There are many things to do in Port Douglas Australia and others near this pretty Australian resort town. Most visitors take trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Low Isles for snorkelling and scuba diving. Then there are natural attractions like the Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge to explore. This post lists the best activities, day trips, and things to do in Port Douglas Australia. There’s much more besides these World Heritage areas!
Updated for wet season 2024 into 2025.
The top thing to do in Port Douglas is a bucket list item for most visitors. Take a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. You, need a full day to do this, it’s fine to go if you’re not a confident swimmer, but do take your sea sickness medication. Boats depart Port Douglas Marina daily, they only stop running when the weather is really bad and you can go year-round. For more information and to choose the best boat, keep reading. For a half-day trip, you can go to Low Isles instead, ideally, do both.
We are Port Douglas locals, we live nearby and work on the reef. You found the best guide!
Interesting places to visit near Port Douglas include Daintree Village, to the north, plus loads of cool things to see and do on the Tablelands, see below.
Port Douglas has some great dining and a family-pleasing beach with miles of sand. Enjoy our tropical environment, exotic flowers, fruit, and wildlife, and explore the history of this remote part of the world.
Dig into local history, from early mining days and the first settlers. This is the old Chinatown on the Tablelands. If you want to read how some of these miners met a sticky end at the hands of local cannibal tribes, you need the book below. There are quite a few historic buildings in Port Douglas too!
The book I mentioned is this one, it’s about the gold rush days and most of the action is north of Port Douglas, but it’s an interesting read. I had no idea we had cannibals in this part of Australia!
We have crocodiles in Port Douglas. You can see them in the wild in Dickson’s Inlet, from the viewing point at the Mowbray River, or on a cruise on the Daintree River. Or you can swim with them. Details below. If you want a full or half day at a crocodile attraction, with croc show, head to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure, about half an hour south of Port by Road, details below.
Let’s get straight to the list of exciting things to do in Port Douglas. We go into more detail about these experiences and activities further down the page.
Drive north of Port Douglas, cross the river by ferry, and enter The Daintree Rainforest. While you’re there, check out the beautiful deserted beaches of Cape Tribulation. See if you can spot a cassowary. You can even drive all the way to Cooktown from Port.
Barramundi fishing locally. Hook-a-Barra also offers gourmet barra tasting on-site. Their farmed barramundi wins national awards. Reserve this experience now!
Visit the Wildlife Habitat for “Breakfast With The Birds”, swimming with crocodiles, or just to hand feed kangaroos and pet a koala.
Walk The Bump Track or Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail. More adventurous walkers can head north to The Devil’s Thumb hike. You’ll need a guide for that one.
Go Barramundi fishing, or sample our local, award-winning, salt-water farmed barra at Hook-a-Barra.
Visit The Australian Chocolate Farm at Shannonval. Take a chocolate tour and see how chocolate is grown and made, or just sample their chocolate and cakes at the coffee shop.
New for the end of 2024 and 2025 – Book a sunset photography tour with Tracy. Find the best spots for sunset views and the reef fleet departing for their sunset sails. Book This photo tour here.
Port Douglas has some beautiful luxury resorts with huge lagoon pools, but you can also swim at the beach, on the Great Barrier Reef, in various rainforest streams and swimming holes, and under waterfalls, keep reading for options!
Use our links above to see all tours and trips available in Port Douglas and to book your entrance ticket well in advance, things do sell out!
There are adventure activities like kite surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), river-drift snorkelling, plus special sporting and community events.
Port Douglas is our home, we know this town inside-out, there are many things to do in Port Douglas in winter or summer, the wet or the dry. We now have a separate website that caters to our region exclusively. Visit portdouglasaustralia.com.au
Port Douglas has one beach, Four Mile Beach, but there are others nearby. At the northern end of Four Mile beach, near Macrossan St., you will find the Surf Club, Lifeguard Station, and, in the summer months, a swimming enclosure or stinger net. You can swim year-round at Four Mile, but in summer, not outside the net. Four Mile is a patrolled beach during business hours. The water can be crystal clear, absolutely flat, and shallow and the beach shelves gently. We do see storms too of course, and then the water can be churned up. We do see waves sometimes, but Port Douglas beach is not a beach for surfing.
Port Douglas Australia. Drone photography of Four Mile Beach, south end, at a very low tide. Taken by my son.
There are many things to do in Port Douglas. From fine dining to relaxing on the beach to getting active with one of the dozens of outdoor activities. Let’s list the things to do in Port Douglas first.
Where to get a seafood sharing platter like this in Port Douglas? There is a very good Italian seafood restaurant on the market end of Macrossan Street, Sassi, if you want to eat here, book. For most Port Douglas restaurants and activities, book in advance.
The historic Port Douglas Sugar Wharf is a popular venue for weddings and events. It’s at the market ground end of Macrossan Street. on The Inlet.
There are local animals, plants, the rainforest, history, and beauty to enjoy in this little town.
We’ve done them and recommend and review them below. Stories and real-life experiences of Port Douglas attractions and experiences. We try to keep this post up to date but please double-check all details for yourself.
It is very much worth visiting Port Douglas, this little town is a gateway to the reef and rainforest and has a relaxed tropical, yet upmarket, vibe you won’t find anywhere else in Queensland.
The reef fleet in Port Douglas Marina, will take you to the Outer Reef, Low Isles, up The Inlet to spot crocodiles, on a relaxing sunset sail, or even game fishing. Half and full-day options are available.
You will need to stay at least two nights, three days, if you plan to visit the reef and have a trip booked in advance, longer if you want to explore more of this part of Queensland and plan to find a reef boat on-arrival.
Sunset sailing is another popular activity in Port Douglas and you can choose a luxury catamaran or old Chinese junk (just visible in the distance above). Some trips serve snacks and drinks, some are adults only.
This post began years ago and we’ve tracked changes in Port Douglas over the years. Some places and attractions have closed, some new attractions and activities have opened.
You can see what has changed in Port and we think it’s as valuable to tell you what is no longer available in Port Douglas, as well as current availability.
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, is popular with kite surfers. you can rent gear and take a kite surfing lesson towards the southern end of the beach. The lifeguard station and seasonal swimming enclosure, is at the northern end of the beach, near Macrossan Street.
We are travel bloggers in Port Douglas right now, we’re monitoring changes closely.
Things To Do In Port Douglas After The Cyclone (2024)
We were able to visit the Daintree Rainforest, by ferry, after the storm. There seemed to be more cassowarries than usua;. There are traffic delays but some places are open. Read our update below.
