Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Brisbane’s heritage-listed City Hall, combined with the Museum of Brisbane, offers an in-depth insight into the history of Brisbane.

Start from Central Station.

Exit via the main entrance onto Ann Street. Cross the road and immediately turn left down Edward Street.

Edward Street is host to some of Australia’s most renowned designers, including menswear stores, high-end fashion and, for those who need pampering after shopping – day spas!

Take the next right onto Adelaide Street.

Upon quick passing Adelaide Street seems dull, unexciting, with little to offer except mundane views of office buildings. Do not be so hasty to dismiss it – for those who are dedicated enough to seek it out, there is a heritage strip on the west end of the street (near South Bank) which features some one-off speciality shops.

Continue walking for about a minute; soon you will see King George Square to your right.

King George Square was opened in 1975. It is a public square, located between Adelaide Street and Ann Street. It was named after King George V, following his death in 1936. (Just south is Albert Street, which is named after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband). The square was closed to traffic in 1969.

‘Speakers Corner’ is a section of the square that is home to statues of famous Queenslanders. These include: Emma Miller (1939-1917), a suffragette who had huge influences on women’s votes and rights in Australia; Steele Rudd (1868-1935), a famous storyteller; and Sir Charles Lilley (1830-1897), a former Premier and Chief Justice of Queensland. Other statues within the square include the Petrie Tableau, which depicts the Petrie family, who were the first free-settling family in the local district. The Forme Del Mito statues were designed by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro – the Brisbane Council bought them in 1988. A rectangular fountain was built in the centre of the square to replace the previous circular one – unfortunately due to drought it is non operational; instead now it is a water-efficient garden.

As you enter George Street Square, the City Hall/museum is to your left.

the Lord Mayor’s Office, the Ithaca Auditorium and Balmoral rooms. Howeverm bear in mind the majority of these are empty function rooms or offices, so are not hugely exciting – the observation platform above the bell tower is probably the best part to visit.

Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Port Douglas is located 70kms north of Cairns, and is a popular tourist retreat to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of Far North Queensland and admire the breathtaking scenery.

Seeing as Port Douglas is so small, Macrossan Street is hard to miss, near enough impossible to miss, as you can’t really go anywhere without crossing it! If you enter Port Douglas by car, chances are you’ll be driving through this street. The second main street at the far end of Macrossan Street is Wharf Street.

From whichever point you enter Macrossan Street, it basically runs straight for about 10-15 minutes. It is bracketed at each end by Wharf Street, and by the Esplanade (which leads to Four Mile Beach).

For those who love their tacky souvenirs, Macrossan Street won’t fail to disappoint – from classic Aussie memorabilia to ‘naked chef’ Port Douglas aprons, you’ll find everything you need to remember your time here! On to more serious fashion, there are some great surf stores here, such as Tript, also some incredible little boutiques selling one-offs, such as Mermaids and Moonshine Bay.

Should you need to know, the Post Office is on the corner of Owen Street and Macrossan Street.

There’s also heaps of eating options as you continue to wander along Macrossan Street.

In true Aussie fashion, cafes are in abundance – Zinc is a perfect chillout for those who love extravagant cakes with their lattes, whilst Whileaway combines books, art and coffee all under one roof. Those with a sweet tooth should head to Shakes, a gelati bar that offers some superb flavours, or Wendys, a wonderfully sickly ice cream store, which has the added bonus of cheap internet for $3 an hour. (However it is a little slow – if you want something faster head to Wicked or the Kodak store.)

For eating out in the evenings, those that have come highly recommended are the Rattle and Hum Bar Pizzeria and Grill, the Mango Jam restaurant, and the Star of Siam (Thai).

Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Mossman Gorge is within Daintree National Park, which forms part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). The Mossman Gorge area was declared in 1967.

Depending on where you are, Mossman Gorge is easily reached from Cairns or Port Douglas.

From Cairns, travel north for 80km along the Cook Highway to Mossman. (The same applies for Port Douglas.)

In the centre of Mossman turn left into Johnston Road. This 5km bitumen road leads directly to the Mossman Gorge car park (caravans are not recommended on this road).

The longer walk, known as the Gorge Circuit, is a 3km loop which takes you through the depths of the rainforest amongst hoardes of wildlife, foliaged creeks and along the old wooden suspension bridge.

Quite amazingly, this remarkable place is not as busy as you would expect; many newcomers are often steered towards the more popular Cape Tribulation further north. Despite this car parking is pretty limited so can get full at busier times. Call (07) 4046 6600 for more information.

Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Tourist favourite Port Douglas is blessed with lots of gorgeous beaches, but this is one of the best.

Start from Macrossan Street (Port Douglas’ main street).

Turn right down Macrossan Street (keep the mountains to your left).

