Port Douglas travel guide: best things to see & do

We all need a tropical getaway with a decent market or two, wildlife that scare the living daylights out of us, crocodiles up close and personal and crystal clear water with a coral reef that is Australia’s marine heritage. Port Douglas is the answer to our wish to escape. A tropical piece of Australia, in our backyard is hospitality Queensland style. Let’s find out what is so special about Port Douglas.

Port Douglas is photogenic. A delightful village, sandwiched between the tropical rainforest of the Daintree and the coral sea makes for numerous insta photo moments. . The town has reinvented itself many times since its origins as a gold-mining hub in the 1870s. Due to strict building height regulations the town retains a mellow, sleepy fishing-village ambiance.Port Douglas welcomes visitors from all over the world to experience tropical Queensland with a relaxed vibe that reflects the community spirit.

Looking north over mangroves and sand towards Port Douglas.

For visitors who want a dip on a tropical beach. Four Mile beach is palm fringed oasis, within strolling distance from the main street. Imagine a tropical beach golden sand, sunsets to capture and a languid air just waiting for your beach towel.

Port Douglas is located on the Coral Sea in the far north of Queensland, Australia. it is known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef system, and Daintree National Park.

Surrounded by two iconic World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef, underwater coral forest and the ancient Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas welcomes visitors from all over Australia and elsewhere to experience tropical Queensland with a relaxed vibe that reflects the community spirit.

Where is Port Douglas

What’s the best time to go?

May to September

We recommend timing your stay for June. The weather is warm without being too hot, and it’s the time of year when minke whales start to congregate on the Great Barrier Reef as part of their annual migration north. And you will avoid the school holidays which increase the crowds.

Early morning light at the Marina on Dickson's Inlet

What to see and do

Wildlife Habitat
Great Barrier Reef
Daintree Forest
Beaches
River Cruise
Shopping & Markets
Relax and refresh on Four Mile Beach

Daintree rainforest

Mossman Gorge, part of the Daintree Forest is a short 20 minute drive from Port Douglas. You have a sensation of primel green wrap where a dinosaur could be around the next corner, or perhaps a crocodile. Swimming in cool rivers and pools that are crystal-clear waters is inviting, while the cool temperatures make it the perfect place to rejuvenate from the humid warmth of the coast.

Explore the Daintree Forest and meet the traditional guardians of the area, the local aborginal people who for thousands of years have called this place home. Then an opportunity to meet Australia’s wildlife. The boardwalk takes you to the Mossman River and a beautiful swimming area. The river can be dangerous after heavy rain. Remember to have your insect repellant handy. Otherwise the usual tropical biting mosquitoes will be a nuisance. Then there is the sometimes severe itching afterwards. Covered walking shoes are recommended even for areas where there are boardwalks.

Mossman Gorge Walks

Baral Marrjanga—270 m (5–10 mins) Grade: easy. …
Lower river track—300 m (5–10 mins) Grade: moderate to easy. …
Rex Creek bridge—460 m (10 mins) Grade: moderate to easy. …
Rainforest Circuit Track (from Rex Creek bridge)—2.4 km return (45 mins) Grade: moderate to easy.

Guided walking tours are popular. It is recommended the tours are booked before departure to avoid disappointment. For those so inclined there will be an opportunity for a dip in a rainforest pool. There is an opportunity to visit the well known Janbal Gallery, aboriginal owned and operated.

Hartley’s wildlife Sanctuary is a must do activity. This is where you are going to meet Australia’s tropical inhabitants, the crocodile, the cassowary, a giant flightless bird and the numerous tropical butterflies. Family friendly Wildlife Habitat gives all age groups a chance to come face to face with a cassowary or surround yourself with tropical brilliant butterflies. You will view Australia’s fascinating wildlife being up close and personal.

Four Mile Beach

Four Mile beach is palm fringed oasis, within strolling distance from the main street. It is a classical tropical beach with golden sand, sunsets to capture and a languid air. A swimming enclosure is on this Beach providing safer swimming conditions during the dangerous marine stinger season, typically from November to May (subject to seasonal variability). Council provides lifeguard services on this beach at certain times. Swim safe and only swim at beaches patrolled by a lifeguard..

