Let's go there: Port Douglas gelato, relaxation and more seafood

Sunset seafood dinner at Tin Shed in Port Douglas

A great place for a true Aussie holiday is Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia. What's better than good food, good gelato and good relaxation?

First, let me start with gelato. There are a number of ice cream and gelato shops on Macrossan Street (the main street in town). However, my favourite gelato shop is Capannina.

Capannina: fresh gelato in Port Douglas on Macrossan Street, Port Douglas

Why did I go there over and over (ok everyday while I was in Port Douglas)? Their ice cream and gelato are housemade, fresh, using local produce, they have great customer service and the gelatos are simply delicious!

Capannina gelato shop on Macrossan Street

When I was in the shop for the first time, there was a huge queue. I believe they're that busy everyday. The lady behind the counter was very lovely and on seeing that I was already waiting for a while (the customer in front of me took her time to order what seemed like 100 scoops of ice cream for her tribe), she gave me a few samples to taste.

Their ice cream is made in house with milk from Mungalli Creek which is also in Queensland and not that far from Port Douglas. The first day when I was at Capannina, there was papaya gelato. I was silly not get get that because the next day there was no papaya gelato, they don't mass produce their gelato and I like that very much because they make their gelatos with whatever produce is in season. However, I did get lemon sorbet and sapote. I had never heard of sapote before, the gelato lady said it is a fruit and after diligently googling it, I still didn't know what it was except it was delicious and it paired very well with lemon sorbet.

Great pairing: sapote and lime gelato... delicious!

Apart from gelato, the other thing that I really recommend is the massage at the Deep Yoga Studio which is located on the cornor of Owen & Warner Streets in the Town Centre of Port Douglas. They say on their website that they are different and I completely agree!

Massage or yoga class at Deep Yoga Studio on cornor of Owen & Warner Streets, Port Douglas

The studio is based on Ayurveda (which I admit that I knew nothing about) and the massage is given according to your "dosha"- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. My massage therapist, Sandi asked me a few questions and identified me as one of the three "dosha". I can't remember which one I am because the massage was so relaxing that I was floating away.

Massage room at the Deep Yoga Studio. After my massage, I was floating away

Floating away I was and I ended up floating into the sento room after the massage. Sento is the bathhouse based on the Japanese bath concept like onsen where you soak in hot water (usually spring water in Japan) for relaxation and often the spring water is from a particular region or source has particular healing properties.

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My husband said his massage was excellent and was done by Michael, the founder of Deep Yoga Retreat. Michael found the key points on his back to help loosen his back muscles and after the massage, Michael suggested some gentle exercises that he can do at home to help him with his back muscles.

In Deep Yoga Studio, their sento bathing area includes a large bath with very warm water for soaking as well as an infrared sauna unit. My husband and I both enjoyed it very much.

There is a whole food store next to Deep Yoga Studio. They stock whole food, organic food and so on. I had a quick turmeric latte with almond milk.

Turmeric latte at the whole food store next to Deep Yoga Studio

Next time when I'm in Port Douglas, I'm going to make sure I sign up for his yoga classes too! I can't wait!

Tin Shed in Port Douglas for sunset dinner

I wouldn't recommend drinking alcohol straight after a massage but perhaps long after your massage, you can enjoy a drink or so and early dinner at Tin Shed while watching the sunset. Tin Shed is a social (or RSL club as we call it in Australia) by the water on 7 Ashford Avenue, near the public jetty.

Tin Shed: watch the boats going by

There are many places to eat in Port Douglas but I far prefer this than any of the other restaurants near the water. First of all, the dining area is pretty much on the water, you can literally jump into the water (not that you would jump into the water unless you want to swim to the crocodiles!). Here, you can watch the boats and yachts go by while sipping on a beverage of your choice and enjoy the sunset. I would get there early on a sunny day so you can get "front row" seats right by the water and to avoid any queues.

Tin Shed: seafood dinner by the water

The food is very reasonably priced and they feature seafood as well as other types, so no sweat if you don't eat seafood... but may I ask what ARE you doing in Port Douglas if you don't eat seafood??!!

The photo above is local barramundi fillet with baked vegetables. This was one of the specials of the day. The barramundi fillet was fresh, tasty and juicy. I would definitely come back here again for both the food and the view.