Languidly existing in the Far North side of Queensland, Port Douglas makes for an intriguing place to explore the Australian reef and rainforest. Port Douglas opens the routes of two of the most famous tourist attractions in Queensland, namely the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Forest. Visiting each is one of the best things to do in Port Douglas.
Neighboring the beautiful city of Cairns, Port Douglas used to be a fishing village. Furthermore, the Kuku Yalanji people are believed to be the settlers who became a crucial part of the village’s history. They also shape our today’s understanding of Port Douglas’ culture, history, and ecology.
Hence, as time passed, Port Douglas became one of the top tourist destinations in Queensland. Besides its historical background, one of the primaries was that it was the closest to the Great Barrier Reef from the mainland. Furthermore, it houses world-famous attractions such as Four Mile Beach. Macrossan Street is another fascinating place with dozens of attractive shops, cafes, galleries, etc.
Best Things to Do in Port Douglas
Port Douglas is an intriguing place to consider if you are visiting the Far Northern side of Queensland. Fortunately, you can find an enormous list of fun things to do in Port Douglas. With Cairns being its neighbor, you can even plan a combined trip. Hence, these are the best ways to enjoy and experience the slice of life of Australia.
If you have made up your mind, we have listed the best things to do in Port Douglas. This list will help you make your own list, which you can follow while you are here. Furthermore, for a combined trip, click here to know what is up with Cairns!
Best Things to Do in Port Douglas (1-7)
1. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef
Unsurprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef tops various lists of things to do in Cairns and Port Douglas, and ours is no exception. It is undoubtedly the best place to visit in Australia. Your trip will feel incomplete if you do not feel the breeze of Far North Queensland running up through your ears in these great reefs.
Explore the depths of the reef uniquely through various tours the place offers, the most popular ones being the Snorkel Cruise. This magnificent tour allows the visitors to SCUBA dive, Ocean Walker helmet dive, and many more.
The Great Barrier Reef tops numerous lists of things to do in Cairns and Port Douglas, and ours is no exception.
If you don’t desire to get wet, set your eyesight on the colorful and panoramic views of the reefs. For this purpose, many organizations offer Helicopter flights to see the eye-catching bird’s view of the entire Great Barrier Reef. Hence, these activities further prove our argument that you must add the reefs to your list of fun things to do in Port Douglas.
- Address: East Coast of Queensland
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Fun things to do: Dive into the reef and meet the Australian flora & fauna.
- Diving fee: May Cost between $100 to $200 per person
- Hotels Nearby: Lizard Island
2. Explore the Daintree Rainforest
If not the most aged, the Daintree Rainforest is one of the world’s oldest rainforests. As mentioned, the Kuku Yalanji people dwell in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and govern it.
As for the tourists, Daintree Rainforest offers a lot. From walking in the beautiful tracks to freshwater swimming, you will get mesmerized by the things to discover here. Further, The nearby Daintree National Park is full of unique wildlife, and interacting with them is blissful. Mossman Gorge is also a popular location in the forest which also makes an entry in our list below.
- Address: Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: Between 8:20 AM to 5:00 PM
- Fun things to do: Interact with beautiful wildlife, click photos near the Mossman Gorge, go swimming, and many more
- Entrance fee: $37 for adults and $18 for children (5- 17 years)
- Hotels Nearby: Daintree Ecolodge
3. Hike through Flagstaff Hill to Reach the Four Mile Beach
Flagstaff Hill is a must-visit for tourists as its walking trail connects Four Mile Beach to Rex Smeal Park. The picturesque walking trail stretches over 1.5 kilometers, providing endless opportunities to become photogenic. From here, one can see as far as the Low Isles on a clear sunny day.
When you reach Four Mile Beach, you will encounter tropical beauty. Coconut palms languidly lean towards the shining Coral Sea in the perfect blend of sun, sea, and sand. Furthermore, the development along the shores has been kept limited, adding to the wild and natural ambiance of Four Mile Beach.
Our favorite activities in Four Mile Beach include strolling on the beach, making sand castles with your kids, and playing beach sports. All these make up the list of best things to do in Port Douglas for free. You can also swim here, but if you visit Port Douglas between October and May, you have to be careful. It is because of the marine stinger season, which is life-threatening!
- Address: Port Douglas, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: September to November
- Fun things to do: You should hike Flagstaff Hill to reach Four Mile Beach. Here, stroll on the beach, make sand castles with kids, and play beach sports!
- Entrance fee: Nil
- Hotels Nearby: Mantra PortSea
4. Spend time in the Low Isles
Nestled near the coast of Port Douglas, Low Isles make up for the best ways to spend your day. If you love snorkeling, this might be one of your favorite places to visit in Port Douglas. Why? Because it offers a wide array of snorkeling trips ranging from one-day trips to longer ones to the outer reefs.
Besides snorkeling, one can also explore this mesmerizingly small island. Visit the resident lighthouse or spend time on the shores of the island.
- Address: Port Douglas, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: October to December
- Fun things to do: Low Isles is mainly popular for snorkeling.