In March 2024 I’m updating a few things in this post as tropical storm/cyclone Jasper caused some damage. The road to Port Douglas from Cairns is now open, and the Daintree Rainforest north of the river is partially closed, we have been up there in the last few days, took the ferry ($47 return Au), found good food, a place to stay, walked on a semi-open boardwalk (Jindalba) and the beaches (Cow Bay and Thornton’s Beach). The Daintree Discovery Centre was open as was the ice cream farm. There were a lot of tour buses up there, so they were running. No doubt they’re modified as the road is closed at Noah Creek. We saw two cassowaries and a crocodile at the ferry. Yes, it’s worth going now. Mossman Gorge (which is part of the Daintree, south of the river) is open, we’ve been, and it’s fine. The Great Barrier Reef and Four Mile Beach are open, the boats are running. If you have any questions, ask in the comments and see our related posts at the bottom of the page. We’re here, on the spot.
Four Mile Beach
My kids grew up on Four Mile Beach. This is the southern end, near Sea Temple, my younger son playing on the sand.
You can enjoy beautiful Four Mile Beach in many ways. The beach is the perfect place in Port Douglas to run or walk at dawn. At low tide the beach is firm and smooth for running, even cycling, but if the tide is high and the creeks full with wet season rain, you may struggle.
You’ll usually find yoga classes on Port Douglas’s beach, fitness classes, kayak hire, SUP, kite surfing, yoga, and more. You can rent deck chairs, sun umbrellas and inflatables at popular holiday times.
At very low tides the water drops so far you can see the coral. Fishing is pretty good here too.
We would take kayaks out to sea on calm days when the water is clear and occasionally spot turtles.
More people use the town end of the beach, near the lifeguard station and stinger net, the southern end (above) near Sea Temple, is usually pretty deserted. Can you swim in Port Douglas? Yes, you can, just pay attention to the lifeguards and any warning signs.
You need to be aware of stinger season in Port Douglas, it’s the hottest months of the year. Yes, we do have crocodiles here, but, well, I’ll leave that up to you to think about.
Port Douglas Markets
Port Douglas Market happens every Sunday, this stall hands out samples of chocolate, there’s always a crowd. I used to work here.
On Sunday get yourselves along to Port Douglas Market, browse, shop, and enjoy our beautiful tropical environment. The market starts early, I used to set up my stall before dawn and spend my Sundays face painting.
The markets are the perfect place to buy gifts and souvenirs from Australia, or from our local area. Most stalls feature locally made crafts and products.
You can buy jewellery, produce, local crafts, and more. This is a good place to grab a bite to eat and a coffee too, there are a few food stalls. We recommend the fish tacos. In the summer it can be ultra-hot, so visit early.
There is some shade and a beautiful weeping fig tree for the kids to climb. There are a couple of small playgrounds down here too.
Markets are also held on the Port Douglas Superyacht Marina, normally on Wednesdays, but if a cruise ship is in Port, they often set the market up for cruise visitors. This market is a scaled-down version of the weekly Sunday Markets.
Enjoy Fantastic Food in Port Douglas
My favourite breakfast spot in Port Douglas, St Crispin’s. The best smashed avo on toast I’ve ever had. Dining in Port Douglas is a treat. See our first-hand genuine reviews and recommendations below.
Port Douglas dining is pretty good! For formal dining we recommend Sassi, Salsa, and Zinc. Casual meals with a great view overlooking The Inlet try The Combined Club, also known as The Tin Shed.
Sassi was closed but has now opened and we think bookings are required as they are for most restaurants currently.
If you’re looking for casual family meals with a playground on hand, try The Surf Club. Fish and chips is available at Dave’s on Macrossan Street and for pizza, bar snacks, or tapas try The Beach Shack. (Beach Shack was closed and has been sold, we believe it’s open again but haven’t had a chance to try the food under new ownership just yet)
Our new favourite for breakfast is St Crispin’s Cafe. It’s at the turn-around station of the Bally Hooley steam train and has a waterside setting with golf course and mountain views. It’s featured in the photo above.
Port Douglas for Pinterest
Most restaurants have outdoor seating and social distancing measures are in place. This means you may need to book a table and some restaurants are not open every day.
My husband has put this guide together on the best restaurants in Port Douglas. He used to be an executive Chef in one of the best hotels in town.
Visit The Great Barrier Reef From Port Douglas
That’s me and my elder son. I think he was about 7 and fully able and happy to snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef. It’s magic and probably the best thing to do in Port Douglas.
If you want to see the best reef possible from Port Douglas and enjoy an eco-friendly and conservation focussed day, go with Wavelength Reef Cruises. Take a look at Wavelength and book here. Friends of ours own this company, they’re absolutely genuine and this is the boat we, as locals, use for a day snorkelling on the reef.
Put at least one day aside to take a magical trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s an experience you’ll never forget and suitable for most ages and yes, you can take your kids snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.
You have options as to how you view the reef. The huge Quicksilver pontoon is permanently moored at Agincourt Reef, or you can visit the outer reefs, Opal, Tongue, on a smaller boat.
A small group on a dedicated snorkel boat (like Wavelength) is a great way to see the reef.
We have always visited the reef fairly often as a family. The kids would snorkel from the age of about 4 from the pontoon or from boats. Once they were in the water and could see the fish any fear of deep water evaporated.
My kids joined us scuba diving around their 14th birthdays. Today, as teenagers, they still enjoy a trip to the reef, it’s a great family activity.
Lunch is usually delicious on the reef boats and you’re quite likely to see whales at the right time of year (winter), along with dolphins, turtles and sharks.
Restrictions did change the way food is served, hopefully, we’ll be back to buffets soon, some boats have switched to providing a good packed lunch.
Obviously, you could also see the reef from Cairns, but if you’re staying in Port Douglas, that seems pointless.
We think the Port Douglas reef boats are a better experience and the Cairns fleet doesn’t come this far north.
Visit Low Isles from Port Douglas
The Low Isles are just off Port Douglas and can be enjoyed in a half-day or full-day boat trip. Glass bottomed boats are available.
If you don’t want to head to the reef the Low Isles are a shorter trip. You can enjoy the beach as well as snorkelling by taking a trip out with Calypso, on Wavedancer, or Reef Sprinter. Operators vary, check who’s running trips.
We’ve heard that the coral at Low Isles took some damage in the cyclone, we haven’t been out there ourselves yet to verify this.
The reef at Low Isles isn’t the same as the outer reef and comparing the two is pretty interesting.
Around Low Isles, you’ll see a lot of young reef fish, tiny baby reef sharks circling the island are a cute thing to see.
Some tours allow access to the island itself where you can take a stroll and see the Low Isles lighthouse, others just allow snorkelling from your boat.
If you visit the island you can snorkel from the beach. Snorkelling off Four Mile Beach, you’ll mostly just see sand, come out here instead.
If you have time and finances, take both trips, Low Isles and the Outer Reef, it is worth doing.
Various vessels offer sunset sailing out of Port Douglas. This is a great way to enjoy the end of the day, further enhanced by a few bubbles.
These trips are more budget-friendly than a trip to the reef. Boats on offer for trips like these include luxury catamarans and sometimes, a traditional Chinese junk.
The White Church in Port Douglas, St Mary’s By The Sea
St Mary’s Chapel, she’s a real beauty.
