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Sanctuary Villas Port Douglas

Phone: 0407 506 234

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25.01.2022 LOVERS. Sunny Days & Balmy Nights ....... the perfect recipe for a loved up escape in Port Douglas. There is a reason PD is so popular for Weddings, Elopements, Honeymoons, Anniversaries & Just Because !... Here are some Itineraries for all the Lovers out there , Enjoy! Indulge on the Reef: Helicopter to a Private sandy Cay on the Reef. Or Charter your own luxury vessel with staff and sail away for the day? Sail with @sailawayportdouglas for an indulgent day of sandy cays and snorkelling. Or organise a private picnic on the beach. Couples Massage,lunch & swim: Go troppo at @niramayavillasandspa surrounded by Rainforest gardens, then lunch & a swim in the stunning pool. or @Silky Oaks Spa & lunch (currently under Reno) . Or an in-house massage under the swaying palms? ( just ask us) Afternoon & Evening Delight: Sunset sail with @indigoportdouglas (organise a seafood platter) then off the boat & into @barbadosportdouglas relaxing in a day bed before dinner at @nautilusportdouglas or @watergateportdouglas . Finish the night at @jimmyrums dark moody cocktail lounge. Lunch & Chill with Nature: Thala Beach Lodge for lunch in their treehouse, then walk down the bush steps to a postcard perfect beach . Or drive to Mossman Gorge for a stroll and a dip in crystal clear water. Or for a waterhole- just ask us! Jewellery Shops: Buy a memory piece to take home x. Going all Zen: Begin the day in downward dog with Beach Yoga.... or hire a bike and cruise where your wheels take you..... or Get a picnic blanket a bottle of bubbly and watch the sunset at Rex Smeal Park surrounded by palms on the edge of the Sea. Lets drive to paradise: Jump in your hire car and drive north to Cape Trib.... be immersed by all the Insta worthy road stops and check out the Rainforest walks. You feel like you are in Utopia. Get a Forever love lock (padlock) and clip it on the Loveheart sculpture by the Marina. BONUS Tip - .....our #ParadiseAtNiramaya villa was a National Stayz Finalist in 2017 Indulgence Category and that was before our brand new 4 poster bed! Adore this pic by @mishandkirk

25.01.2022 MILLIONAIRES PLAYGROUND a trip down memory lane. In the 1980s Port Douglas was nicknamed the Millionaires Playground and ever since we seem to have a constant trickle of Celebs who come to relax, or shoot a movie and hideaway from the paparazzi. ... I love that the Locals let them be & clearly so do they! Thats what makes Port Douglas so special, we almost feel like its our job to protect the celebs from media. We have quite the list of celebs including ....#edsheerhan #pink #georgeclooney #matthewmccoughney #katehudson #theclintons #johntravolta #kylieminogue #johnfarnham #mickjagger #claudiaschiffer #sherylcrowe #chrisnoth #manufieldel #tomhanks #keanureeves #karlstefanovic & many more but #sssshhhhhh ! 1965, Thunderball movie. Sean Connery was actually married to an Australian actress, Dianne Cilento who called FNQ/ Port Douglas home ... This pic from @travelinggentleman .

24.01.2022 The F A Q Post! All Australians are welcome to holiday in QLD ...... unless you are Victorian or from Greater Sydney . So to our other NSW residents, ACT, SA, WA, Tasmania & NT we would LOVE to spoil you in our very own tropical paradise.... Hence swipe this post for the most FAQs for people travelling to QLD . We cannot wait for our borders to be open to all, our fingers are crossed for Vic & Syd. This pic is by @tobiasvisuals of our front yard the glorious GBR.... come & enjoy it on or in the water! PM us if we can help you with a quote, we have 6 Villas / homes to choose from. See our website link in the bio . @ The Great Barrier Reef

24.01.2022 I LOVE the idea of having a Holiday PlayList. Or, If you cannot have a holiday, why not get it ready for your next vacay Or, When you are popping your champagne cork, pop it in in the background & re create those holiday feels.... Check it out . See more

23.01.2022 This is for all our VIC & NSW guests who should have been here. 40 seconds of PD just for you. Love this vid from Port Douglas Uncovered

23.01.2022 Forty Seconds of mindfulness joy. This is for all our Victorian & NSW guests who should be walking on this beach today.... Enjoy xoxo ... Thank you Coleen Rivas.

23.01.2022 How We CAN Help YOU. This question is a dilemma for many: Should we BOOK a holiday or not? ... Happily, we can reassure you & give you confidence to book. Because if you book with us we fully refund all our guests if they cannot enter QLD due to state border closures. It is up to OTAs Eg Airbnb, Stayz, if they refund guests the service fee they charge guests, but so far they have followed suit. You may wish to book direct if you prefer of course. So.... what have you got to lose??? Lets get those holiday planning feels and check out why Port Douglas is THE Australian summer year round destination ! HOT TIP: we are getting loads of enquires for both 2020 & 2021 so if you have specific dates try & book sooner than later... We have 6 holiday homes / villas to choose from. Sharon & Grant This photo by @helloemilie Is soooo dreamy of our local beach.....

