There are so many things to do in Port Douglas that make this the ideal base for a holiday in tropical Far North Queensland. Snorkelling and diving tours depart daily to the Great Barrier Reef direct from Port Douglas Reef Marina. There’s no need to travel back to Cairns.
Tours also depart from here for the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge and the Atherton Tablelands which are are all within easy driving distance. Skyrail Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway are nearby and the award winning Wildlife Habitat is right here.
Snorkel and Dive on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is what draws visitors to Far North Queensland, and Port Douglas is the best place to explore the natural wonders of the magnificent coral reefs.
Tours to the outer reef depart Port Douglas every day form the Reef Marina for snorkelling and diving on the many spectacular coral reefs that lie within easy reach north east of Port Douglas. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for 2000km along the Queensland coast and Port Douglas is the closest commercial port from which you can access this marvel.
Port Douglas has a variety of highly professional tour operators ready to show you the Great Barrier Reef.
Visit Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef
Low Isles is a stunning sandy coral cay just eight nautical miles off the coast from Port Douglas. With an abundance of marine life including large Green Turtles and amazing coral for you to enjoy a trip to Low Isles is a must.
The two islands that make up Low Isles create a lagoon sheltered from the prevailing south easterly breeze and provide relaxed and comfortable snorkelling. Low Isles is the perfect place to enjoy a half or full day tour seeing the reef and combined with the chance to spend some time just lazing on a magical tropical island beach.
For your visit to Low Isles you can choose either a full day trip, departing around 8:30am and returning around 4:30pm. Or a half day trip departing at 1:00pm returning at 6:30pm, and enjoy the sunset sail back to Port.
Explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest
There are many tours departing daily from Port Douglas to explore the wonders of Daintree National Park. You will be taken on a journey of discovery as you learn all about the fascinating natural history of this amazing region.
Visit this 135 million year old rainforest, home to unique primitive species some of which are the oldest known to still exist today. Walk through ancient mountain gorges and cruise along mangrove lined tidal rivers and inlets. Immerse yourself in one of the oldest eco systems on the planet barely changed since the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Alternatively if you have a car you can self drive to discover the wonders of Daintree National Park and Mossman Gorge.
Take a ride on Cairns Skyrail
Port Douglas is an easy drive to the world famous Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Drive yourself or let us book you a tour that will pick you up and drop you back at the end of the day.
The village of Kuranda sits high on the Cairns Tablelands inland from cairns. A trip to the village in the rainforest, traveling the spectacular Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is an essential Port Douglas must do experience.
Browse around the tropical markets and grab a sumptuous lunch at one of the many street side cafes, bars and restaurants. Activities available in the village of Kuranda include the Butterfly Sanctuary, Bird World and the Koala Gardens.
Remember to pick up some dicount vouchers from Mango Tree reception before you go.
Take a trip on Kuranda Scenic Railway
A visit to Kuranda is not complete without a train ride on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway. A one and a half hour train journey that meanders from the village in the rain forest to the city in the tropics.
The railway winds its way from the village of Kuranda down the Macalister Range to the city of Cairns. There is a magnificent lookout adjacent to the Barron Falls where the train stops to take in the view and this is a great photo opportunity.
You can even travel in style and treat yourself to the luxury of Gold Class for that special touch.
We recommend a combination of Kuranda Scenic Rail and Cairns Skyrail when you visit Kuranda. Take the Skyrail up and either the 2:00pm or 3:30pm train down for the best experience.
See Port Douglas Crocodiles
Port Douglas is situated in tropical far north Queensland, the home of the mighty Saltwater Crocodile. The “Salty” is the regions dominant predator and is as old as the ancient environment.
There are many opportunities to see these impressive, but often elusive creatures both in captivity and in their natural environment.
There’s a range of captive habitats such as Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and The Wildlife Habitat. Or there are opportunities to meet them in the wild, from the safety of a river cruise. Either way you can be sure to see some spectacular real life crocodile action when you visit Port Douglas.
That is of course, only if you want to!
Enjoy a Port Douglas Sunset Cruise
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a sunset cruise from Port Douglas sailing the Coral Sea. Whether it’s a romantic cruise on a calm summers eve or an exhilarating reach across the choppy winter swell.
Sunset cruising is a fabulous way to ease your day into the magic of a tropical Port Douglas evening. Sailaway and Aquarius operate every afternoon and the local yacht club hosts a free Wednesday sunset sail every week.
There is no reason not to get out on the water for a stunning two hours of sailing.