This popular wedding venue is an absolute picture. A non-denominational church or chapel, St Mary’s has an interesting history. It originally stood elsewhere but after near-destruction in a cyclone it was moved to its current almost waterside position.
It’s at the southern end of the market ground, near the sugar wharf. If you go inside, check out the stunning reef-themed stained glass windows.
For history-lovers, the Old Courthouse is another place of interest, along with the cemetery.
Port Douglas Wildlife and The Wildlife Habitat
You will see a lot of Australian wildlife around Port Douglas. Read about our real-life experiences below. If you want guaranteed sightings and up-close experiences, head to The Wildlife Habitat.
Wildlife you will see around Port Douglas includes giant green tree frogs, rainbow lorikeets, fruitbats (spectacled flying fox), snakes, sulfur-crested cockatoos, black cockatoos, Eclectus parrots, various big spiders, and crocodiles.
You can spot them in the wild or head to Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat. You can even enjoy “Breakfast With The Birds” or even swim with a crocodile.
If you want to guarantee sightings of Australian wildlife you need to visit the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat. You can visit independently or join a guided tour. There are opportunities to hand feed kangaroos and get your photo taken with a koala.
Birds of Port Douglas include abundant white (sulphur-crested) cockatoos and rare black cockatoos. I’ve seen these in my garden along with a spoonbill, and the white-bellied sea eagle that ate my guinea pig.
Yellow fig birds are common and we see bee-eaters in Port Douglas occasionally. Tiny yellow and blue sunbirds make their woven nests very close to human activity and are common.
You’re unlikely to see wild kangaroos or wallabies around Port Douglas but I’ve seen them near Mossman and just outside Cairns.
Cassowaries are nearby, as are tree kangaroos and wild pigs can be seen very close to Port Douglas. We recently saw a cassowary while walking to Hartley’s Creek Falls.
Look out for giant green tree frogs at night, they often climb up our windows.
We did once have a python get into the door frame of our patio doors. In winter you may see them on the roads at night, roads stay warm after sunset.
We’ve never seen a venomous snake in Port Douglas, only pythons and tree snakes rarely. There are tarantulas in Port Douglas. Several species. But I only ever saw 2.
You’ve very likely to see golden orb spiders in this part of Queensland, where there are plenty of trees, it’s quite rare to see them around Port Douglas.
In the sea off Port Douglas, we have turtles, whales, dolphins, dugongs and everything except great white sharks (hopefully!).
You will also find ants, mosquitoes and cockroaches. Green ants are pretty interesting but they pack a mean little punch. Tiny sugar ants invade our home in huge convoys daily. No amount of chemical sprays has ever kept them out.
Cockroaches live in the soil and come indoors from time to time. They’re all just a part of life. There are termites too, termites wreck my garden. So don’t assume any hotel or dwelling has low standards if you see these creatures, they’re simply a fact of tropical life.
If you want to feed the ‘roos and get up close and personal with most of our Australian and local species, head to the Wildlife Habitat. It’s on the main road into Port Douglas near the IGA and has seen a lot of improvements and new features lately. The new nocturnal house is really good and their new crocodile pool opened recently. This is your chance to get in the water with a saltwater croc, without flying to Darwin! and to dine in with our wildlife.
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation From Port Douglas
Cow Bay, Cape Tribulation. If you cross into the Daintree, about an hour north of Port Douglas, there are many pristine beaches to explore, along with rainforest walkways. Watch out for crocodiles!
Just up the road, we have Daintree Rainforest and beautiful Cape Tribulation. You need to take a drive up there, in your own vehicle or with a tour, maybe you’ll spot one of our famous wild cassowaries.
January 2024 update – the road and ferry to the Cape is still closed, we’ll update when we know it’s open. Alternative rainforest tours have started and Mossman Gorge (also part of the Daintree Rainforest but south of the river) opened to the public after floods on January 14th 2024.
There are a few attractions up here, including ice cream and tropical fruit orchards. There was a small insect museum.
If you’d like to keep driving, you could head all the way up to historic Cooktown.
We’ve driven from Port Douglas, up the Cape to Cooktown, and back in a day. It’s possible, but it’s a long day.
The coast road through the Daintree Rainforest is beautiful, but you’ll need a 4 wheel drive for dirt tracks and creek crossings in places. The inland road is more passable, but not very interesting.
On the way to The Daintree, a slight detour to the left, is Daintree Village. This is a cute little town and home to the “big barra”. This is another popular place to take a crocodile-spotting boat trip.
Stay at an Amazing Hotel in Port Douglas
The kids watching their dad filming a cooking segment for TV at Sea Temple. We called it “dad’s work”. Do yourself a favour, stay here!
We have incredible hotels in Port. The one above is Sea Temple (Now Pullman Sea Temple Port Douglas. We spent every Christmas here when we lived in Port.
Swim out apartments at Pullman Sea Temple Port Douglas open into smaller lagoons and canals, all joining in the huge central pool. In winter it can be chilly but the hot tub always warmed us up. Some rooms and apartments have their own private plunge pools.
Why? My husband, Chef, was executive chef here and we enjoyed lavish Christmas meals in superb comfort while enjoying a pool to-die-for.
This is part of the reason we left to travel the world for 5+ years. Having to work every Christmas (with small kids) is no fun. Even with incredible perks like this.
It’s a stunning world-class hotel, you’ll enjoy your own private villa, pay the extra for a swim-out to one of the biggest pools in the southern hemisphere and if you’re heading to Port Douglas take a look at it here.
The Sheraton Grand. Another magnificent hotel in Port Douglas. This one is closer to town and their pool is actually bigger than the Sea Temple pool.
If you’re on a budget look at Dougies backpackers resort, which was the first place we stayed when we came to Port as young backpackers over 20 years ago. It’s still good, if not better.With camping, dorms and private rooms. Just click on the links above to take a look.
There are a few Airbnbs in Port Douglas but we no longer recommend this platform, the cleaning fees can be steep, and the booking process takes too long for us. If you’re after a holiday home, villa, or apartment rental in Port Douglas, check these out.
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Port Douglas Tours to Book Online
We use the company below when booking tours anywhere in the world, they have a lowest price or money-back guarantee and the reassurance of a big company supporting your booking. If your tour is available to book on this site, presumably they’re running. The last time we drove past in 2021, the Skyrail Cable Car was open. We’re checking and updating constantly, things change fast.
Take a Trip to Cairns From Port Douglas & Scenic Drive
Between Cairns and Port Douglas, the Captain Cook Highway hugs the coast, making this one of the most scenic drives in the world. This is part of the Great Barrier Reef Drive which takes you 140Km to Cape Tribulation from Cairns.
The drive between Port Douglas and Cairns is stunningly picturesque but of course, Cairns, being a huge tourist hub, has plenty to do.
January 2024 the Cairns to Port Douglas road is still closed it may open on January 20th, currently you need to drive between Cairns and Port Douglas via Mareeba and the Tablelands. Shuttles are taking this route.