22.01.2022 Dining Under the Stars. After a hard day swimming with turtles, snorkelling the Reef, riding to find a hidden waterfall, beach walking or sunning yourself by the beach - you need to top the night off with something special! Your luck continues as Port Douglas is known as a Foodie Haven.... From hip tropical restaurants to prawns off the boat to a cooking school in the jungle - you will be spoilt for choice! Dont stress you can also eat like a King as so many casual cafes have ammmmazing menus also at a very reasonable price. We love emailing our guests our Favourite Things To Do List before they arrive, which includes our fave spots for coffees, lunch, dinner and OMG Dinner venues! I can hands down GUARANTEE you will fall in LOVE with at least one of the Restaurants on our list ..... and many returning guests book their restaurants in before they arrive as they dont want to miss out! I love the excitement of arriving at one of our faves for dinner, its more than a meal, it really is a fun night out in an amazing setting, a menu that inspires & with polished wait staff - you feel very looked after.... and full!! See the tags ( over on Insta) for some of our faves ssshhhhhh !! This pic is Nautilus Restaurant truely a magical night, dining beneath the stars with exceptional food and wait staff who always remember you .... Bon Apetite ! PS we can also assist you with a Private Chef if leaving your holiday home is just tooooo hard!

22.01.2022 My Love Letter to Port Douglas . (Editors Note: I wrote this 2 months ago and here it is again with a few tweaks!) Dear Port Douglas,... I miss you. I was meant to be with you in late March & then June & then August, but this damn virus buggered up all our plans - and now countless others beautiful holiday plans. I am a patient person.... but I have NEVER been away from you this long, not since I clapped my eyes on you 16 years ago. How I long for those 5 little words... This is your captain speaking. I miss waking up to the tropical sounds and gentle sway of the palms hitting each other. I miss having breaky in my nightie and thongs outside. I miss my morning walk along the beach resisting the temptation to pick up every shell and fallen coconut I see, as I love everyone of them and all they represent about nature. I miss feeling so hot that I throw off my clothes in wild abandonment and jump in the azure water of the pool. ( & sometimes I even get my hair wet - trust me with my thick wild locks, that is HUGE ). I miss planning the end of day drinks ( Prosecco most likely ) by the pool discussing our adventures of the day while the kids play cards. I miss strolling Macrossan St wondering where we shall eat tonight, no bad decision will be made, the restaurant will either serve great food or omg that was amazing food. Lastly I miss the walk home, or to the courtesy bus stop, where we shall laugh and giggle like a bunch of naughty boarding school kids who jumped the fence for the night. It is the joy, the abandonment, the escape I miss, Port Douglas took my heart many years ago and still spoils me each and every time. Our children now share this love of our tropical paradise and for me thats the cherry ( or coconut ) on top. And to think this destination is our home country - how lucky are we. See you soon PD, Lots of Love Sharon & My fellow Victorians & New South Welshmen xo Pic taken on the balcony of #IslandPointRdVilla4

21.01.2022 What is SUMMER like in the Tropics? See My TOP FREE TIPS below: We have 2 seasons in the tropics:... The Dry (winter) & The Green / Wet (summer). The Dry Season: May - October Average temp is 25 degrees and sea temp 23. Warm days and low rainfall. & The Green Season or Wet: November - April Average temp is 30 degrees and sea temp 29. Humid every day and Refreshing rainfalls particularly in the evening and nights can occur. Our TOP Tour Tips in Summer: Mossman Gorge - swim in the crystal cool water - it will be the highlight! SUP tour at a secret river spot - beautiful clear water & try and fall off the board so you cool down ! River Snorkel or Float - yep, once in a life time experience - This pic @backcountryblissadventures . Hike / Ride & Waterfall - go early in the day before it gets too hot. Go waterfall chasing especially if it has been raining. Rainforest Tours - you will cool down under the ancient canopy & if it’s raining the canopy becomes your umbrella! Waterhole swimming - ask locals if its a safe spot first or take a tour! Sunset sail with champas. Turtle hatching season Nov-Feb. (See our tags for great tours we love) BEACH Swimming: Year round. November-March though we swim in the net areas of Four Mile Beach due to jellyfish risk. *in Australia we always recommend you swim in Life Saving Patrol beach areas ALWAYS- particularly in FNQ* our net area is huge and very accessible even wheelchair friendly. Going out on the REEF during jellyfish season: No problemo. Tours run every day in both the Dry & Wet season. In the Wet season all Reef operators provide complimentary full wetsuits as an extra precaution for adults & kids. Me - I honestly love both seasons... the Wet season really is quite the experience, when the rain pours down on the iron roof and I’m in bed I love listening to it and as long as I have air con I cope well ! & the kids love swimming in the pool when it rains ! It’s a beautiful experience & I think all Australian’s should experience our very own Tropics in both seasons & then decide which they love the most!

