{"id":4301,"date":"2017-11-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=4301"},"modified":"2020-05-01T14:01:02","modified_gmt":"2020-05-01T04:01:02","slug":"free-port-douglas-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/tropical-north-qld\/tips\/free-port-douglas-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Port Douglas: Ultimate guide to free (and cheap) fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a recent trip to Tropical North Queensland (and in between exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest), I set out to find the best FREE (or next-to-free) things to do in\u00a0Port Douglas<\/a>,\u00a0Palm Cove<\/a>,\u00a0Cairns<\/a> and beyond. Here are my tips.<\/p>\n

IN THE TROPICS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens<\/strong>. Entry is free and it\u2019s the best place to see a huge variety of tropical plant life and some of the rarest plants in the world, like the famed Amorphophallus titanum or \u201ccorpse\u201d flower. With self-guided walks, gardening advice, a rainforest boardwalk, beautiful bird life, and a special garden showing the traditional Aboriginal uses for many native plants, you will leave well-informed.<\/p>\n

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ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Need something to do? Look no further than the Cairns Esplanade<\/strong>. Not only has the Esplanade got plenty of places to eat, you can swim in the lagoon all year round (no stingers!). Every week, there are free fitness classes, from Pilates to aqua aerobics, volley ball training to Zumba. For the families, there are multiple playgrounds to entertain the kids, including a splash zone. Make sure you check the Cairns Council calendar of events<\/a>\u00a0before you leave home, as there is plenty of entertainment throughout the year.<\/p>\n

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MARKETS GALORE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What better way to experience the region than visiting a local market? Check out:<\/p>\n