OVERVIEW

The charming Queensland town of Port Douglas is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations and home to some picturesque locations such as Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.

We spent a month traveling through Australia, visiting iconic cities such as Sydney, the tropical paradise of Hamilton Island, and more remote locations such as the “outback”. But the sites and experiences of Port Douglas were truly unique and special.

We were able to see the world’s oldest rainforest, its largest and most vibrant coral reef, cuddle with a koala, drive one of Australia’s most famous highways, ride in a scenic mountain train, and explore some of Queensland’s wild beaches.

This guide to Port Douglas outlines how to get to the area, where to stay, and some of the best things to do when you visit. Hopefully with the help of this article you’ll also have a fantastic time visiting this awe-inspiring tropical destination.

GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND

Despite being a massive tourist draw, Port Douglas is a town of only about 4,000 residents. It doesn’t have its own airport, but it’s only a 70 kilometers and about an hour drive along the scenic Captain Cook Highway from Cairns, a much larger and well-connected city.

Cairns is another popular travel destination, although we found that it lacked the charm that we found in Port Douglas. Cairns Airport (CNS) services routes between many of Australia’s larger cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as some international destinations in Asia and the Pacific. You’ll find most major car rental companies at the airport, as well.

Greyhound buses and shuttle services can also be arranged to transfer between Cairns and Port Douglas. Exemplar Coaches and Limousines is one company offering this service.

In order to efficiently see the best that Port Douglas and northern Queensland has to offer, you’ll really need a car. The exception would be if you are booking with a tour group. Many of the most popular attractions, such as Daintree National Park and Kuranda, are at least an hour drive from one another.

The complicated logistics of buses and shuttles combined with the high costs of taxis and ride sharing services, make a rental car the only practical option for getting around. A car will also give you the flexibility to adjust your itinerary on the fly.

WHERE TO STAY

Despite being such a small town, Port Douglas has plenty of accommodations to satisfy its tourism demand. You’ll find rental properties, hotels, luxury resorts, and campgrounds throughout the town and surrounding areas.

Along Four Mile Beach you’ll find some beachfront resorts with pools, spas, and luxurious amenities. We stayed in a property near the beach that we rented through Holiday Rentals. It was spacious, convenient, reasonably priced. We thought the location was perfect and loved our time there.

Boutique hotels, apartment rentals, and guest houses are also available closer to Macrossan Street, the main business artery through Port Douglas. More affordable options for backpackers and budget conscious travelers are the campsites, motels, and hostels found near the business district.

If looking for a more adventurous accommodation, consider staying in one of the eco lodges or retreats deep in the heart of Daintree National Park. The seclusion and natural beauty offered here would be priceless and offer a truly unique experience.

TOP TEN THINGS TO DO

Daintree National Park

A visit to the lush rainforest of Daintree National Park are one of the best things to do when traveling to Port Douglas. The rainforest measures 1,200 square kilometers and is about 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world!

Daintree Forest is home to some of Australia’s most diverse plant and animal species, many of which are endangered. These animals include the tree-kangaroo, saltwater crocodile, amethystine python, and the elusive cassowary.

Daintree National Park warrants a full day of exploration. The park extends from Mossman Gorge in the south to Cape Tribulation, a full two hour drive north of Port Douglas. You’ll find several educational and scenic stops along the park’s main thoroughfare, Cape Tribulation Road.

50 kilometers outside of Port Douglas is the first stop, the Daintree Ferry. For $47 AUD the ferry provides a round-trip river crossing which takes less than 10 minutes. Shortly after arriving to the north shore, you’ll reach the Mount Alexandra Lookout. This is a quick pullout to an observation tower offering panoramic views over the rainforest canopy and all the way to the Daintree River, Coral Sea, and even the Low Isles on a clear day.

The next stop is the Daintree Discovery Centre, an educational ecotourism attraction. The center features an elevated boardwalk through the forest, observation tower, reptile and amphibian exhibits, guided cultural tours, a gift shop and cafe. After getting your fill from the center, consider a short hike on the Jindalba Boardwalk a bit further down the road if time permits.

Continue down Cape Tribulation Road to Thornton Beach. From the parking lot a short sandy path leads through the rainforest and abruptly opens up to the golden sands and crystal clear waters of Thornton Beach. Several signs advise against swimming due to the risk of crocodiles and marine stingers, an extremely venomous box jellyfish. Instead just stroll along the shore under the palm trees while enjoying the solitude and scenery of the beach.

