These nets are now used at 28 beaches across queensland from port douglas to airlie beach and from gladstone to the gold coast. Summer time in cairns brings with it the sweltering heat and high humidity which seems perfect for taking a cooling dip. The mornington peninsula is a local melbourne weekend destination with vineyards, boutique shops, artisan stores and galleries, weekend markets and glorious beaches. During stinger season, stick to swimming in the lifeguard patrolled stinger enclosure at the northern end of the beach, as they do regular water drags to check for the presence of stingers, and will close the. The beach view from the resort was reallllly nice, but the actual beach was not super picturesque.
Seeing the magnificent great barrier reef, exploring the daintree rainforest the worlds oldest rainforest, and playing along stunning beaches with your family, is the stuff dreams are made out of. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the great barrier reef is a bucket list item many want to explore through snorkelling to see firsthand the 3000 species of marine life that dwell beneath the turquoise waters. Holiday and travel information about every beach in queensland, australia. In fact, youll find most locals have a favourite fresh water swimming hole which is safe from crocs and stingers.
On the safety front, four mile beach is patrolled daily by the port douglas surf life saving club, and theres a net enclosure located in front of the club headquarters for swimming during the marine stinger season. Port douglas jelly fish an email interview by christina james from the cairns holiday specialists with senior marine stinger advisor dr lisaann gershwin curator from the natural sciences queen victoria museum and art gallery in launceston tasmania a discussion on jelly fish and the chances of ever being stung by a jelly fish whilst swimming on. The undeniable success of port douglas as a tourist destination is all about location. In queensland this is the season for box jellyfish, known for the extremely potent venom. Kicking off the season is the cairns amateurs carnival from the 8th until the 11th with fun, fashion, glamour, food, entertainment and of course horse racing buzzing in the atmosphere. Take a look at this comprehensive article from world travel family on stinger season in cairns and port douglas. She has published over 40 technical scientific papers on. Some of my boys ages 9, 7, and 5 want to do the snorkeling. The stinger net will be removed next week just in time for the port douglas carnivale in a timely boost for the tourist season.
Sun sets on a quiet cairns stinger season cairns post. At the beginning of each stinger season, usually early november, the nets are installed along the allocated beaches by anchors and machinery. Enter the water slowly this gives marine stingers time to move away. Be aware that the wet season is stinger season, deadly jellyfish that dont like you sharing their waters so stay out unless you have a stinger. Home marine stingers and jellyfish season in port douglas stingers and jellyfish season in port douglas when visiting northern australian beaches, there are many signs warning tourists about stingers, however the majority of jellyfish cannot actually sting you. A swimming enclosure located at four mile beach, port douglas is in the water to provide safer swimming conditions during the dangerous marine stinger season typically from november to may subject to seasonal variability. Stinger season is a high risk time to go in the ocean without protection. From the gorgeous marine life to the breathtaking blue water, the great barrier reef has it all, and people flock here each year to have a once in a lifetime experience. It is important to follow the below precautions to avoid being stung.
Over a month perhaps buy a car less than a month car rentals or buses less than a week all tours will pick you up from your accommodation. The most notable concern when swimming at beaches in queensland is marine stingers. Includes burleigh heads, surfers paradise, whitsundays, palm cove, port douglas four mile beach and the daintree. May 21, 2018 sun sets on a quiet cairns stinger season. We are doing a reef trip with quicksilver in november. The beaches of cairns are truly breathtaking with glorious stretches of white pearl sands and a bounty of blue stretching to the horizon, yet with the high season sunlight pouring down this is also the time for stingers. You couldnt go swimming in the ocean because its stinger season there deadly jellyfish. Port douglas is also a popular jumpingoff point for tours to the great barrier reef.
Port douglas is a coastal resort town north of cairns, near the daintree national park understand. I have read about the netted in areas for swimming, but it seems that many do not feel that these provide sufficient protection against the small lethal ones. Port douglas tourist information port douglas tourism. Check this out this 3cm stinger is the first box jellyfish caught outside the nets at port douglas, this highrisk stinger season. Mooloolaba is some 1700kms south of port douglas, in a different climate zone, and as ralph says, not an area affected by dangerous marine stingers, yet, anyway. Surf life saving queensland box jellyfish port douglas.