Shopping and Markets

The Port Douglas Sunday market is a rite of passage for visitors to Port Douglas. Spend your visitor dollars and support the weekend market situated in the vicinity of the main street shops. It is a place where local artists market their latest creations, home made food providers next door to a second hand clothing vendor and numerous places for children to enjoy a tropical ice-cream freshly made, on the spot with your choice of local tropical fruit. When: Every Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Where: Market Park, adjoining Anzac Park on the inlet at Wharf St Port Douglas. Just head west down Macrossan Street to the end and you have arrived.

Barraumundi baked in banana leaf and paperbark with cous cous and salad.

Great Barrier Reef exploration

There is sometimes too much information. You are not sure about where and when to go … and the Barrier Reef is on your family’s must do list. Port Douglas visitor information provides visitors with an excellent guide to the reef. Whether you wish to observe or dive in, there are a multitude of ways to experience the majesty of this natural living wonder. Are you adventurous, confident in the water or prefer to stay dry and observe? How long do you want to spend snorkelling?

This overview will help you decide which Great Barrier Reef cruise is best suited for you…
Reef Activity Platforms
Islands
Adventure

Reef activity platforms

Sometimes referred to as a pontoon, multi-level reef activity platforms moored permanently at the Outer Great Barrier Reef provide a spacious, stable base to enjoy a wide range of reef activities in all weather conditions. Check out Port Douglas visitor information Great Barrier Reef to plan your trip.

River Cruises on the Port Douglas estuary and inlets

Hop aboard a vintage paddle boat to explore mangrove channels of the Dickson Inlet and learn about the estuarine habitat that adjoins the Reef. Wildlife sightings can include crocodiles, sea eagles, ites, ospreys, kingfishers, herons, waders, crabs, and the occasional turtle. The cruises are 2 hours in duration and leave from the Crystalhaven Marina. A river cruise to view crocodiles is not a guarantee that the crocodiles will appear. It is where nature sets the scene of what and when we will have an encounter. What a river cruise guarantees is to visit the croc’s home environment, where the wild things hang out. If you miss out and the family is wanting a crocodile sighting then there is always Hartley’s Sanctuary where sightings are guaranteed.

Day trips

Atherton Tablelands
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Sky Cableway
Fishing and cruising the coral coast
Helicopter and diving coral coast
Island escapes.

The day trips above are less than 2 hours one way. Consider the option of an overnight tour for a bucket list destination. If you do not have enough holiday time allocated to your Queensland exploration there is always the option of a return trip.

Safety alerts

Please do not let the safety alerts put you off the Queensland journey. Queensland is a favourite place and I simply take precautions. Precautions, listen to the locals, generally swim in designated areas and carry insect repellant. And it is warm when you are going on holiday from a winter where the temperature is below 10c. Tropical warmth is a coat that might take a day or two to get used to. Accommodation resort style swimming pools, air-conditioning and the cooler temperatures of the Daintree all make for a bucket list experience that is unmissable.

Daintree is very humid, there are numerous mosquitoes biting, circling around any exposed skin. The mosquitoes are supersized. Insect repellent is a must.

Health and well being

Check with a health professional for allergies or skin conditions. Use a gel on shoes to discourage leeches and if swimming remember to reapply repellent.

Innoculations

Check with a tropical health specialist.

Safety alert swimming

Tips:

If you’re travelling with your family, be sure to ask about Family Fares.
Look for tours that are accredited with Advanced Ecotourism Certification. These tour companies are committed to the ongoing conservation of our World Heritage environment.

Dangerous marine life

Sharks

Queensland’s beaches are great places to swim and surf, but be aware that sharks inhabit our coastline as well as estuaries, rivers, creeks, canals and streams.

We recommend you swim between the flags at patrolled beaches that have shark control equipment in place. If a shark is spotted, lifesavers will sound a siren or ring a bell, put up the red-and-white flag and tell you to leave the water immediately.

Safety tips

Don’t swim at dawn or dusk
Always swim in clear water (not in murky water, busy anchorages, estuary mouths or canals
Don’t throw good scraps or fish waste overboard (including in anchorages or where people are swimming)
Don’t swim where fish are being cleaned
Swim, surf, snorkel or dive with a buddy
Follow signage and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.