- Entrance fee: Nil
- Hotels Nearby: Coral Beach Lodge
5. Shop on the Macrossan Street
If the beautiful and lush vegetation of Port Douglas wasn’t enough, life in Macrossan Street is sure to keep you engaged. Bustling with a variety of shops, your budget may hesitate a little because you will be going on a shopping spree. Also, Macrossan Street is home to fabulous art galleries and boutiques. Some popular shops among tourists include the Ginni Boutique, Aloha Lucy, Tahitian Lime, Ngarru Gallery, and many more.
It’s possible you may get tired of all the shopping you have done. In these cases, you can rest under the shady mango trees and Coconut palms of Macrossan Street. Alternatively, dozens of restaurants and cafes exist on the main street where you can taste the delicacies.
If the beautiful and lush vegetation of Port Douglas wasn't enough, life on Macrossan Street is sure to keep you engaged with its bustling shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.
Finally, you can end your day here with the beautiful nightlife of Port Douglas. Attend the numerous live events organized on Macrossan Street now and then.
- Address: Port Douglas, QLD 4877, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: Whenever you desire to shop
- Fun things to do: Shop from the grandeur of shops and boutiques, visit the art galleries, dine in the delicious cafes and restaurants
- Entrance fee: Nil
- Hotels Nearby: The Newport On Macrossan
6. Hook A Barra
A place where you can fish without stressing about anything is Hook A Barra. Factually, this locally-run business is one of the favorite things to do in Port Douglas with family for various tourists. It does not matter if you don’t know how to fish, as the instructors here will make you catch a fish in no time.
Spread over 49 hectares, Hook A Barra locates near Wonga Beach, between the Daintree Rainforest and the Coral Sea. Hence, this location calls for numerous alluring Barramundi (Australia’s favorite fish). If you can spare time, opt for the Farm Tours offered by the business, showcasing the famous Daintree Saltwater Barramundi.
Hook A Barra allows you to catch Australia's favorite fish, the Barramundi. In fact, you can find its variants which include the rare Albino, Speckled, and Gold Barramundi.
Hence, you must add fishing to your list of fun things to do in Port Douglas. The tickets for fishing cover everything you need, like fishing gear and expert advice. Therefore, we don’t see a reason for you not to opt for this fun activity.
- Address: Lot 3 Vixie’s Rd, Wonga QLD 4873, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Fun things to do: Attend the daily fishing sessions in Hook A Barra and catch a big fish to add to your collection.
- Entrance fee: General Admission fee is $10. Others for fishing, $60 for adults, and $50 for children.
- Hotels Nearby: Coral Beach Lodge
7. Cuddle a Koala at Wildlife Habitat
Visiting the Wildlife Habitat is another of the best things to do in Port Douglas. Housing a charismatic number of animals, your desire to play with them will come true here. The koalas are friendly here and allow the visitors to cuddle themselves. Furthermore, hand-feeding the wallabies and playing with the lovely birds is mesmerizing for any animal lover.
Apart from the koalas and kangaroos, one can also find crocodiles, emus, pythons, flightless birds, and tree kangaroos. Each finds its home in different habitats of the region, such as the wetlands, savannah, nocturnal, rainforest, etc.
Visiting the Wildlife Habitat is another of the best things to do in Port Douglas. You can hug a Koala, hand-feed wallabies, meet crocodile, pythons, emus, kangaroos, and many more.
If you desire to do something alluring in Port Douglas, we highly recommend Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets. These unique options allow you to feast on Aussie delicacies while the colorful parrots hover near you. Finally, if visiting with your kids, let them enjoy the Junior Keepers program. This way, they will get to experience life near the animals as junior wildlife keepers.
- Address: Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: Between 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Fun things to do: Cuddle a koala, feast on Aussie food while parrots hover around you, meet crocodiles, pythons, etc
- Entrance fee: $39 for adults and $24 for children.
- Hotels Nearby: Niramaya Villas & Spa
Best Things to Do in Port Douglas (8-13)
8. Mesmerize Yourself at Mossman Gorge
As mentioned, Mossman Gorge is a popular destination among tourists located in the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree National Park. Due to its highly picturesque vegetation, we recommend bringing your camera here. Furthermore, post the photos you click here to let the world know you are in one of Port Douglas’ most beautiful places.
Visit here on a hot sunny day, as the pristine blue water of the Mossman River will allure you into swimming. And swimming in Mossman’s clear water is probably one of the top things to do in Port Douglas.
Due to its highly picturesque vegetation, we recommend bringing your camera to Mossman Gorge as you will get tons of opportunities to become photogenic.
Intriguingly, the Kuku Yalanji people residing in the forests are more than happy to introduce you to their culture. Hence, if you are interested, you can learn about their traditional ceremonies, see the exquisite ochre painting, and many more. We highly recommend adding Mossman Gorge to your list of the best things to do in Port Douglas.
- Address: Port Douglas, QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: May to September
- Fun things to do: Swim in the clear water of Mossman River, click photos, meet the Kuku Yalanji people, and understand their culture
- Entrance fee: $13.05 for adults and $6.60 for children.
