Travel across the Daintree Ferry will be free from Saturday 16 May when the Douglas Shire Council lifts visitor travel restrictions.

Council has said it will waive the usual ferry fees until 30 June as well as extend multi-day passes that were due to expire on 30 June until 31 December this year.

Commercial tour operators are included in the free travel offer in an effort to support local tourism.

The new measures follow the release of the Queensland Government’s ‘Roadmap to Easing QLD’s Restrictions’, which allows up to 150km travel for day trips.

With such day trips allowed the Douglas Shire Mayor, Michael Kerr, has called on the Shire’s neighbours to ‘Do It In Douglas’ this weekend.

“There are plenty of people in Cairns and Mareeba looking for an excuse to get out of the house,” he said.

“Although it is quieter than we are used to, many shops in Port Douglas have re-opened, restaurants are selling great food and the coffee is strong as ever.

“The Great Barrier Reef Drive is a spectacular 140km-long drive stretching from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, dropping in on our main business districts Port Douglas and Mossman.”

The regional push coincides with the launch of Buy Douglas: Build Douglas, a community partnership that encourages people to spend money with local businesses in Douglas Shire.

The Bloomfield Track and CREB Track remain closed with roadblocks in place to stop travellers heading further north into the Biosecurity Zone.

Day-trippers are urged to still practice social distancing, good hygiene, and stay home if you are sick.

“In line with the latest health advice, we have also re-opened many of our playgrounds and picnic tables,” Mayor Kerr said.

“Go for a drive, visit the Daintree Rainforest, have a picnic, go fishing or bring your boat up and take it out into the water.”

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennett said a road trip to the Daintree Coast was a great way to practice social distancing in the great outdoors

‘The Daintree rainforest is the ultimate place to explore while practising social distancing,” she said.

“With a range of boardwalks to be enjoyed along the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Drive, it’s time to pack your troops and rediscover our World Heritage Listed rainforest.”