Where to go
Resorts draw celebrities and families to this little slice of paradise between the rainforest and the reef.
This is nature’s playground … where her wildlife flaunts its beauty in a stunning native context
Jack Jenkins – The Nature Kid
When the Sheraton Mirage resort opened in 1987, it transformed Port Douglas from a sleepy village into a tropical playground for the rich and famous. In three decades, the town has become the region’s high-end resort hub. But even with all that luxury, Port Douglas hasn’t lost its classic Queensland charm and it’s still the kind of place where you’ll be more at home in board shorts than a ball gown.
The famous Four Mile Beach runs along the edge of Port Douglas, a pretty stretch of golden sand that’s remained largely undeveloped. Flop on the sand, swim in the warm waters of the Coral Sea or explore the rock pools at the beach’s northern end.
Macrossan Street is the town’s main artery, with more than 60 restaurants and cafes within walking distance. Settle in for al fresco seafood at 2Fish, house-made gnocchi at Salsa Bar & Grill or an acai smoothie bowl at Betty’s Bohemian Beach Cafe. After dark, Macrossan Street comes to life with the best nightlife often bouncing between the Courthouse Hotel and Paddy’s Irish Pub. Don’t miss Tropical North Queensland’s regional sport – cane toad racing – held at the IronBar on Macrossan Street every night at 8pm.
At the newly redeveloped Reef Marina you’ll find some of Port Douglas’ top eateries, including Hemingway’s Brewery where locally brewed beer (made with water from Mossman Gorge) is paired with a deliciously casual menu. Grab a spot under the striped umbrellas at Barbados, a chic cocktail bar and restaurant overlooking the Dickson Inlet, serving tapas-style small plates, fresh seafood and pizza. Get a table at On the Inlet at 5pm to watch George (a 250-kilo groper), be fed and then stay for your own dinner of a towering seafood platter.
The shopping in Port Douglas is on par with what you would find in the country’s most stylish capitals, making it a much-loved sartorial hotspot for locals and visitors alike. There are boutiques selling major international labels, one-of-a-kind local designs, handcrafted jewellery and breezy beach-inspired homewares. Don’t miss the markets held every Sunday morning. Producers come from all over the region to sell jewellery, crafts, clothes, pottery, fresh fruit and more.
Port Douglas is at the centre of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, the most picturesque stretch of highway in the region. It hugs the coast from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, winding along with rainforest on one side and the ocean on the other. It’s also the closest town to Tropical North Queensland’s twin UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef – and is a great jumping-off point for day-trips to either.
Join the locals for a low-key dinner of fish and chips on the wharf. Or keep that feet-in-the-sand feel at The Beach Shack, a tropical bar and restaurant with comfy couches, brightly coloured lanterns and a sandy floor.
Take a drive inland to the picturesque town of Mossman, set among the cane fields at the foot of the mountains. It’s famous for its Saturday morning markets, held in the shade of towering raintrees, and selling locally grown fruit and vegetables, clothing, arts and crafts, cakes and excellent coffee.
Port Douglas is one of the best golfing destinations in Australia, with three exceptional 18-hole courses close to town. Choose between the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course and Country Club, the Mirage Country Club and the Mossman Golf Club.
While the town is compact, many of the resorts are spread out along the highway. If you don’t have a car, shuttle buses run between the main resorts, the town and the marina. Or you can hire a bike and get around under your own steam.
Explore Port Douglas’ award-winning restaurants and fashion boutiques, or get out of town to discover the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, right on your doorstep.
Don’t let its flop and drop reputation fool you, there are many things to do in Port Douglas. From hunting with Traditional Owners & exploring the Great Barrier Reef, to river floats & wildlife parks. Here’s how to spend your time in Port Douglas.
A getaway is looming and you’re longing for a tropical escape – Cairns and Port Douglas are both popular holiday havens boasting a wealth of experiences. Read this guide to help plan your trip to these two seaside locales.
The knee has been dropped, or the questions been popped – now you’ve got a wedding to plan. Not to fret, your wedding fairy godmother is here, armed with the ultimate ceremony and reception combos in Port Douglas.
This old favourite has a new sense of cool about it. Here’s how to make the most of your time away.
Deep tissue massages, vichy showers, hot stone therapies, seaweed wraps and coconut coffee scrubs, here are a few places to bliss out in Tropical North Queensland.
Port Douglas is the perfect getaway for kids and parents alike, with everything from adrenaline-filled rainforest adventures and awe-inspiring wildlife tours to top-end eateries and bustling local markets.
From scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest to flying to an ancient aboriginal rock art site or undertaking an epic helicopter pub crawl, take to the sky on your Tropical North Queensland adventure.
They may have a reputation as one of the planet’s most powerful creatures, but crocodiles are equally as fascinating as they are fearsome.
Ready to dive in? Pack your swimmers, hat and sunscreen. Quicksilver Cruises has you covered with all the rest.
The strip of bitumen between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, now known as the Great Barrier Reef Drive, is 140 km of jaw-dropping beauty. The road winds between two world heritage icons that Tropical North Queensland is famous for: the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Walk in: swim out. For that added splash of luxury to your weekend getaway, family holiday or romantic retreat the following hotels will get you as close as you can to the most convenient and luxurious pools in the region.
Cairns to Cairns via Cape Tribulation
Welcome to the loveliest little drive in Queensland. Short but oh-so-sweet, the Great Barrier Reef Drive covers just 140km in a straight line north from Cairns to Cape Tribulation.
View itineraryCairns to Cairns
Get ready to discover the very best of Tropical North Queensland on the Great Tropical Drive. Some 26 different routes make up the drive, taking you from coast to Savannah, islands to the outback, rainforest to reef.
View itineraryIndulge at food, wine and beer festivals, or push yourself with a coastal triathlon or one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races.
Australia’s newest and funnest gay festival
Self-drive or hire a car and explore the Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, stopping at Port Douglas.
Tours depart Cairns and Palm Cove daily for the Daintree, with return stops available in Port Douglas. Shuttle services and private transfers are also available from Cairns and Palm Cove.
Creature comforts have never looked so elegant.