19.01.2022 2021. Don’t ‘dilly dally’ too much, our 2021 bookings are coming in very strong. July & August have limited spots left - so get in quick! Easter is starting to fill also....... Not sure if u should book???? We ‘get it’ & that’s why we offer Full Refunds if your State Border closes. So you can RELAX & lock in the dates you want! AUSTRALIA & Port Douglas in particular is desperate to have all States to come & see our unique area that WILL SPOIL you. Next Border Announcement: is due at the end of November. So Sydney siders & Victorians could have a holiday a lot sooner than they think with a bit of luck This pic is at #BeachPavilions

19.01.2022 So you want to do the Reef? But you / family / friends all have different issues or needs that makes choosing a Reef tour so hard.....from seasickness - wishing to stay on the boat - wanting to snorkel - visit an isolated cay - or to diving the depths and exploring it all! Then this article is for you! ... Enjoy! See more

18.01.2022 Be a tourist in Australia & go Island Hopping!

18.01.2022 The Arrival. Arriving at your holiday home.... the car pulls into the carport, suitcases are lifted out from the boot, passengers stretching their legs and wondering what is beyond the front door. Bedrooms are chosen, suitcases unpacked, bathers put on & the kids are already in the pool!... Meanwhile, I check out the kitchen and open the fridge to a bottle of chilled vino - my hearts sings a little as my pre dinner drink is sorted! Checking out the book shelf and whats what while the kids yell out are you coming in the pool mum?. Bathers are on, grab a rolled pool towel with a flower sitting on it and Im in the sparkling pool ( telling the kids not to splash my hair!) looking up at the palms and the lush garden that surround us. Yep.....Im on holiday. . This pic is the Champagne Corner at #BeachPavilions an original feature that I loved so we kept it and renovated around it!

17.01.2022 Our Holiday Home Business Philosophy. Always be honest & upfront. Always be helpful and give advice freely. Try and exceed our guest expectations every single time.... Be fair minded. Try and be flexible when we can. Foster an excitement with our guest about their impending holiday. Foster a trusting relationship with your guest. Always be grateful & honoured when guests return again. Ensure our staff / contractors are well informed about guests needs and feedback. Thank guests who leave a Review. Be prompt with all communication. Provide a beautiful holiday home for each guest to enjoy & then take home treasured memories. The proof is in the pudding right? We CHOSE to fully refund all our guests, since March, who could not travel due to Covid19 Border closures- we are really proud of this. We often believe by giving you often receive double fold, plus we felt it was the right thing to do for our guests. For our new followers, here is a mini introduction about us: Five years ago we became career sea changers! I was a RN for 23 years and Grant a CPA for a lot longer than that ! We ran a successful healthcare business for the last 14 years before our career sea change. Our children are now 19 and 18 but when they were both in nappies we holidayed in Port Douglas, I had no idea where it was, I had to look at a map! We were told it was Paradise - and it was. Six holiday homes later we find ourselves loving our new job - & we hope that shows! We are currently stuck in Victoria (our other home) so we are thankful for our Housekeeper Lisa who looks after our guests beautifully in our absence. Sharon & Grant PS this is us upstairs at @courthouseportdouglas which I love for dinner!

15.01.2022 ITS THE SIMPLE THINGS. Especially now with the corona pandemic, I get more joy than ever from the simple things.... & I rely on my holiday memories to evoke my love of travel. Sand & Seashells remind me of when I was a kid, how good were Beach side holidays?... When I was little we would go to Grannys beach shack at Ocean Grove, where my love for collecting sea shells started and as a teen we would go to Aunty Margs house in Bright, riding the freezing cold rapids of the Ovens River whilst the hot sunshine burnt us to a crisp! My point is ( sorry it took a while! ) KIDS love BEACH Holidays now in my late ( very late!) 40s these holidays still evoke such HAPPY MEMORIES ! So why not plan a PD beach holiday for you and the kids / grand kids? The best bit is the kids get to take home great memories that will last a life time .... Oh & Port Douglas is in the Top 10 Destinations to visit in Australia - so thats a pretty good reason also . P.S We offer Full Refunds if you cannot travel due to Covid19 Border Closures .

15.01.2022 Domestic Boarders will be open way before International... So perhaps pencil in your Aussie Bucket List. This post is about the MOST POPULAR QUESTION....we get asked. When is the best time to visit Port Douglas?... Well here is the info I give my friends! Basically there are 2 seasons in the tropics: The Dry (winter) & The Wet (summer). The Dry: May - October Average temp is 25 degrees and sea temp 23. Warm days and low rainfall. The Wet: November - April Average temp is 30 degrees and sea temp 29. Humid every day and Refreshing rainfalls particularly in the evening and nights can occur. The Wet is also known as The Green season. Beach Swimming: Year round. November-March though we swim in the net areas of Four Mile Beach due to jellyfish risk. *in Australia we always recommend you swim in Life Saving Patrol beach areas ALWAYS- particularly in FNQ* our net area is huge and very accessible even wheelchair friendly. Going out on the Reef during jellyfish season: No problemo. Tours run every day in both the Dry & Wet season. In the Wet season all Reef operators provide complimentary full wetsuits as an extra precaution for adults & kids. So YOU know how you cope with humidity, Grant loves it! The hotter the better! and The Wet season is his favourite. But if you prefer just nice ole warm days then The Dry season is best for you! Me - I honestly love both seasons... the Wet season really is quite the experience, when the rain pours down on the roof and Im in bed I love listening to it and as long as I have air con I cope well ! & the kids love swimming in the pool when it rains ! I actually really enjoy March, April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov -ssshhhh dont tell anyone . We hope this helps you out! DM us if you have any other questions. Sharon & Grant Love this pic by @mitchraephotography

15.01.2022 What this photo means to me... As the light fades, its bbq time. The bbq pavilion wakes up for the evening, our glasses klink & laughter comes easily. The kids are coming & going and getting ready to swim in the dark under the stars. The birds have gone quiet and the palm fronds gently sway as we sit here under the sweeping fan with candle light. The end to another day. Pic taken at The Bahama House bbq Pavilion.

