurants and I guess the marina where the tours leave from. I have been looking at Driftwood, Beaches and Nautilus apartments. I have been looking at the maps but I cannot judge the distances very well. Can anyone advise which is more central? Are there any steep hills we need to walk to get anywhere? Are there any apartments you may think more suitable for a family of five? We are booking on the wavelength tour, after all the great reveiews I've read here.

No, there's no steep hills near any of those you have mentioned. Beaches on Esplanade is beachfront, Driftwood Mantaray is on beach end of Macrossan St, the main restaurant area, Nautilus is on Davidson St which is part of the main drag into PD - still a short walk to beach and restaurants, but a little further from Four Mile Beach than the other two. There's a gentle rise in Macrossan St, but not much. The Marina is a little further, but Wavelength will pick up from your accommodation if necessary.

thanks for the great response. Pat, on an old thread you mentioned a fishing charter, you said they didn't have a website, can you tell me if that charter is still operating? I want to book a day fishing, we don't need to take my sons wheel chair on the boat but will need to have at least a proper seat for him. Can you remember the charter?

Hi Trish - it was probably Blue Whaler which is a reef charter out of Cairns - there is also fishing available in calmer waters of estuaries and rivers. I just found Blue Whaler on http:///www.fishingcairns.com/profiles/bluewhaler.pdf You'll find many alternative fishing trips on this site.

Thanks again Pat. I have just tried to book the driftwood but they have nothing available for us, I'm not sure if that means with the wheel chair or that they are fully booked (I didn't think this was a peak period?) So I guess I am looking at Nautilus or Tropical Reef, both seem nice on the net. I will look up that Bluewhalers, thanks again.

Hi Trish - sorry you had no luck with Driftwood - I don't think it would be anything to do with the wheelchair. It is surprisingly busy up here for this time of year - don't forget to book Wavelength in advance, they've been fully booked most days this week and have been unable to get people on without 48 hours notice - same with Ocean Spirit which is fully booked for rest of week plus many other days in November.