Ports tourist travel troubles
Sleeping around
It’s the old story, the inn is full and a tired traveller has to sleep somewhere.Or if they can’t afford the inn, it’s a case of making do.
While Port Douglas has a reputation for being a luxury 5 star destination there’s another slice of life here that sees visitors set up digs wherever they like and grey nomads parking their RV’s and caravans all over town, even though some of these areas are clearly marked ‘NO CAMPING’. That includes the Public Wharf, 4 Mile Beach Park and Rex Smeal Park behind the Police Station.
In recent times the caravan parks have been chocka’s and with Port Douglas being one of the few places in Australia where there’s no free camping sites provided, you can understand the frustration. Broome, in Western Australia, for example, provide a free camping site and rest area out of town and during extremely busy periods Police stop holiday goers on the road coming into town and turn them around if they have no proof of resort or caravan park accommodation.
Currently in Port Douglas it’s a free for all.
Nightmare scenario
Brian Wiltshire is over here from the UK and travelling around Australia. He says it’s been impossible to get anywhere to stay “There was nothing available, it’s a nightmare to get into these parks and no free camping makes it even worse, I spent 4 days trying to get into somewhere with no luck”
Council nod
Brian says he was encouraged by what a Douglas Shire Council officer told him “I was sitting down near the public wharf and a very nice person from the local council directed me to Teamsters Park in Craiglie, near the BP service station, which is normally no camping, but he told me I could camp there” said Brian. Teamsters Park is located along the Captain Cook Highway on the southern approach into Craiglie. A spokesperson for the Douglas Shire Council told Newsport that Council staff have the discretion to advise people to stay at Teamsters Park if they have nowhere else to go. That way they are not camping in Port Douglas itself. Council is also erecting more signs at 4 Mile Beach Park and Rex Smeal Park.
Taking the Micky
Former chef Mick has lived in the Port Douglas Public Wharf car park for 3 years. ‘I mean I’m on the dole and I get $310 a week, I can’t afford to pay $40-$50 a night in a caravan park” he said.
Despite his slim pickings from the Government, Mick owns a yacht which is moored at the public wharf and it’s where he gets his zzz’s, while he uses a vehicle parked in the car park to store his personal belongings. The ex-Darwin-ite reckons the authorities let him stay there because of his ongoing medical problems ‘I suffer vertigo and all sorts of s—t” he said. He’s currently using solar panels on his car and yacht to generate power. Well not on the car right now says Mick “I’ve got the battery on charge up at the sugar wharf under a light pole” All in all not a bad spot to live for a bloke on the dole.
Up from Brisbane
Bryan Sturzaker from Brisbane is living in his car at the public wharf while he explores the area and does a spot of fishing. When I visited him, he was relaxing and having a cuppa ‘I’ve been here 3 weeks and can’t afford to stay in a caravan park or paid camping site” Bryan said. Once again, he like so many others could benefit from a free designated camping area.
Some caravan parks have vacancies
Meanwhile there seems to be some easing of the caravan park dilemma. Tropic Breeze near town is still full, however BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park have non powered vacancies in their overflow section. Pinnacle Village Holiday Park at Wonga also have vacancies, mostly unpowered sites but give them a call and check.
If you want to explore the Tablelands the Rifle Creek Rest Area at Mount Malloy has spots available and its FREE
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