Keeping kids occupied and parents sane is easy with a bit of planning. Whether you're seeking action and adventure, to relax and reconnect, or discover and detox, the Paradise Links team, can fill your days for you or set you on a path to explore everything the far north has to offer.
Cruise with Crocs
Locally owned paddle steamer Lady Douglas is an absolute must for families with kids. Chug down the estuary spotting birds and water dragons while you hunt for the king of the river - the crocodile! Kids will delight in watching these prehistoric beasts in their natural habitat, and with most of them so used to the Lady D's daily cruises, they won't swim away and hide!
Walk on the wild side.
Learn more about crocodiles at Hartley's Creek while cruising the calm water lagoon and watching them leap up to two metres out of the water while being pole fed by your skipper before taking it down a notch to hand feed the kangaroos.
Keep an eye on your bacon over breakfast with the birds in the free-flight aviary at the Wildlife Habitat. Filled with curious creatures like the Spinifex hopping mouse, Lumholz tree kangaroo, and a cacophony of cockatoos and geese, challenge the kids to find the bird master of camouflage - the Tawny Frogmouth.
Beach babies
The jewel of Port Douglas has to be the picture postcard, Four Mile Beach. Fringed with palms and stretching the town's entire length, building sandcastles and forts is a top priority while mum and dad laze under an umbrella on a banana lounge. Don't forget to check out the beach hire hut - you'll be amazed at the hours of fun a giant, inflated tractor tube can provide!
Make your day a real adventure and cycle the beach from the resort to town, towing a 'chariot'. These super fun bike trailers will have kids squealing with joy rather than whining as you pull them along the sand behind you.
Hang by the pool for a barbie!
Stake out a shady spot by one of the two lagoon-style swimming pools, grab a sun lounge and your favourite book. Keep the kids entertained with pool toys available from reception or hire some racquets and run them ragged on the tennis court.
Cook up an early dinner on the barbecue before retreating to your balcony to enjoy a balmy evening with a bottle of wine.
Sundays like a local
The bustling Sunday markets burst with a riot of colourful clothing, fresh, exotic fruits, lively buskers and truly off the wall crafts.
Word of advice - get there early if you want to experience heaven in the form of a Duke's Doughnut. Locals weep if they arrive to find the dreaded "sold out" sign and can't get their weekly fill of the Daisy Duke, Strawberry Shortcake or Bro Nut.
Doughnut in hand, take the kids on a treasure hunt searching for icy fruit poo and fresh sugar cane juice while checking out the handcrafted jewellery, caricature coconut heads, metal worked "wee beasties", and wacky mugs by Lynda.
Make your way down to Rex Smeal Park via N17 to pick up a burger and one of their legendary thick shakes in the evening. A favourite for frisbee and depleting the last of the little ones' energy, kick a ball, watch the boats come in and finish with a spectacular sunset.
Find Nemo
Sailing to Low Isles for snorkelling off the beach and relaxing under a thatched beach umbrella is perfect for little ones. For the more adventurous, zoom to the outer reef on a modern catamaran and dock at the pontoon for snorkelling and a guided underwater tour on a semi-sub - either way, Nemo is waiting, and the crew will show you where!
Make a day of it in Mossman.
Hire a car and cruise past the cane fields to the country town of Mossman. Kids will love chasing the fish during a swim in the pristine waters of the Mossman Gorge after wandering the rainforest circuit track. If required, milkshake bribery in the form of epic creations at local cafe Beechwoods will leave them speechless.
Dine-in, dine out.
If you opt-out of the kitchen on holiday, you'll discover plenty of early-bird dining offers and half-price kid’s meals available on the main drag that won't blow the budget. Take a break from nuggets and chips at Salsa, offering little person steak with mash and green beans while the adults devour an award-winning menu over an elaborate cocktail. Share the love at Seabean with tapas, and don't forget to order dessert in a coconut - kids go wild for it!
For more dining tips and DIY options, check out our dining blog or ask the team for some inspiration!
Ready for your next episode of family fun? Get in touch with us and plan your family time stat!
