After entering the 130ha of lush gardens at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort we knew immediately that we weren't going to venture outside the luxury resort for any reason whatsoever.

With everything you could want at your fingertips, and more, there was no way we were going to be enticed elsewhere.

While visiting the quaint township of Port Douglas and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef was high on our agenda, it had to wait.

We weren’t prepared to leave the five-star resort once we stepped inside.

After checking into our large luxurious room overlooking the expansive lagoons, we explored the 2ha of saltwater lagoons at the resort before chilling out at the Ocean Breeze Bar beside the pool with a cocktail.

We could have easily stayed there and ordered another, but there was way too much to see and do.

The options were plenty – playing 18 holes of golf for tennis, enjoying a spa treatment, relaxing in the sauna, working out in the gym or swimming in the lagoons.

Instead, we took a leisurely stroll on picturesque Four Mile Beach before treating ourselves to high tea in Lagoons Restaurant where we enjoyed nibbling on sandwiches, fresh scones and a selection of to-die-for desserts.

Everything about the resort was picture perfect, including an exceptional dinner at Zai Restaurant.

Set in traditional Japanese gardens, the restaurant lived up to its reputation of being one of the best Japanese restaurants in Tropical North Queensland.

The food was outstanding and the service superb.

We kick-started the next day with a mouth-watering full buffet breakfast in Lagoons.Like everything at the resort, the breakfast was exceptional.

We reluctantly left the luxurious resort, but only after promising ourselves we’d return – and next time for a much longer stay.

• Port Douglas attractions
• Port Douglas accommodation
• Port Douglas dining
• Great Barrier Reef near Cairns
  

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