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Lady Douglas and Rex Smeal Park

Dickson Inlet from the Deck of the Lady Douglas

December 3, 2015 By Jan Robinson 24 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


We were guests on board the Lady Douglas, a purpose built riverboat, reminiscent of the smaller of the Murray River paddle steamers in Victoria and New South Wales.  But we’d swapped the muddy Murray for the tropical mangroves of Dickson Inlet in Port Douglas, North Queensland.

Dickson Inlet looking out to sea.

Dicksons Inlet Port Douglas

Water is our element and we jumped at the chance to see Port Douglas from a watery vantage point.  Owners Kate and Lucas were away during our trip but we were safe in the welcoming hands of Anne and Skipper John.

Lady Douglas Skipper

The early afternoon tides were conducive to croc spotting but we were chasing photographs so decided on the late afternoon trip when the light would be mellowing.  Unfortunately the tide would be high then and the mud banks where crocs love to laze would be submerged. If you want to Spot a Croc, a little forward planning with a tide chart can help make it happen.

Lady Douglas’ Marina.

Port Douglas Marina Tropical North Queensland

Lady Douglas cuteness.

Lady Douglas Port Douglas Tropical North Queensland

The Lady Douglas Bar is Open and the first one is on the house boat.

There was a friendly vibe onboard, with people milling around, choosing a seat, grabbing a drink and those nibbles were a crowd pleaser.

Lady Douglas Nibblies

From the food serving area at the front of the bar, there were views through the wheelhouse to the river.

Lady Douglas Bar View

With the bow pointing upstream we nosed around the different branches of the inlet, getting oh so close to the banks while listening to stories of cyclones and modern day shipwrecks. Everyone, especially the kids, were on croc alert, but instead we were dazzled by brilliant flashes of yellow from the sunbirds flitting about in the trees. Talking about the kids on board – they adored steering the boat under the watchful eye of the skipper while Mum snapped some shots.

Leaving the Marina.

Port Douglas Boat Marina Tropical North Queensland

Quiet.Still.Mangroves

Dicksons Inlet Mangroves

We sat in the bow (my favourite place on any boat) cooled by the breeze, hats firmly on and cameras to the ready.

I’m sure I was first to spot this Brahminy Kite – I know I yelled the loudest anyway! Another good thing about the seat in the bow was we could chat with the skipper through the open window.

Dickson's Inlet Port Douglas Hawk

Looking toward the peaks that surround the Mossman Gorge.

Port Douglas Dicksons Inlet

Mossman Gorge from Dicksons Inlet

Port Douglas Sugar Wharf and Church

Above. The Sugar Wharf is currently used as a function venue and photogenic St. Mary’s Chapel is a favourite for weddings. The park surrounding the chapel is where the famous Sunday market is held.

Below a newly returned fishing trawler shows a sample of their catch of Red Emperor.

Port Douglas Fishing Boat

Dicksons Inlet Looking to Thornton Peak

People gather at Rex Smeal Park at Sundown.

Lady Douglas and Rex Smeal Park

Before returning to the Marina, Lady cruises around the outer harbour where Marty captured yet another photo of Thorton Peak in the Daintree National Park.  This peak was to be a perpetual photo bomber on our road trip north to the Daintree River.

Capturing the peak in a dreamy mood.

Port Douglas Thornton's Peak

Marina Return.

Lady Douglas Sunset

Port Douglas Sunset

Another trip I would like to do on the Lady Douglas is the one hour Friday Night cruise.  With live music and the usual free drink and nibbles I can’t think of a better way to wind down the week, or celebrate being on holidays.

Lady Douglas was recently awarded Best Rainforest River Cruise for 2015.

The words and photographs in this post are an honest interpretation of our cruise experience. You can find out more about Lady Douglas River Cruises here.

I am cohost of Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, together with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.  If you have a blog you can add a link to one of your posts containing a travel photo below. Feel free to link back to this site in your blog also.

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Filed Under: Boat Trips, Queensland, Wildlife

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anabel

    December 4, 2015 at 8:46 am

    Idyllic!

