Port Douglas Events

19 - 28 MAY 2006

Far North Queensland's premier Shire celebrates each year during May with the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale. Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation townships come alive, and become a living postcard of tropical culture. This year’s celebration will be held from 19-28 May 2006.It is a time when visitors and locals join in and celebrate life in the tropics, its pleasures, weather, culture and cuisine.

Carnivale kicks off on the first Friday, with the main street of Port Douglas transformed into a boulevard of non-stop entertainment. Parade floats, street Theatre, entertainers, bands and a fireworks spectacular are the make up for this years theme of “Carnivale”. Continue to celebrate the night with fine foods from one or more of the 80 restaurants serving up a slice of this sensational region.

10 days of fun, sports, competitions, arts, culture, circus, displays and performances are on the agenda. If it is water you want, sail in the Clipper cup, cheer on the Champion Outrigger Team, enter the “Sports Bet Douglas Shire Fishing Tournament” competition with a $20,000 BARRAMUNDI BONANZA, increase your chances by joining the Blessing of the Fleet, or relax in the Wednesday afternoon sail, or join the Four Mile Beach Family fun Day

If Art in all forms is more your thing, have a peep at the “Sheraton Mirage Oceania Art Exhibition and Awards” where $6,000 is on the easel, visit Karnak Playhouse for a kaliedescope collaboration with Diane Cilento and Linda Jackson, time walk back to Yalanji Mossman Gorge Dreamtime and get in touch with tradition, enjoy a chuckle with the best of Port Shorts film fest presented by Stageworks Australia & LJ Hooker, hit some smooth notes with Jazz in the Rainforest, and twist yourself under the big top of the Great Siberian Circus.

Sports fans can watch an AFL home game with the Crocs, tough it out in the Cycle criterium around port Douglas, get down and dirty with the Rodeo and Mossman Music Fest , be lost and found with Mountain Bike Rogaining, put on the plus fours for the “Mirage and Sea Temple Golf Challenges”, hook up with the fishing competition, and smash some aces in the kids and adults tennis tournaments.

The culture vultures and culinary inclined can indulge their senses with the first ever “Heineken Gourmet idols” cook off, with Chef’s from the regions’ premier restaurants participating with local celeb’s in a 4 night competition culminating in a gala dinner, mask up for the Masquerade Ball at the Sheraton Oceania Art awards evening, grab a seat at “Quicksilver’s food and wine and a taste of Port” under the palms in the park, talk the talk with “Lotsa printing’s longest lunch” on the boardwalk, toast both ways with a champagne breakfast for Karlie Jay’s fashion Label launch, and do the famous “Marina Mirage seafood extravaganza”.