Destination Guide to Port Douglas, Australia

Port Douglas is situated in Far North Queensland, around 70km from Cairns. A slightly more upmarket option to staying in Cairns, the town offers similarly close and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Kuranda rainforest, as well as several excellent beaches, seafood restaurants and golf courses.

More festivals and events can be found in the surrounding region, noticeable in and around the town of Port Douglas.

Port Douglas is an altogether different proposition to Cairns, and is growing as a tourist option for those wanting to explore the beautiful surrounding region, but without the tourist crowds and party atmosphere of Cairns. Dining options are slightly more upmarket, but reasonably-priced options can still be found.

Those wishing to see more of the rainforest have 1200 square kilometres of it to explore at nearby Daintree, which is home to hiking tracks, secluded beaches, many species of wildlife and acre upon acre of untouched wilderness in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main beach in Port Douglas is Four Mile Beach, which has retained its luscious sandy stretch and avoided tourist development. Although the clear water looks tempting, you should avoid swimming here during stinger season – there are nets provided for this purpose however.

With the town are a number of interesting sites, such as the Shipwreck Museum, the Courthouse Museum and the Sunday Port Douglas Craft Markets, which provide a great opportunity to pick up arts, crafts, fresh local produce and locally made souvenirs.

More festivals and events can be found in the surrounding region, noticeable in and around the town of Port Douglas.

February is the time of the Reed & Reef Carnival, a 10-day extravaganza held at Port Douglas, Daintree, Mossman and Cape Tribulation. The reef and the rainforest are the key themes here, with various games, stalls, competitions and displays to be found at a number of locations, all celebrating the region’s natural beauty.

The Port Douglas Carnivale is held during May, and combines sporting, music, arts and culture events over its ten day stretch. The key attraction is the six-day regatta, and the general public can view and inspect the ships before they leave. Over the last 17 years the Carnivale has grown from a small street fiesta to a community-wide programme.

Port Douglas is an altogether different proposition to Cairns, and is growing as a tourist option for those wanting to explore the beautiful surrounding region, but without the tourist crowds and party atmosphere of Cairns.

Dining options are slightly more upmarket, but reasonably-priced options can still be found. These include On The Inlet, which is something of a local institution for its prawns and champagne special. Built over the water of the Dickinson Inlet, the restaurant offers visitors excellent sea views to be enjoyed along with some of the freshest seafood in the region.

Macrossan Street is home to several dining options, one being Mango Jam. Renowned for its wood-fired pizzas and other Italian dishes, Mango Jam is popular with families and frequented by both locals and tourists. Macrossan Street is also home to Bucci Ristorante & Bar, which also specialises in Italian, and a chain of Rattle & Hum.

If you fancy something a little lighter, there are several cafe bars in the town, which are perfect for lazing away the days in. Particular highlights are the Grant Street Food Precinct and Java Blue Cafe, again on Macrossan Street.