Often considered the best trail in Daintree National Park, the Dubuji Boardwalk winds its way through the thick ferns and vines of the rainforest for nearly two miles. It takes about 46-60 minutes to walk the 1.2 circuit, but there are optional extensions that lead to Myall Beach if you’re interested. Often referred to as the “forest of vines”, this trail certainly lives up to its reputation.

The northern boundary of Daintree National Park is found at Cape Tribulation. The road does continue further north, but is only suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles. The short Kulki Boardwalk leads from the parking lot, through the dense rainforest, and opens up to a stunning beach. The southern end is lined with mangrove trees, creating a fascinating backdrop to the already unique and gorgeous beach.

Macrossan Street

The heart of Port Douglas’ shopping and nightlife scene is found along Macrossan Street. The street is nearly a kilometer in length and lined on both sides with restaurants, cafes, bars, gift shops, boutiques, art galleries, and of course, ice cream parlors. 

Oliver indulged in a colossal sundae from Wicked Ice Cream Co, Maddie cuddled up with a book at Whileaway Bookshop and Cafe, and Shirlee and I spent an afternoon window shopping. One of the main draws to Macrossan Street are the nightly cane toad races at the IronBar.

At the northern end of Macrossan St. you’ll find Rex Smeal Park while on the western side is Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, home to tour companies offering excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and fishing charters. Not far from the southern end of Macrossan St. is the beginning of Four Mile Beach.

Captain Cook Highway

One of Australia’s most iconic scenic drives is the narrow and winding 75-kilometer Captain Cook Highway. The coastal road runs from Cairns in the south to Mossman in the north, passing through Port Douglas on the way.

The drive is reminiscent of the legendary Highway 1 that runs through Big Sur in California. It hugs the picturesque Queensland coastline as it twists and turns through the rainforest and along unspoiled beaches. 

Some of the popular stops along Captain Cook Highway include the charming beachside village of Palm Cove and Ellis Beach. You’ll also pass Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, a wildlife park where you can have close-up encounters with some of Australia’s most ferocious creatures.

Rex Smeal Park

If you’re looking for a place to relax and watch the sunset near Macrossan Street, head over to Rex Smeal Park. The park is set along the shore beneath several towering palm trees, offering some shade while taking in the stellar views out to the Coral Sea.

We enjoyed watching a small wedding reception, a few local fishermen, and some kids playing in the park’s tiny secluded beach. Oliver and Maddie climbed around in the maze of branches on the park’s iconic fig trees, which was far more fun than any playground.

St. Mary’s by the Sea

Situated on Wharf Street in Port Douglas, historic St. Mary’s by the Sea is a Catholic Church built in 1880 and stands as one of Queensland’s oldest churches. The colonial-era church was made entirely of timber and still hosts weddings and masses today.

The Church’s appeal to tourists is largely due to its charming architecture and perfect location near the coast. As stunning as the Church was from the outside, we thought it was even more impressive on the inside. Behind the altar was a large open window with an incredible view straight out to the Coral Sea.  

Four Mile Beach

True to its name, the picturesque Four Mile Beach stretches four miles along Port Douglas’ southern coast. In the background are the lush Daintree Forest and dramatic peaks of the Great Dividing Range. The shallow, calm waters invite swimmers of all skill levels in for a dip while the palm trees lining the beach provide shade from the intense midday sun.

In contrast to the beaches of Daintree National Park, Four Mile Beach was safe for swimming during the winter months that we were visiting. Stinger season typically runs from November through May and crocodiles don’t inhabit the beach. There was even a lifeguard on duty, providing even more comfort.

The beach is perfect for social gatherings, picnics and BBQ, walks on the long, flat sand, and has restroom facilities at the main entrance. The beach is walking distance to the Macrossan St. and the marina as well.

Palm Tree Field

Only 15 kilometers south of Port Douglas, at the pullout to Thala Beach Nature Reserve, you’ll find a small field filled with towering palm trees set in perfect rows. The field has become an Instagram hotspot and a place to get fantastic photos if you have a drone.

We stopped in the palm tree field briefly on our drive from Port Douglas back to Cairns, along Captain Cook Highway. Oliver and Maddie loved running through the field while I chased them up and down the rows of palm trees with the drone.

Great Barrier Reef

No trip to Port Douglas would be complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas is only a few kilometers from the world’s largest coral reef system and one of the seven natural wonders. Located off the coast of Queensland, the reef spans 2,300 kilometers and is comprised of 2,900 individual reefs that encompass 900 different islands. 