There are quite a few boats to choose from, they depart port douglas marina daily. Stinger season is when the poisonous irukandji and box jellyfish are prevalent in the coral sea and are found in large numbers along the queensland coastline. Generally these signs are referring to box jellyfish and their smaller cousin, the irukandji. Marine stingers box jellyfish queensland beaches australia. Summer is the wet, cyclone and stinger season in the tropics. In the stinger season between november and june dangerous marine. There are simple precautions that you can take to minimise your risk and swim safely. Sadly, it comes every year without fail and is the curse of the tropics.
Nov 09, 2014 heres some incentive to don a stinger suit and swim between those stinger nets during the summer months in the tropical regions of the world. Best time to visit port douglas down under tours down. Incidents involving serious marine stings in this area are becoming more common during the stinger season. Swim in stinger nets and wear fullbody lycra body suits. From the start of november through to the end of may is what is known as stinger season in port douglas. However the mornington peninsula is also a place of significance in the history of australia. It was a quiet season for the most part, surf lifesaving qld supervisor jay march said. Mother nature simply loves reminding us that australia is home to some of the deadliest creatures in the world.
If you are feeling energetic you can hire bikes and pedal the entire length of four mile beach at low tide. Port douglas is ideal for a trip to the great barrier reef or to the daintree rainforest, with cape tribulation a 90 minute drive on well maintained sealed roads. The wet season, hot, humid and wet summers from november to march and the dry season, the dry winter months of april november. Best things to do in port douglas australia budget. There seems to be a lot written about them being sold all over, but can they really protect you from dangerous stings. Port douglas tourism port douglas hotels port douglas bed and breakfast port douglas packages flights to port douglas port douglas restaurants. Great barrier reef and marine stingers port douglas tourist. Im heading to port douglas for my honeymoon this october and am wondering if its stinger season at that time. Full days of sun with minimal cloud cover opens up opportunities to experience the full range of fun things to do on offer in port douglas. Best things to do in port douglas with kids australia. Just one hours spectacular drive north of cairns airport in far north queensland, with the glittering waters of the great barrier reef lapping the shoreline and the prehistoric rainforest of the daintree calling, the tiny town of port as the locals label it, delivers big time as a holiday destination. Stinger season refers to the period of time when dangerous jellyfish are aplenty. Dont want to worry about stingers originally was looking to come november.
Port douglas is a beach town located in far north queensland and is an excellent place to base yourself to explore the great barrier reef and daintree rainforest, which are both unesco world heritage sites. All queensland beaches north of town of seventeen seventy near gladstone can attract the marine stingers during the summer months of the year. Surf life saving queenslands jay march confirmed today that four mile beach will be netfree from monday 22 may. Is it safe to swim in port douglas port douglas deals. Lisaann gershwin, our senior marine stinger advisor, has over 18 years experience in jellyfish research, with focus on australian jellyfishes since 1998. When visiting northern australian beaches, there are many signs warning tourists about stingers, however the majority of jellyfish cannot actually sting you. Stinger season port douglas message board tripadvisor. April is the beginning of the dry season in port douglas, with temperatures ranging between 21. Heres some incentive to don a stinger suit and swim between those stinger nets during the summer months in the tropical regions of the world. Whether you want to swim along gorgeous beaches and hike through the hinterlands or simply relax by your resort pool with a cocktail in hand, port douglas is the perfect holiday destination. From the first of november until the start of may, the stinger nets are out around cairns and port douglas. Mar 01, 20 where provided swim in stinger resistant enclosures, closest enclosure to port douglas is located on four mile beach. I know this has probably been asked but when is stinger season.
Port douglas four mile beach has a large stinger net. Council provides lifeguard services on this beach at certain times. Net rollout will commence on friday in the cairns region with the port douglas net set to go in on saturday, weather permitting. Jellyfish pose a real risk for swimmers during some months of the year in port douglas.
