Things to do

Best time to visit
The burning question! Oak Beach is a year-round destination and due it’s beach-front position and design, this house catches prevailing breezes and is never uncomfortably hot.

However, the period from April – November is generally regarded as the optimum time to visit this part of the world when the weather is most stable (it’s the ‘dry’ season), the ocean is free of invading sea life that requires wet suits for protection (none have ever been sighted at Oak Beach and the ‘locals’ swim in the sea here all year round but this is when you use your private house pool) and the cooler evenings appeal to many of the southern guests we host.

However, tropical aficionados love the wet season between December and March when everything is at its lushest and greenest with the daily freshening rain that usually falls late afternoon and evenings. This is when the owners like to take up residence between bookings as their preferred time.

Beach
Step from the back deck of the Beach House and skip past your own private in-ground saltwater swimming pool onto the golden sands of Oak Beach. The clean, clear warm turquoise waters gently lap the shore, beckoning you… come on in! A morning return beach walk of some 3 km is the perfect way to start (and end?) a day at Oak Beach.

Reef
The best sections of World Heritage Great Barrier Reef are only a short distance with daily tours and trips from Port Douglas (just 10 minutes away).

Oak Beach also has its own coral reefs just offshore in front of the Beach House and the provided kayaks will take you to them with about 10 minutes paddling!

Daily fishing and sightseeing boat trips also leave from Port Douglas so no matter what your interest, everything is literally on the doorstep.

We can also pre-arrange any trips before you arrive to ensure the booking, not a bad idea during the peak season (July-Sept).

Rainforest
Oak Beach itself is in a World Heritage Rainforest area.

Look around from most points of the house and you see the rainforest running away to the right and along the mountains behind. Sit in the lounge area and look at uninterrupted views of the rain forest, due the clever design of the house.

The famous Daintree Rain Forest runs from the Daintree River (see crocodiles) some 30-40 minutes from the house – an easy must-do while you are here.

Also take time to visit Cape Tribulation a most precious beach jewel and where Captain Cook visited in 1770 – it hasn’t changed!

These are some of the greatest remaining wilderness areas on earth and a source of great national pride.

Crocodiles and wildlife
10 minutes from the house back down the road to Cairns is Hartley’s Crocodile Farm which is considered the best place in this area to get up close and personal with the crocodiles and native wildlife of Tropical North Queensland.

Check out the web site for more information. You will also see ‘crocs’ in the Daintree River when you visit the World Heritage listed Daintree Rain Forest.

Sightseeing
Other than what is mentioned above, opportunities are endless and we have included a full compendium at the house from which to choose.

Whether its horse riding, a Tablelands tour, 4-wheel drive adventure to name a few, it’s all here!

And for a great bird's eye view of a rainforest, take the Kuranda Sky Rail.

Restaurants
Port Douglas is a sophisticated international ‘village’ and has some of the best dining experiences north of Brisbane, some would say north of Melbourne!

One of the delights of a stay at Oak Beach is to visit a couple of these cutting edge restaurants during your stay and enjoy the fresh local seafood or chunky perfectly-cooked steaks with top Australian wines. A list of the latest and best regarded restaurants are at the house for your perusal.

Local taxis can take you quickly (10 minutes each way) to and from if you prefer not to drive or we can arrange a limousine (or a maxi-taxi for larger groups) for you if required.

If you prefer to stay in your private retreat you can enjoy the experience of cooking for yourself in the marvellous chef’s kitchen which many guests without time at home do or simply fire up the magnificent BBQ on the outdoor deck and dine by candlelight under a star-studded sky overlooking a moon-soaked golden sea.

Nightlife
Port Douglas is also the local centre for entertainment and excellent live bands play in the main hotels down Macrossan Street.

Mixed with the excellent restaurants and bars there is always something to do, especially for any younger members of your party who have reached ‘that’ age.

For those who want to venture further afield, the Reef Casino in Cairns attracts an international clientele but all other entertainment facilities (except picture theatres) are to be found in the Port Douglas area.

Markets
The Port Douglas market on Sunday mornings is famous in this area and a must-see for a look at a tropical marketplace.

Fresh fruit and produce abounds and we recommend guests do some of their food shopping here for the freshness, price and support of local growers.

However, there are myriad other goods (and services – e.g. massage, tarot reading, etc) available and local arts and crafts abound.

Plan to spend at least 2 hours here on the first visit. And don’t miss the freshly squeezed local sweet pineapple juice.

A list of other local shopping outlets and markets we recommend is in the house.

Shopping
Port Douglas is a sophisticated resort town and as such, has some very upscale boutiques with apparel and other goods not readily found in the cities.

Buy your man a Tommy Bahamas garment (great shirts) as these are only found in a couple of other places in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne are not one of them!)  Resort wear generally and accessories for men, ladies and children is widely available in Port (as the locals call it) from the basic to the sophisticated.

One of the pleasures here is a lazy afternoon shopping in Port Douglas punctuated with superb coffees and maybe a cooler later refreshment.

Art and Crafts
Once you are in the house you will be inspired by some of the local art work and most of it is available from local (specific) dealers.

If you are interested in quality original Aboriginal art, a visit to Oceanic Art at 21 Warner Street, Port Douglas is recommended.