One last ? about the dreaded stingers
 

Thanks to all posters for tons of help in planning our Oz vacation! We will spend part of our visit in Port Douglas in early October, and are still a bit confused as to when stinger season begins there. We've read reports that say beaches are unsafe October through April. Others say the jellies don't arrive until November. If anyone has visited PD in early October, can you share your experience with the beaches?<BR><BR>Thanks

Ellie - it has always been my understanding that the stingers arrive with the rains which wash them out of the estuaries onto the coastline. We have been there three times in October and once in November and had no problem but it depends on when those rains come.

Ellie, I was there last November (first week) and they were definitely around.

Louise is correct. Rains and also the winds at that time of year affect when stingers are around.Also the temperature of the water. Early October should be fine. The town has a stinger net which is at the 4 mile beach.<BR>I would also suggest swimming in Mossman Gorge as the water temp at that time of year off the beach is quite warm.

We were there early October a couple of years ago. No sign of stingers. Remember also that we they do arrive, its only on the coast, not out on the Reef.