New Product Meets Tourism Growth

PORT DOUGLAS, Australia - May 23, 2016 - PRLog -- Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Tara Bennett said operators were meeting this growth with exciting new product, as well as investment in new and existing infrastructure.

"We have seen tens of millions of dollars being poured into tourism product across the region from hotels to country clubs to tours and restaurants," she said.

Leading the way is the revival of Port Douglas' The Reef Marina and waterfront precinct that acts as the main terminus for the Great Barrier Reef.

More than $5 million has been spent so far on the upgrade and expansion program since 2014, which has seen the refurbishment of the marina complex and amenities, the attraction of new food and beverage offerings and the development of a superyacht hub.

The Reef Marina co-owner Andrew Hooper-Nguyen said while work in the main complex was nearing completion, there was more to come with management looking to attract further F&B experiences to the marina.

"We have a world class cocktail bar in the form of Barbados, where visitors can enjoy a drink, while taking in the views of the Coral Sea towards the Daintree Rainforest.

"We had the opening of The Boat House in April and we have the imminent opening of Hemmingway's Brewery next month," he said.

The much-anticipated two-level venue incorporates a microbrewery, bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating on spacious decks for at least 500 people.

Hemingway's Brewery will serve a selection of craft beers that have been developed and brewed in-house to reflect particular aspects of the region's past, ranging from the pioneering prospectors of the gold rush to the resilience shown in the wake of the devastating 1911 cyclone.

Hemingway's Brewery owners, Tony Fyfe and Craig Parsell said their vision for Hemingway's Brewery was to offer a waterfront destination that would stand apart in its authenticity and become part of the Port Douglas story.

"As locals ourselves, Craig and I know there is much more to this part of the world than its picture-perfect appeal and we wanted to be able to share some of those tall tales of the past with a new generation of punters," Mr Fyfe said.

Work is also nearing completion on the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Country Club's $40 million renovation, with the grand opening slated for July.

Sprawling across 147 hectares, the resort will offer 294 new-look guest chambers, including swim out rooms and suites, an 18-hole golf course and two hectares of swimming lagoons, two restaurants, ballroom and conference facilities.

Daintree Eco Lodge has also completed a top to toe renovation with 12 bungalows completely rebuilt.

"Hartley's Crocodile Adventures has an array of wildlife with new enclosures including the introduction of wombats, while Hibiscus Resort and Spa is undergoing a refurbishment ahead of its rebrand later this year," Ms Bennett added.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Tara Bennett

Executive Officer

Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree

Phone:  07 4099 4588

Email:  eo@visitportdouglas.com (mailto:eo@tpdd.com.au)

Web:  www.tpdd.com.au

Issued by Tanya Snelling, Strategic PR

P 0417 202 663 E tanya@strategicpr.com.au