10 Best Things To Do In Port Douglas
There are so many incredible things to do in Port Douglas! This charming little town is located about an hour north of Cairns, making it the perfect day trip or weekend trip away from the city. Not only is the drive from Cairns to Port Douglas incredibly scenic, the town of Port Douglas itself is packed with beauty and culture. So whether you're road-tripping the East Coast of Australia, or you're spending some time in Cairns and you're looking for a getaway, don't miss the chance to explore Port Douglas!
10 Best Things To Do In Port Douglas
From frolicking between palm-tree-lined boulevards, to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and exploring the rainforest, there are so many incredible things to do in Port Douglas! Here is our list of the area's top activities and attractions. Whether you have one day or one week in Port Douglas, try to include some of these fun adventures in your itinerary!
1. Snorkel or Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Like Cairns, Port Douglas is located very close to the Great Barrier Reef and has many tour boats that visit the reef daily. If you haven't already visited the reef in Cairns, you absolutely must while in Port Douglas! As a much smaller town, there are fewer tour boats to choose from, but you can often snorkel or dive on the reef with fewer other people as well. This makes for a very relaxing and intimate experience on the reef! Agincourt Reef is one of the closest reefs to Port Douglas, but there is a number of exquisite, wildlife-filled reefs you may visit on your tour!
2. Visit The Wildlife Habitat
Just outside the town center of Port Douglas is a beloved attraction known as the Wildlife Habitat. This family-friendly wildlife sanctuary is a great place to admire and mingle with classic Aussie creatures like kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, tropical birds, and more. If you're a traveller in Australia and you have yet to see some Aussie animals in real-life, the Wildlife Habitat will ensure you get to observe some fascinating creatures!
3. Explore Mossman Gorge
Just over 20km away from Port Douglas is Mossman Gorge. Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of Queensland, Mossman Gorge is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature. Stroll through the woodland paths, go for a dip in the clear, freshwater, or learn about the rich Aboriginal heritage of the area at the Visitor Center.
4. Wander Through Downtown
Another one of the best things to do in Port Douglas is spend some time exploring the downtown area. The main center of Port Douglas is pretty small, with just a few streets lined up next to each other. But downtown is packed with restaurants, cafes, shops, tourism offices, and plenty more things to do. It's a charming town with twinkly tea lights and enough amenities to keep travellers entertained, but not overwhelmed.
5. Take A Day Trip To The Daintree Rainforest
One of the reasons why travellers visit Port Douglas is because it's conveniently located right on the route from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest. As the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth, the Daintree is a very special place. Here you can stroll through ancient forests and mangroves, ride horses on deserted beaches, and have the chance to spot unique wildlife. The Daintree Rainforest is only about 50km north of Port Douglas, so it's an easy day trip! There are a number of day tours from Cairns to the Daintree, many of which also do pick-ups in Port Douglas. Alternatively, you can rent a car.
6. Watch The Sunset
With rolling mountains and the sparkling Coral Sea in the distance, Port Douglas is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. The best sunset-viewing spot near town is Rex Smeal Park, a grassy, waterfront area filled with photogenic palm trees and panoramic ocean views. Alternatively, you can book a sunset sail and watch the natural colours of the sky light up the water as you cruise over the waves! Sailaway offers a top-rated sunset cruise that departs Port Douglas at 4:30pm daily.
7. Visit The Low Isles
One of the more unique and lesser-known things to do in Port Douglas is taking a boat tour out to the Low Isles. Nestled in the Great Barrier Reef are a number of low-lying sandy islands fringed with vibrant coral reefs. Sail to these majestic tropical islands on a sailing catamaran and spend the day snorkelling and sunbathing in paradise.
8. Indulge In The Nightlife
Though Port Douglas is much smaller than Cairns, it still has a great nightlife! Between pumping nightclubs, cozy pubs, and trendy bars, there are plenty of places to eat, drink, dance, and mingle when the sun goes down. And because Port Douglas is so small, you can easily walk everywhere without having to worry about finding a designated driver or Uber!
9. Take A Day Trip To The Outback
Many people don't know that you can take a day trip to the Queensland Outback from Port Douglas! With beloved local tour company, Bill Tea Safaris, you can depart Port Douglas at 6:00am on an epic day trip to the Australian Outback. Spend all day exploring gorges, mountains, caves, and country towns with the chance to see desert wildlife and Aboriginal rock art. You'll also get to have lunch at a classic, historic Aussie pub and be back in Port Douglas by 7:30pm!
10. Hit The Beach
Like most coastal towns in Australia, Port Douglas has a wide variety of postcard-worthy beaches to check out. Four Mile Beach is the most famous beach here. This lengthy stretch of golden sand is lined with picturesque palm trees and has some gorgeous swimming spots. Oak Beach and Cooya Beach are other lovely beaches that are a bit of a drive outside Port Douglas, but they make fun day trips if you need a change of scenery.