- Hotels Nearby: Mossman Motel Holiday Villas
9. Feel the Air as You Drive to Cape Tribulation
We all have heard about Cape Tribulation as the place where the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef merge. Due to Cape Tribulation being the middle ground of the two beautiful locations, you are sure to have a wonderful time here.
However, what we want you to do is reach this beautiful site through a scenic road trip. A 45-minute drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation is one of the best things to do in Port Douglas. The trip will take you through Australia’s most gorgeous roads where you can feel the exquisite environment.
- Address: Queensland, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: July to November
- Fun things to do: Drive through the scenic roads of Australia, leading to Cape Tribulation
- Entrance fee: $28 for adults and $14 for children
- Hotels Nearby: Cape Trib Beach House
10. Spot Wild Crocodiles
Spotting crocodiles may be dangerous, and if it’s the crocodiles from Far North Queensland, it becomes treacherous as they are the largest ones. Hence, you need to be careful if spotting crocodiles are on your list of things to do in Port Douglas.
Luckily, Port Douglas has numerous options that care about your safety as you watch these crocodiles cruise in the water. You can book a boat tour to spot a croc in the Daintree River. Alternatively, the Mowbray River Footbridge also lets the visitors spot crocodiles whenever there’s a low tide.
Quick Tip: The Crocodile Express of Daintree River is one of the best things to do in Port Douglas while you wait for a ferry to Cape Tribulation.
- Popular Crocodile Spotting Tour: Daintree Crocodile Tour
- Book here: Click here
- Fun things to do: Spot a crocodile through an electric motorboat in Daintree Forest
- Entrance fee: $30
11. Visit the Special Sunday Market
On Wharf Street every Sunday, you will find the most popular market of Port Douglas, which you cannot afford to miss. A walk away from St. Mary’s by the Sea chapel – the market offers a wide array of goods. For instance, the majority of products found here are handmade and local. Hence, you will get a quality product crafted with utmost care and love.
Furthermore, the vendors sell beautifully produced arts and crafts, tropical clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. If your stomach is roaring, feed on the seafood stalls or purchase a burger.
The majority of the products sold in the Sunday Market are handmade and local. Hence, you should buy a piece or two to support the local produce.
If you are less on time, an alternative to the Sunday Market is the Port Douglas Crystalbrook Marina. Organized every Wednesday, the market offers options in clothing, beauty products, home decor, etc.
- Address: Wharf St, Port Douglas QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: Every Sunday between 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
- Fun things to do: Purchase from a wide array of goods, including tropical clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and many more
- Entrance fee: Nil
12. St. Mary’s by the Sea
St. Mary’s by the Sea is a beautiful place surrounded by palm trees and a great ambiance. 1880 saw the construction of this cute little chapel on the hills of Port Douglas. However, it had to undergo a massive restoration the following year.
St. Mary’s by the Sea should enter your list of fun things to do in Port Douglas because of how peaceful and calm the place is. The dreamy views and the eye-gazing altar of the chapel make it an attractive place. Hence, it’s no surprise that St. Mary’s by the Sea is a popular wedding destination.
- Address: 8 Dixie St, Port Douglas QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: June to August
- Fun things to do: Relax in the chapel while you listen to the bird’s chirp and see the scenic views from the hill
- Hotels Nearby: Mantra Heritage Port Douglas
13. Hot Air Ballooning in Port Douglas
Almost each of our lists of fun things to do in Australia contains hot air ballooning, and Port Douglas tends to follow this trend. Truly, hot air ballooning is one of the most iconic things to do in Port Douglas. Your eyes will get mesmerized by the gorgeous and scenic views of the area.
Trips usually start from Cairns and Port Douglas early in the day so that you can catch the sunrise. In fact, some packages even offer dining options on the hot air balloon! Hence, you must try out this unique activity when in Port Douglas.
- Address: 30 Macrossan St, Port Douglas QLD, Australia
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: Aim for Sunrises
- Fun things to do: See the scenic views of Port Douglas and dine in a hot air balloon
- Entrance fee: Packages start from $360.
FAQs
- How many days should I spend in Port Douglas?
Port Douglas is a small area, meaning you won't need more than a day to explore it. However, its surrounding region consists of the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Forest, and other attractions. Hence, you will need at least three to five days to explore these beautiful places.
- What is Port Douglas famous for?
Most tourists visit Port Douglas because its comparatively close to the world-renowned Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest. These two attractions are also the reason why Port Douglas is popular among tourists.
- Is Port Douglas budget friendly for visitors?
As the saying goes, you need to pay the most to get the best. However, this is not the case with Port Douglas, as it offers numerous free activities with a rewarding experience. You can look for some best things to do in Port Douglas for free in our list as well.
- When is the best time to visit Port Douglas?
We prefer the months between October through November to visit Port Douglas. Since October sees the end of summer, the temperatures become perfect for traveling at 28°C. Some rain may be there, but it won't affect your outdoor activities.
Leave a reply