Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas from above

Where to go

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is the Capital of Barefoot Luxury

Resorts draw celebrities and families to this little slice of paradise between the rainforest and the reef.

This is natureโ€™s playground โ€ฆ where her wildlife flaunts its beauty in a stunning native context

Jack Jenkins – The Nature Kid

Swimming at Port Douglas Sea Temple

THE PERFECT PLAYGROUND

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 regionโ€™s high-end resort hub. But even with all that luxury, Port Douglas hasnโ€™t lost its classic Queensland charm and itโ€™s still the kind of place where youโ€™ll be more at home in board shorts than a ball gown.

View of four mile beach from lookout

A STUNNING STRETCH

The famous Four Mile Beach runs along the edge of Port Douglas, a pretty stretch of golden sand thatโ€™s remained largely undeveloped. Flop on the sand, swim in the warm waters of the Coral Sea or explore the rock pools at the beachโ€™s northern end.

Bar with cane toad racing sign

TRY THE TASTES OF THE TROPICS

Macrossan Street is the townโ€™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 Bettyโ€™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. Donโ€™t miss Tropical North Queenslandโ€™s regional sport โ€“ cane toad racing โ€“ held at the IronBar on Macrossan Street every night at 8pm.

Beers at Hemingways

ICE-COLD INDULGENCES

At the newly redeveloped Reef Marina you’ll find some of Port Douglasโ€™ top eateries, including Hemingwayโ€™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.

Shopping in Port Douglas

THE URGE TO SPLURGE

The shopping in Port Douglas is on par with what you would find in the countryโ€™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. Donโ€™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.

Great tropical drive from above

THE ROAD TO PARADISE

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. Itโ€™s also the closest town to Tropical North Queenslandโ€™s twin UNESCO World Heritage sites โ€“ the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef โ€“ and is a great jumping-off point for day-trips to either.

Tips

  • 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. Itโ€™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 donโ€™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.

Discover More

Explore Port Douglasโ€™ 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.

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Whatโ€™s On

Indulge at food, wine and beer festivals, or push yourself with a coastal triathlon or one of the worldโ€™s toughest mountain bike races.

rope

Getting here

  • Car at Red Cliff point

    By car

    Self-drive or hire a car and explore the Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, stopping at Port Douglas.

  • Bus on road to Port Douglas

    By coach/bus

    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.

Stay

Creature comforts have never looked so elegant.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

