Firefly Cottage Guidebook

Alex
Firefly Cottage Guidebook

Self Drive

As locals this is one of our favourite self drive day trips (there are also guided tours of the area). We prefer to leave a bit earlier to avoid any queues at the Daintree ferry. We usually leave home at around 8:30 - 9am. It is about a 40 minute drive to the ferry. Daintree Ferry: Peak times 10:00am - 12:30pm and 3:30pm - 5:30pm. The actual crossing only takes about 10 minutes. Cost is $39 return per car. The road to Cape Tribulation is fully sealed and is an easy drive. Please drive carefully as there is plenty of wildlife that can wander onto the road. You will see the warning signs for Cassowarys. You may be lucky to see one, we don't see them that often but on our last trip (July 2021) we saw an adult and her chick wandering around the bridge at Oliver's Creek, it was a wonderful experience. First stop is the Alexandra Range Lookout with spectacular views over the Daintree River and the Coral Sea. On a clear day you can see Low Isles in the distance. Just a little further on you will come to the Daintree Discovery Centre. Here you can walk along the Daintree Rainforest Skywalk and climb the Daintree Rainforest Canopy Tower. There is an admission fee. Note that this is also a popular first stop for everyone else so it can be busy in the morning. Another option is to call in here on the way back. There is a cafe at the Daintree Discovery Centre however our preference is to head on to the Thornton's Beach Cafe for our morning coffee (and cake!) looking out over the beach, followed by a walk along Thornton's Beach. Next stop is the Marrdja (Madja Botanical) Boardwalk which meanders through the rainforest, along Oliver Creek and then through mangroves. Cape Tribulation: We take a picnic lunch with us which we enjoy at Cape Tribulation - there are picnic tables at the top of the beach under shady trees. There are also various lunch options at the local cafes in the Cape Tribulation area, however these can be busy at lunchtime. The drive from Cape Tribulation back to the Daintree ferry takes about 45 minutes, although this can be a little longer if you stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, another favourite stop off of ours. They serve ice cream made from tropical fruits they grow in their gardens, last time we had scoops of coconut, jack fruit, soursop and wattle seed - delicious! You can sit in the large garden and also wander through the fruit trees. Aim to be back at the ferry before 3:30pm to avoid the queue.
91 lokalkjente anbefaler
Cape Tribulation
91 lokalkjente anbefaler
As locals this is one of our favourite self drive day trips (there are also guided tours of the area). We prefer to leave a bit earlier to avoid any queues at the Daintree ferry. We usually leave home at around 8:30 - 9am. It is about a 40 minute drive to the ferry. Daintree Ferry: Peak times 10:00am - 12:30pm and 3:30pm - 5:30pm. The actual crossing only takes about 10 minutes. Cost is $39 return per car. The road to Cape Tribulation is fully sealed and is an easy drive. Please drive carefully as there is plenty of wildlife that can wander onto the road. You will see the warning signs for Cassowarys. You may be lucky to see one, we don't see them that often but on our last trip (July 2021) we saw an adult and her chick wandering around the bridge at Oliver's Creek, it was a wonderful experience. First stop is the Alexandra Range Lookout with spectacular views over the Daintree River and the Coral Sea. On a clear day you can see Low Isles in the distance. Just a little further on you will come to the Daintree Discovery Centre. Here you can walk along the Daintree Rainforest Skywalk and climb the Daintree Rainforest Canopy Tower. There is an admission fee. Note that this is also a popular first stop for everyone else so it can be busy in the morning. Another option is to call in here on the way back. There is a cafe at the Daintree Discovery Centre however our preference is to head on to the Thornton's Beach Cafe for our morning coffee (and cake!) looking out over the beach, followed by a walk along Thornton's Beach. Next stop is the Marrdja (Madja Botanical) Boardwalk which meanders through the rainforest, along Oliver Creek and then through mangroves. Cape Tribulation: We take a picnic lunch with us which we enjoy at Cape Tribulation - there are picnic tables at the top of the beach under shady trees. There are also various lunch options at the local cafes in the Cape Tribulation area, however these can be busy at lunchtime. The drive from Cape Tribulation back to the Daintree ferry takes about 45 minutes, although this can be a little longer if you stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, another favourite stop off of ours. They serve ice cream made from tropical fruits they grow in their gardens, last time we had scoops of coconut, jack fruit, soursop and wattle seed - delicious! You can sit in the large garden and also wander through the fruit trees. Aim to be back at the ferry before 3:30pm to avoid the queue.
OAK BEACH - Where we go for a quiet picnic lunch with glorious sea views... Four Mile Beach is lovely and is the main beach for anyone staying in Port Douglas, however if you want a quiet beach where you can sit under a tree and not be disturbed then head for Oak Beach. From Firefly Cottage head south along the Captain Cook Highway. Oak Beach is about a 15 minute drive. Just before the Oak Beach turning you will go past the signs for Thala Beach Resort. About a minute further on turn left into Oak Beach. There is a small car park just in front of you but don't park there. Turn left along the road that goes behind the beachside houses. At the end of this road is another car park at the top of the beach next to a large creek. As you walk down onto the beach there are overhanging trees just to your right, or if you prefer, about a 5 minute walk to your left you will find some more overhanging trees at the top of the beach that make an ideal spot for peace and quiet. There are no cafes or shops here so take your picnic, water and sunscreen for a relaxing afternoon. It is a lovely walk north along Oak Beach. On a calm day we have seen turtles, dolphins and all kinds of fish darting in the shallows. As the beach faces south-west and this is where the prevailing winds come from, the best days are when the wind is light or no more than 10-15kmh.
Oak Beach
OAK BEACH - Where we go for a quiet picnic lunch with glorious sea views... Four Mile Beach is lovely and is the main beach for anyone staying in Port Douglas, however if you want a quiet beach where you can sit under a tree and not be disturbed then head for Oak Beach. From Firefly Cottage head south along the Captain Cook Highway. Oak Beach is about a 15 minute drive. Just before the Oak Beach turning you will go past the signs for Thala Beach Resort. About a minute further on turn left into Oak Beach. There is a small car park just in front of you but don't park there. Turn left along the road that goes behind the beachside houses. At the end of this road is another car park at the top of the beach next to a large creek. As you walk down onto the beach there are overhanging trees just to your right, or if you prefer, about a 5 minute walk to your left you will find some more overhanging trees at the top of the beach that make an ideal spot for peace and quiet. There are no cafes or shops here so take your picnic, water and sunscreen for a relaxing afternoon. It is a lovely walk north along Oak Beach. On a calm day we have seen turtles, dolphins and all kinds of fish darting in the shallows. As the beach faces south-west and this is where the prevailing winds come from, the best days are when the wind is light or no more than 10-15kmh.