Watch the sun set over Mossman Gorge as you ride the waves, sipping on champagne or an icy cold beer.
With no sailing experience necessary you just sit back, relax and enjoy.
Try Reef or Estuary Fishing
In Port Douglas fishing is well catered for with both reef and estuary fishing available. There are many tour operators fishing from the calm of Dickson Inlet to the magnificent coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.
There are plenty of Port Douglas fishing charters available and you can even spend a few nights at sea on a live aboard charter!
The variety of fish you might catch is huge and the fishing is awesome with the world famous Barramundi high on the list.
Add to that Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Giant Trevally, Coral Trout, Red Emperor…the list just goes on.
Join a charter or hire your own boat and equipment. Or just cast your line from any of the great fishing spots around town.
Indulge in fine Port Douglas Restaurants
Port Douglas is renowned for fabulous restaurants where diners can enjoy amazing tropical waterside locations, or the traditional casual and relaxed alfresco style.
Enjoy local produce and fresh bounty from the Coral Sea prepared and served in some of the countries most awarded restaurants.
Catering for most styles including Asian, European and of course Australian you can usually find something new or unusual to tempt the taste buds.
When dining out in Port Douglas the variety on offer at your table can be a fitting match for the magic of this unique region.
Ranging from the humble pie to the gourmet banquet there is something for every occasion on offer.
Hang out at Port Douglas Yacht Club
Port Douglas has a unique social establishment where the charm and character of the far north is open to all. The Yachty, as the locals call it, is the place to be in Port Douglas for that first customary sundowner each day.
Port Douglas Yacht Club is open daily from 4:00pm and is an ideal venue for a relaxing thirst quencher on a hot day in the tropics.
The open plan design has views of the marina and inlet and guarantees a comfortable breeze all year round.
For the sailing enthusiast there’s always something happening and visitors are always welcome aboard.
Situated just 10 minutes stroll from the Mango Tree a visit to the yacht club is highly recommended. Don’t forget the free sunset sailing every Wednesday.
Hire a Bike
One of the best ways to get around Port Douglas is on a bike with bike lanes on every road, tracks all over and four miles of beach to ride.
Why not hire a bike? Bike shops in town have a large range of bikes available for hire. Road bikes, mountain bikes, mens, ladies and kids bikes and even tandem bikes.
There are tracks all over town and the roads all have bike lanes making it very safe and pleasant to cruise around the town at your leisure.
The flat sands of Four Mile beach make an excellent ride all year round with high tides only limiting access on odd occasions. Remember a ride with the wind behind you is always the better option.
Port Douglas Holidays with kids
Port Douglas is a great place to holiday with the kids as there is so much to keep them entertained.
Leave all the gadgets at home and get ready for some good old fashioned outdoor activities. Try your hand at Jungle Surfing, quad biking or horse riding. Try wakeboarding, kneeboarding or water skiing, parasailing, tandem hang gliding, mountain bike riding. Hire a boat, hire a bike, hire a scooter, play tennis, go to the beach, try a bungy jump or go white water rafting, the list is endless.
There’s so much to see and do in and around Port Douglas that your kids should never have any energy left at the end of the day.
Port Douglas Tour and Activity Guide
There are so many things to do at Port Douglas that you’ll never run out of ideas. The range of Port Douglas activities is so diverse there’s always something for everyone. Try a horse ride along the beach, or a helicopter ride over the reef. Take a walk through ancient rainforest or dine in style at award winning restaurants. Visit the markets and shops for local craft and produce or take a ride on the old Bally Hooley steam train.
Take a relaxing sunset sail or a croc spotting cruise on Dickson Inlet. Hire a boat and cast a line, join a charter for the day and fish the reef, or just relax on the beach.
Play a round of golf on award winning golf courses or try your hand at white water rafting, river tubing or water skiing. Surf through the jungle or glide from a cliff top, try a bungy jump or a tandem skydive. Or just relax in one of the many street side or water side cafes and bars and just chill out and watch the world go by.
Hire a bike for the day and cruise around, or try mountain biking on the rugged bump track, take a quad bike tour through the ancient logging tracks of the rainforest or a 4wd adventure along the Bloomfield track.
The list of what to do in Port Douglas is as long as your imagination will allow it to be. Port Douglas activities such as diving and snorkelling rank amongst the best anywhere in the world, a fact backed up by the testament of guests far and wide, many of whom have dived on every ocean.
Port Douglas tourist attractions are without doubt amongst the best in the world with the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park at the top of the list. Make sure you book enough time for your holiday to take in all of the activities in Port Douglas.