We now have a full post on things to do in Cairns. Including the famous Cairns Lagoon, Aquarium, Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and other tourist attractions.
On the drive down to Cairns, check out some of the beaches along the way. Palm Cove is one not to miss. You’ll also pass the new crocodile-spotting lookout and car park, just south of Port Douglas on the Mowbray River.
Take a Hike Up The Bump Track & Other Walks in and Around Port Douglas
The Bump Track, a great walk just outside Port Douglas takes you up into the Mowbray National Park.
The Bump Track is a bit of a locals’ secret. It’s a historic track up the mountain at the back of the Mowbray Valley.
It’s great exercise and the view from the top on a clear day is spectacular.
Real enthusiasts run or cycle up and down it or you can let a horse take the strain. I used to piggyback the kids up here when they were too small to walk and too small to stay home alone.
You can take a mountain bike tour up here, which you can book locally. You can even take an e-bike.
There are bike rentals available in Port Douglas. We’re starting to see electric scooter in Port too.
If you’re looking for an easier walk in Port Douglas, take the walking track around Flagstaff Hill.
It’s newly repaired and has some great lookouts. Alternatively, walk along Spring Creek or hike to Hartley’s Falls.
Port Douglas Fishing
Marlin fishing happens beyond the outer reef and boats depart Port Douglas at the right times of year.
There are many boats operating out of Port Douglas offering fishing trips. Some are single-day, some are multi-day, particularly if you’re looking for game fishing.
Marlin fishing is possible from Port Douglas. If you’re packing mega-bucks, you can even arrange a private charter of a luxury yacht.
Cane toad racing at the Iron Bar pub in Port Douglas Australia.
The Iron Bar in Port Douglas was always the venue for Cane Toad Racing. Can you come to the Far North without seeing this local tradition? In 2024 the toads have hopped on over to Chilly’s pizza bar, a nice outdoor venue.
The Iron Bar itself seems to be focusing more on being a steak bar specialising in aged steak. It’s on Macrossan St. It’s also a kind of nightclub. There isn’t a huge amount of nightlife in Port Douglas and people tend to eat early.
Chilly’s is an outdoor dining venue, 2 streets behind Macrossan. Walk down Grant Street, past the Grant St Bakery and Quicksilver Dive Centre (where you can learn to dive in their custom-built pool) and you should see it on your left.
The cane toads have moved to Chilly’s, a great venue with wood-fired pizza ovens.
Chilly’s wood-fired pizzas are good. They market them as the best pizza in Port Douglas. That would be down to individual taste, but it’s good pizza with plenty of different toppings including chilli prawn and seafood, my favourites. We don’t recommend their curries, sorry.
Chilly’s Port Douglas is a really nice, casual outdoor venue, great with kids as it opens quite early and has high chairs and lots of space. It’s pretty after the sun goes down with sparkling lights in the palm trees and a campfire. It was busy and had a good atmosphere last time we visited. That was August 2021.
Admission was $5 Au last time we visited the Cane Toad racing (At The Iron Bar), and kids of all ages were welcome. It usually starts around 8pm.
Visit The Australian Chocolate Farm
There is a small chocolate growing and manufacturing attraction at Shannonvale, between Port Douglas and Mosssman. The Chocolate Farm runs tours and has a cafe on site.
The chocolate farm is only open Wednesday to Saturday, 9 am to 4.30 pm (as of January 2024). The Shannonvale Causeway is closed due to flooding at time of writing, so you’ll need to drive there via Mountain View Rd (State Rout 44). This road will also take you up to the Rex Range lookout.
Watch George The Groper Being Fed- No Longer Happens Sadly
This is (was) my favorite thing to do in Port Douglas, I loved George, I loved the venue and I loved the food and wine.
Sadly this part of Port Douglas has been semi-demolished to make way for new marina development and I guess George and his mates are now starving. You can see what the experience of watching George the Groper being fed was like here.
George was fed at a restaurant called On The Inlet, which relocated after this forced move but has now, sadly, closed down.
The Rodeo and Bull Riding (Australian Muster Experience) Has Closed
Update – The Australian Muster Experience has shut but there is occasional bull riding at Mossman Showgrounds and the Mareeba Rodeo (usually July) happens annually, it’s a fair drive from Port Douglas, close to 3 hours, but you can camp at the showgrounds.
Take a Walking Tour of Port Douglas
Flagstaff Hill is the high ground at the northernmost tip of Port Douglas. The walking trail is well maintained and features sea lookouts and a side track that takes you up to the actual Port Douglas Lookout. It also takes you past Port Douglas lighthouse.
Walking tours of Port Douglas with K Star tours have become popular, give it a go. Kevin “KStar” should be able to answer all of your questions about our area including our historic buildings, and share some valuable local knowledge.
If you don’t want a guide, find Port Douglas’s places of historic interest. At Anzac Park you’ll find a wall of old photos, also visit the Old Courthouse, along with the hotel of the same name.
The Central hotel is also historic and there is a sign outside with historical information.
Port Douglas has history. You’ll find signs and notices around town, with historic photos.
You should also complete the Flagstaff Hill walking trail with great views out to sea from lookout platforms. You can reach The Port Douglas Lookout from this trail too.
Explore Dickinson Inlet by Self-Drive Boat and Check Out our Crocodiles
You can hire a little boat and take off up the inlet to try your hand at fishing or simply enjoy the view. If you’re lucky you might see a crocodile. This is my son when he was tiny, catching his first fish. Boats are available for hire at the marina.
We love cruising up The Inlet. You can hire your own little boat from the marina or take a tour on the Lady Douglas, the view and the wildlife are spectacular.
You can hire fishing gear too, just don’t lean too far over the edge or the crocodiles might get you.
We survived, many times.
Boat Hire Port Douglas, at The Superyacht Marina.
We’re currently checking the status of boat and fishing hire or rental in Port Douglas, we’ll be back to you soon.
Markets Near Port Douglas
Far North Queensland is abundantly served with local markets, each small town seems to have one.
If you’re looking for a farmer’s market near Port Douglas, Mossman Market, held most Saturday mornings beneath the rain trees has fresh local products and crafts.
Port Douglas’s own Sunday market also has some fresh fruit, veg, plants, and produce. However, this market is more about gifts, crafts, and products.
There are monthly and weekly markets in many towns near Port Douglas, including Palm Cove, Mount Malloy, Atherton, Yungaburra and Cairns itself.
Park Run Near Port Douglas
If you enjoy a weekly 5 km run, as many of us do in Port Douglas, you may be disappointed. There is no Park Run in Port Douglas currently.
Local runners are pondering setting one up. Great news for me, as I’m a local runner.
There is a Park Run in Atherton, not so near to Port Douglas at 119 Km away. Almost a 2-hour drive.
There is also a Park Run in Cairns at 7am on most Saturdays on the Cairns Esplanade. Cairns is some 66 km from Port Douglas.
That said, there are a lot of runners in Port Douglas and plenty of group training session opportunities.
Take A Cruise on The Lady Douglas
The Lady Douglas river boat.