15.01.2022 Is this Post written for You? Do you need to make some AWESOME memories in 2020?! We have vacancies in July & August in some of our Villas. Sadly due to Victorian cancellations .... #SanctuaryAtThorntons ( pictured) & #ThorntonPalms are featured in our Insta Stories tonight in particular. These Villas are so spacious and have everything you need, you could never leave the villa and just enjoy it all if you wanted! 4 bed each with en-suite & tv. Beautiful heated* pool walk to the beach Complimentary baby equip. Full kitchen, bbq & laundry. Approx $450 per night . See our website for more deets peeps!!

14.01.2022 WHY I LOVE what I do.... After a fast paced nursing life, I REALLY appreciate my slower pace sea change career as a holiday home owner! ... That said - all that energy now is devoted to our guests and I LOVE that! I LOVE the excitement that comes with Holiday Planning which starts from the Enquiry stage. I enjoying giving our potential/ guests exciting holiday vibes and answer any and all questions so that they feel informed and happy to book. As a nurse we have systems for everything to decrease the chance of a catastrophe. So I have carried this into how I manage our six holiday homes and it has assisted us to have many return guests, consecutive super host Airbnb status, 98% 5 Star reviews and awarded Best, Runner Up & Finalist in local Holiday Home Awards in Port Douglas over the past 3 years. Most of this is done remotely as we are based predominantly in Mt Martha, and I always count the weeks until my next pd Trip, usually every 6 weeks. I LOVE to style homes for arrival day. Which means getting up early in the morning to cut palm fronds, pick tropical fruit off a tree or pop a pineapple on the bench. I love finding the frangipani or the hibiscus for the bathroom towels and fluffing cushions, I also love Writing a personal message on the wine bottle tag . If we have babies and kids then the toy basket is pimped up with some pool toys for our little VIPs. These small details can mean a lot to a tired traveller. Whilst we are absent for many of our guest arrivals, Lisa our wonderful head housekeeper knows how I like things done and goes the extra mile to try and get it all done! My Secret Pleasure: Reading the Guest Books in each house, I looooove that our guests take the time to write & let us know how there Holiday and stay went. It makes me all warm & fuzzy!!! Knowing this I hope it gives our potential & soon to arrive guests a confidence that we shall do our very best to make their heart sing when they walk through the front door of their very own holiday pad! Does anyone know where this famous love heart is ???

14.01.2022 GIRL TIME BUBBLES TIME! TIPS for a 3 Night Girls Getaway TAG YOUR TRIBE girlfriends & SAVE this post !!... Arrival Afternoon: Arrive, unpack and have your food and drinks already in the fridge! No grocery shopping for us thanks to @holiday_shopping_service . Head to the beach for a walk, breathe in the air & get all the tropical feels! Arrival night, sunset drinks at my fave @Barbadosbar or the Canopy bar at @Nautilus . Then dine in an old queenslander at @Salsa with a to die for menu. Finish the night with a cheeky cocktail at @JimmyRums before you hit the sack! Day 1 : Start with @Yogaonthebeach or coffee at @StCrispins or @thelittlelarder . Bike hire or Vespa and scoot around for the day. Then off to @oaks_kitchen_and_garden for a cooking class with a difference or just watch the class with a vino . Finish with a champagne sunset sail 4-6pm @Indigo . Dinner you decide... Day 2: Road trip Thelma & Louise! Cape Trib allow 1 1/2 hrs to get to the ferry crossing ( super easy ), coffee stop at Thorntons Beach cafe then do the snorkel 1/2 day with @Oceansafari . On the way home call into @Daintreeicecream . OR ditch the road trip & do 1/2 day snorkel and SUP at Low Isles with @windswell and they can pick you up from our beach! Very cool! or if super short on time then @ReefSprinter will spoil you! Day 3: Lunch and massage at @Silkyoaks - prepare to be WOWed. ( currently under Reno so, Thala Lodge lunch & beach walk is a great option also.) Pop into Mossman Gorge before or after lunch and take in the beauty with a quick wander. Or, a lunch sail & snorkel with @SailawayDinner at @Watergate or @Nautilus - you decide! Retail Therapy: Free chocolate tastings and buy some for home @Coffeeworks . Buying anything just so it can get wrapped at @WithSugar is so worth it!! Check out @moonshine for a gift or @Funstuffbylynda & the Sunday Market!!! Beach side lunch at the low key @Thesurfy the fish taco is my fave! Or the local @RSL balcony for lunch. BONUS Tip: Buy a Tommy Bahama Signature candle, so when you go home this aroma will take you back! Love this pic by @wanderingfolk

14.01.2022 QUEENSLAND is open! Well that is for everyone except Victorians - sorry to our Victorian friends.... All our guests that are entering QLD should read this article in preparation.

