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A guide on where to stay, eat & play in Port Douglas
Get away from the city to enjoy some tropical relaxation in the small, seaside town of Port Douglas. You can find this tranquil oasis just a short 1-hour drive North from Cairns, along one of the most stunning costal road drives. Whether you are in Port Douglas for a day or plan to stay and travel from there, the available activities are sure to impress. This stunning destination offers easy access to the outer Great Barrier Reef, the Low Isles, the Daintree Rainforest, and Mossman Gorge.
While enjoying your stay in this piece of paradise, make sure to take in the sights at some of the truly picturesque spots in town. You will find palm trees lining the sea wall at Smeal Park; soft, wonderful sand stretching out for miles at 4 Mile Beach; a gorgeous lookout over the waters below at Flagstaff Hill.
You have various options for good value day tours to visit both the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef when traveling out of Port Douglas. From wine tastings to outdoor adventures, Port Douglas certainly can check all the boxes.
Your captain will entertain & teach you of this unique, rare, authentic junk boat ‘Shaolin’ intriguing history, whilst indulging the stunning views of the Daintree Mountains. Enjoy in 3 different ways, a 1.5hr sunset cruise or a full day reef & island snorkel adventure to the blue lagoon low isles.
The Wet Tropics Rainforest & The Great Barrier Reef meet together on the Aboriginal land of Kuku Yalanji Country.
Explore & appreciate the connection to land, through your Aboriginal guides as they teach you about the environment, the history, culture, traditions, sample seasonal bush tucker & learn about their bush medicines.
Join the Captain on Lady Douglas for an entertaining (yet informative) 1.5hr cruise in the calm river waters… As your searching for wild estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat, you’ll also be treated to spectacular scenery of the mangroves, wildlife, shipwrecks, harbour & costal views (from inlet entrance).
Boasting of its range of reptiles & wildlife, Hartley’s is about sustainability, education & positive relationships with wildlife, teaching young & the old about the dangers of wildlife, how to keep safe around them, what they eat, how they live & to respect their space. Very popular among the locals and internationals.
Taste your way through the majestic Atherton Tablelands with Brett, as he introduces you to the diverse food bowl grown in our rich volcanic soils… You’ll be treated to a variety of liqueurs, wines, beers, spirits, coffees, cheeses, chocolates, tropical fruits & nuts.
You have some options when it comes to getting to and from Port Douglas. Here are some options we suggest.
If you have a car with you, or are planning to hire a car, drive yourselves up to Port Douglas and take in all the views along the way. This 1 one-hour drive (each way) is one of the most stunning costal roads. If you have the option, this is a great way to travel as you will be able to pull over and take in the sites at your leisure.
There are bus companies who do transfers to and from Cairns and Port Douglas. Due to the on going affects of COVID19, the availability can change. We recommend calling around to get the most up-to-date time table and options.
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Photo courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland
There are a variety of accommodations styles available in Port Douglas. Some locations will leave you right in the heart of town, where others will be a short drive away. Due to the ongoing affects of COVID19, there is no Uber in Port Douglas, so do be mindful of this when deciding where you would like to stay.
Air BnB has many choices around the Port Douglas area, many close to shops, restaurants, and the waterfront. Do be mindful that tour operators will not be allowed to pick up from residential addresses. You will need to make your own way to check in or to the closest pick up point.
Located roughly 20 mins before Port Douglas, Thala Beach Nature Reserve delivers a luxurious escape back to nature. With their own private beach, a balcony restaurant overlooking the rainforest, and multiple nature walks on the property, you are truly immersed in nature when staying at Thala Beach.
For a clean, convenient camping or caravan stay, Tropic Breeze is the way to go. Located only a 1 minute walk to 4 Mile Beach and close to everything in town, this is a great pet-friendly option.
If you are looking for a chic, top notch accommodation, look no further. You will be completely relaxed at this 5 star, beach side location with swim-up bar.
If you are looking for an apartment style stay, Coconut Grove has you covered. The apartments are roomy, modern, and centrally located for convenient shopping, dining, and travel.
Most eateries in Port Douglas are along Macrossan Street, the main road in town. You will find a mixture of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Below you will find some of our favourites.
Not far from Port Douglas, the Nightwings Rainforest project is working hard to ensure the survival of the incredible ecosystem of the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. This group aim to take restore old sugarcane land back to the glorious rainforest it once was. Along with planting roughly 50,000 trees to date, the project is also a sanctuary for endemic species of bats, such as the Flying Fox, and other small animals of the rainforest. Due to the increased loss of natural habitat, these creatures are declining in numbers at a startling rate. Nightwings Rainforest aim to help preserve and regenerate the rainforest, with the help of the community & volunteers, so the beautiful Wet Tropics World Heritage area of Far North Queensland and wonderful creatures within have a thriving future.
Gone are the days of signal use plastics in Port Douglas and Far North Queensland, and for great reason. Roughly 8 million tonnes of plastic are currently entering the ocean every year and having devastating effects on the marine life. The Douglas Shire Council have started the Keep Paradise Plastic Free campaign. The goal is to help the community and businesses find alternative options to replace single-use plastics, wherever possible. Add this to Nicole Nash’s The Last Straw campaign, which will see single use plastics banned later this year and we are surly off to a great start. Whether it be a re-usable shopping bag or a biodegradable paper straw, these little changes can make a lasting impact to our planet and our little piece of paradise.