It’s business as usual for most of Douglas during the wet season, but Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises and QT Port Douglas’ Bazaar restaurant are taking a brief hiatus.

“This is rather short notice but as we did last year we are closing for the month of February,” said Solar Whisper’s David and Tyna White via email.

“The boat needs its yearly makeover and we will be back in March ready for a busy year.”

Similarly, the chefs at QT Port Douglas’ signature restaurant are hanging up their hats and closing the doors to Bazaar Interactive Marketplace from February 2, but not for long.

Over the next seven weeks, restaurant staff will tend Bazaars’s budding on-site garden, plus source the fresh local seafood and develop new dishes ahead of the restaurant’s reopening on March 27. The reinvigorated menu will feature the best trawler-to-table and paddock-to-plate produce that Far North Queensland has to offer.

Bazaar has been running at full steam since opening 18 months ago, serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner to thousands of guests and Port Douglas locals alike.

The restaurant will remain open for breakfast only through the ‘fishing’ period, while relaxed evening dining will be offered via an extended a la carte menu in the resort’s lounge bar, Estilo.