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town in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia
Oceania > Australia > Queensland > Far North Queensland > Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a coastal resort town north of Cairns, near the Daintree Rainforest in the Far North of Queensland.

Understand

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Port Douglas is a small town (year-round population around 3500 people in 2016). It is a very popular tourist, beach and reef destination, with the peak season being during dry season from May through September. It largely, although not exclusively, caters for family holidaymakers and offers higher-end resort stays to couples and families. There are some backpacker hostels but far fewer than in Cairns. Port Douglas maintains a village feel: the palm trees are taller than the buildings and you can meander through the town to do some shopping, or enjoy a wide variety of cafes, pubs, restaurants and bars, ranging from those offering excellent value to world-class cuisine.

Port Douglas is an ideal base for visits to the Great Barrier Reef or to the Daintree Rainforest, with Cape Tribulation a 90-minute drive on well-maintained, sealed roads.

Get in

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Port Douglas's nearest airport is in Cairns, which is served by both domestic and international flights. Port Douglas is a one hour drive north of Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway, a well-maintained sealed road, albeit windy. Bus transfers are available: Sun Palm run a shuttle from Cairns airport and downtown ($35/$15) a good option is Exemplar Coaches and Limousines

Rental cars are also easily available at Cairns.

Get around

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There are 2 bus systems that will take you into town for $5 round trip. The return ticket is only good with the bus company you went in to town with. On Sundays there is a small sightseeing train that runs into and out of town. Tours to the reef or rain forest pick you up at your hotel.

Buses go past 4 times per hour from 7AM til around midnight.

The main downtown area (along Macrossan St) is easily walkable if you choose a hotel or hostel in that area.

It is the place where the reef meets the rainforest, a tropical wonderland of diversity.

Port Douglas provides access to the Great Barrier Reef and also the Daintree Rainforest.

Another great day trip is also the nearby Atherton Tablelands.

  • The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, Port Douglas Rd, ☏ +61 7 4099 3235. Provides visitors with a chance to observe a huge range of flora and fauna, up close and personal. Visitors wander through three unique environments: The Rainforest, where boardwalks meander along the forest floor to the canopy allowing views of native species such as the Cassowary; The Wetlands, where wading birds can be seen foraging for fish in waterways, and The Grasslands, an open-air exhibit where you can hand-feed kangaroos and observe emus and crocodiles. Informative, free guided tours and presentations take place throughout the day. Famous for its Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets. 
  • Get a free sunset sailing experience each Wednesday at the Port Douglas Yacht Club. All you need to do is be at the club and they will fit you up with an appropriate member’s boat and voila – you’re sailing!
  • Swim in a rainforest glade at Mossman Gorge or anywhere in the lovely Mossman River, being very careful of the dangerous currents there. Take a snorkel and see what’s really under the refreshing water.
  • Immerse yourself in the Port Douglas Sunday Markets at Rex Smeal Park. The quality and varied contents of the markets will keep everyone in the family happy.
  • Picnic at the gorgeous private beach on the far right hand side of Rex Smeal Park (you can even pick up some tasty eats and fresh juices in the markets!)
  • Catch a Sunday Session – there are up to eight local bands playing in the shire every Sunday so just check out a gig guide or ask a local what they are recommending.
  • Bike along Four Mile Beach – the firm sand is just sensational for cycling and the whole family will enjoy freewheeling along the beach.
  • Spot superstars in the streets – Macrossan Street is tops for celebrity sightings and Marina Mirage is also no stranger to rich and famous faces (and their boats!)
  • Catch the Cane Toad Races at The Iron Bar. Catch a piece of the Tropical North as the jockies kiss the racing toads before kick-off. Every night at 8PM; $5 pp. 5 Macrossan St.
  • Fish off the beaches, off the wharf or in the creeks and rivers. Anglers of any experience will be satisfied with tossing a line into the waters around here.
  • Get in touch with the past and visit the Port Douglas Courthouse museum – a gold coin donation is your link to an amazing array of riches in this conveniently located museum.
  • 1 Australian Muster Experience, Kingston Rd, Whyanbeel Valley (35 minutes north of Port Douglas), ☏ +61 7 4098 1149. An authentic outback cattle station that puts on BBQ lunch shows illustrating daily life on a remote cattle station. Includes real stockmen and women, mobs of cattle, stock horses, cattle dogs and live music! A beautiful venue with views across to Port Douglas, fringed by the Daintree rainforest. Starts at $63. 

Scuba diving

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  • Dive sites near Port Douglas. Explore the fantastic Agincourt Reefs, Opal Reef and Tongue Reef, reached in an hour from Port Douglas by one of the many dive operators or live-aboard trips out of Port Douglas.
  • Scuba IQ, 44 Wharf Street (Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina), ☏ +61 404964878, . 0800 - 1800. Scuba diving shop, offering PADI and SDI dive courses, guided dive trips, and multi-day liveaboard expeditions to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Ribbon Reefs, and the Coral Sea. (updated Jun 2022)

Port Douglas plays host to a weekly Sunday Market with everything from fresh tropical fruit & vegetables, to clothes, jewellery and gifts.

