FNQ Travel Day - Sydney to Port Douglas (Day 1)

The day finally arrived for us to make our way to FNQ and specifically Port Douglas to explore the area and spend time relaxing at a resort, which is the first time we have stayed at this type of accommodation. This was also a postponed trip from 2020 due to the pandemic. The flights were repurposed Melbourne flights and we rebooked the accommodation after having to cancel our plans from June or July 2020.

We started out early as we had a 09:30 flight and successfully used our points to upgrade the flight to business class. As we had lounge access we wanted to make the most of it so we headed to the airport at 07:00 and surprisingly it was a fast 20 minute ride. We dropped off our bags and went through security (priority lane), then up to the Qantas Business Lounge for some breakfast.  there was a queue to enter but it moved pretty quickly, space was a bit limited. This was our second visit to the Business Lounge since operations resumed and once again you had to queue at the food counter to request what you wanted to eat, the line moved quickly.

The flight to Cairns was pleasant and uneventful and it was nice to be travelling in a wide body A330-200. The refreshment service was pleasant and then the crew left us alone to relax, as we were seated in the middle of the aircraft and with all the window shades drawn the cabin was dark, so whilst Jeff enjoyed a movie I relaxed with a magazine or two that I'd been trying to read for months.

On arrival we picked up our Toyota Camry and after a stop for some coffee we made the journey north to Port Douglas. The weather was interesting at times we drove through some heavy rain and then it cleared up just as we started the coastal part of the drive and enjoyed seeing the beach and waves so close to the road. We also spotted a few waterfalls beside the road.

We checked into our resort: Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa and before long after a quick tour of our one bedroom penthouse apartment we were soon in the pool / lagoon 3000 m2 which is in the centre of the resort and you can swim around past the various rooms as many rooms step out onto the lagoon a truly amazing way to relax.

Our lounge and dining area looking out to the tropical gardens of the resort

There is also an outdoor verandah

The lagoon view from the Aluco restaurant and bar

The view from our room which overlooks the lagoon