Airlie Beach and Port Douglas

[loveopera]

Hi everyone,

this is my first posting, so I hope I do it correctly. We are on the Dawn Princess leaving Melbourne fin November or a 28 day cruise around Australia. If going to the Great Barrier Reef is not an option, what interesting things are there to do in Airlie Beach? Is there any kind of public transportation? (Also for Port Douglas).

 

And how do you know if the ship is docked or if tenders are used? On the Princess website I don't see any notation.

 

thanks

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

Hi loveopera and Welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Airlie Beach and Port Douglas are both tender ports.

If you opt for the ships tour to the reef the catamaran boats will pick you up from the ship,otherwise you tender ashore.

At Port Douglas you are tendered into a marina very close to to the town and a shuttle will run you the short distance into the township .

At Airlie Beach you are also tendered into a marina in the next bay around from the township and there is a very nice boardwalk around the shore into town, or again the locals will offer a shuttle service. Airlie Beach is a holiday destination town , with plenty of shops and attractions to spend a day there.

 

[loveopera]

Thank you Kiwi Kruzer. Your information is exactly what I was looking for. By the way, do you know if there is a charge for the shuttle?

Loveopera

[loveopera]

 

Hi loveopera and Welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Airlie Beach and Port Douglas are both tender ports.

If you opt for the ships tour to the reef the catamaran boats will pick you up from the ship,otherwise you tender ashore.

At Port Douglas you are tendered into a marina very close to to the town and a shuttle will run you the short distance into the township .

At Airlie Beach you are also tendered into a marina in the next bay around from the township and there is a very nice boardwalk around the shore into town, or again the locals will offer a shuttle service. Airlie Beach is a holiday destination town , with plenty of shops and attractions to spend a day there.

 

Opinions, please. We want to take one trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. Which tour would be better - from Airlie Beach or Port Douglas?

thanks, loveopera

[MMDown Under]

One option from Airlie Beach, is to take the ferry to one or two of the nearby islands, where you could swim and/or walk through the National Park. South Mole Island is best for walks.

 

You might want to consider taking the fast boat from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, which is the most glorious white sand beach.

 

BTW Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour don't have any beaches, but Airlie Beach has an artificial waterfront lagoon, which is very popular with backpackers.

[dreamcruiser53]

"what interesting things are there to do in Airlie Beach? Is there any kind of public transportation? (Also for Port Douglas)."

Airlie Beach is full of backpackers! There is no nice beach and the shops are your typical beach town shops. If at all possible take a trip out to Whitehaven beach, or Hamilton Island. Airlie Beach is too far from the GBR but there are plenty of other little islands that you can reach or take a day cruise.