Newsport Daily

A short history of Port Douglas lagoons, or the lack thereof

“In Rex Smeal Park, the Stinger Pool was made by the community to swim in,” said former property developer Tony McGrath in the book Beneath Tropical Skies by local historian Pam Willis Burden.

ROAD WATCH: Flood warnings and community concerns

Flood warnings and road closures are in place for parts of the Douglas Shire region and beyond, as calls are made for Douglas Shire Council to provide better road warning advice.

New Cow Bay surgery being stitched together

The new $14.8m Cow Bay Primary Health Centre is a step closer to completion, with the roof now on.

Windswell ready to take Carnivale to the water with Family Beach Day action

As Port Douglas Carnivale approaches, Brett "Bretto" Wright and Vanessa Carey from Windswell are gearing up for one of the festival’s most anticipated events, The Tin Shed’s Family Beach Day on Saturday, May 24. 

Are we there yet? Maps error guides travellers way off course

Some travellers to Cape Tribulation may find themselves going in the wrong direction for hours after an error on a popular navigation app suggests taking a route that is both unsuitable in some places for 2WD vehicles, and is twice as long as the usual road.

Business of the day

THIS WEEK 5 YEARS AGO

Cape Trib’s mangosteen harvesting treat

In a quiet corner of Cape Tribulation, the harvest by hand of the world’s most delicious fruits is just getting started.

Dive Into 15+ years of Douglas Shire stories
in our Newsport Archive!

Upcoming Events

Positions Vacant

FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST | GUEST SERVICE OFFICER – HOLIDAY RENTALS

Location: Port Douglas Employment Type: Full-Time, 5 days a week (must be available weekends)

Holiday Rental Specialists Port Douglas Getaways is a boutique real estate agency that specialises in holiday rentals. With over 60 handpicked properties under management, we offer the premier choice of luxury holiday homes, villas and apartments. Family owned and operated, Port Douglas Getaways has exclusively serviced the beachside region for over 25 years.

Position Overview We are seeking a professional and customer-focused Front Office Receptionist – Guest Service Agent to join our team. This role is responsible for assisting with front office operations, handling guest inquiries and reservations, and ensuring a seamless guest experience. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, the ability to work both independently and within a team, a positive solution-focused attitude and a friendly personality.

Key Responsibilities: • Manage daily front office operations, including answering phone calls, responding to emails, guest enquiries and reservations. • Manage check-ins/check-outs, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. • Provide guest support and coordinate with housekeeping and maintenance. • Maintain records, reservations systems and financial transactions. • Assist with invoicing and reconciling financial records to ensure compliance. • Work collaboratively to support a positive and efficient team environment.

Skills & Experience: • Experience in front office, property management, or hotel reservations preferred. • Familiarity with Resly and booking platforms (Stayz, Airbnb, Booking.com) beneficial. • Strong administrative skills, proficiency in office software, and reservation systems. • Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills. • Ability to multitask, work independently, and adapt to changing priorities. • Professional, friendly, and well-presented. • Availability for weekends, public holidays, and immediate start.

Additional Information: • Must be an Australian permanent resident and reside in Port Douglas. • Five-day workweek, including weekends. • Competitive salary and opportunity to be part of a locally owned and operated business.

Ready to join us? Send your resume to [email protected]

FRONT DESK / SALES ADMINISTRATION

Raine & Horne are well respected, leading Real Estate agency within the Douglas Shire and we are in search of a new star to join our team as a front desk/sales administrator.

The is a dynamic role which consists of assisting the Sales Team with the preparation of the required paperwork for listing and selling property and administering the paperwork through our CRM system and Trust Account System.

You will be first point of contact for clients into the office and phone calls.

The role also requires sound knowledge and understanding of social media and digital marketing. Knowledge of CANVA would be an asset.

You will love this job if you are self disciplined with your time management and you have strong administration skills with knowledge of Microsoft office products

We are looking for a great communicator within a team and on the phone and a strong work ethic is essential with a genuine interest in Real Estate and Marketing.

Position is Monday - Friday - 9am - 5pm and occasional Saturday mornings to attend Auctions.

Position is located in our Port Douglas office

Email your CV to [email protected] by 5pm Friday 21 MARCH 2025

Community Notices

Join Us at Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre Community Garden!

Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:15 to 3.45, immerse yourself in the joy of gardening and community at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre. We're cultivating a garden of love and care for all to share.

Experience the satisfaction of growing, harvesting, and providing for ourselves and our community. Learn the art of nurturing from seed to plant, and discover the value of collaborative creation.

Join us to create a beautiful space where we learn from the Earth's wisdom, support each other, and foster a sense of togetherness. Let's sow the seeds of a brighter, more connected future together.

For more information, visit us at the Neighbourhood Centre or contact Tanya on 40995518 for more information.

Tanya Morris [email protected]

Tracy Gibson [email protected]

Property for Sale

Open Homes

Auctions