13.01.2022 BIRTHDAY in PARADISE.... This post is designed for those who always wanted to book a destination Birthday Holiday. You may have even missed your Special Birthday this year so why not celebrate your 41st or 51st next year?!... Our Summer year round temps is just one reason why Port Douglas ticks the boxes. & Choosing a holiday home in Port Douglas means you have space & freedom for as many or as as few family & friends that you want! & no one has to get up early to dibs a sun lounger!! We have many 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th & 80th Birthday Holidays booked every year & we love it! Now lets cut to the chase! CELEBRATING with just a few: Special Restaurants in a unique Rainforest setting - we can share our faves. Private SUP off the beach or island Seriously Devine Bars for a cocktail that will look so good u will need to put it on Insta! Picnic on a private Cay by boat or - feel like a movie star for the day! Beach Yoga morning Day Spa day for the girls Sunset Sail - champagne & nibbles. Get your hair done for the B Day - I have found the BEST hairdresser CELEBRATING with the whole gang: Grab a boat and catch a fish. Private Sail with the family for snorkel & seafood lunch. Go island exploring - with your own guide. Cooking Class with a difference at Oak Beach. Dreamtime guided walk with the kids Stand Up Paddle In Secret location. Bike & Hike to a waterfall for a swim. Private Rainforest Tour with the fam. In-house Chef to spoil you with all your favourite foods! Sunset Champas on the beach or at Rex Smeal Park - its free! Sunset Sail with the fam .... and a champas or beer! ( and you can have the vessel to yourself!) Birthday Bits: Balloon arch , cakes , donut cake, flower wall, Digital Photo mirror , seafood platters, photographers or a Gelati Cart anyone? Lets Go troppo! If any of these ideas are of interest- DM us and we can give you the names of our Faves .... Love this pic by @indiahicksstyle

13.01.2022 GIRL TIME BUBBLES TIME! FREE TIPS for a 3 Night Getaway TAG YOUR TRIBE girlfriends & SAVE this post !!... Arrival Afternoon: Arrive, unpack and have your food and drinks already in the fridge! No grocery shopping for us thanks to @holiday_shopping_service . Head to the beach for a walk, breathe in the air & get all the tropical feels! Arrival night, sunset drinks at my fave @Barbadosbar or the Canopy bar at @Nautilus . Then dine in an old queenslander at @Salsa with a to die for menu. Finish the night with a cheeky cocktail at @JimmyRums before you hit the sack! Day 1 : Start with @Yogaonthebeach or coffee at @StCrispins or @thelittlelarder . Bike hire or Vespa and scoot around for the day. Then off to @oakbeach for a cooking class with a difference or just watch the class with a vino . Finish with a champagne sunset sail 4-6pm @Indigo . Dinner you decide... Day 2: Road trip Thelma & Louise! Cape Trib allow 1 1/2 hrs to get to the ferry crossing ( super easy ), coffee stop at Thorntons Beach cafe then do the snorkel 1/2 day with @Oceansafari . On the way home call into @Daintreeicecream . OR ditch the road trip & do 1/2 day snorkel and SUP at Low Isles with @windswell and they can pick you up from our beach! Very cool! or if super short on time then @ReefSprinter will spoil you! Day 3: Lunch and massage at @Silkyoaks - prepare to be WOWed. ( currently under Reno so, Thala Lodge lunch & beach walk is a great option also.) Pop into Mossman Gorge before or after lunch and take in the beauty with a quick wander. Or, a lunch sail & snorkel with @SailawayDinner at @Watergate or @Nautilus - you decide! Retail Therapy: Free chocolate tastings and buy some for home @Coffeeworks . Buying anything just so it can get wrapped at @WithSugar is so worth it!! Check out @moonshine for a gift or @Funstuffbylynda . Loads of gorgeous shops & the Sunday Market!!! Beach side lunch at the low key @Thesurfy the fish taco is my fave! Or the local @RSL balcony for lunch. BONUS Tip: Buy a Tommy Bahama Signature candle, so when you go home this aroma will take you back! Love this pic @johannaort

12.01.2022 TO BOOK or NOT to BOOK? Oh the dilemma we find ourselves in this year - who could have guested at our last NYE celebration that we would find ourselves in a world wide pandemic .... & all our EXCITING holiday plans would be destroyed by Cyclone Rona . We need some GOOD NEWS right??!!... Well, here it is - if you book with us we fully refund all our guests if you cannot enter QLD due to state border closures. It is up to OTAs Eg Airbnb, Stayz, if they refund guests the service fee they charge guests, but so far they have followed suit. You may wish to book direct if you prefer of course. Of course Queenslanders & South Australians can holiday here freely with no quarantine dramas. #sograteful So.... if you NEED a holiday soon or have a special something coming up in 2021 lets get those holiday planning feels and check out why Port Douglas is THE Australian summer year round destination ! What have you got to lose? Nothing if you book with us! HOT TIP: we are getting loads of bookings for 2021 so if you have specific dates try & book sooner than later... We have 6 holiday homes / villas to choose from. Sharon & Grant My heart sings whenever I am in this Grand pavilion at #BeachPavilions Sleeps 10 guests & super popular for #3generations family holidays.

11.01.2022 ROAD TRIP by the Great Barrier Reef. A great Itinerary for Cairns to Cape Trib.... & of course Port Douglas is slap bang in the middle of this STUNNING drive.... Queenslanders or Road Trippers this is for you! Enjoy!

11.01.2022 Planning THE GREAT ESCAPE. Whilst Cyclone CoRona is surrounding Vic and parts of NSW... it wont be forever.... Over the coming months it is likely we will either suppress or eradicate Covid19 whilst waiting for a vaccine. So lets use this time to PLAN our Aussie bucket list. Port Douglas is so popular for destination birthdays / weddings / elopements / babymoons / anniversaries and of course Family Holidays. One reason being our Summer year round temperatures and being surrounded by the Reef & Rainforest. I was hoping to spend my 5 Oh birthday next April on the Amalfi Coast, Italy... but thats just not going to happen unless a vaccine falls out of the sky shortly. If you book with us for any of the above please ask us for our COOL & TROPICAL ideas we have loads of daily itineraries ready to roll for our guests! Infact, we loooove sharing our Fave Things To Do List if we have our guests email. So..... if you have a special something coming up, why not SPOIL yourself with a GREAT ESCAPE?! Or.... treat ourselves just for surviving this Pandemic... life is short do we really need a reason to Holiday with people we love to be with ?! Love this pic by @indiahicksstyle .