The Lady Douglas is a Port Douglas institution.
An evening cruise on The Inlet is a wonderful opportunity to see saltwater crocodiles along with various birds, including white-breasted sea eagles.
I used to take my kids, often, they would always get a chance to steer the boat on the way back.
Our good friends, John and Jenny, don’t own this business anymore, they now run Wavelength Reef Cruises, but I hear good things about the new owners.
The Lady Douglas crocodile spotting and cruise departs from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, normally daily, we’re checking the current situation for you.
Sports and Outdoor Activities, SUP, Kite Surfing, Segway Tours, River Snorkelling, and Wind Surfing
Kite surfing on Four Mile Beach on a winter afternoon. This was taken in July and there were dozens of kite surfers enjoying the wind.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kite Surfing and Wind Surfing are big news on Four Mile Beach. There are plenty of locals around happy to get you started in their sports.
You can book various outdoor activities online and in advance to guarantee availability, for instance how do you fancy rainforest river drift snorkelling?
For something more gentle, yoga on the beach is a lovely way to start the day. Availability varies with season and demand.
Atherton Tablelands From Port Douglas
Up on the Tablelands it’s possible to see wild platypus as we did here.
In the relative cool of the Atherton Tablelands you’ll find man-made and natural tourist attractions and things to do.
Wineries, coffee and chocolate attractions, dairies, and of course, Lake Tinaroo are just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re here towards the end of the month, check out Yungaburra Markets.
The picture above is from a camping trip to spot wild platypus, pretty incredible! A full post on Atherton Tablelands, Herberton Historic Village, and more, coming soon!
Allow about 40 minutes of drive time to get to the Atherton Tablelands from Port Douglas by road.
Head towards Mossman, then take a left through the cane fields and up the steep, winding hill to Julatten, Mareeba, Atherton, Mt Molloy, and more.
You can also take this route to drive to Kuranda.
Take a Lesson in Aboriginal Heritage Near Port Douglas
Mossman Gorge is a great place to take a Dreamtime tour with a local guide.
Mossman Gorge has recently been handed back to its traditional Aboriginal owners and custodians.
Dreamtime tours, guided by our local Aboriginal people are, I feel, very helpful in understanding Australia’s history.
In the tour booking box, above, you’ll also see trips to Tjapuki (closed) and Aboriginal guided experiences just north of Port Douglas.
This photo was taken elsewhere. I use this one because faces are covered, it’s important.
Visit Kuranda, Drive, or By Scenic Train and Cable Car From Port Douglas
Kuranda is about an hour and a half from Port Douglas by road. Self-drive, take a tour or ride the scenic railway and cable car (departing near Cairns).
The drive up to Kuranda is spectacular, whether you choose the range road near Mossman or the Smithfield option.
Kuranda is a pretty, sleepy, rain-forest town full of markets, galleries, shops, and cafes. There are also wildlife, bird, and butterfly parks here.
This is your chance to see the huge Cairns Birdwing butterfly or the iridescent blue Ulysses.
If you’d rather not drive, you can book a tour or head up there on the Cairns Skyrail Cablecar or Kuranda Scenic Railway.
They depart near Cairns, but tours are available from Port Douglas.
There is The Venom Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Koala Gardens to keep the children happy in Kuranda. You could also take the cable car/train combo up to Kuranda and back. See the tours above for these options.
Swimming at Mossman Gorge in an Icy Rainforest Stream (Maybe)
There are a few options for safe, crocodile-free (I’m not going to guarantee that!), stinger-free swimming in the hot season.
For tourists, Mossman Gorge was probably the best bet and certainly the most beautiful site. Park at the visitor’s center and take the shuttle bus up to the rainforest boardwalk.
The last time we went there were new signs up saying no swimming. We were able to swim, but there have been accidents here in the past and a fatality recently.
Millaa Milla is a particularly famous one, but it’s a fair drive. There is a public swimming pool in Mossman and in Cairns.
In Port Douglas book a hotel with a pool, there are some really impressive ones.
Hot Air Balloon Rides From Port Douglas
Want to make your trip to Port Douglas even more unforgettable? Maybe you want to surprise a partner, or even propose?
Now you can take a dawn hot air balloon ride.
The balloons aren’t in Port Douglas but they’re nearby and the operators can pick you up from your Port Douglas accommodation.
This one is an early start, and a great way to see the wildlife of the Atherton Tablelands. Find out more here.
Port Douglas Carnivale and Shows
Port Douglas has its own annual Carnivale in May each year. It was cancelled during lockdown but it was back for May 2021.
Port Douglas hosts various food and dining events and rounds off the festivities with a good old-fashioned street parade.
The kids will love it, I hope. My favourite part was the Seafood Festival usually held on the Marina. Food, music, drinks, and fun in an amazing open-air setting.
May is possibly one of the best times to visit Port Douglas, things should be cooling down nicely, Stinger Season will be in its final throws and the big crowds are yet to arrive.
The Mossman Show is held in July and has its own local public holiday, as does the Cairns show. Both are worth a look if you happen to be visiting Port Douglas in winter.
The Open-Air Cinema Has Now Left Port
Port Douglas had its own open-air cinema during the dry season. You could catch a movie under the stars. Unfortunately, this is not currently happening. I’ll let you know if Moonlight Cinema returns.
Port Douglas Helicopter Rides
Helicopter rides come in many variations from Port Douglas and over the Coral Sea. I took the kids when they were small.
I’ll give you a hint. The annual Father’s Day picnic was for us the cheapest time to take a brief, but spectacular, helicopter ride over Port. That’s my son sitting up front there.
All year round, weather allowing, helicopters are available for rides over the reef and Coral Sea islands, the views are to die for.
There are a couple of options in the tours section above, prices start around $300 US but can vary. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do and it’s well worth it. If you have the cash, just do it! Book a scenic helicopter flight here.
Running, Triathlon, Sporting Events in Port Douglas
Port Douglas and Cairns hosts loads of trail running, marathon, ultrarunning and other sporting events.
Port Douglas has its own football team and football pitch. You may be able to catch The Crocs.
We’ve also attended cricket matches here in the past with some celebrity cricket names. My dad loved that.
It’s a fun family day or half day, you’ll meet some interesting local people and discover beaches, or even islands, off the normal tourist track while doing your bit to help our marine environment.
So there’s plenty to keep you busy in and around Port Douglas, for singles, couples, kids, families, there’s things to do for everyone.
How long are you staying in our home town? What are you most looking forward to doing? Tell us in the comments below.
Want more destinations and tips in and around Australia? You need our Australia Travel Blog.
Port Douglas Hidden Gems
If you’re spending more than a few days in Port Douglas, and you’ve already covered the main Port Douglas things to do. Or at least, those that you want to do, check out some of the following hidden gems around town.
Check out the history of Port Douglas. From the Old Courthouse, to the Central Hotel, to the Port Douglas Cemetary, there are a lot of interesting snippets to discover. See the photos of old Port Douglas scattered around town, find out about this town’s interesting origins.