Several tour companies operate out of both Port Douglas and Cairns, with a wide variety of excursions available. From a half-day snorkeling trip and scuba diving in the outer reef to helicopter rides and multi day sailing adventures, there’s something for everyone.

We booked a full-day snorkeling excursion with Quicksilver Cruises. They brought us to three different reefs within the Agincourt Reef system, about 60 kilometers off the coast of Port Douglas. 

If you plan to snorkel or scuba dive, I’d recommend visiting one of the outer reef systems rather than one closer to the mainland. Although the outer reefs will take longer to reach, they generally offer better visibility, fewer visitors, more biodiversity, improved coral diversity, and more vibrant colors. 

Quicksilver Cruises gave us stinger suits and the tour was absolutely amazing, far better than our experience in Hamilton Island or anywhere in the Caribbean. We saw coral of every color, hundreds of different fish species, a few large clams, and a beautiful jellyfish. Shirlee and I could have snorkeled out there all day.

Mossman Gorge Cultural Center

Technically the Mossman Gorge Cultural Center lies within Daintree National Park. However, we really enjoyed our time here and believe Mossman Gorge requires at least a half day to fully explore the area.

Nestled about 20 kilometers north of Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge is buried deep in the ancient rainforest and home to a wide array of plant and animal species. Mossman River carves through the gorge creating waterholes and unearthing large boulders, a fantastic place for a swim and to cool off in the hot sun.

The center will teach you all about the Kuku Yalanji, the Indigenous population that has inhabited the gorge for thousands of years.

At the cultural center you’ll learn about the Indigenous Kuku Yalanji people, who have inhabited the region for the past 50,000 years. You’ll find interpretive displays and workshops providing information about their unique culture, Ngadiku Dreamtime stories, and spiritual ties to Mossman Gorge.

From the Cultural Center a shuttle will bring you down to the gorge for $14 AUD. From there you can hike Baral Marrjang trail, a raised walkway that leads further into the gorge and along the Mossman River. Consider extending your hike to include the 2.4 kilometer Rainforest Circuit Track that weaves deeper into the rainforest. 

Kuranda

Another popular attraction in the Port Douglas area is the charming mountain village of Kuranda. The village is home to the Original Kuranda Rainforest Markets and the Heritage Markets, where you’ll find local arts and crafts, souvenirs, clothing, and various food. 

There’s also several opportunities for unique wildlife encounters while visiting Kuranda. Oliver was able to hold a koala at the Kuranda Koala Gardens and Maddie really enjoyed exploring the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Birdworld Kuranda is another popular attractions, where you can interact with over 350 Australian bird species in their natural environment.

Although there is a road that leads to Kuranda, the best way of getting there is by taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The historic railroad transports visitors for 34 miles in its vintage carriages from Cairns to Kuranda. For 2 hours it winds its way through the rainforest, along ravines, and over waterfalls while passing through 15 hand-carved tunnels and over 37 bridges.

As for returning from Kuranda back to Cairns, plan on taking the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The cableway features three separate gondolas that stretch for 7.5 kilometers from just outside Cairns to Kuranda. You’ll coast over the rainforest canopy with spectacular views in every direction.

There are two stops along the cableway, one being Red Peak Station and the other Barron Falls Station. Both stops have a short boardwalk trail that leads to amazing viewpoints of waterfalls, gorges, and vistas over the rainforest.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Australia boasts some of the world’s most impressive landscapes and tourist attractions, including the wild outback and Sydney’s renowned opera house. But Port Douglas rivals all of these locations, operating as Australia’s gateway to the world’s oldest rainforest and an underwater coral paradise.

When planning our month-long Australia itinerary we knew we had to visit northern Queensland to explore Daintree National Park, meet some of the region’s unique animals, and of course snorkel in the legendary Great Barrier Reef. We were torn between the larger city of Cairns and the smaller but more charming town of Port Douglas.

We definitely made the right choice. Port Douglas is conveniently located near most major attractions and Macrossan St. offers an abundance of restaurants, shopping, and art galleries. However, it’s still able to retain its small town appeal and connection to the unique nature found in Queensland.

The five days we spent in Port Douglas were the highlight of our time in Australia. The unique scenery, thrilling adventures, and opportunities to learn about the Indigenous populations of the Daintree Forest ensure that a visit to Port Douglas belongs on every Australia itinerary.