11.01.2022 The Bahama House. Shes a beauty. So many lovely little stories to share about building this house five years ago. ... From me changing my mind once the timber framework was up about the House being Balinese in style to British Colonial / Plantation instead (#veryunderstandingbuilder !) To being the first to order woodgrain like tiles from Italy to Cairns for the house ( too scared to use timber with the humidity!). To finding a pic of an antique bed in a India Hicks coffee table book and wanting a copy bed made, but actually found THE bed in a dusty old shed on an Indonesian Island. Lastly the front door, made from an old disused bridge from the rainforest ... its one of a kind for sure. All of these stories woven together make up The Bahama House which has given so many gorgeous families holiday memories to last a lifetime. & When guests return it makes us do a happy dance. #TheBahamaHouse Book direct or via #airbnb or #stayzau . Love this pool side pic - the garden that surrounds the pool is now a mini jungle !

11.01.2022 Do you have a full on job that often is high pressure or has long hours? Well that was us, five years ago before our career sea change. So we Get how precious your annual family holiday is.... We want our guests to walk in the door, take a deep breath and go straight into holiday mode! We have many exhausted guests who arrive BUT leave feeling lighter and relaxed and its not hard to do exactly that when holidaying in Port Douglas! Such a safe, beach village like destination, not a high rise in sight, surrounded by the Reef & Rainforest.... oh and our dreamy holiday home that you get to chill out in each day! Where Holidays & Dreams become one. TIP: We offer full refunds if you cannot travel due to Border closures - one less thing to worry about!! Pic of #ParadiseAtNiramaya , 3 bedroom Balinese style villa

10.01.2022 PRESS PLAY. Come & fly over PD with me.... With the super talented @eleishamealing23 & her drone.... Pure Bliss for 47 seconds.... You may even spy #IslandPointRdVilla4 on the Point.

10.01.2022 Lovely surprise to see the Article that I wrote last summer on Facebook today. . Three Generation Vacations are very popular for our big houses - & I think its a pretty special thing to do. So while we are all holidaying in Australia... perhaps you could think about a 3 Gen Vacay?... Perhaps read the article & it may guide you in the right direction about planning & choosing a holiday home with lots of space & privacy - your own mini resort ! @PortDouglasMagazine

09.01.2022 How I feel about the WORLD RIGHT NOW.... Ok, so 2020 has not been all Sunshine & Roses. Infact many countries are suffering greatly, we got off lightly. Lets feel #grateful that we can holiday in our big wide beautiful country. Where we have free healthcare and government assistance for those in need, something many take for granted if Australia is all they know.... So be kind to the guy who is making your coffee, the lady who has presented your holiday home for your arrival, the waiter who takes your details, lets just SLOW down and not take for granted our current freedoms. As Victoria has showed us, our freedoms can be taken from us in any given day. For those of you who are holidaying in Port Douglas, ENJOY that holiday feeling and we hope you find JOY each and every day in this beautiful part of Australia. Lets focus on the simple things, they often give us the most joy & lets be kind to all we cross paths with today ( with 1.5 mtr Distancing of course!). Rant over ! I just love this photo by @ariannalassig With the Sugar Wharf in the background it makes me feel so #thankful to live in Australia.

09.01.2022 Whats in a name? Sanctuary Villas Port Douglas. Choosing a name 5 years ago for our group of now 6 abodes was really tricky!... I had a list of names I wanted but one by one we found they were taken so we had to get creative. SANCTUARY - the actual word meant a lot to me....& I hope it resonates with you too! A holiday home to me really should feel like an escape , a peaceful, tranquil place or sanctuary where you feel embraced & miles away from the rush and pressures of real life. Hence we settled on the name! We want your holiday villa or home to be Your Sanctuary . We all need & deserve time out from our busy lives...& your holiday home should be just that, a Sanctuary. We really want our guests to walk in the front door and feel a lightness overtake them. That holiday feeling of freedom, excitement, newness (is that a word?) and discovery in your own tropical Sanctuary can change our mindset. We cannot truely enjoy the holiday experience if we are not feeling relaxed and refreshed. Agree? Winding Down: For some it takes hours others it takes days - to fully surrender to the holiday. We need to let go of the small stuff & work worries ... and actually just holiday with a grateful feeling. Easier said then done for some ... but Im sooooo much better at holidaying now than I was even 5 years ago! It is possible ! When the Holiday Ends: Taking home beautiful memories to last a lifetime. Chatting with family & friends about all the wonderful things you did & saw - it makes the holiday feeling live on even weeks or months later. Which would be your Sanctuary???? Id love to know ... #IslandPointRdVilla4 #ParadiseAtNiramaya #SanctuaryAtThorntons #ThorntonPalms #BeachPavilions #TheBahamaHouse Another stunning pic by @discovering_port_douglas

08.01.2022 Could there be a better way to spend your Sunday???? Not in my book ! See the video on Windswell Insta page!

07.01.2022 Popping a cork in the beautiful kitchen is a highlight of my day. mummys special time ! Choosing to sit in the lounge & catch up on the News or my Socials or just head outside by the pool & see if there is an evening breeze. The kids are chilled, reading, playing cards or trying to crack coconuts & all is perfect for the moment. This is little ole me at #BeachPavilions in the Champagne Corner... aptly named !