You already know we love sandy beaches & swaying palms ๐Ÿ It definitely isnโ€™t hard to get your daily dose of palm trees in @portdouglasdaintree ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿฅฅ Especially at #CowBay๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿš youโ€™ll settle into the swing of things quickly (get it? swing, because thereโ€™s a swing) ๐Ÿ˜‰ Looking to stay nearby? Try @cowbayhomestay ๐Ÿ 
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๐Ÿ“ธ @no.ninetofiveโ€‹ โ€‹#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #summergreat #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Flashback to December mornings in @portdouglasdaintree ๐ŸŒ… Thereโ€™s nothing more relaxing than starting your day as the sun comes up โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜ Once youโ€™re up & ready to start the day, thereโ€™s no shortage of things to explore ๐ŸŒฟโœจ From resort spas & shopping to fine dining & beach days, youโ€™ll spoilt for choice ๐Ÿš๐Ÿฅ‚
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @sarahwentsoloโ€‹ โ€‹#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #summergreat #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Palm trees & ocean views ๐ŸŒด๐ŸŒŠ There's more to this sleepy seaside village than spas, resorts & shops ๐Ÿš๐Ÿฅ‚ Head out on the water with @wavelengthreefcruises to explore the underwater wonderland off the coast of @portdouglasdaintree 
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @chiara_gregoย 
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โ€‹#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #summergreat
In @portdouglasdaintree, youโ€™ll find the most famed area of the @wettropicsworldheritage area, the #DaintreeRainforest โœจ๐ŸŒฟ Just a 20 minute drive from #PortDouglas lies the crystal-clear waters of @mossmangorge ๐Ÿงšโ€โ™‚๏ธ Be welcomed to country with a traditional smoking ceremony & discover the culture of the Kuku Yalanji people on a guidedย #dreamtimewalk through the surrounding rainforest ๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’šย 
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธ @helloemilie #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #summergreat #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
We know youโ€™re checking out our boat โ›ต๏ธ You might find some of the most incredible sunsets around in @portdouglasdaintree, but the best way to experience them has to be from the water ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒŠ Hop on board a sunset sail with @sailawayportdouglas for an evening youโ€™ll never forget ๐Ÿ˜โœจ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @larissadening #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest, @thedaintreewildernesslodge will allow you to immerse yourself into the magical sights & sounds of the rainforest ๐ŸŒฟโœจ Altogether there are at least 18 rainforest Aboriginal tribal groups in the @wettropicsworldheritage area ๐ŸŒดโ˜€๏ธ In this area, the Traditional Owners are the Kuku Yalanji people, whose country extends from near #Cooktown to @portdouglasdaintree ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ‘ฃ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธ @helloemilie #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #summergreat #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
The famous #FourMileBeach runs along the edge of @portdouglasdaintree โœจ๐Ÿ– This stunning stretch is the perfect place to flop on the sand, swim in the warm waters of the Coral Sea or explore rock pools at the northern end of the beach ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿš
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @jude_gravestock #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Itโ€™s not every day you see @portdouglasdaintree looking like this ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒบ Thereโ€™s much more to this sleepy seaside village than meets the eye ๐ŸŒดโœจ Luxury resorts, quaint markets & stalls, not to mention some incredible views like this one ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿš
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @mel.k.campbell #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@portdouglasdaintree might be home to one of the most picturesque churches in all of @australia โœจโ›ช๏ธ After almost being demolished in the mid-1980s, The iconic St Maryโ€™s By the Sea chapel is the last remaining church of historical significance in Port Douglas ๐Ÿ™Œ๐ŸŒด
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ย @carlo_wiewaswo #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Living up to its name with four miles of golden sands & swaying palms, #FourMileBeach is one of @portdouglasdaintreeโ€™s most popular beaches ๐Ÿ Take to the sands by bicycle, hire a sun lounge & spend your day relaxing under the shade of an umbrella or take a dip in the calm waters โ›ฑ๐ŸŒบ Here youโ€™ll also find the trailhead to Flagstaff Hill & plenty places to eat within walking distance ๐ŸŒด Anywhere you stay in Port Douglas is far from the beach, but there are a number of accommodation options where youโ€™ll walk right out onto the beach ๐Ÿšโœจ Time to stop in at @sheratongrandportdouglas perhaps? ๐Ÿค”ย 
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @davewilcockphotography #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Ready to relax on the perfect stretch of sand?ย ๐Ÿ๏ธ @tropicalnorthqueensland is definitely the right place for thatย ๐Ÿ™Œ  From islands to coastlinesย ๐Ÿš  Get ready to stretch your legs,  feel the sand between your toes & splash about in stunning watersย ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ ย Time to start planningย ๐ŸŒดย First on the list? @portdouglasdaintreeย  
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @glennferguson_ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Welcome to the capital of barefoot luxury ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ With its abundance of luxurious resorts like @sheratongrandportdouglas & @pullmanportdouglas ๐ŸŒบโœจ @portdouglasdaintree has flourished into a tropical playground for the rich & famous ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅ‚ But even with all that high-end pizzazz, this seaside village hasnโ€™t lost its classic @queensland charm ๐ŸŒดย 
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธ@coleen.rivas #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
After more secluded beaches & lush rainforest? ๐Ÿ #CowBay it is! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ Located in @portdouglasdaintree, this hidden gem might not be on the top of your travel list, but itโ€™s definitely worth a wander ๐Ÿšโœจ The three secluded bays are perfect for a little bit of R&R โ›ฑ If youโ€™re after a bit more action, try a guided sea kayaking tour ๐Ÿ›ถ Did you know that Cow Bay really was named after cows ๐Ÿฎ Rumour has it that itโ€™s named after either farming cattle from the early days or sea cows (dugongs) that feed in the area ๐ŸŒŠ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @elisarqs #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
#ThorntonBeach along the Great Barrier Reef Drive offers sunning views of the Coral Sea right from your car seat ๐Ÿš˜๐Ÿ˜ But the true beauty of this beach comes when you take your first step onto the sand ๐Ÿ With breathtaking views of the eye-catching Struck Island & Thornton Peak ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ Not to mention rainforest activities & tours in @portdouglasdaintree ๐ŸŒด Maybe even a croc spotting cruise if youโ€™re up for it ๐ŸŠ If thatโ€™s not enough to convince you to stop the car, @daintreespiceco is getting ready to open at their new beach location soon ๐Ÿคซ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @bubblemaker_baker #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
With views this good, itโ€™s a wonder how anyone ever leaves @visitpalmcove ๐Ÿ˜ This pocket of paradise is perfectly positioned between #Cairns & @portdouglasdaintree, making it a pretty convenient place to flop-and-drop ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿง–๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ Youโ€™re bound to fall head over heels for tropical living after a visit to this beach village ๐Ÿ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @jaxonfoale #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Did you know โ‰๏ธ The reef surrounding #LowIsles was the first coral reef to be scientifically studied anywhere in the world ๐ŸŒ Many current theories of coral reef ecology are based on the findings of the 1928 expedition here ๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿ’ฆ Itโ€™s not just a great place for science though, #LowIsles is the perfect spot for a relaxed island getaway just off the coast of @portdouglasdaintree ๐Ÿ
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โ€‹๐Ÿ“ธย @riancope #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

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