Port Douglas Guide
Port Douglas, a glitzy resort town in Tropical North Queensland, is nestled right between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Four Mile Beach, the Coral Sea and a quaint little town centre set the overall vibe: tropical, laid-back and decidedly more low-key than some of the bigger coastal cities you’d find elsewhere.
- 2 hours (approx.)
- 120 min
- $ 42,00 AUD
- $ 32,00 AUD
- 16 Days
- 18:00 - 18:00
- $ 11,750 AUD
- $ 10,750 AUD
- 14 Days / 13 Nights
- 18:00 / 10:00
- $ 8,790 AUD
- $ 8,490 AUD
- Half day
- 5 hours (approx.)
- $ 92,00 AUD
- $ 82,00 AUD
- 3 hours
- 180 min. (approx.)
- $ 69,00 AUD
- $ 59,00 AUD
Upscale Tropical Gateway
Macrossan Street is basically the heart and soul of the town – a bustling strip lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques and galleries and some of the older buildings that give Port Douglas its unique charm – all just a stone’s throw from the waterfront and loads of resorts.
Getting to Port Douglas is pretty easy – from Cairns International Airport, the Captain Cook Highway winds its way north along the coast. There are a few bus services, such as Exemplar Coaches, Limousines, and Sun Palm, that run transfers, but if you’re planning to explore the Daintree and surrounding area, renting a car is probably your best bet.
The natural beauty of the place never gets lost in the resort developments. The Coral Sea wraps itself around the peninsula, the rainforest-clad ranges rise up inland, and even the 19th-century history of Port Douglas still manages to pop up in places like the Port Douglas Courthouse Museum.
FAQ
How long do you need in Port Douglas?
If you want to get in all the top sights—the reef, rainforest, beach, and the town itself — you’re looking at three or four days. Of course, if you can scrape together five or seven days, you’ll have plenty of time to account for any change in the weather and fit in a couple of slower days at the resort.
Is Port Douglas the perfect spot to explore the Great Barrier Reef?
Definitely. Local operators run all sorts of trips to offshore reef sites – so whether you’re into sailing, snorkelling or diving, Port Douglas makes a convenient Great Barrier Reef departure point.
Can you visit the Daintree Rainforest from Port Douglas?
You bet – it’s totally doable. There are local trips and self-drive adventures that’ll get you to the gorge, river, rainforest and Cape Tribulation, making the town a practical base for Daintree day trips.
When are the Port Douglas Sunday Markets on?
Every Sunday, the markets pop up at Market Park on Wharf Street from 8 am to 2 pm — provided the weather doesn’t get too bad, that is. You’ll find over 150 artisan stalls trying to make it there, which makes the markets a popular Sunday morning attraction.
So what is Port Douglas really famous for?
Well, if you had to put your finger on it, it’s probably its reef-and-rainforest location and famous tropical beach. But you can also add in some pretty swanky resorts, the Sunday markets, and the fact that you can move easily between beach, marina and tropical rainforest experiences—that’s pretty unique.
Popular Places to Visit
Experience The Best Of Brisbane
The river is the natural place to start. Ferries and bridges connect the two banks, while riverside walking paths lead between gardens, restaurants and city views.
South Bank Parklands sits directly opposite the Brisbane CBD, bringing together around 15 hectares of parkland, Streets Beach and the Queensland Cultural Centre. Across the river, Queen Street Mall and the 18-hectare City Botanic Gardens offer a mix of busy city streets and quieter waterfront spaces.
Kangaroo Point has some of the best views of the Brisbane skyline and Story Bridge. Nearby, Howard Smith Wharves brings dining and riverside spaces beneath the bridge. New Farm, Fortitude Valley and West End add another mix of parkland, nightlife, leafy streets and charming cafés.
