World Heritage at Port Douglas, Australia

Just an hour drive from Cairns, the Australian town of Port Douglas is home to not one, but two UNESCO listed World Heritage sites; the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest of Daintree.

The city is the central focus of Far North Queensland, and its location - just 70 kilometres from Cairns International Airport - makes it the ideal base from which to explore the region.

Despite this, and the balmy climate and natural beauty (with some 80 per cent of the region World Heritage listed) which both draw visitors; Port Douglas has maintained a village feel, with a population of just over 10,000 local inhabitants.

While Sheraton have slightly augmented this number, drawing ever growing numbers to their Mirage Resort, more adventurous travellers have increasingly ventured further afield - into the warm waters around the reef and the dense Daintree jungle.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at how guests can drag themselves away from the ever popular Four Mile Beach and explore both.

The Great Barrier Reef

The largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef covers over 900 individual reefs and a further 900 islands, stretching for 2,600 kilometres along the east coast of Australia.

It is controlled by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which seeks to effectively manage the ecological sustainability of this, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

Contained within this underwater botanical garden is an endless myriad of coral formations and aquatic life, all just waiting to be explored.

One way is through a cruise on the surface, with Quicksilver one of the stronger providers of such cruises. The company offers a choice of day trips to the Outer Barrier Reef and the idyllic Low Isles.

A day trip to the Low Isles - an idyllic, unspoilt coral island - includes snorkelling, tropical lunch and a heritage and history walk of the island, and costs $A126 (£55) and departs from the Mirage Marina.

Trips take place aboard Quicksilver's 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran, Wavedancer.

For those looking for more of a scuba experience, Haba Dive offer trips to the Outer Edge of the Reef.

Guests are offered the chance to visit pristine dive sites - including the Agincourt, St. Crispin, Tongue and Opal reefs - and take part in drift, wall or pinnacle dives - all with excellent visibility.

Those with no experience can also begin training for their PADI certification with the organisation.

Poseidon Cruises, Undersea and Wavelength all also offer tours to the very edge of the reef, for snorkeling, diving and exploration - all departing from 200 kilometres of spectacular coastline.

Daintree Rainforest

Only 60 minutes north of Cairns and 20 minutes north of Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest covers 1,200 square kilometres and is the among the oldest forests in the world, dating back 135 million years.

The environment offers a chance to explore an ever-changing tropical landscape - composed of a patchwork of white sandy palm-fringed beaches, waving cane-fields and jungle clad misty mountains.

First point of call for visitors should be the Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre, which is home to the Canopy Tower and Aerial Walkway, both of which offer stunning views at all levels of the jungle.

Venturing out into the wilderness, a number of operators offer opportunities to explore the region.

Gary's Safaris, for example, offer 4X4 tours into the heart of the jungle. Among the most popular is the Cape Tribulation and Dinosaur Tour, which takes place in the Mossman Gorge National Park.

Included are visits to the Daintree River and Dinosaur Falls and a river cruise, as well as lunch and the services of experienced guides. The one-day tour costs A$180 (£80), and is based out of Mossman, a few minutes along the coast from Port Douglas.

For even more adventure, Jungle Surfing Tours allow guests to explore the canopy of the rainforest, without their feet ever touching the ground.

For A$85 (£35) holidaymakers can zip between five platforms, taking in stunning views throughout. Night walks through the jungle are also available for those hardy souls willing to head into the unknown.

Those looking to experience something a little further out of the ordinary are welcomed by Flames of the Forest - an out door culinary experience lit by hundreds of candles in the midst of the jungle.

Guests are invited to dine on fine Australian cuisine, accompanied by local wines, beneath the ancient rainforest trees, beside a rushing mountain river, amid the flicker of flame.

Finally, holidaymakers with a desire to explore by river, Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises allow guests the chance to experience the wildlife of the region in a peaceful, electric boat.

Using the latest technology - including onboard screens and cameras displaying hard to see wildlife - guests can immerse themselves in the sounds of the Daintree River wildlife, accompanied by experienced guides.

More Information

There is a wealth of information available for those looking to visit this, the most unique of regions.

Specific information on Port Douglas is available here, while those looking to visit Queensland or Australia more generally are likely to find these sites useful.

Chris O'Toole