It’s going to be a cracker of a weekend, with both Tropical Sketchfest and Taste Port Douglas lighting up the weekend calendar.
Urban Sketchers Port Douglas/Mossman, Port Douglas Artists and Douglas Arts Base are hosting the Port Douglas Tropical Sketchfest to be held around the Shire this weekend. Visitors and locals alike are welcomed to join in as we sketch the many fabulous sites and subjects of our beautiful slice of paradise including Mossman and Port Douglas Markets, classical Queensland architecture like Mossman’s Exchange Hotel, the heritage-listed Port Douglas Sugar Wharf and Museum, Port Douglas Marina and the natural beauty of Mossman Gorge.
For the gastronomically inclined, Taste Port Douglas is a four-day event showcasing inspiring chefs, and food and drink artisans hosting cooking and cocktail masterclasses, the famed long lunch, a street food festival and an extraordinarily indulgent seafood feast.
The inaugural Cairns Food & Wine Festival will also take place over the weekend, launching with a seafood feast at Ochre on Friday night, and all-day foodie festival at Munro Martin Parklands on Saturday . Festival entertainment includes jazz, the Killer Queen experience, Tony George’s Neil Diamond Tribute, Glenn Symons Tom Petty Tribute and a DJ to keep the crowd dancing! Enjoy local seafood, paella, low and slow barbeque and a range of other gourmet providores.
What is the weather doing?
A ridge remains over northern waters, extending from a high pressure system [1015 hPa] over the Tasman Sea. The ridge will strengthen along the east coast over the next few days.
Friday / East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Inshore winds tending east to northeasterly between Cairns and Port Douglas in the afternoon.
Saturday / East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots north of Cairns.
Sunday / East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore north of Cairns in the morning and afternoon. Winds decreasing to about 10 knots during the evening.
Friday 8 October 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
PORT DOUGLAS’ LONG LUNCH / Presented by Jansz
Staged under the canopy of poinciana in Market Park, alongside St Mary’s by the Sea, celebrate a tropical lifestyle at the Port Douglas Long Lunch. Salsa, Sassi, Zinc and Harrisons collaborate with guest celebrity chefs, Laura Sharrad, Philip Johnson, Dominique Rizzo and Jake Nicolson to present a delectable three course menu. Enjoy Aperol Spritz and canapés by Port Douglas Catering on arrival, followed by a three-hour beverage package. Live music by ARIA Award winning artist, Kiki Courtidis completes a perfectly decadent afternoon.
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT / Presented by Belvedere Vodka
Girls’ Night Out At Sheraton joins the Taste Port Douglas festivities with a special festival appearance to satisfy ladies who love great cocktails, food, wine and company.
Guests will be treated to a selection of two Belvedere cocktails and canapés on arrival, a delicious two course feasting style menu curated by restaurateur and MasterChef Alumni, Laura Sharrad and Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas Executive Chef, Belinda Tuckwell.
A three-hour wine package and live music by Electric Dreams Entertainment sets the backdrop for the evening.
EAST MEETS WEST / Presented by Vasse Felix Winery
East Coast chefs and West Coast wines come together in the most delicious way for an exciting collaboration dinner presented by Vasse Felix Winery. After an arrival drink and canapés, indulge in a five-course menu by star guest chefs, Ben Williamson and Adam Wolfers matched with wines by Vasse Felix.
CROSSROADS CAFE / Fish N Chips & Open Mic Night from 6pm
MT MOLLOY NATIONAL HOTEL / Live music and Jag the Joker with tickets from 5.30pm. Meat tray raffle at 7pm raising funds for the local community Clubs. Enjoy Happy Hour and a transfer bus home.