Stinger and croc information marine stingers are found in the warmer waters of tropical queensland year round with the highest occurrence in stinger season from october to may. Great barrier reef and marine stingers port douglas. By my research, this appears to be in the midst of stinger season. The mornington peninsula is a local favourite for its beach vibe. Youll encounter stingerresistant enclosures and nets to keep the jellyfish out and the beachgoers in. The port douglas net has been scheduled for removal on friday. When wether is best there is onsite of when its best south in melbourne. Her phd is in identification and classification of box jellyfish and irukandjis. From my understanding, even with lycra suits on, their. There are plenty of other things to do in port douglas with kids, this is just the tip of a tropical iceberg. Stingers and jellyfish season in port douglas abc scuba. Queensland, the state that port douglas is in, does not follow daylight savings time, so they were an hour behind melbourne time. Port douglas is a prime destination in todays cruise ship market.
Hire a car and explore the atherton tablelands, swim in the lagoon in cairns or explore further into the daintree rainforest. Port douglas north queensland australia is paradise. Travelling from cairns airport to port douglas is part of the beautiful experience of visiting port douglas. Stinger season as its known locally runs from november to may and is when the highly venomous species of box and irukandji jellyfish are most likely to be floating in the water. Port douglas is ideal for a trip to the great barrier reef or to the daintree rainforest, with cape tribulation a 90 minute drive on well maintained sealed roads port douglas maintains a village feel, as it is a town where the palm trees are taller than the buildings and you can meander. Nov 09, 2017 if you find yourself snorkeling off of the beaches of port douglas, there have been safety measures put in place for both the people and the jellyfishs safety. The ultimate travel guide to port douglas love swah. Stinger season in the australian tropics is something you need to be aware of. Stinger nets out in style from the first of november until the start of may, the stinger nets are out around cairns and port douglas. Those hitting the beach should be sure to only swim in patrolled areas and to look for the comforting colours of the red and yellow flags. This 3cm stinger is the first box jellyfish caught outside the nets at port douglas, this highrisk stinger season. Locals dont swim off the beaches unless they are in the nets its part of the way of life up this way.
It is recommended that a fullbody lycra suit, or equivalent, be worn to provide a good measure of protection against marine stings, particularly during the stinger season, which generally runs from november to march. Want to visit airlie beach and the whitsundays but like to snorkel and swim in water from the shore. Apr 05, 2016 dust off the fascinators and suits and get ready for racing season in the port douglas region. Also, safety information about marine stingers and other dangers. Remember to always swim at patrolled beaches within stinger resistant enclosures. The marine stinger season will officially begin this weekend as surf life savers begin to roll out the stinger nets. Stinger season is november to may so no swimming without the suit and even then just use the pool. Stinger net removal will please a lot of people in port. Snorkeling can be an exciting and beautiful hobby or profession, and few places compete with the wonder of the great barrier reef. Dec 07, 2017 port douglas is a beach town located in far north queensland and is an excellent place to base yourself to explore the great barrier reef and daintree rainforest, which are both unesco world heritage sites. We are traveling to port douglas next month and understand that it will be during stinger season. Passengers disembark just off the coast and are ferried safely to the.
Port douglas and the surrounding area enjoy two seasons. Remember that port douglas has a stinger season, the beach is netted in summer, life guards will give you advice on the current stinger risk. Port douglas is also a popular jumpingoff point for tours to the great barrier reef, which depart from the iconic reef marina. Im a little concerned about the stingers, especially in stinger season. Stinger suit question port douglas forum tripadvisor.
The whits are for sailing or lazing around on an island resort. Mar 31, 2020 best things to do in port douglas with kids. Stinger resistant enclosures enable a high degree of protection, however they are stinger resistant not stinger proof. Port douglas to daintree village 55km 45m port douglas to daintree ferry 60km 40 m port douglas to cape trib. General information for port douglas and daintree port. Select either a shuttle or seat on bus or private transfer to suit you. Port douglas tourism port douglas hotels bed and breakfast port douglas port douglas holiday rentals port douglas holiday packages. Aug 17, 2019 port douglas tourism port douglas hotels. Where provided swim in stinger resistant enclosures, closest enclosure to port douglas is located on four mile beach. Day trips to the reef are a mustdo for every visitor to port douglas. Port douglas is world renowned for its beautiful beach resorts, which are so luxurious and well appointed, you really dont have to leave after checking in and checking out from daytoday life. If you do happen to notice something long and dark in the water when swimming at port douglass four mile beach, get out. Before you hit the beach, take a look at our aussie beach survival guid e for great tips and tricks, with everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.
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