The Douglas Shire is struggling to keep up with the widespread influx of COVID-19 and its impact on our local workforce and businesses. This weekend’s event guide is a little different to normal as many businesses are not able to operate, and in the interests of community health and the immediate sustainability of our local economy, we need to each take measures to prevent further transmission of Covid.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree have gone to great lengths to compile a guide to current operating hours for their member restaurants, bars and cafes.
This is a current list of businesses weathering the storm (subject to change at any moment):
Aluco Restaurant and Bar CLOSED Until 10 January 2022
Barbados Beachfront OPEN
Central Hotel CLOSED Until Further Notice
Choo Choos at the Marina CLOSED 7 & 8 January | OPEN 9 January
Court House Hotel OPEN
Croc Espresso Cafe OPEN (Crocodile Express Daintree River Rainforest Cruises)
Harrisons Restaurant OPEN 7 & 8 January | CLOSED 9 January (see PDF)
Hemingway’s Brewery OPEN
Heritage Lodge OPEN
Hi Tide By The Beach OPEN 7 & 8 January | CLOSED 9 January (see PDF)
KoKo Poolside Bar & Kitchen OPEN
La Cucina e Bar OPEN
Little Pizza Company at Oaks Port Douglas Resort OPEN
Mocka’s Pies OPEN 7 & 8 January | CLOSED 9 January (see PDF)
Niramaya Villas & Spa OPEN 7 & 8 January | CLOSED 9 January (see PDF)
Oak & Vine at Oaks Port Douglas Resort OPEN
Paddy’s Irish Pub OPEN
Rattle n Hum OPEN 7 January | CLOSED 8 & 9 January (see PDF)
Salsa Bar & Grill OPEN
Seabean Tapas Bar Restaurant OPEN
St. Crispins Cafe & Events OPEN
Tides Restaurant at Cape Trib Beach House OPEN
Tin Shed Port Douglas OPEN
Turtle Rock Cafe OPEN
Tiki Bar at Plantation Resort CLOSED Until Further Notice
Zinc Port Douglas OPEN
A printable guide can be accessed here : bit.ly/3n02YGc
We’ve put together a few alternate suggestions for this weekend. How about….
Heading for the Hills
Why not pack a picnic hamper, and hit the road (in air-conditioned comfort wink * wink* ) to discover secret freshwater swimming holes and Insta worthy waterfalls on your very own Tablelands tour. A few must-do’s include Mt Uncle Distillery, Granite Gorge, Davies Creek, Emerald Creek, Skybury Coffee, Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Spencer and Murphy Booksellers in Yungaburra, and Shaylees Strawberry farm for the most delicious strawberry ice cream. Must see waterfalls include Millstream Falls, Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa, Pepina and Zillie Falls. If you have time, Paronella Park is a dream-like step back into history and an incredible tale of romance for a few hours..and be sure to stop in at the Babinda Boulders (and Bakery!) if you’re headed down that way.
Cooling Down in the Creek
Weather permitting, there’s nothing stopping you tubing down the river; hop in just below Silky Oaks and tube all the way to Foxton Bridge for the ultimate cooldown adventure with friends and family. If you don’t have a lilo or a floaty, tyre tubes are often available at the local Mossman tyre service shop. Back Country Bliss also host daily river tubing trips, and Windswell offer paddle-boarding trips up, and a drift back down the river from Foxton Bridge.
Otherwise Shannonvale, Spring Creek and Anich’s Bridge are all cool creek destinations in the current weather. You can always walk up to secluded swimming holes from Mossman Gorge Centre too….
Exploring the Daintree
If you don’t already have a ferry pass, they are free right now, so take advantage of the opportunity to head over the river to explore the National Parks boardwalks, refreshing creeks, long secluded beaches…spot a croc, and enjoy tropical ice cream on the way home. A full day of adventure! Ever been to Emmagen Creek?
Douglas Shire Council offers residents from Cardwell to Cooktown, including the Atherton Tablelands, free travel on the Daintree Ferry from November 1 until the end of February annually with a free “Douglas Card”. The card also provides discounts to local attractions including two free adult tickets (per season) for the Mossman Gorge shuttle bus.
Stock Up on Fresh Local Goodness at the Markets
Both Mossman and Port Douglas markets will be held this weekend, and while the supermarket shelves are looking rather sad, our local producers and artisans are loaded up with fabulous fresh goodness, so get out and support them.
Take Measures to Get COVID-Ready!
Anyone with symptoms such as loss of smell, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath is urged to get tested and isolate until they receive their results.
Close contacts must quarantine for seven days from the date they last had contact with the diagnosed person. Negative PCR or RAT test is required on day six for quarantine to end.
Those with symptoms are urged not to travel to areas with vulnerable individuals.
Anyone with concerns is encouraged to call 134 COVID (13 42 68).
If you test positive to COVID-19 (you have COVID-19) and need to isolate, you’ll need some supplies. Queensland Health recommend a kit to include:
- a thermometer
- pain relief
- your regular medications
- a plan for who can look after your children, pets, or people in your care only if you have to go to hospital
- face masks, hand sanitiser and gloves
- a plan for how you’ll get food and essentials for two weeks such as frozen meals, long life milk, and supplies and food for your pets. If possible, arrange a friend or family member who doesn’t live with you to shop for you and leave it at your door
- phone numbers for people you can call if you need help
- stay-at-home activities to keep you entertained
- a COVID Care Plan in case you get COVID-19. You can give it to your health worker or doctor if you need to go to hospital. Print out a copy of your care plan to put on your fridge.
What is the weather doing?
Interesting question 😉
The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring a weather system which it suggests is likely to turn into a tropical low in the northern Coral Sea over the weekend, and possibly form into a tropical cyclone early next week.
Monsoonal flow extends through the Torres Strait, with a monsoon trough likely to develop in the northern Coral Sea in the next few days. A tropical low is expected to develop in the northwestern Coral Sea within the monsoon trough over the weekend. The low is forecast to move west across Cape York Peninsula next week, drawing the monsoon trough across northern Queensland. A high [1029 hPa] in the southern Tasman Sea will linger near New Zealand for a few days, extending a ridge along the east coast south of Townsville from Friday.
Forecast for Friday until midnight
Winds / North to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots turning north to northeasterly in the afternoon.
Seas / Below 1 metre.
Swell / Northeast to southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef.
Weather / Sunny.
Saturday 8 January
Winds / Winds north to northeasterly about 10 knots tending east to northeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the morning.
Seas / Below 1 metre.
Swell / Southeasterly below 1 metre.
Weather / Partly cloudy.
Sunday 9 January
Winds / Easterly about 10 knots increasing to 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon.
Seas / Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef during the afternoon or evening.
Swell / Southeasterly below 1 metre.
Weather / Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