07.01.2022 We would LOVE you to SHARE THIS POST to your friends who live in: QLD, South Australia & NT - as we have vacancies for the upcoming September School Holidays. Normally these dates would be booked way in advance, so let this virus actually work in your favour for once!... Let us know if you would like to ESCAPE to our Tropical Paradise... we are more than happy to help you.... See our website for our Six Homes all stunning and all suiting different budgets. LETS MAKE some wonderful memories in 2020. @Sanctuaryvillasportdouglas

06.01.2022 My Love Letter to Port Douglas . Dear Port Douglas, I miss you. I was meant to be with you in late March & again late June, but this damn virus buggered up all our plans - and now countless others / Victorians, beautiful holiday plans.... I miss waking up to the tropical sounds and gentle sway of the palms hitting each other. I miss having breaky in my nightie and thongs outside. I miss my morning walk along the beach resisting the temptation to pick up every shell and fallen coconut I see, as I love everyone of them and all they represent about nature. I miss feeling so hot that I throw off my clothes in wild abandonment and jump in the azure water of the pool. ( & sometimes I even get my hair wet - trust me with my thick wild locks, that is HUGE ). I miss planning the end of day drinks ( Prosecco most likely ) by the pool discussing our adventures of the day while the kids play cards. I miss strolling Macrossan St wondering where we shall eat tonight, no bad decision will be made, the restaurant will either serve great food or omg that was amazing food. Lastly I miss the walk home, or to the courtesy bus stop, where we shall laugh and giggle like a bunch of naughty boarding school kids who jumped the fence for the night. It is the joy, the abandonment, the escape I miss, Port Douglas took my heart many years ago and still spoils me each and every time. Our children now share this love of our tropical paradise and for me thats the cherry ( or coconut ) on top. And to think this destination is our home country - how lucky are we. See you soon PD, Lots of Love Sharon & My fellow Victorians xo Love this pic by @katelouiseroberts1

06.01.2022 HOW DO YOU BOOK with us? . Its Easy Peasy! You choose what is easiest or most comfortable for you:... Book direct with us. See web link in bio. Book via HomeAway / Stayz. Book via Airbnb. Book via TripAdvisor. Of course you can enquire via the above avenues also before booking! If you know the name of the Villa or House you can goggle it and all the booking options should come up.. At any time feel free to PM us also. Covid19 Border Closures: We offer you a full refund , Online booking agents so far have done the same as we request it on our guests behalf. TROPICAL VACAY SORTED This summery pic was taken poolside at #TheBahamaHouse by @saltycove_living

06.01.2022 ITS THE SIMPLE THINGS. Sea Shells always remind me of when I was a kid, how good were Beach holidays?! Running under the sprinkler, drinking from the hose and sweltering at night .... When I was little we would go to Grannys beach shack at Ocean Grove, where my love for collecting sea shells began. This love has never left me! My point is ( sorry it took a while! ) KIDS love BEACH Holidays now in my late ( very late!) 40s these holidays still evoke such HAPPY MEMORIES ! So why not plan a PD beach holiday for you and the kids / grand kids? The best bit is the kids get to take home great memories that will last a life time .... Oh & Port Douglas is in the Top 10 Destinations to visit in Australia - so thats a pretty good reason also . Its always the simple things that evoke such joy for me... I adore this pic by @ashleighbridget .

05.01.2022 7 Reasons To book a Holiday Home for your next Family Vacay! 1. SPACE.... oh glorious space! Its a house or villa .... not a room.... All the mod cons like :Bedrooms with doors, a fridge that fits more than 4 things ;) & no tripping over suitcases! 2. Covid Safe: Holiday Homes are winners for Socially Distancing with the lack of risk from copious hotel staff, lobby & communal areas. Every light switch, door handle ect sanitised before arrival, so sit back & relax..... & no need to worry if Junior really did lick the lift button or not! 3. Save loads on meals: A full kitchen means kids tummies will be happy and full. The vino chilled for drinks by the pool - No outrageous bar bill at the end of your stay!! Breaky, lunch, bbq dinners are all so easy and doable when you feel like it. If you have teens you will may save hundreds! More $$ for tours- Yey! 4. YOUR Pool: No getting up at 6am to dibs the sun loungers ;). Pool toys & towels that dont disappear. When the little one NEEDS a loo now you dont have to pack up everything & ...risk losing your sunlounger.... to find the closest toilet cubicle. No outrageous pool menu prices, the kids can have a wrap or sandwich in the kitchen. Easyyyyyy. 5. Nostalgic Fun: Make LIFE TIME memories over long card games or perhaps Snap , jigsaws, board games, DVDs & books all supplied. Kids bring home shells & coconuts from beach walks. Enjoy the garden with baby geckos, green tree frogs, Ulysses butterflies...kids will love their backyard zoo playground! At night, the starry lit sky will calm any child ....& a night swim with Mum / Dad - can life get better than that as a kid ?! 6. Parents get to chill; Those with babies are no longer held hostage to their hotel room for day sleeps and bedtime, no juggling bottle time on a tiny bench. Baby sleeps & you swim in peace or relax outside .... Teens come and go without losing room keys hoot around on the town shuttle or even hire bikes - they will love the freedom our beach town. 7. Good to know: Insect screens in bedrooms are fantastic (stop mozzies) open the Lourve windows, capture the breeze, a beautiful way to sleep.

