DAY-TRIPPERS will get free travel on the Daintree Ferry when Douglas Shire Council lifts visitor travel restrictions on Saturday, May 16.
Council will waive the usual ferry fees until June 30 and multi-day passes that were due to expire on June 30 have been extended to December 31 this year.
Council is also supporting tourism by providing free ferry travel for commercial tour operators.
The new measures follow the release of the Queensland Government’s ‘Roadmap to Easing QLD’s Restrictions’, which allows up to 150km travel for recreational purpose.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr called on the Shire’s neighbours to ‘Do It In Douglas’ this weekend.
“There are plenty of people in Cairns and Mareeba looking for an excuse to get out of the house,” he said.
“Although it is quieter than we are used to, many shops in Port Douglas have re-opened, restaurants are selling great food and the coffee is strong as ever.
“The Great Barrier Reef Drive is a spectacular 140km-long drive stretching from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, dropping in on our main business districts Port Douglas and Mossman.”
The regional push coincides with the launch of Buy Douglas: Build Douglas tomorrow, a community partnership that encourages people to spend money with local businesses in Douglas Shire.
The Bloomfield Track and CREB Track remain closed with roadblocks in place to stop travellers heading further north into the Biosecurity Zone.
The Douglas Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) is encouraging people to practice social distancing, practice good hygiene and stay home if you are sick.
“In line with the latest health advice, we have also re-opened many of our playgrounds and picnic tables,” Mayor Kerr said.
“Go for a drive, visit the Daintree Rainforest, have a picnic, go fishing or bring your boat up and take it out into the water”.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennett said a road trip to the Daintree Coast was a great way to practice social distancing in the great outdoors
‘The Daintree rainforest is the ultimate place to explore while practising social distancing,” she said.
“With a range of boardwalks to be enjoyed along the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Drive, it’s time to pack your troops and rediscover our World Heritage Listed rainforest.”
Key Points
- Free travel on the Daintree Ferry for everyone including tour operators
- Visitor travel restrictions to be lifted. Previously only Douglas Shire locals could cross.
- Multi-Day passes that expire on 30th June 2020, will now be valid till 31st Dec 2020.
- Ferry operates continuously from 5am through to midnight every day
