Party time for Port Douglas

In the party throwing stakes, Queenslanders are on top. It's all about location, location, location and celebrating the gifts of paradise - sun, sand, surf, and palm trees. But who said the schoolies on the Gold Coast should get all the fun?

This May, Port Douglas is having a party and everyone's invited.

The locals call it Carnivale and it's celebrating its 18th year with 10 days packed with gourmet food, wine, music, arts, sports and entertainment.

From May 19 to 29, the seaside resort village of 3000 will more than triple its population.

Carnivale is perfect timing for a pre-winter getaway, if you live in the southern states. Taste, watch, dance, play and share the excitement with mates, gal pals, family or that special someone.

An hour's drive north of Cairns along a beautiful coastal road - your heart will melt when you see the blues, greens and aquamarines of the Coral Sea on one side and the rainforest on the other.

Famous for being a celebrity playground, Port Douglas simply charms you in an instant. It must be something in the air, or perhaps it's in the cuisine - everywhere you go there's food porn on your plate. The chefs up here are absolute geniuses; you'll just want to marry them all. But they have a helping hand - the stunning range of tropical fruit and fresh seafood on offer.

The brave will even be tempted to try the delightful local favourite - a crocodile pie at Mocka's off the town's main strip.

Of course all that eating requires an exercise offset - perhaps a dip in the surf, a leisurely bike ride along the stunning Four Mile Beach or a Daintree rainforest hike.

Pay the dugongs and sea turtles a visit at the Great Barrier Reef with a choose your own adventure - scuba diving or snorkelling - or an island hopping boat charter aboard the grand Enterprise.

Sunset cocktails on Macrossan Street will cap off a fun filled day or get you into party mode for a night out on the town.

If you need further arm twisting, remember it's your patriotic duty to holiday in Queensland this year and support a tourism industry picking up the pieces after floods and cyclones.

Port Douglas completely escaped the wrath of Cyclone Yasi, which hit hard further south between Cairns and Townsville.

Yet tourism operators here are facing lean times, with the disaster coverage sparking trip cancellations.

Their livelihoods depend on Carnivale and you, so book your trip and let the party begin.