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As the town he helped put on the map almost 50 years ago prepares for another property boom, 93-year-old Port Douglas developer and former Rich Lister John Morris is excited to be embarking on his latest project â a $50 million development of ultra-luxury villas.
More than anyone else â even Christopher Skase, who arrived in Port Douglas after him â Mr Morris is credited with turning what was a sleepy fishing village with a pot-holed main road and two pubs into one of Australiaâs most desirable places to live and play through developments including the Radisson Treetops resort, the Toressian Resort (now called Reef Resort Villas), Cayman Villas, Wetherby Station, Crystalbrook Station and the Wildlife Habitat,
Tourism and Events Queensland. Photo: Biopixel
Pack the swimmers and plan a trip up north to Cairns and beyond, where winter temperatures hover around the mid-20s. Cairns, with its family-friendly properties (try Crystalbrook Collection s Bailey residences for extra space in a central location) and popular day trips out to the nearby Great Barrier Reef islands, is a great base for little ones, but consider driving north after a few days to road test the region s best of . At Port Douglas, Back Country Bliss Adventures offers River Drift Snorkelling in the Mossman River (check out the Sheraton Mirage as a place to hang your hat), while Ocean Safari, just off the Daintree Coast at Cape Tribulation, undertakes half-day snorkelling adventures at the spectacular Mackay and Undine reefs. Lock in a stay at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge (as well as a few lush rainforest walks). tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au