Port Douglas Travel Guide 2024: Stay, Eat & Best Things To Do

With two wonders of the world right on its doorstep, there’s no doubt that North Queensland is one of the most unique destinations in all of Australia.

Where’s the best place to stay to explore this corner of Australia? The majestic Port Douglas.

To make your holiday that little bit easier to plan, here’s our Port Douglas travel guide, complete with top things to see, best places to stay and where to eat. 

How many days do you need in Port Douglas?

Port Douglas is a versatile place, which means you can spend as little or as much time in this coastal town as you see fit.

Visit for a quick weekend break to explore the town and its stunning white beaches, or treat yourself to a week-long getaway and head out into the Daintree Rainforest or on an overnight trip to the Great Barrier Reef. 

What’s the best time to visit Port Douglas?

Nestled into the tropical north of Queensland, Port Douglas experiences a slightly different weather cycle compared to the rest of Australia.

Rather than the usual four seasons, Port Douglas has just two: the wet season and the dry season.

• Wet Season (November to April). During the wet season, Port Douglas sees average temperatures of 30 °C and a monthly rainfall of 380mm. While you may not be able to bathe in the sun all day long during the wet seasons, it’s a great opportunity to see the Daintree Rainforest in full swing, and there’ll be fewer tourists to share it with too!
• Dry Season (May to October) The dry season brings lower temperatures that hover around 25 °C with just 25mm of rain falling each month. While the weather is idyllic for exploring Port Douglas, this also coincides with peak season, which means prices are high and streets are busy.

Really, the best time to visit this corner of Australia depends on what type of holiday you’re looking for.

I’d recommend researching some of the best things to do in Port Douglas (we'll help you with that below!) and choose the best season based on what you’d like to do while you’re there! 

How to get to Port Douglas

Getting to Port Douglas is a breeze from most places in Australia. While the town doesn’t have its own airport, Cairns is just an hour's drive away, and flights there are easy to come by.

Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you’ve got a couple of options to get to Port Douglas. You can rent your own car from the airport and drive yourself, or you jump on a bus. Several companies offer direct shuttles from Cairns to Port Douglas, but you may need to book ahead to ensure you’re not waiting too long for a seat. 

While you don’t need a car to enjoy Port Douglas – the town is very walkable – you might want one to explore some of the further reaches of northern Queensland.

Alternatively, if you’re not too bothered about having a car, you can join a tour to places like the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge instead. 

The Best Places to Stay in Port Douglas

Port Douglas is home to some of the finest beach-side accommodations in the country.

You might have a hard time picking the best out of a GREAT bunch, so we thought we’d give you my personal top three in this Port Douglas travel guide.

Best Resort Overall: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas offers a luxurious stay with a range of amenities including a swimming pool, restaurant, and free bikes to get around town.

The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and private bathroom and some rooms also have balconies and pool views. The resort also provides activities like pool, table tennis, hiking, and cycling, making it a great choice for the whole family.

Check availability & best rates

Best Hotel for Couples: Shantara Resort

Looking for some peace and quiet away from the kids? This adult-only resort was made just for you.

Boasting two swimming pools, a day spa and sitting just a stone’s throw away from Four Mile Beach and the main street with shops and restaurants, relaxing in this five-star luxury is almost too easy.

Check availability & best rates

Best Value for Money: Peppers Beach Club

Sitting somewhere between the up-market shops of Macrossan Street and the white-washed sands of Four Mile Beach, Peppers Beach Club offers a luxurious home-away-from-home.

If you’re not impressed by its spacious suites, onsite gym or in-room spa services, you might just be swayed by the lagoon-style swimming pool with private sunning decks and swim-out access.

Check availability & best rates

Best Things to Do in Port Douglas 

In Port Douglas, things to do aren’t hard to come by! Even better, there’s so much variety that you’ll find something no matter what your interests are. 

Things to do in Port Douglas:

If you’re only in town for a few days, there’s plenty of Port Douglas activities to get stuck into:

Flagstaff Hill 

Watching the sunset over Coral Bay is a must-do during your holidays in Port Douglas. Perched on a small mound, ever so slightly north of town, Flagstaff Hill offers unbeatable views over the town itself, the spectacular Four Mile Beach and the rugged Daintree rainforest.

You can drive your car right to the top, but we’d recommend walking and taking a couple of bevies to enjoy the sunset.  You can also make the short walk down to Four Mile Beach from the viewing platform, where you’ll find another worthwhile viewing spot hidden by the Low Isles Lighthouse.

Port Douglas Sunday Markets

Every Sunday, in Market Park overlooking the Coral Sea, lines of vendors set up their stalls, selling local delights from around Northern Queensland. You’ll find everything from handmade jewellery to exotic fruits and vegetables, locally-roasted coffee, to full-blown boats.

The market runs from 8 am to 2 pm, but you’ll want to get there as early as possible to get your hands on some of the best bits and bobs to be found. 

Boutiques on Macrossan Street 

This wouldn’t be a complete Port Douglas travel guide without mentioning the fabulous Macrossan Street.

As the main road that runs through town, eventually leading to the picturesque marina, Macrossan Street is your one-stop-shop for eating, drinking and shopping! It’s most well-known for its selection of boutique shops, where you’ll find everything from the perfect cocktail dress for the evening to your newest rashie to don on your board.

Sunset at Palm-lined Rex Smeal Park

Found just behind Flagstaff Hill, watching the sunset from Rex Smeal Park is another of the popular things to do in Port Douglas.

The large grassy area is known for its towering fig trees and endless lines of palm trees, all of which frame the Coral Sea quite perfectly.

