Attention eclipse enthusiasts - Port Douglas has accommodation ready and waiting for you! That's the message coming through loud and clear from Port Douglas accommodation providers who have reported vacancies over the eclipse period.

Despite popular opinion, occupancy rates have not hit 100 per cent in many of Port Douglas' hotels and resorts, particularly smaller boutique accommodation providers according to ARAMA president Sheryn Blundstone.

"Airline prices have gone really high over this period. The major corporate properties seem to be holding better than the smaller properties. That's because they can sell bulk rooms at a much cheaper rate than small properties are able to," Ms Blunstone said.

At the time of writing this report a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Cairns on the day prior to the eclipse was between $349 and $999.

Local members of ARAMA, the Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association, have reported their occupancy rates back to Ms Blundstone giving a clearer picture of how bookings are tracking.

"We've done a survey and 75 per cent of those members have vacancies available for the eclipse period. That will shock a number of people, definitely," Ms Blundstone said.

"I still believe it (the eclipse) is a windfall for the region and the destination, but I don't think it has come up to the 100 per cent occupancy that everybody had anticipated.

"Internationally, the people that were coming have found it a lot more expensive than they had anticipated, and hence there are a lot of international people, due to their economy, just can't justify the higher rates to come here."

If you're a Port Douglas accommodation provider with vacancies during the eclipse period post your last minute deals on tourismportdouglas.com.au for free.

There also appears to be some confusion over road closures during the eclipse period. Ms Blundstone said people were concerned about not being able to travel from Cairns to Port Douglas and back again.

But claims that the Captain Cook Highway would be affected by road closures have been categorically denied. According to Cairns Regional Council's eclipse information guide 'Look Up' the highway will remain open and free of road works on the night before, and day of the eclipse, and changed traffic conditions affect only the following locations.

• Kuranda Range (Henry Ross) Lookout and Rex Lookout - Closed
• Lake Morris Road - Closed – residential traffic only.
• Oak Beach - Open – to vehicular traffic however parking is limited. Once the limited parking capacity is reached the area will be closed. Viewing at Oak Beach is not recommended.
• Wangetti Beach - Open – a large parking area will be available opposite Wangetti College for a gold coin donation to the school. The beach is accessible from this parking area along a 400 metre road. The beach access road will be closed to vehicle traffic for the morning.
• Palm Cove Boat Ramp - Closed – from 4pm Tuesday 13 November until 12 midday on 14 November.
• Palm Cove Jetty - Open – until it reaches capacity.
• Yorkeys Knob - Ray and Janet streets - Closed – residential traffic only.
• Trinity Beach - Southern end Vasey Esplanade/Possum Street: Closed – residential traffic only.
• The Esplanade Four Mile Beach Closed (between Macrossan – Mowbray) – residential traffic only, one lane closed 8am to 4pm.
• Mowbray Street and Macrossan Street - Closed – residential traffic only, one lane closed 8am to 4pm.
• Island Point Road - Closed – residential traffic only.
• Murphy Street - Closed – residential traffic only.
• Flagstaff and Alexandra Range Lookout in the Daintree - Closed

Drivers can stay informed with up to date information about traffic conditions from Queensland Transport and Main Road’s Traffic and Travel Information services:

Web: 131940.qld.gov.au
Phone: 131940
Twitter feed: @131940_FNNQ