04.01.2022 Anyone flying or driving into QUEENSLAND - this is what you need to know & do. .

04.01.2022 5 TIPS for Babes & Toddlers On holiday in Port Douglas & How a Holiday Home can change your holiday experience for the better!... Holiday Home practicalities: Full kitchen and laundry / BedroomS / check in and out flexibility. Heat your bottles in the wee hours of the night in a full kitchen as opposed to a hotel room! Loads of room for other family to come & stay too (read Babysitting!!). Nap Time: no longer held hostage to a hotel room! You can lounge by your pool, watch a movie with the sound on or make a cocktail . Or an in-house masseuse can arrive if you prefer. Our places: offer complimentary portacots, high chair, bottle warmer, stair gates, audio monitor, plastic plates n cups, toy basket and pool toys! Yey!!! Save loads on hire fees! DONT Touch! No need to stress about our little darlings touching Everything they see in the public lobby... lift buttons, tables, cups, anything really! With Covid 19 around us its one less thing to worry about in our Covid clean safe homes. If the dummy falls on the floor a quick rinse & you are good to go! Breathe.... Beach days year round: sandcastles here we come!/ sea shell walks / hidden shady parks - we can tell you the best ones! They will sleep like a log after beach play. BONUS Tip - To Do List for little ones: @ladydouglasrivercruise / @wildlifehabitat / @ballyhooley and @stcrispinspd / Sunday Market / @shakesgelatibarpd / shopping and ice cream / @withsugarportdouglas / Dreamtime storytime at @starwincollective / daily beach play ( they will sleep Like a log at bedtime!!) & many restaurants have 5pm sittings for the little tackers & happy hour for the grown ups! Top Tip: parents need a holiday too, checkout @busybeesbabysitters for a nanny or babysitting . Love this pic by @the.quinn.girls

03.01.2022 Proud to be Aussie... & Actually quite an interesting article....

02.01.2022 TROPICAL PARADISE Swaying palms, crystal waters and chilled beach vibes. Am I talking about Port Douglas or the Caribbean or Hawaii or the Maldives?... It could be any of them ! But alas Im talking about Port Douglas! We have so many similarities to our well heeled global island neighbours. Summer year round temps, a cruisey paced life centred around the beauty of the Reef & rainforest. So TAG a friend who was planning a tropical vacay to: Caribbean / Maldives / Hawaii / Bali ect & let them know Australia has her very own hidden paradise in Far North Queensland... You can stay at #TheBahamaHouse celebrate at @barbadosportdouglas shop in our Bali inspired stores or go troppo at @tommybahamahome and have confidence in great safe tours on land & sea. No long flights and passport cues .... just book & go .... (once your State Border is allowed ) & let Port Douglas spoil you rotten. This pic is taken at #TheBahamaHouse a super short walk to the sand of the palm fringed beach ...

02.01.2022 Yep.... If you are a #Queenslander #SouthAustralian #Tasmanian #WestAustralian or #Territorian we would LOVE to see you!! Due to cancellations we have many August & September availability now.... Just shout or DM us if you would like a quote! PS we offer full refunds if you cannot travel@due to Border Closures . Love this vintage pic from the 1930-1950s.

01.01.2022 I ummed & arhhed about writing this post tonight. As its all about Reality and the less glossy side of owning a holiday home. Today we had some beautiful guests who arrived at The Bahama House, & only hours later had to leave.... Not because of anything to do with The Bahama House ( they looooved it! ) but due to something occurring that was out of our control in a nearby street area. Sooo how did we handle this? It was a very substantial booking and with many Covid travel cancellations we were excited to have these lovely guests at long last. We could have been played hard ball but thats not our style. So a full refund was organised. I feel good about this outcome, as they have another lovely place to go to and a happy guest ( even though they are no longer our guest!) really is our priority. Our previous health care business was all about showing care & compassion with our customers- it has always held us in good steed and as a holiday home owner it is every bit as important. Most of our guests work very hard, and their annual vacay, this year more than before, is so well deserved and important to them - we acknowledge this, as this used to be us not so long ago! Whether you book direct or online we shall always be fair minded and do the right thing by our guests. My Dad always said Dont be greedy, leave something for the next bloke. And this underpins my / our work philosophy. In this uncertain time we hope this gives all our future guests peace of mind. Sharon & Grant Pic #TheBahamaHouse

01.01.2022 When I saw this photo by @rileys_travels I thought of 2 things: 1.Indiana Jones movies set in the jungle (oh my teen years!) & 2. Summer in the Tropics means Waterfall Season - the best time of the year to see them in their glory.... Oh & No.3 this photo was too good NOT to share - thank you @rileys_travels & Milla Milla Falls!!

01.01.2022 OH MY what a different world! This post came up from my FB Memories.... where I explain where our guests came from for that particular week. USA, UK, Belgium, Shetland Islands ect.... this used to be our normal.... ... but now it’s impossible to predict when we shall welcome international guests again. Let’s hope the new vaccine/s let us all go back to international travel and normalcy again. See more