Sunrise at Four Mile Beach

One for the early risers or those who can’t miss a photo opportunity, getting up at 6 am to watch the sunrise on Four Mile Beach is worth the tired eyes.

Sweeping miles along Port Douglas’ coastline, grab a coffee from town and find your own piece of tranquillity to start the day on one of the best beaches in Port Douglas. 

Sunset Sailing Cruise 

On the edge of the beautiful Coral Sea, holidays in Port Douglas lend themselves perfectly to a boat trip or two. Luckily, there’s an easy and affordable option that leaves from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina each and every day.

Onboard the Shaolin – one of the few authentic Chinese Junks in the world – you’ll learn about the area’s history as you admire the beach, mountains and rainforest from a distance. If you’re hoping to get in and enjoy the salty waters themselves, upgrade your trip to a snorkeling tour and look out for colourful coral and fish in the waters below.

Best Day Trips from Port Douglas

Day trips from Port Douglas are some of the best in the country! Here are a few unforgettable trips to squeeze into your tropical getaway:

Visit the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef can be found just 70km off the coast of Port Douglas, making it the perfect palace to join a tour and head off to explore this underwater world.

Depending on the Port Douglas activities you have on your to-do list, you can opt for a snorkeling tour, scuba diving afternoon, or simply watch the fish go by on a glass-bottomed boat. 

Take a Scenic Helicopter Flight Over the Reef

If you’re not a huge fan of the water, why not take the skies and enjoy a helicopter ride over the reef?

Most operators combine the 30-minute or 60-minute flight with a quick sweep over the rainforest, too, so you can experience the Daintree from a completely new perspective. Take off from Port Douglas, and watch as you glide over idyllic archipelagos, crystal clear seas and the thick canopy of the Daintree.

Enjoy a Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Daintree

The Daintree Rainforest is one of Port Douglas’ top attractions, and witnessing it from the air is a completely unique experience.

Taking off in the early hours of the morning, you’ll reach the skies just as the sun is coming up before gently floating over to enjoy a birds-eye view of the reef and the rainforest.

Wander through Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest

Nestled into the heart of Daintree National Park and just a 20-minute drive from Port Douglas itself is Mossman Gorge.

It’s known for its huge granite boulders that shape the gentle flow of the crystal clear river that runs through the gorge. There are plenty of easy trails to follow and a few croc-free swimming spots to enjoy too!

Go Croc Spotting on the Daintree

As you head further into the tropical north, the population of crocs gets a little more condensed, and all of a sudden, beaches, rivers and creeks are off-limits.

If you fancy getting up, close and personal with the six-meter beasts that are salt-water and fresh-water crocodiles, you can join a croc spotting tour along the Daintree River. 

Cape Tribulation Day Trip

At 180 million years old, the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest on the planet, and Cape Tribulation is the best place to explore everything it has to offer! It only takes a couple of hours to drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation if you’re driving yourself.

Alternatively, there are plenty of tours leaving from Port Douglas too. There’s pretty much just one road to follow through Cape Tribulation, with plenty of remote beaches, fruit farms and boardwalks to stop off at. Just remember to keep away from any Cassowarys or crocs that you see out and about! 

Visit 700 Palm Trees at Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Tucked away on a secluded coastal headland and surrounded by acres of luscious rainforest, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is actually a hotel offering wooden stilted bungalow accommodation.

However, it’s worth a visit just to check out its huge plantation of 700 palm trees. The perfect spot for an Instagram-able shot!  

Visit Palm Cove 

Around a 30-minute drive south of Port Douglas, Palm Cove offers up a relaxing seaside village to explore.

As well as the numerous restaurants, cafes and spas you’ll find on dry land, you can also join a Kayak Turtle Tour to explore the nearby coves. 

Where to Eat: The Best Port Douglas Restaurants

No Port Douglas holiday guide would be complete without some tips on getting the best food and drinks in town.

Wander through Macrossan Street or up to the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, and you’ll have a plethora of venues to choose from. Here are a few of our fave:

• Breakfast at Grand Street Kitchen or The Little Larder. If you’re looking for a brunch spot in Port Douglas, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better than these two gems. Both offer up Aussie favorites like avo on toast and breakfast tacos, as well as top-notch coffee to boot. 
• Sunset drinks at Hemmingway’s Brewery. Sitting on the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, this brewpub is the perfect spot to grab an ice-cold beer or a refreshing cocktail and watch the boats come in in the evening.
• Seafood platters at Zinc. Mixing European cooking techniques with fresh, local seafood, Zinc has become somewhat of an iconic restaurant in Port Douglas. Wash your freshly cooked fish down with a glass of crisp white and relax.
• Bistro lunches at Courthouse Hotel. If you’re looking for a bit of comfort food in Port Douglas, this is the place for you, serving up classic parma, curries and burgers. 
• Treat yourself at Watergate Port Douglas. Sat in the center of town, Watergate offers up alfresco dining options that showcase the best of local and seasonal produce. It’s not the cheapest place to eat, but it’s certainly one to remember. 
• Go European at Chilly’s Pizza & Trattoria. In the mood for a wood-fired pizza or a warm bowl of creamy pasta? Try Chilly’s – a laid-back and affordable joint just off Macrossan Street. 

Port Douglas Travel Guide – Final Words

So, there you have it, our Port Douglas travel guide. Of course, there’s much more to this must-visit seaside destination than just the things we’ve outlined in this blog, but we hope this has given you some inspiration while you’re planning your trip to Northern Queensland.