EXCHANGE HOTEL MOSSMAN / Live Music 6pm & Meals on Wheels Raffles 5pm
CANE TOAD RACING / Chilly’s Pizza & Trattoria from 5.15pm-6pm
BARRIER REEF TAVERN / Members Draw from 6.30pm
PADDYS / 5pm Raffles and live music by The Walker Brothers from 8pm
COURT HOUSE HOTEL / Live Music by Cam Kettle from 7.30pm
CENTRAL HOTEL / Live Music
THE TIN SHED / Raffles from 5.30-6.30pm
LADY DOUGLAS FRIDAY MUSIC CRUISE / Music Cruise package with the Yacht Club every Friday. Enjoy a delicious Seafood Platter for two and a bottle of wine at the Yacht Club then dance the night away to Live Music onboard the Lady D. BOOK NOW on 0408 986 127
WINE & DINE
INN FRONT / Tapas & Drink Special 5-6 pm
PORT DOUGLAS YACHT CLUB / Sunset Tunes & Seafood Session
WHET, CAPE TRIBULATION / Parmy Fridays
ELLIS BEACH BAR & GRILL / $10 Pizza Specials
SPORT & WELLNESS
DAINTREE YOGA / 10am Buffs Hall, Mossman
ACTIVE8 FITNESS / Free Seniors Movement and Parkour at Mossman Gymnastics Club & Kindergym 10.30am
Saturday 9 October 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
HARRY HAWKER STREET FOOD PARTY 5-10 pm /
As the sun sets over Four Mile Beach, Taste Port Douglas is only just beginning to heat up as the lawns of the Sheraton Grand Mirage transform into the vibrant Harry Hawker Street Food Party.
Guest chefs will helm street-food inspired food stalls alongside Frankie’s Gourmet Hot Dog Van, Malone’s Smokehouse and an array of pop-up bars throughout the grounds. Enjoy live music through the night by Ashcats Soundsystem & Kiki Courtidis.
Agnes Brisbane x PorkStar Festival Pop-Up / Award winning chef & restaurateur Ben Williamson brings his acclaimed Brisbane restaurant Agnes to Port Douglas in an exciting collaboration with PorkStar. Guests will experience the drama, spectacle and ancient skill of cooking over fire as Ben lights fires in custom pits designed by local Aussie Campfire Kitchens with the best regional produce.
COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS / Wolf Lane Distillery 12-1.30pm
Wolf Lane Distillery’s expert team will set you on your way to becoming a gin and cocktail master. During this interactive class, guests will be taught the essentials of cocktail perfection. The Wolf Lane team will treat students to the distinguished flavours of an award-winning Far North Queensland craft distillery, along with gourmet bites provided throughout the afternoon.
COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS / Devil’s Thumb Distillery 12-1.30pm
After spending an afternoon with the expert team from Devil’s Thumb, participants will be on their way to becoming spirit masters. During this interactive class, guests will be taught the essentials of cocktail perfection, learn to put a twist on cocktail favourites, and be treated to the distinguished flavours of one of Far North Queensland’s newest craft distilleries. Accompanying gourmet bites will be provided throughout the afternoon.
PADDYS / Seachange live from 8pm
CANE TOAD RACING / Chilly’s Pizza & Trattoria from 5pm for 5.15pm start-6pm
COURTHOUSE HOTEL / Live music by Steve Rockman from 7.30pm
WINE & DINE
THE DAIRY / Mungalli Creek Dairy is opening their ice creamery and milk bar in Cairns with two-for-one ice cream and live music. 1 Shields Street, adjacent to McDonalds, open from 6am-10pm daily.
MARKETS
MOSSMAN / 7am-1pm
ST CRISPINS / 8.30am-1pm
MAREEBA / from 7.30am
SPORT, HEALTH & WELLNESS
MOSSMAN SUPER PFIZER SATURDAY /
WALK-IN COVID vaccination clinic at the Mossman Hospital from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Simply head on down to Mossman Hospital to receive your Pfizer vaccination. No appointments necessary! Open to people ages 12 and over. If you can’t make the clinic this Saturday but would still like to be vaccinated, you can make an appointment with the regular Mossman clinic by calling 1800 861 863.