Walk the Bump Track. This is great for views, exercise, and for history buffs. Again, there are informational signs along this route.
Check out some of our less-visited swimming holes and waterfalls, especially Spring Creek, Hartley’s Creek Falls, and the Mowbray Valley.
Walk the Flagstaff Hill walking track, if you didn’t already.
This site has always been very reliable for us and we’ve used them all over the world. Food tours, boat trips, helicopters, fishing, all sorts of day trips from Port Douglas can be booked easily, in advance.
I’m not going to give you a full packing list, just a few reminders.
You’ll want hot weather clothing and, in winter, maybe a light jacket for the evenings. But you probably won’t need it.
For visiting Port Douglas and most of the activities and things to do above, don’t forget the following:
Rubber thongs, jandals, or flip flops. It’s very likely you’ll get wet feet and you don’t want to ruin your best leather sandals. On most of the boats running from Port Douglas you’ll need to remove your shoes when you board, you’ll get them back at the end of the day. Rubber is better environmentally than plastic.
Reef-safe sunscreen. Look after our coral reef please! You can order it online to save you a trip to the shops.
Sun hats and sunglasses. You really need eye protection on the water, but your hats will probably blow off on a fast-moving boat. A hat with a strap will be your friend. Likewise, attach your sunnies to your head with a strap like this. We use this brand of mail-order, fully colour-customisable sunglasses, and love them!
More Holiday Information for Port Douglas and Nearby!
The Port Douglas and Cairns region of Far North Queensland is incredibly popular as a holiday destination.
This beautiful part of the world is good for families with older and young kids, seniors, romantic breaks, and, of course, for weddings.
Our video selection below covers more of the attractions in Port Douglas, out on the Great Barrier Reef (including shark diving) and in nearby Cairns. If you have time, get up to the Tablelands too!
There were closures in Port Douglas in recent years, but today most businesses are back to normal other than a few permanent closures.
Thanks for visiting World Travel Family travel blog, you’ll find more posts about Port Douglas, things to do in Cairns, and places to visit in Queensland, in our related posts, below, or use our search function, at the top of the page. If you need any further information, just leave a comment.
We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.
Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!
About the author
Alyson Long
Alyson Long is a British medical scientist who jumped ship to chase dreams. A former Chief Biomedical Scientist at London's West Middlesex Hospital she started in website creation and travel writing in 2011.
Alyson is a full-time blogger and travel writer, a published author, and owns several websites. World Travel Family is the biggest.
A lifetime of wanderlust and over 6 years of full-time travel, plus a separate 12 month gap year, has given Alyson and the family some travel expert smarts to share with you on this world travel site.
Today Alyson still travels extensively to update this site and continue her mission to visit every country, but she's often at home on her farm in Australia.
38 thoughts on “Things To Do in Port Douglas 2024-2025”
We’re planning a trip to Cairns area in May. My original plan was to stay a few nights in Port Douglas, visit the Daintree Rainforest, catch a tour to the Outer Reefs, and enjoy the town of Port Douglas. Given recent road closure from the wet weather, I’m not sure whether that’s still doable, and wonder whether I should just stay the whole time in Cairns, and take tour to Daintree from Cairns (which sounds like a really long drive).
Is it common to have road closures during typhoon season? Does everything typically get back up & running by May? Do you think it’s safe to go with my original plan, or best to just stay in Cairns?
Hi there, first up, it’s much nicer in Port Douglas than Cairns and you’ll see better parts of the reef from Port Douglas. The main part of the Daintree Rainforest is still closed, but it’s opening up faster than expected. Mossman Gorge, south of the river is part of The Daintree Rainforest. You will have a good rainforest experience there. None of the tours that go into the “main” Daintree are running. But half day rainforest and waterfall tours are taking tourist to the parts that are accessible. Yes, flooding is very common in the wet season, up on the Tablelands (where we live now) its constantly on/off flooding at certain points of the road, but in Port Douglas and Cairns it’s very rare. I’ve never seen that Cairns – Port Rd closed like that before. When we say flooding here, there’s water flowing over the road, not houses being flooded usually. It’s a very rural, sparsely populated area and these floods come and go. The problem with the cyclone was the landslides caused by 2.5m of rain over a few days. That’s crazy rain! That road is open, there are still some traffic lights where they’re stabilising all the landslides, but it’s fine, we drove it last week. This week I plan to drive up to the Daintree ferry and see what’s going on for myself because even as locals we’re getting very mixed messages. Obviously people live north of the river and have to commute to Port or Mossman daily for work, the locals are able to get in and out as far as I know. If you’re signed up to our “Port Douglas Only” newsletter group, I’ll do a mailshoot soon. By May it could be open, I don’t know. May is a great time to be here. Carnivale is normally in May and it’s before most of the tourists arrive. All of the boats are running as normal. My husband works on the reef, he was out there yesterday, all good, and they saw dolphins. Port Douglas is its usual self. It’s only about an hour from Cairns to Port, another 10-15 mins to Mossman Gorge, maybe 40 mins to the Daintree Ferry. It’s a long drive for city folks, to us here in Australia it’s nothing. It’s a 24 hour drive to our state capitol (Brisbane) and yes, we’ve done it many times. The Cairns- Port Rd is also one of the most beautiful drives in the world. We seem to have had a very early wet season this year, temperatures have dropped and we haven’t seen “real” wet season rains and storms in quite a while. I think it may all be over for this year.
Hi Alyson, I got very excited over the sunglasses you recommended and tried to order some but they don’t ship to Australia. How did you get them here? Their website has an Australian icon in the top right hand corner but no availability to change the shipping information. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Rosa
We’ve had them shipped to Australia often Rosa. Also to Vietnam, and the UK. We didn’t have to do anything special, just used the website. They’ve changed their models though and we don’t like their new versions so we’re going back to Oakleys now.
Hi, great stuff from everyone, I will be in PD/Cairns area for 10 days next month (June). It’s me and my 12 year old daughter. We are stating in PD for 3 days, visiting the Reef and then up to Cape Trib for a day. Can anyone recommend an unusual side trip, I don’t mind driving and have a 2wheel drive rental. We are coming from Fiji then to PD so we’ll have done the beach a lot. Are there any great outback destinations? Thanks
Hmmm….unusual. I can’t think of anything I haven’t put in the post already. How about the platypus? Or there are things like SUP – paddleboarding trips on some of the small rivers here. We live here and I’m scratching my head! The zip lines up at Daintree ? Kite Surfing. Heading inland you just really get to the Tablelands and then the road runs parallel with the coast, there’s nothing going deeper into the grasslands up there that I can think of, other than the Wheelbarrow Way, and I don’t think there’s much to see. You’ve got the caves, old lava tubes at Chillagoe maybe. Or there’s Granite Gorge, we’ve camped there. Mount Uncle Distillery. I don’t know, I’m stumped. Come to our house and help me with the garden ? Let me know what you decide!
