Port Douglas

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

Understand
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
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
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.

See
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.



Do

 * 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.

Scuba diving

 * 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.





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

Eat
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.

Drink
The Iron Bar - good patter

For cocktail lovers, Watergate & Zinc are front runners.

Sleep
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.

Stay safe
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
Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob and Cairns.