DAINTREE YOGA WITH SCHELL / 9am Buffs Hall Mossman
MOSSMAN & DISTRICT RIFLE CLUB / Target Rifle Shooting Afternoon
FOUR MILE BEACH SOCIAL SWIM / A weekly social Ocean Swim around the buoys in front of the patrol hut, which makes about a 500m course. Meet in front of the patrol hut on Four Mile Beach at 9am. Please note this is a social swim without any organised water safety and you swim at your own risk. For safety reasons we swim in front of the patrol hut during lifeguard hours.
NQ BRANCH CARNIVAL / PORT DOUGLAS SLSC 9-10 October /
Sunday 10 October 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
CATCHERS & GROWERS – THE ULTIMATE SEAFOOD FEAST / SOLD OUT
Held at Feast Restaurant, guests will enjoy a culinary experience celebrating the champions of the sea with esteemed producers from Australia and New Zealand. Guests will enjoy a menu with producers such as Ora King Salmon, Kinkawooka Mussels, Yarra Valley Caviar, Hiramasa Kingfish, Fraser Isle Spanner Crab, Queensland Giant Groper, Skull Island Prawns and more. Hosted by industry expert, Umar Nguyen, aka @TheFishGirl, guests will have a front row seat to live food stations and livelier discussions as brand representatives passionately and authentically shine a light on seafood quality and diversity.
OAKS RESORT PORT DOUGLAS / Locals Sunday Session by the Pool 12-5pm : House DJ, live music, food and drink specials
CROSSROADS CAFE / Sunday Sesh 11am-4pm, live piano with Nikolaos, draught beer, wine, coffee, cake, cheese platters and lunch served.
TURTLE ROCK CAFE / Safari Sundays are back! Live tunes and great food and drink specials.
PLANTATION RESORT / Sunday Session by the Pool with live tunes from 4pm
BARBADOS / Sunday Seafood Session from 3-5pm with live music from 4-6pm
THE TIN SHED / Live music from 1.30-4.30pm and Members Draw from 4-5pm
COURTHOUSE HOTEL / Live music from 12-3pm
PADDYS / Steve Rockman live from 5-8pm
ELLIS BEACH BAR & GRILL / $1 Oysters & Live Music from 1-4pm
MARKETS
PORT DOUGLAS / 8am-1.30pm
HOLLOWAYS BEACH MARKETS / 8am-1pm
WINE & DINE
PALMER SEA REEF GOLF CLUB / Sunday Roast from 11.30am-2.30pm
SPORT, WELLNESS, COMMUNITY & CULTURE
COW BAY COMMUNITY RIDE /
FREE ice-cream will be offered to riders who participate in a free community ride through Cow Bay at 9.30am on Sunday 10 October. The Rainforest to Beach Community Bike Ride will feature a 5km and 10km pathway-based rainforest ride starting from Floraville Ice-cream Shop, Cape Tribulation Rd.Douglas Shire Council has organised the community cycle through funding from the Queensland Government’s Community Road Safety Grants scheme.Participants will receive a cycling vest and free ice-cream after the ride.Hire Bikes available at the ride start point, these need to be pre-booked at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact Bike Shop and Hire Port Douglas: 4099 5799.
GOURMET GOLF / Survivor Golf. Set behind the panoramic Four Mile Beach and beautiful mountain backdrop of Port Douglas, join Survivor Golf, Taste Port Douglas celebrity chefs and local sporting personalities as they take on a nine-hole Ambrose golf competition to raise money for Kick On.Kick On promotes positive mental health through various programs, events and campaignsFollowing lunch players will be treated to a premium lunch by our Festival guest chefs at the Mirage Country Club.Gourmet Golf is a Charity Event, please email survivor_golf@outlook.com for further details.
CAIRNS 5K COLOUR FRENZY / An exciting and colourful day for everyone, the 5K fun run/ walk also features live entertainment with giveaways, music, and face painting. Food and drinks available, doggos allowed. Everyone gets a Finisher Medal. You can walk, jog, run or even crawl. It’s completely self-paced and untimed. With our 1.65km track you can also choose to do 1 lap or all the laps.
