‘We did everything we wanted to do’: Gold Coast couple urge tourists not to cancel Port trips

Donna Garrett and Mark Julian booked their trip to Port Douglas in early December before Cyclone Jasper hit the region but they said a simple update from their accommodation provider was all they needed to jump on the plane for five nights in tropical paradise.

Donna Garrett and Mark Julian booked their trip to Port Douglas in early December before Cyclone Jasper hit the region but they said a simple update from their resort was all they needed to jump on the plane for a five night holiday in tropical paradise.

Ms Garrett said she was so glad that they stuck to their plans.

“We stayed at the Silkari Lagoons, It’s a lovely resort,” she said.

“It was quiet but that was good for us. There were a few families around but we could have the pool all to ourself a lot of the time.

Donna Garrett and mark Julian spent five night in Port Douglas saying it was a perfect holiday even after Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied

“It was relatively last minute decision to travel, but the accommodation was good we had heard about the water issues and they called us to give us the option to cancel or not.

“We thought we’d manage and still went and they told us is was reconnected on the morning we were heading up.”

Ms Garrett said they were out every night at restaurants and were able to do everything that they had planned for their holiday.

Donna Garrett and mark Julian spent five night in Port Douglas saying it was a perfect holiday even after Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied

“All the restaurants were open, it was easy to get in, we still swam at the beach, got out for a game of golf up in Mossman and went up for a drive up to the Daintree and all the river tours were up and running as well.

Donna Garrett and mark Julian spent five night in Port Douglas saying it was a perfect holiday even after Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied

“There was a lot still open so there was nothing that we could do that we wanted which was mainly jumping in and out of the pool, eat, and relaxing.

“Bar a bit of council pick up still happening you would not know a cyclone had gone through 2-3 weeks ago.

“It was perfect, it was lovely and relaxing.”

While road crews are working around the clock to clear landslides from the Captain Cook Hwy between Cairns and Port Douglas, scenic boat transfers between the two destinations for just $50 are one option for tourists wanting to make the trip.

The other option is the stunning inland drive through Mareeba and Mount Molloy.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen urged people to take advantage of the unique ferry service being operated by Quicksilver and Reef Unlimited for a limited time while the coastal route is closed.

Originally published as ‘We did everything we wanted to do’: Gold Coast couple urge tourists not to cancel Port trips