@Michael, if the weather is clear and your budget allows a helicopter over reef and rainforest is unforgettable also a 4 wheel tour on the Bloomfield track is amazing
Hello, We are coming to visit Port Douglas in June. Thank you for your great blog post! We were planning to drive to Cape Tribulation one day to try some jungle surfing but I did not realize that might not be possible with a rental car. Would we need 4 wheel drive on the coast road at that time of the year?
Hi Teri,
Thanks for reading. No you won’t need a 4wd drive unless you go north of Emmagen creek which is where the 4wd road starts. You can’t miss it as the road leads straight into Emmagen Creek and out the otherside. Rental cars will cover you up until this point I believe and while some of the road is unsealed the majority is a sealed all be it winding road. As for the time of year that is the best time with the chance of rain at a minimum and the temperature not too hot.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers
Chef
May is a great time. It’s always warm here, even at night in winter it never gets cold. But the massive hotel pools can get a bit chilly. Depends what you consider warm enough really. The sea temperature is generally between 23 and 29 C so never cold. We were out there yesterday and it’s a very comfortable 27 C at the moment ( March). The shoulders of the wet season are always my favourite times. During the wet all the dead plant matter gets washed into the sea and the beach can look a bit grotty, but it’s all natural, part of our environment, so we’re not allowed to sweep beaches and such like.
Love your blog, we’re heading up for our honeymoon late September for 10 nights. Not sure if we should stay in Port Douglas for 6 nights and Daintree for 4. Any help or suggestions would be great. Thank you
If you stay in Daintree just be very aware of how little there is up there. If you’re seeking isolation and being in a great big rainforest surrounded by green and bugs and birds and critters…perfect! But there’s not a whole bunch up there to keep you busy for 4 days…but you’re on honeymoon….
The markets at Port Douglas look very cool but my big pull factor would be the Great Barrier Reef as well as exploring the rainforest. I think I’d like it there a LOT!
I’m planning a trip to Oz – hopefully, I’ll be able to get to Port Douglas and try my hand at snorkelling around the barrier reef – that must be a fab experience whether you are 7 or in your 50s like me!
I’m also in my 50s Fiona, I’ll be out on the reef tomorrow actually, but it’s raining like crazy up here right now. The Great Barrier Reef is great for most able bodied people. We did take a baby and a toddler out there once, that was hard work, but it can be done.
In case I find myself doing a trip to Port Douglas, I won’t need anything else – just your blog post. This is so comprehensive 🙂 That helicopter ride is on top of my list.
The Four Mile Beach sounds like a great idea for an idle time with the family. I would also love the explore the Port Douglas markets. It is such a great way to taste and sample local produce.
I’ve been looking into a road trip along the East Coast route, so I’ll definitely be making my way through Port Douglas and looking for things to do. I’m super interested in learning about the Aboriginal heritage. I love discovering the rich history of indigenous groups.
Love how amazingly comprehensive this is! When I lived in Australia, I made it to Cairns but never quite as far north as Port Douglas. I think the Bump Track would top my list on my next visit!
OK, you got me at cane toad racing, this tickled my funny bone! Feeding the groper looks a bit hardcore to me! On more serious note, I’d love to learn more about Aboriginal heritage, and the culture and arts in particular. And I love taking helicopter rides above beautiful places!
Hi, we are coming from Canada, and this will be are first time in PD. We really are not the tourist types, that said we do want to go out to the Barrier reef. But, beyond that, we really want to go with locals, walking tours, non comercial interactions. We are two retired teachers, so limited funds, but willing to pay for worthwhile ventures. Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks much.
Hi Marc, I haven’t been in Port Douglas for almost 3 years now. I really can’t suggest anything more than what is already on this website from when we lived there. Have a great trip!
I wish we’d stayed with you a bit longer in Port Douglas now to try out some of these activities – we were moving ridiculously fast down the East Coast, it boggles my brain how quickly we were moving back then! I’m glad you guys persuaded us to go up to Cape Tribulation in the end (remember we were thinking of skipping it?) it was beautiful.
Yes Amy you guys were flying down that coast. We were worried you wouldn’t see anything at all. Glad you did. Leaves some things to do for a second visit of course.
Just being jealous with you, Alyson! ;-))
I forgot I was in Port Douglas in 1991, just after having met my would-be-futur-husband!
I think I wouldn’t mind getting old in a place like that…
We’re planning a trip to Cairns area in May. My original plan was to stay a few nights in Port Douglas, visit the Daintree Rainforest, catch a tour to the Outer Reefs, and enjoy the town of Port Douglas. Given recent road closure from the wet weather, I’m not sure whether that’s still doable, and wonder whether I should just stay the whole time in Cairns, and take tour to Daintree from Cairns (which sounds like a really long drive).
Is it common to have road closures during typhoon season? Does everything typically get back up & running by May? Do you think it’s safe to go with my original plan, or best to just stay in Cairns?
Hi there, first up, it’s much nicer in Port Douglas than Cairns and you’ll see better parts of the reef from Port Douglas. The main part of the Daintree Rainforest is still closed, but it’s opening up faster than expected. Mossman Gorge, south of the river is part of The Daintree Rainforest. You will have a good rainforest experience there. None of the tours that go into the “main” Daintree are running. But half day rainforest and waterfall tours are taking tourist to the parts that are accessible. Yes, flooding is very common in the wet season, up on the Tablelands (where we live now) its constantly on/off flooding at certain points of the road, but in Port Douglas and Cairns it’s very rare. I’ve never seen that Cairns – Port Rd closed like that before. When we say flooding here, there’s water flowing over the road, not houses being flooded usually. It’s a very rural, sparsely populated area and these floods come and go. The problem with the cyclone was the landslides caused by 2.5m of rain over a few days. That’s crazy rain! That road is open, there are still some traffic lights where they’re stabilising all the landslides, but it’s fine, we drove it last week. This week I plan to drive up to the Daintree ferry and see what’s going on for myself because even as locals we’re getting very mixed messages. Obviously people live north of the river and have to commute to Port or Mossman daily for work, the locals are able to get in and out as far as I know. If you’re signed up to our “Port Douglas Only” newsletter group, I’ll do a mailshoot soon. By May it could be open, I don’t know. May is a great time to be here. Carnivale is normally in May and it’s before most of the tourists arrive. All of the boats are running as normal. My husband works on the reef, he was out there yesterday, all good, and they saw dolphins. Port Douglas is its usual self. It’s only about an hour from Cairns to Port, another 10-15 mins to Mossman Gorge, maybe 40 mins to the Daintree Ferry. It’s a long drive for city folks, to us here in Australia it’s nothing. It’s a 24 hour drive to our state capitol (Brisbane) and yes, we’ve done it many times. The Cairns- Port Rd is also one of the most beautiful drives in the world. We seem to have had a very early wet season this year, temperatures have dropped and we haven’t seen “real” wet season rains and storms in quite a while. I think it may all be over for this year.