Food scene

Grant Street Kitchen is our favourite Port Douglas bakery... Looking for that quality sour dough bread or freshly baked croissants to bring back to Firefly Cottage for breakfast? Artisan breads, pastries, handmade pies - eat in or take away. And great coffee to go with those delicious pastries. www.grantstreetkitchen.com.au
10 lokalkjente anbefaler
Grant Street Kitchen
Macrossan Street
10 lokalkjente anbefaler
Grant Street Kitchen is our favourite Port Douglas bakery... Looking for that quality sour dough bread or freshly baked croissants to bring back to Firefly Cottage for breakfast? Artisan breads, pastries, handmade pies - eat in or take away. And great coffee to go with those delicious pastries. www.grantstreetkitchen.com.au
They only do coffee, and they do it so well! Great spot to pop into after an early morning walk along Four Mile Beach. You may find a queue as they are very popular, but don't worry, as they do not serve any food the coffees are made very quickly, and they are good. Rated the No. 1 coffee establishment in Port Douglas on Trip Advisor, and we agree! 39 Macrossan Street (opposite Rattle & Hum)
15 lokalkjente anbefaler
Sparrow Coffee - Port Douglas
39 Macrossan St
15 lokalkjente anbefaler
They only do coffee, and they do it so well! Great spot to pop into after an early morning walk along Four Mile Beach. You may find a queue as they are very popular, but don't worry, as they do not serve any food the coffees are made very quickly, and they are good. Rated the No. 1 coffee establishment in Port Douglas on Trip Advisor, and we agree! 39 Macrossan Street (opposite Rattle & Hum)

Shopping

Looking for a special gift or a memory of Port Douglas to take home. Great customer service and gorgeous (free) gift wrapping. Say hi to Mel (second from right in photo) if she is working - her husband is the builder who built our house, and also helped with part of Firefly Cottage's renovation. 40 Macrossan Street (next to Rattle & Hum)
With Sugar
40 Macrossan St
Looking for a special gift or a memory of Port Douglas to take home. Great customer service and gorgeous (free) gift wrapping. Say hi to Mel (second from right in photo) if she is working - her husband is the builder who built our house, and also helped with part of Firefly Cottage's renovation. 40 Macrossan Street (next to Rattle & Hum)