Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00, Fridays
Post Offices: 08:15 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Port Douglas and the surrounding region is home to a few formidable wildlife species. Horror stories about venomous snakes and dangerous predators are usually grossly exaggerated, but it pays to be on your guard. An extra dose of caution keeps visitors well out of harm's way.

Saltwater crocodiles are particularly ferocious, and they don't necessarily prefer saltwater over freshwater. Attacks on humans are extremely uncommon, but their presence in the surrounding area means swimming is best saved for the hotel swimming pool. Don't stand too near river banks or linger near watering holes. Above all, heed posted warning signs; trust warnings from locals; and err on the side of caution.

Even if a stretch of coastline is known to be free of crocodiles, swimming may be further hindered by box jellyfish, or ‘stingers’, as they're locally known. These migrant creatures arrive in November and linger as late as April. Stings range from extremely painful to potentially fatal and visitors are warned against swimming anywhere in the ocean except where signs explicitly state that a stretch of sand is buffered from jellyfish by a safety net. Four Mile Beach is safe during the jellyfish off-season, and a marked portion of the beach is netted during the summer months when the threat of jellyfish is high.

As far as pick-pocketing and other malicious crimes are concerned, Port Douglas is considerably safer than its sister-city, Cairns. Just to be safe, avoid flashing large amounts of cash or jewellery and keep close contact with your belongings when travelling in crowded areas.

Electricity: 240 volts, 50 hertz

Visitors are advised that Port Douglas is not a large town, and that is has a very small permanent population. As such, medical facilities may seem a bit slim. There are a number of private clinics and practitioners that can tend minor problems. If you are in need of serious medical attention, you will likely be transferred to Cairns where the medical infrastructure is much more advanced.

Cairns has world-class healthcare facilities including a 24-hour medical centre that participates in reciprocal healthcare agreements with nations that offer free healthcare to citizens. Private hospitals do not offer such arrangements and as such they are more practical for visitors with travel insurance policies.

Port Douglas’ sanitation standards are excellent. Tap water is safe to consume, as is fresh produce. Visitors are usually not required to present proof of immunisation except when arriving from areas known to harbour yellow fever.

If a health concern arises in Port Douglas, it will most likely happen in conjunction with the beach. If you are stung by a box jellyfish, carefully remove the tentacles with tweezers or a similar implement and then cleanse the affected area with vinegar. Regardless of the severity, seek immediate medical attention. Sunscreen is an important line of defence for beachgoers, as Australia has one of the world's highest instances of skin cancer.

The official language of Australia is English, and this is the only language tourists need regardless of where they’re travelling in Australia. Most of the larger cities have pockets of ethnic minorities that speak English as a second language. The Aboriginal groups have maintained their native languages, especially in the continent’s interior region.

Australia’s official currency is the Australian dollar (AU$). Banknotes are issued in increments of AU$5, 20, 50 and 100, and 1, 2 and 5 coins are also in circulation. The dollar breaks down into 100 cents, though demarcations below 5 cents are no longer used. If an item at the store is marked to an odd cent increment, the price will be rounded up at the checkout.

Banks and ATMs are well-located throughout Port Douglas. Currency exchange is possible in Port Douglas, though many tourists opt to do their banking in Cairns, where competition favours visitors over the establishment. Exchange facilities in Cairns include an American Express office, multiple banks and bureaux de changes on the waterfront Esplanade.

With so many tourists visiting this region, the majority of establishments are outfitted to accommodate international interests. Most local restaurants and hotels accept traveller’s cheques, and cash only becomes important when travelling in very remote regions away from Port Douglas. Credit cards are also widely accepted, particularly MasterCard and Visa.

When travelling through customs, visitors are subjected to a standard list of restrictions. Firearms, fireworks, and illegal drugs (including steroids) may not be carried into or out of the country. There are also restrictions on natural artefacts such as items made from coral. Specific concerns are best addressed to the Australian embassy before travelling.

Tourists are required to fill out a customs declaration form before proceeding through customs. Duty-free allowances (per person) are as follows: 1 litre of alcohol, 250 grams of tobacco (or 200 cigarettes) and AU$900 (AU$450 for tourists under 18 years old).

Australia's colloquial style of English is well-known around the world, and visitors to Port Douglas are sure to hear a ‘g'day, mate’ or two. Bear in mind that Australians tire of tourists trying to emulate (and often exaggerate) the local accent. To keep things running smoothly, avoid impersonations and return greetings in your own fashion.

Australian's also suffer from the stereotype that their country was born out of a penal colony. While it is true that the first wave of settlers were penal colonists, the vast majority of modern Australians draw their heritage from a much broader demographic. With this in mind, locals don't usually see the humour in jokes that frame them as convicts and thugs.

Australia is full of fun-loving, relaxed people who value equality over formality Interactions in the marketplace are hands-on; lone passengers travel up front with the taxi driver and customers place cash in the hands of the cashier rather than on the check-out surface. All of this stems from a desire to treat everyone as equal.

Further, this trend toward social equality has led to the erosion of some formalities. In an attempt to level the social playing field, rank, status and other forms of hierarchy are often forsaken in everyday life. Handshakes are typically sufficient for first-time encounters.

Diners in Australia subscribe to continental style. The knife is held in the right hand while the fork is held in the left. When dining out or in a formal setting, diners indicate to their host or server that they’ve finished with their plate by placing their cutlery across the plate with the handles facing to the right.

Tipping is an uncommon practice in Australia, although employees in some international tourist areas are accustomed to receiving a small gratuity. Upscale establishments often include a surcharge with the price of the meal to compensate the staff.

When a group of colleagues or friends dine together, the bill is typically split among all of the diners, as Australian egalitarianism favours equal sharing. If one person pays for the entire bill, they may come across as arrogant or superior. However, it is common for one person to buy a round of drinks for a group of friends at the pub. Of course, the other friends will be expected to return this favour before the end of the night.

If you’d like to experience Australian dining at its finest, look no further than the public barbecue (or the ‘barbie’, as it’s locally known). Friends and family members gather for evening or weekend cook-outs, and everyone brings their own meat and drinks. Port Douglas has several public barbies onsite, which are excellent places to mix with locals and enjoy an Australian tradition.

As visa stipulations are subject to constant change, tourists are advised to check-in with the nearest Australian embassy for up-to-date information.

Citizens from most Western nations along with those from Japan, Singapore and Malaysia qualify for a visa through the Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA. This digital visa can be applied for independently online, or through a travel agency. An ETA visa forgoes an actual stamp in the tourist’s passport as all information is accessed through the ETA database. New Zealanders do not need a visa to enter Australia.

An ETA tourist visa allows multiple entries for a combined maximum stay of three months. Customs officers may ask to see proof of return travel to guard against overstay, and tourists may also be asked to demonstrate sufficient funds. Typically, AU$1,000 per month of stay is acceptable. Usually, less is required of tourists visiting family in Australia.

There are a number of travel services in Port Douglas offering extensive information to tourists. The Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre is the most prominent, located at 23 Macrossan Street. This facility is helpful both with information and bookings. Phone: +61 7 4099 5599.