There are plenty of restaurants on Macrossan street. 2Fish, Zeus, The Living Room and Salsa restaurants on Wharf street (among others are also very lively in the evening. "On the Inlet" restaurant offers great sea food, including many barramundi recipes. The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary has a great buffet experience with Breakfast with the Birds or Lunch with the Lorikeets: as you dine, birds and other wildlife wander amongst the tables!

4 Mile Beach takeaway on the road in lets you have local reef fish and chips. Add a bottle of sav blanc from the bottleshop next door and take it down to 4 Mile Beach.

  • 1 Bam Pow, 79 Davidson St. Asian inspired plant-based street food. (updated Jan 2024)
  • 2 Nautilus. Restaurant with outdoor seating inside a rainforest. (updated Mar 2024)
  • 3 Zinc. (updated Mar 2024)
  • 4 Hi Tide. Restaurant located at the Peninsula Boutique Hotel, overlooking Four Mile Beach. (updated Mar 2024)

Drink

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The Iron Bar - good patter

For cocktail lovers, Watergate & Zinc are front runners.

Sleep

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While there are a number of expensive places in Port Douglas, there are also some great cheaper options to allow everyone to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

Diverse accommodation from dorm rooms, to apartment style, to hotel room.

Budget

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  • Dougias Backpackers, 111 Davidson St, ☏ +61 7 4099 6200, fax: +61 7 4099 6047, . Check-in: 7:30AM-midnight, check-out: 10AM. 300 m from the beach. Personalised and laid back atmosphere of a resort. Really well thought out hostel, friendly community feel. Cheap & relaxed bar, swimming pool, hammocks, BBQ, shop, huge self-cook kitchen, cheap laundry, global gossip internet, large satellite TV, hire bikes. Dorms $26 per night or $135 per week. Private rooms $68 per night or $420 per week. Camping from $12 per night or $70 per week. Permanent stylie tents (twin share with two single beds) $23 p.p per night or $125 per week. 
  • Port Douglas Backpackers (formerly Parrot Fish Lodge), 37 Warner St (Just off the main street), ☏ +61 7 4099-5011, fax: +61 7 4099-5044. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. Relaxed friendly vibe with a no noise after 11PM policy. On-site car parking, pool, internet, bar, kitchen. Great staff and great people. Two blocks to the Esplanade and beach. Dorm beds starting at $25 per night, private rooms available. 
  • Port Douglas Motel, 9 Davidson St (on the main street into town), ☏ +61 7 4099-5248, fax: +61 7 4099-5504, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Clean safe and friendly. On site car parking, pool, toaster and kettles in all rooms. A quiet motel with en-suite rooms close to the beach and shops. Motel rooms starting at $70 per night, family rooms available. 

Mid-range

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  • 1 Club Tropical Resort, Wharf & Macrossan Sts. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Self-contained accommodation with Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas Markets, Marina Mirage and local Port Douglas Restaurants and hotels within a short walking distance. 120.00. 
  • Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments, 95 Davidson St (on the left as you come into town, just past the fire & ambulance stations), ☏ +61 7 4099 5811, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. 1- & 2-bedroom apartments. A 4-minute walk to Four Mile Beach and is a 10- to 15-minute walk to town. There is a pool and generally easy-going environment. $75-215. 
  • Port Douglas Retreat Holiday Apartments, 31-33 Mowbray St (turn left into Mowbray st off Davidson St), ☏ +61 7 4099 5053, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Self-contained studio apartments. A 3-minute walk to Four Mile Beach and to Macrossan St. Tropical gardens, freeform swimming pool, BBQs and a laid back environment. Wireless internet, holiday kitchen, ensuite and balcony with dining facilities. $89-155. 
  • The Newport on Macrossan. 4-star holiday accommodation. 
  • Shantara Port Douglas, 27-31 Davidson St (m Macrossan St & 4 mile beach), ☏ +61 7 4099-4099. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Centrally located to Four Mile Beach, the shops and restaurants of Macrossan Street, and to the Marina Mirage. Three storey building comprising studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. 2 large lagoon-style salt water swimming pools and Tibetan-inspired gardens and water features, fully equipped gymnasium, and health and beauty spa. The day spa offers massage treatments, body wraps, aromatherapy salt exfoliation, facials as well as hand and foot care. $155-$370. 
  • The Port Douglas Artists' Treehouse, 48 Mudlo St, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. An art-filled 3-bedroom holiday rental (sleeps up to six) near to the beach and main street. $225-275. 

Splurge

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Stay safe

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The Port Douglas area is home to salt water crocodiles, which are sometimes capable of killing adult humans. Four Mile Beach has warning signs advising people to not walk in or near the water's edge, especially at dusk, or allow children or dogs to do so. The risk is lower than it is in rivers however, and the beach will usually be closed outright if a crocodile has been recently sighted.

Stinger season is from November to May inclusive. There is a netted area at the north end of Four Mile Beach that offers some protection from stings: this area is also patrolled by lifeguards. Signs will display the day's stinger risk, or chat to the lifeguards.

Go next

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Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob and Cairns.

This city travel guide to Port Douglas is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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