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QLD Activities

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QLD Activities

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Port Douglas

Ideally situated between the rainforest and the sea; Port Douglas is a mainland paradise comfortably removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Sitting right between the world renowned Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, Port Douglas is also home to a world class marina and some of the most luxurious resorts and delicious restaurants North Queensland has to offer.

Only 70km north of Cairns, the town is a quiet escape with building development in the area restricted to the height of a palm tree. Port Douglas is a wonderful, low-rise jewel in the Queensland coastline. Have a look through the things to do, weather, and accommodation sections to fall in love with and start planning your Port Douglas holiday.

Things To See & Do

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter ToursOne of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a must see for any visitor to this area of the Australian coast.

There are plenty of day tours leaving Port Douglas daily, with glass bottomed boats, snorkelling tours and even whale watching tours depending on the season.

For the more adventurous there are scuba diving trips to the magnificent reef catering for novices up to the most experienced divers. Enter the serene world and swim with the tropical marine life and even drift through some of the old wrecks.Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas

Visit Daintree National Park and see one of the oldest rainforests in the world. There are walks, tours, drives and other attractions at the park where you can explore, study the biodiversity and perhaps get a glimpse of some of the rare native species that live in the park.

Port Douglas – being so close to the sea – is famous for its fresh seafood and world class restaurants. Find ones that suit your taste or make a plan to indulge in as many as possible.

Four Mile Beach is a pristine location stretching along the coast without a single piece of Port Douglas development in site. Bath in the calm, tranquil clear waters and dry off on the soft white sand before taking a stroll along the greenery that stretches along the whole beach.

Take a scenic helicopter flight out to the secluded Undine Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. This coral cay has a sand bank sturdy enough to land a chopper on, giving you access to a spectacularly isolated piece of paradise. Take your partner on a romantic escape with your very own pilot to serve you lunch & wine and the whole cay is yours.

Only a short 20km scenic drive from Port Douglas is the Mossman Gorge and River. Explore the rugged mountain ranges of the gorge, take a swim in one of the rock pools, or take a walk through the Mossman township to take in the history of the beautiful old buildings.

Weather in Port Douglas

Anzac Park, Port DouglasLike the rest of North Queensland, Port Douglas enjoys a tropical climate of hot summers and warm winters more accurately described as the wet and dry season. Average temperatures in summer range from 22°C to 30°C, while winter experiences 17°C to 27°C.

The wet season is the summer period between December and February when Port Douglas experiences high rainfall, visually spectacular thunderstorms and the occasional tropical cyclone.

The humidity at this time will make the weather seem hotter than the average 31°C but this wet period provides beautiful waterfalls flowing in full force, as well as lush green vegetation everywhere you look.

The dry season is probably the best time of year to visit, with lower yet still summery temperatures, less rainfall and lower humidity. You’ll experience warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The dry season lasts from June to August.

Sea temperatures generally fluctuate between 23°C in winter to 28°C in summer.

Port Douglas Accommodation

Home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels, rainforest hideaways, island resorts, backpacker hostels, beachfront apartments and family accommodation, Port Douglas has something for everyone. Take a look through some of the accommodation Port Douglas provides to find something to suit your tastes.

Getting to Port Douglas

port douglas coastal highwayDriving to Port Douglas is relatively easy, though rather long depending on where you’re starting from. It’s only a 70km drive on a windy, coastal highway from Cairns that is full of wonderful beach and mountain views.

You can get to Cairns from anywhere on the Queensland coast by simply taking the Bruce Highway and keep heading north.

While there is no airport in Port Douglas most visitors fly into Cairns Airport then get a transfer for the 1 hour journey in to Port Douglas. It is a popular way of getting there so there are a number of providers that make the trip.

Location Map