Don’t miss out on the best things to do in Port Douglas! From snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef to exploring the Daintree Rainforest, find it all here.
Discover the Great Barrier Reef, journey into the Daintree Rainforest, and experience a serene getaway in this beautiful tropical location. The Port Douglas tour offers a variety of activities centered on the reef, rainforest, and rejuvenation. Situated on the Coral Sea in Far North Queensland, it offers entry to such beautiful locations as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. In addition to these excursions, seize the chance to relax with spa services, evening drinks and alfresco meals. Here are our prime suggestions for your stay in Port Douglas.
See crocodiles on a river cruise through the mangroves
Moreover, a suggested pastime in town is embarking on a relaxed boat trip aboard the famed riverboat Lady Douglas. Throughout this journey, you’ll gently traverse the undisturbed mangrove waterways while searching for wild saltwater crocodiles spotted on over 95 per cent of outings in their natural habitat.
Within this region, you can spot diverse bird species and shipwrecks as they perform routine tasks.
The tour is accompanied by a narrative that details the locality’s mangroves, crocs and historical background. The Lady Douglas’s twilight cruise is a distinctive experience, complete with a fully licensed bar on deck and presents an exclusive setting for evening refreshment in Port Douglas.
Savour meals in the open-air
While feasting in Port Douglas, numerous choices await. It’s advised to opt for outdoor seating to embrace the bright sunshine and delightful tropical nights entirely.
The Marina is home to various dining establishments and bars that reflect their locale, such as Hemingway’s Brewery, which serves gastropub delights like communal dishes, burgers, seafood and pizzas. Lure, a seafood-centric eatery, and Choo Choos at the Marina, a vibrant cafe boasting a varied all-day breakfast selection, are also present.
Situated near the Sugar Wharf and St Mary’s by the Sea, a host of dining venues on Wharf Street in Port Douglas, including Salsa Bar & Grill, The Court House Hotel, and Seabean Spanish Bar & Tapas.
You can drive to Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation, where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet, is easily accessible as a day trip from Port Douglas, with a drive time of under two hours.
On the way, take a brief detour to Daintree Village, which was established in the 1870s as a logging community, to enjoy some tropical-flavoured ice cream from the Daintree Ice Cream Company (currently closed due to Covid-19) before crossing the Daintree River on a traditional car ferry. Thirty-five kilometres north of this point, you will reach Cape Tribulation, where the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef intersect with the vibrant green rainforest of the Daintree.
Experience the beauty of the Daintree at Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas is an ideal gateway to discover the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, the planet’s most ancient tropical rainforest. Merely a 20-minute journey from the town, the captivating Mossman Gorge in the southern part of the World Heritage site awaits, where the magical atmosphere is palpable upon entry.
Here, a rainforest where crystal-clear waters cascade over polished granite rocks forms pools with a jade-like tint. These pools are excellent for refreshing dips and can be reached via the Mossman Gorge Centre. Travelers can roam freely, choosing one of the brief, self-directed trails.
Gain a richer appreciation of the native plants and Australian wildlife during a Dreamtime Walk guided by an Indigenous expert. This walk initiates with a customary smoking ritual and features tales of Kuku Yalanji customs and heritage, complemented by bush tea and damper.
You can enjoy cocktails at the Marina during the sunset
Following your delightful hour on the water, you can prolong your night at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Barbados, a waterside bar and eatery boasting magnificent vistas of the inlet and the setting sun. The scenic backdrop showcases a rainforest-clad mountain and a sky that adopts a splendid hue of pink.
Barbados is celebrated for its extensive assortment of rum, with an ever-expanding range. You might sample a signature in-house infused rum or a rum-based cocktail, such as a Caribbean Mojito infused with ginger ale and spiced pineapple syrup, a Black Pearl, which adds a spin to the classic old-fashioned, or a Coconut Sour garnished with toasted coconut shavings.
Should rum not be your liking, Barbados serves an eclectic food menu featuring choices like communal dishes and vibrant and tangy options like soba noodle salad accompanied by locally sourced tuna tataki and lime-infused coconut prawns.
Visit a day spa for a relaxing experience
Port Douglas is a relaxing holiday town that encourages you to take your time and consider indulging in a day spa for some pampering. There are plenty of options available to you.
Niramaya Day Spa & Villas provides a serene Balinese-inspired setting and a range of treatments, including the two-hour Tropical Dreaming Package, which includes an Aroma Relaxation massage and a customised facial, or the three-hour Niramaya Bliss Package, which consists of an exfoliation-,-coconut-Vichy-shower, massage, and facial.
The Port Douglas Day Spa and Vie Spa at Pullman Port Douglas Resort are popular options for relaxation and rejuvenation. For a unique experience in the Far North Queensland area, visitors can drive 40 minutes north to the Daintree Ecolodge and enjoy an Indigenous-inspired treatment at the Daintree Wellness Spa in the heart of the lush rainforest.
Kuku Yalanji elders have approved the spa treatments at the location and draw upon the ancient wisdom of medicine and healing. Guests also have the option to receive a massage at the on-site waterfall, which generations of Kuku Yalanji women have visited for its spiritual and healing properties.
Alternatively, one can drive 40 minutes south of Port Douglas to Palm Cove, known as the ‘Spa Capital of Australia’ due to its spa facilities. Some recommended spas in the area include Vie Spa at Palm Cove, Peppers Spa, Reef House Spa and Alamanda Spa.
At Four Mile Beach, visitors can swim, paddleboard, cycle, hike, or sunbathe
Port Douglas presents multiple ways to relish its unspoiled beach, strategically situated just a brief stroll from the central dining and resort district. Known as Four Mile Beach, this splendid stretch of white sand is adorned with palm trees and caressed by the calm waters of the Coral Sea. Travellers can mingle with residents and appreciate its serene allure.
Four Mile Beach extends the invitation to lounge on its sands, bask under the sun and take a refreshing dip. Surf Lifesaving Queensland monitors the beach, and a stinger net enclosure guarantees secure swimming from November through May.
Guests can partake in kitesurfing, dawn stand-up paddleboarding or cycling the shoreline after procuring a bicycle from the township.
To capture a distinct perspective of Four Mile Beach, embark on the Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail at its northern edge. From this vantage point, one can behold panoramic scenes encompassing the beach, ocean, rainforest and mountain ranges.
Explore the shops and galleries on Macrossan Street
Dedicate time to wander through Macrossan Street, which boasts an array of boutiques and galleries featuring fashion, ornaments, home decor and artwork. Experience coastal bohemian style at Aloha Lucy, exclusive collections from Australian and European creators at Ginni Boutique, and swimwear reflecting tropical vibes by regional designers at Tahitian Lime.
The Ngarru Gallery is a premier art venue in the far north, exhibiting and vending modern Indigenous art. The gallery hosts pieces from esteemed artists and emerging talents, presenting items such as didgeridoos formed from termite hollows and art-centric merchandise.
If your visit coincides with a Sunday, make sure to stop by the Port Douglas Markets located at the west extremity of Macrossan Street in Market Park between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. With the cooling shadow of palm trees and a sea backdrop, these markets buzz with energy. They spotlight local artisans and producers, displaying various items, from handcrafted goods to unique fruits and refreshing sugarcane drinks.
