Port Douglas Carnivale - A Taste of Paradise May 2012

Port Douglas Carnivale started back in 1994 when a few of the Port Douglas locals needed an excuse for a weekend long party and came up with a fiesta around a yacht race on the Great Barrier Reef. Today, it's an annually held popular festival conducted over 10 fun filled days in May when the balmy tropical weather of Cairns is a welcome relief for visitors from down south to retreat from the chill of winter and to and join in on the Carnivale celebrations in and around the tropical seaside village of Port Douglas. There's music, arts, sports, food, culture and all styles of Carnivale entertainment - every reason you need to head to Port Douglas Queensland Australia for a 'taste of paradise'.

Taste, Watch, Dance, Play Port Douglas Carnivale Program of Events

Held over two weekends, the events program caters to both locals and visitors. Every Carnivale and festival should begin with a grand parade, and the Macrossan Street Carnivale Parade is a delightful showcase of the local community building around 50 floats and attracting 10,000 spectators. The 2011 year's Carnivale parade theme is 'Wonderland' and the event is followed by the festival's Opening Gala party at the Sugar Wharf on the waterfront in Port Douglas.

The first weekend of the Port Douglas Carnivale features the extremely well attended Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch - an excellent excuse for a very very long lunch - the food and wine festival *(we like to call it the wine and wine festival) Food, Wine and A Taste of Port, which is held each year outdoors under the coconut trees at Rex Smeal Park and the Seafood Extravaganza, a traditional highlight and just another excuse for a few more drinks and degustation of Port Douglas restaurant offerings.

Families can have fun and watch the Exemplar Clipper Cup from Four Mile Beach or the Bulls Masters T20 cricketers, check out the creatures at the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat during Wildlife Wonderland Day, or see arts and crafts at the Airing of the Quilts and the famous Port Douglas Sunday Markets. On Sunday evening, there's the popular Stories and Songs beachside around the Campfire in the grounds of the Port Douglas Life Saving Club.

The following week, sports lovers can engage in the Port Douglas Golf Challenge, while fashionistas will enjoy the retailers showcase and wine-tasting (again just another excuse for a drink) at the Port Douglas Sugar Wharf. For entertainment, Neil Murray and the Theatre Sports Competition play live at the Clink Theatre and the finale of the Port Douglas Songwriters competition is a highly anticipated event. Pick a winner at the Daintree Station Bullride Spectacular or in the final race of the Exemplar Clipper Cup! Don't miss the wonderful, family friendly Four Mile Beach Day held on the second Saturday - super entertainment, beach cricket, sand-building competitions and more.

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The second weekend of the Carnivale program sees the return of more eating and drinking with the popular gourmet events. Fine dining al fresco style and an 8 course degustation menu are a feature of Palates of Port, while the local chefs vie for the title of Port's best during the Carnivale Food Fight and prepare succulent fare for the Food Fair - a new event in 2011. This year, diners will vote for their favourite eatery during Carnivale in the new Which Restaurant Rocks? competition.

If you're adventurous by nature and a big sports fan, Carnivale's program of sports will satisfy both players and spectators. As well as the competition events, there's kitesurfing and outriggers to watch. During the last day of Carnivale, USM Events will present the Port Douglas Coral Coast Triathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge and the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge.

Throughout the festival, the Carnivale Club at Sugar Wharf will provide a venue to chill, mingle, and be entertained. In 2011, a new Carnivale ambassador, The Face of Carnivale, will be announced at the event's program launch on 2 April 2011 together with the winning Song of Carnivale chosen to represent this year's festival.

Port Douglas Carnivale showcases the beauty of the region, using heritage-listed venues like the Sugar Wharf contrasted with the waterfront parks, spectacular Four Mile Beach, and the waterfront marina. It attracts over 20,000 visitors, with the vibrant mix of tourists and visitors really making the region shine at its very best.

Make sure you attend this years Port Douglas Carnivale and ensure you have pre-booked your Port Douglas holiday accommodation early to avoid disappointment. Contact the Cairns Holiday Specialists for your Port Douglas Carnivale accommodation on 07 4059 5959 or info@cairnsholidayspecialists.com.au and you will also receive Bonus Discounts on Tours, Bonus Discount Dining Vouchers and the Best Accommodation rates Guaranteed

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Port Douglas Carnivale 2010

Once a year there is a two week long party in Port Douglas to celebrate all things tropical with ten days of fun, food, and festivities during the Port Douglas Carnivale. This fine Port Douglas tradition has been running for 18 years now and has been gaining momentum and popularity each year due to the exciting events that showcase local Port Douglas culinary, artistic, and creative talents as well as the regions stunning natural beauty. So popular in fact are the Carnivale events that many visitors to Cairns and Port Douglas region ensure their holiday coincides with the thrilling Port Douglas Carnivale.

If you are planning on attending the next Port Douglas Carnivale we highly recommend that you research the best hotel, resort or apartment accommodaton to suit your family months in advance to ensure you can secure holiday accommodation in a position that make all of the festivities easily accessible. Port Douglas holiday accommodation that offers in room service and babysitting facilites for those nights when the adults needs some time out are usually located city central near the festivities of Macrossan Street in apartment style self contained accommodation making it handy for self catering.

Port Douglas Carnivale Events

The Port Douglas Carnivale continues to grow in popularity and last year the events such as the Macrossan Street Parade, Four Mile Beach Day, the Great Aussie Arvo, and the Taste of Port all saw thousands of revelers pour into the streets of Port Douglas for the celebrations.

Macrossan Street Carnivale Parade

Last year the Macrossan Street Carnivale Parade brought 10,000 people out onto the streets of Port Douglas to watch the line of floats, sports teams, and musicians as they parade through the town center in high spirits. This street parade event is the highlight of the Port Douglas Carnivale with fireworks lighting up the night sky marking the conclusion of the parade.

Four Mile Beach Day

Remember to slip on a hat, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat for this fun filled day in the sun. Four Mile Beach Day hosts plenty of free activities for children including a sand castle building competition, beach cricket, a circus play space featuring juggling lessons, and lots more. For the adults, check out the outrigger competition where non professional outriggers take to the water for some fierce competition.

Port Douglas Carnivale Great Aussie Arvo

This truly is an afternoon jam packed with all things Australian. Plenty of live bands and musicical acts, both local and imported, take to the stage in Jalunbu Park while chef's fire up the BBQ to make as feast fit for a King.

The Taste of Port

Tantalise your taste buds and savor some the fresh local fare the region has to offer. Last year The Taste of Port was the best attended to date with hundreds of guests enjoying the gourmet meals on offer.

Miss Carnivale – Port Douglas

The Miss Carnivale competition is fierce with beauties vying to win the title as well as to become the ambassador of the annual Port Douglas Carnivale event. Local girls aged between 17-30 are eligible to enter and after vigorous interviews and judging winners are announced at a special Carnivale function. In 2009 there were two title holders, Miss Carnivale and Miss Charity. Miss Charity was named as such for raising the most funds during the pageant. Both title holders lead the Port Douglas Carnivale Street Parade which drew over 10,000 spectators.

If you are planning on visiting Port Douglas keep in mind that next year's Carnivale will held May 19-29 2011 and is set to be bigger and better than ever. So book your Port Douglas Accommodation early to secure a good vantage point to attend the Port Douglas Carnivale. Cairns Holiday Specialists phone 07 4059 5959 or info@cairnsholidayspecialists.com.au