DONT MISS THE 2015 PORT DOUGLAS CARNIVALE! Promising to be bigger and better, celebrating the 21st Birthday!
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.
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 and the Best Accommodation rates Guaranteed
