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JUST BACK FROM PORT DOUGLAS

August 24, 2020/in TTA News /by TEMP_@dm1n

David Thompson, Manager – Sales & Client Experience at The Travel Authority Corporate, recently made a dash to Far North Queensland for a long-overdue short break.

“I had been stuck in Sydney for six-months, which is an age for a ‘travel’ person. It was time to get away and soak up some sun,” says David.

His timing was fortuitous given that just three days before he was due to depart, the Queensland government announced that it was closing the state’s border to Sydney residents from midnight on 31 July. David arrived into Cairns at 6.00 pm slipping into the Sunshine State in the nick of time.

“Talk about lucky,” says David.

You can read a review of his Sydney-Cairns flight experience and his stay in Cairns at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns HERE.

From Cairns, David drove north past Palm Cove to Port Douglas—a journey of just under 70-kilometres.

Driving along the Captain Cook Highway the views are staggering with rainforest meeting soft white sand and the sparkling Coral Sea. After an hour or so, I arrived at the five-star Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas,” he recalls.

The five-star Sheraton recently undertook a 43-million-dollar refurbishment and, David asserts, has rightfully snatched back its crown as THE hotel to stay at in Port Douglas.

“I stayed in a Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access room, which meant I could access the enormous lagoon pool direct from my balcony—very handy for a quick swim at any time of the day. The resort is huge but it was lovely to wander around and explore the tropical gardens, the Mirage Country Club, and relax soaking up the sun by the resorts endless lagoon pools,” says David.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort has direct access to the stunning Four Mile Beach, and David reports that it is looking amazing and, despite implementing a number of conspicuous COVID precautions like mask wearing, social distancing and limited contact service, it still manages to project real five-star ambience.

“I spent my days wandering up and down the beach and heading into Port Douglas for fresh seafood meals and sundowners at the various bars in the town,” says David.

For casual beachside meals in Port Douglas, David recommends the Port Douglas Surf Club Bar and Bistro—known to locals as ‘The Surfy’. For something more formal, he suggests trying Zinc Port Douglas, and for sundowners try Hemingway’s Brewery or find a spot at the waterside ‘Tin Shed’ at the Douglas Community & Sports Club.

Tin Shed

“I was very sad to leave the Sheraton and Port Douglas to return to Sydney. It was so nice to spend a few days being reminded of the amazing travel opportunities we can have in a post-Covid world even if they’re only domestic for a while.

“We’re so lucky to have this incredible destination just a few flying hours from every east coast city. As soon as those borders open again, I am heading back up to Far North Queensland for a slice of tropical Australian paradise,” says David.

For more information and special offers, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

https://www.ttacruiseandtravel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Header-with-heart-updated.jpg 350 850 TEMP_@dm1n https://www.ttacruiseandtravel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/TTA-CRUISETRAVEL_300.png TEMP_@dm1n2020-08-24 04:06:102020-08-24 04:06:10JUST BACK FROM PORT DOUGLAS

JUST BACK FROM CAIRNS

August 24, 2020/in TTA News /by TEMP_@dm1n

David Thompson, Manager – Sales & Client Experience at The Travel Authority Corporate, recently dashed from Sydney to Far North Queensland for a long-overdue escape.

Just three days before he was due to depart, the Queensland government announced that it was closing the state’s border to Sydney residents from midnight on 31 July. David arrived into Cairns at 6.00 pm, slipping into the Sunshine State in the nick of time.

“Talk about lucky,” he says. Read all about his trip to Cairns below.

You can tell we’re living in strange times when a pre-flight safety announcement is updated to say, “If oxygen masks fall from the compartment above your head, you will need to remove your surgical masks first before putting on the oxygen masks.”

Having not travelled anywhere in six-months, it was time to get away. So I booked a trip to the warmth of Cairns and Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.

The Sydney Airport experience was extraordinary. The terminal was empty and quiet, there was no-one around. Few shops were open, the Virgin lounges were closed, and only a few fast food outlets and a bar were operating. It’s worth noting that there was no meal service on my flight, so you may want to consider bringing food with you if the airport’s fast food options don’t sound appealing.

My flight was packed, and mask-wearing out of Sydney into Queensland was compulsory. Masks were supplied by Virgin, and they came with a handy disinfectant wipe.

Arriving in Cairns the flight was met with a large police and military presence. All arriving passengers had to present their ID and border entry pass which had to be completed before arriving into Queensland. This was all very seamless, and I was out of the airport and into the warm Queensland sun in no time.

I spent my first night at the Shangri-La Hotel The Marina—without doubt the premier hotel in Cairns. Prominently situated on the marina, this is an ideal spot filled with bars and restaurants, and the gateway to the reef, tours and attractions.

All staff at the hotel wear masks, and your temperature is checked on arrival. All interactions are designed to have minimal physical contact and with social distancing in mind. The hotel has found the right balance between COVID safety but keeping that warm personalised Queensland hospitality that we all love.

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay here. The rooms are gorgeous. I recommend booking a Marina View Room. These recently refurbished rooms have beautiful views across the Marina and surrounding mountains.

The Shangri-La staff were friendly and welcoming, and the hotel has found the right balance between COVID safety and retaining that warm, personalised Queensland hospitality that we all love.

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina

The next morning, I visited Cairns Art Gallery which was a revelation. For a regional gallery it is punching well above its weight, and is absolutely worth checking out on a tropical rainy day.

Cairns Art Gallery

In Cairns, be sure to enjoy a meal at the very chic Salt House on the Marina, or a cocktail at Three Wolves hidden down a nearby city laneway.

From Cairns, David headed north in a rental car to Port Douglas some 70 kilometres away. Read about his stay at the revitalised Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, and his recommendations for drinks and dining HERE.

For more information and special offers in Far North Queensland, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

https://www.ttacruiseandtravel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Header-with-heart-1.jpg 352 850 TEMP_@dm1n https://www.ttacruiseandtravel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/TTA-CRUISETRAVEL_300.png TEMP_@dm1n2020-08-24 04:04:162020-08-24 04:04:16JUST BACK FROM CAIRNS

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Sydney Office

Level 5, Suite 4
1 Oxford Street
Sydney NSW 2010

Phone: + 61 2 9999 5533
Fax: + 61 2 8569 1836

cruiseandtravel@ttagroup.com.au

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Central Coast

Shop 1,
17 Church Street
Terrigal NSW 2260

Phone: + 61 2 4384 0400
Fax: + 61 2 8569 1836

centralcoast@ttagroup.com.au

The Travel Authority Group

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

Sydney Office

Level 5, Suite 4
1 Oxford Street
Sydney NSW 2010

Phone: + 61 2 9999 5533
Fax: + 61 2 8569 1836

cruiseandtravel@ttagroup.com.au

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

Central Coast

Shop 1,
17 Church Street
Terrigal NSW 2260

Phone: + 61 2 4384 0400
Fax: + 61 2 8569 1836

centralcoast@ttagroup.com.au

Terms & Conditions

Website Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

© 2019 The Cruise & Travel Authority Pty. Ltd.
All rights reserved

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