    Reply
  2. Linda Bibb

    December 4, 2015 at 9:08 am

    I love reading about your adventures in Queensland! It never would have occurred to me to check tide charts before a tour like that so thanks for the unique tip. I would think there are a lot of times that information could come in handy.

    Reply
  3. Jackie Smith

    December 4, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    I felt as if I were there with you and love the late afternoon sun when taking photos!

    Reply
  4. Lyn aka TheTravellingLindfields

    December 4, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Something to add to my wishlist next time we’re in Port Douglas.

    Reply
  5. Krista

    December 4, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    I feel relaxed after reading this. 🙂 What beautiful light and wonderful views. Sounds like an excellent tour indeed. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 4, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      It would be a great venue for a party Krista!

      Reply
  6. Marcia

    December 5, 2015 at 1:27 am

    You were right to pick this tour – the light is soothingly beautiful – I can feel the sun on my face and feel the water lapping gently at the sides of the boat. Seeing a few crocs lazing about would have been nice too.
    Thanks for the tour of the inlet from the Lady Douglas. (I’m sure she’ll be even more popular now with the award.)

    Reply
  7. Rachel Heller

    December 5, 2015 at 2:57 am

    Absolutely stunning photos! I’ve been to Port Douglas, but didn’t get any photos like that!

    Reply
  8. Ruth - Tanama Tales

    December 5, 2015 at 4:33 am

    Jan, I like the way you describe yourself as being a water element person. I think I am going to use that term from now on (love it!). I like to take boat trips too. I think you see a place from a different light from the water. Love the mangrove areas. Reminds me of Puerto Rico.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 5, 2015 at 10:07 am

      Welcome fellow water element person. 🙂 I’ve not been to Puerto Rico – a whole other world left to explore.

      Reply
  9. Kathy Marris

    December 5, 2015 at 11:53 am

    I never saw this cruise when we were in Port Douglas a few years ago. I would have loved to do this. What a beautiful old boat. Also great photo of the Kite.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 5, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Marty took the kite photo on his Pentax. Usually my Sony Cybershot takes the best zoom photographs but not in this case.

      Reply
  10. Indrani

    December 5, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    A beautiful virtual tour for me.
    Great frames, they are beautiful greeting card like captures.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 6, 2015 at 6:30 am

      Thanks Indrani

      Reply
  11. Nancie

    December 6, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Hi Jan. Beautiful shots! The Friday night cruise sounds like it would be a lot of fun, too. My favorite shot here is the one of the mangroves; love the peaceful feeling. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 7, 2015 at 10:36 am

      Mangroves are particularly nice first thing in the morning. I love being first boat on the water. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Pinky Poinker

    December 7, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Oh gosh I’ve had some gorgeous long lunches on that marina. I remember one time one of the visiting yachties brought his pet goose to lunch. It took a liking to my husband. Love that photo through the wheelhouse 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 7, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      We’ve had drinks at the cafe at the beginning of the marina walkway. It used to have a bar to sit at but now it is just tables and chairs. I remember we needed mossie spray around 5 p.m.!

      Reply
  13. Jo

    December 7, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    The Lady Douglas … ahh, you’ve made me all nostalgic for Port Douglas. I saw her at the port, but we had another tour to go on during our short time there last year. It looks like a very genteel and interesting boat cruise.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      It was a good vantage point for photos Jo, and it would be great to see a croc too.

      Reply
  14. Rachel@safari254

    December 8, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    Great pics, something about the peaks … so scenic, so idyllic

    Reply
  15. Kate @adventuremumma

    December 14, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    What great pics Jan. It’s such a cool little river cruise & i’m glad you got the opportunity to do it. Sorry you didn’t spot a croc BUT you seemed to spot everything else…..how big was that Fish!!! 😀

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 15, 2015 at 6:58 am

      Hi Kate, The fish was huge and I believe they caught quite a few more! We had fun looking for Crocs, but we knew the tide wasn’t right to do so. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Why you should visit Port Douglas in Far North Queensland says:
    May 19, 2017 at 8:58 am

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