General News
8 April, 2022
$317m resort set to make big waves at Port Douglas
LOCALS and tourists alike will be able to catch a wave, sip on margaritas and have an afternoon nap by the pool all in one place after Douglas Shire Council approved a new $317m hotel and resort for the area at their recent council meeting.
The 164-room hotel and resort will feature its own freshwater swimming lagoon, aqua park, 90 self-contained villas, surf cabins and of course, a wave pool.
Development is being spearheaded by local businesses NorthBreak Developments and Hunt Design, it is expected to bring in nearly $120m worth of wages into the local economy in the construction period alone.
Once operational, Northbreak estimates the resort will create 740 full time jobs, attract 128,680 visitor nights and generate around $80m in direct expenditure each year.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the wave park would be a catalyst for a new era of tourism in Port Douglas and Daintree.
“This transformative project will significantly lift summer tourism by creating a world-class surfing experience and year-round swimming option down the road from Port Douglas,” he said.
“With no recognised surf breaks in the tropics, Council believes this once-in-a-generation development will attract a wave of new visitors and keep our beautiful pocket of the world at the forefront of travellers’ minds.
“The wave park fits in nicely with our sports tourism focus and is perfectly positioned in the Mowbray Valley to complement the Wangetti Trail development.”