Follow this straight down for about five minutes; soon you will see the road ends and merges into the Esplanade, which is home to many luxury hotels and apartments. Four Mile Beach runs along here.

Kitesurfing is popular at the southern end of the beach, whilst the northern headland is rocky and makes for perfect exploring for children. Surfing is not possible in Port Douglas as the Great Barrier Reef prevents the waves from reaching the coast.

Be aware of stinger season – at these times the only place you should be swimming is between the stinger nets!

Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Soothe your soul in Port Douglas’ oldest remaining church.

Start from Macrossan Street.

At the end of Macrossan Street turn left onto Wharf Street. Continue along until you see a car park to your right, along with tour agencies and Soul n Pepper Restaurant. This is Ashford Avenue and St Mary’s is on the right as you enter.

Worship is held on Sundays at 11am. For further information call 0418456880.

Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

A short stroll from the centre of Port Douglas is the Clink Theatre, one of the oldest extant theatres in Queensland. It was built in the 1940s when many overseas servicemen, posted in Australia for the Second World War, brought life and bustle to this part of Queensland.

Start from Macrossan Street.

Head south along Macrossan Street (coming from Wharf Street) and turn right down Grant Street (down the hill).

Macrossan Street is Port Douglas’s small but main street – whether you’re after unique gifts, one-off fashion, authentic souvenirs, great coffee or fine dining, you’ll find it all here!

Next, take the second left, down Mowbray Street.

The Clink Theatre is on the left-hand side, opposite the Port Douglas Community Hall.

The theatre was re-opened in 1992 by Mr Steve Bredhauer MLA.

Current events – including art, theatre and dance performances – are shown on the billboard outside. For more information call 0417750231.

Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Just because you’re in a tropical paradise doesn’t mean that there doesn’t have to be any shopping on the menu …

Start from Macrossan Street.

From Macrossan Street go west down Grant Street.

Macrossan Street is Port Douglas’s small but main street – whether you’re after unique gifts, one-off fashion, authentic souvenirs, great coffee or fine dining, you’ll find it all here!

Follow Grant Street straight until you reach Wharf Street and turn right to head towards the marina.

The sea-facing section of Wharf Street is home to some of the best restaurants in Port Douglas, including the Salsa Bar and Grill, 2 Fish, The Living Room and The Court House Hotel.

Cross straight over into the car park. The Marina Mirage complex is on your left.

The most enjoyable aspect of this complex is its superb location alongside the marina – the boardwalk is lined with restaurants and cafes, such as the Hog’s Breath Cafe, Fiorelli’s Bistro and Cafe Marina, in which you can enjoy leisurely lunches and espressos and watch the hustle and bustle of the marina.

Check out the website: www.marinamiragepd.com.au for updates on special events, or call 61 740995678.

Duration: 2-3 hours
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Anyway, the Crystal Cascades is a stunning place, definitely worth a visit if you can get there. Why not hire a car for the day and go check it out?

A taxi can take you there, but once you get there you’ll have no phone signal, so good luck calling one to take you back!

From Cairns, it’s about a 20km to drive to Redlynch, then another 10km from there to the Cascades – all in all about a 30-minute drive.

Turn left at Redlynch Intake Road

From here, follow the signs from there for Crystal Cascades.

Altogether the walk should take you around 15 minutes.

There are also picnic facilities nearby.

Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

You can either walk or drive this – from the main street of Port Douglas it’s about a five-minute drive down Port Douglas Road. However if you’re walking (should take you around 15 mins) make sure you give yourself enough time to get there before they all start flying off! They fly at dusk, so it depends what time of year you’re visiting as to when exactly that will be.

Start from Macrossan Street.

Head southeast on Macrossan Street, turning right onto Davidson Street.

Bear left as Davidson St becomes Port Douglas Road and continue straight (following the road as it veers right) until you see Agincourt Street on your right. Pull over and park on the grass opposite the Rainforest Habitat.

Also … watch out if you’re in the firing line, if you know what I mean – maybe best to wear a hat, as my friend found out. Very funny for me, but not so much for her…

Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour
Price Guide: $0
Last Reviewed:

Cairns, one of Australia’s northernmost little cities, has plenty to do.

Start from Lake Street.

From the square/City Place on the corner of Shields and Lake Streets, turn left onto Grafton Street.

Shields Street is home to the Cairns Historical Museum (on the corner of Lake and Shields) also PJ O’Brien’s, a friendly Irish pub that offers cheap food and is seldom quiet!

Take the next left from Shields Street onto Grafton Street. The entrance to the market is on the right, just after Gilligan’s backpackers.

Rusty’s Markets are open Fridays (5am-6pm) Saturdays (6am-3pm) and Sundays (6am-2pm)