Update to this, you can now cross the river into the Daintree and it’s partially open. See our update in the Things to do in Port Douglas post.
Hi Alyson, I got very excited over the sunglasses you recommended and tried to order some but they don’t ship to Australia. How did you get them here? Their website has an Australian icon in the top right hand corner but no availability to change the shipping information. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Rosa
We’ve had them shipped to Australia often Rosa. Also to Vietnam, and the UK. We didn’t have to do anything special, just used the website. They’ve changed their models though and we don’t like their new versions so we’re going back to Oakleys now.
You need to tell people how to not touch and wash sandfly bites
Hi, great stuff from everyone, I will be in PD/Cairns area for 10 days next month (June). It’s me and my 12 year old daughter. We are stating in PD for 3 days, visiting the Reef and then up to Cape Trib for a day. Can anyone recommend an unusual side trip, I don’t mind driving and have a 2wheel drive rental. We are coming from Fiji then to PD so we’ll have done the beach a lot. Are there any great outback destinations? Thanks
Hmmm….unusual. I can’t think of anything I haven’t put in the post already. How about the platypus? Or there are things like SUP – paddleboarding trips on some of the small rivers here. We live here and I’m scratching my head! The zip lines up at Daintree ? Kite Surfing. Heading inland you just really get to the Tablelands and then the road runs parallel with the coast, there’s nothing going deeper into the grasslands up there that I can think of, other than the Wheelbarrow Way, and I don’t think there’s much to see. You’ve got the caves, old lava tubes at Chillagoe maybe. Or there’s Granite Gorge, we’ve camped there. Mount Uncle Distillery. I don’t know, I’m stumped. Come to our house and help me with the garden ? Let me know what you decide!
@Michael, if the weather is clear and your budget allows a helicopter over reef and rainforest is unforgettable also a 4 wheel tour on the Bloomfield track is amazing
Hello, We are coming to visit Port Douglas in June. Thank you for your great blog post! We were planning to drive to Cape Tribulation one day to try some jungle surfing but I did not realize that might not be possible with a rental car. Would we need 4 wheel drive on the coast road at that time of the year?
Hi Teri,
Thanks for reading. No you won’t need a 4wd drive unless you go north of Emmagen creek which is where the 4wd road starts. You can’t miss it as the road leads straight into Emmagen Creek and out the otherside. Rental cars will cover you up until this point I believe and while some of the road is unsealed the majority is a sealed all be it winding road. As for the time of year that is the best time with the chance of rain at a minimum and the temperature not too hot.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers
Chef
Thank you very much! We are looking forward to it!
Hello,
Great blog. Is May a good month to visit port Douglas? Are the hotel pools and beaches warm enough to swim?
May is a great time. It’s always warm here, even at night in winter it never gets cold. But the massive hotel pools can get a bit chilly. Depends what you consider warm enough really. The sea temperature is generally between 23 and 29 C so never cold. We were out there yesterday and it’s a very comfortable 27 C at the moment ( March). The shoulders of the wet season are always my favourite times. During the wet all the dead plant matter gets washed into the sea and the beach can look a bit grotty, but it’s all natural, part of our environment, so we’re not allowed to sweep beaches and such like.
Love your blog, we’re heading up for our honeymoon late September for 10 nights. Not sure if we should stay in Port Douglas for 6 nights and Daintree for 4. Any help or suggestions would be great. Thank you
If you stay in Daintree just be very aware of how little there is up there. If you’re seeking isolation and being in a great big rainforest surrounded by green and bugs and birds and critters…perfect! But there’s not a whole bunch up there to keep you busy for 4 days…but you’re on honeymoon….
The markets at Port Douglas look very cool but my big pull factor would be the Great Barrier Reef as well as exploring the rainforest. I think I’d like it there a LOT!
Come and visit! But not right now, the weather is bad
I’m planning a trip to Oz – hopefully, I’ll be able to get to Port Douglas and try my hand at snorkelling around the barrier reef – that must be a fab experience whether you are 7 or in your 50s like me!
I’m also in my 50s Fiona, I’ll be out on the reef tomorrow actually, but it’s raining like crazy up here right now. The Great Barrier Reef is great for most able bodied people. We did take a baby and a toddler out there once, that was hard work, but it can be done.
In case I find myself doing a trip to Port Douglas, I won’t need anything else – just your blog post. This is so comprehensive 🙂 That helicopter ride is on top of my list.
Ha Ha…well…we do live there! Stop by for a nice cup of Earl Grey
Port Douglas looks fun. I like the Aboriginal festival. What a great learning experience for the kids.
Daintree forest sounds wonderful. I can’t believe you went across the water with the crocodile for that photo! I wouldn’t have.
The Four Mile Beach sounds like a great idea for an idle time with the family. I would also love the explore the Port Douglas markets. It is such a great way to taste and sample local produce.
I’ve been looking into a road trip along the East Coast route, so I’ll definitely be making my way through Port Douglas and looking for things to do. I’m super interested in learning about the Aboriginal heritage. I love discovering the rich history of indigenous groups.
Awesome post! I envy your son for snorkeling to the Great Barrier reef already! Creek crossing might not be for me though! haha
Love how amazingly comprehensive this is! When I lived in Australia, I made it to Cairns but never quite as far north as Port Douglas. I think the Bump Track would top my list on my next visit!
Me too, it’s what keeps my thighs from turning to mush. A walk up there before breakfast is always good.
OK, you got me at cane toad racing, this tickled my funny bone! Feeding the groper looks a bit hardcore to me! On more serious note, I’d love to learn more about Aboriginal heritage, and the culture and arts in particular. And I love taking helicopter rides above beautiful places!
Hi, we are coming from Canada, and this will be are first time in PD. We really are not the tourist types, that said we do want to go out to the Barrier reef. But, beyond that, we really want to go with locals, walking tours, non comercial interactions. We are two retired teachers, so limited funds, but willing to pay for worthwhile ventures. Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks much.
Hi Marc, I haven’t been in Port Douglas for almost 3 years now. I really can’t suggest anything more than what is already on this website from when we lived there. Have a great trip!
Wow, this looks wonderful. We need to get this on our list of places to visit, for sure. I am not sure about a helicopter ride though.
You can come stay with us one day Heidi, lots of room!
Aren’t you sweet, but one problem… you aren’t there. 🙂 Perhaps in 2015 or 2016?
I wish we’d stayed with you a bit longer in Port Douglas now to try out some of these activities – we were moving ridiculously fast down the East Coast, it boggles my brain how quickly we were moving back then! I’m glad you guys persuaded us to go up to Cape Tribulation in the end (remember we were thinking of skipping it?) it was beautiful.
Yes Amy you guys were flying down that coast. We were worried you wouldn’t see anything at all. Glad you did. Leaves some things to do for a second visit of course.
Just being jealous with you, Alyson! ;-))
I forgot I was in Port Douglas in 1991, just after having met my would-be-futur-husband!
I think I wouldn’t mind getting old in a place like that…