Top 10 Things to Do in Port Douglas, QLD: Best Attractions

Our Guide To The Best Port Douglas Attractions

Looking to explore Tropical North Queensland? Then our recommendation would be to stay in Port Douglas. This small seaside town has lots to offer and is a wonderful central location for easily visiting many sights within the region.

We spent five days here and really enjoyed all it had to offer. If a laid-back town with lots of places to explore is on your list, then check out our blog that highlights what we think are the top things to do while in Port Douglas.

Highlights of Port Douglas

1. Great Barrier Reef

One of the most popular places to visit while in Port Douglas is the Great Barrier Reef.  This is an ideal location from which to access the outer reef that can be reached within 1 ½ hours on a power boat.

Keep in mind that the Great Barrier Reef is the size of Japan and has many, many reefs that combine to make up this UNESCO World Heritage designated marine park. It can even be seen from space!

We took a fantastic full day tour that had us stop at several different locations along Agincourt Reef. After boarding our boat, we were suited up with stinger suits, then fitted with masks, snorkels and fins. And we settled in to enjoy the sunshine while we sped out to the reef area.

Agincourt Reef is a collection of seven reefs, and we visited three different areas called The Point, Stonehenge and Stepping Stones.

All of them had impressive coral formations and loads of fish – even better than the snorkeling we had done from Hamilton Island. The viewing out at this area is extraordinary since you are at the edge of the continental shelf.

On the inside of the breaking waves, the reef houses a sandy bottom, turquoise water and brightly coloured hard corals that are wonderful to explore. But beyond the reef it becomes very deep and dark. It is an amazing thing to see the waves crashing at the edge which looks like a ridge in the middle of the ocean.

While many people question whether the reef has too much damage now, this wasn’t our individual observation. The reef was very much alive and brilliant. We learned that coral is essentially a colony of polyp and living inside the colony are different types of algae.

As the water temperature changes, the coral becomes stressed and expels the algae that is living inside the reef colony. This, unfortunately, is what turns the coral white and is referred to as bleaching.  

While we know there are other areas that have suffered from this damage, the areas we visited are being cared for in a manner that is helping to maintain the health of the reef.

After visiting the different locations, we enjoyed lunch on the boat and the stunning views around us. It is definitely the best snorkeling we have ever done, and would suggest that this is a must do activity.

✅ Here is a quick link to the tour that we took. The crew was terrific, gear in good shape and the snorkeling was amazing. We highly recommend this tour operator for an awesome day on the outer reef.

2. Four Mile Beach

Well, if you want to see a beach that is true to its name, be sure to check out Four Mile Beach. This gorgeous white sand beach of the Coral Sea is located at one end of Port Douglas. It is a great location for walks, sunbathing and activities such as water tubing, cricket, bocce, frisbee, etc.

When we visited, the water was very warm and clear, and it had lifeguards on duty. Depending on the time of year you visit, it is important to check the signs at the beach that indicate the risk of stingers. From November to May, you must swim within the netted area so you lessen the risk of coming into contact with jellyfish. 

While Four Mile Beach isn’t a typical location for crocodiles, it is still important to be aware that they may be in the area. Always best to swim within designated areas with lifeguards on duty.

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3. Flagstaff Hill Lookout

A great spot to take in the overhead view of Four Mile Beach is at Flagstaff Hill Lookout. This is a nice walking trail along the cliffs’ sides at one end of the beach.  You can find the access point by walking up Island Point Road and making your way to the start of a pathway that leads you to the lookout. 

It can also be accessed by the beach, but that way requires walking up quite a few steps.

This spot provides a wonderful view of the sea, the entire beach and far beyond.  It really does give you a feel for how long the beach truly is. The trail can be joined in several spots or followed all the way along to Rex Smeale Park.

Be sure to look for the Coast Snap signs where you can take a photo and submit it to help researchers with their ongoing monitoring of the coastline.

4. Main Street Shopping

Port Douglas has many shops available in the downtown area. The main street of Macrossan has lots of interesting shops with a variety of souvenirs, clothing, artwork and artisanal products.

There seemed to be everything available, from cheap souvenirs to designer clothing. Also, be on the lookout for indigenous artwork that is unique to the area. And thankfully, most are air conditioned!

Additionally, this is where you will find many restaurants and bars with outdoor patios. 

5. Port Douglas Sunday Markets

Another location for shopping would be the Port Douglas Markets that are held on Sunday from 8:00am-1:30pm.  Located in Anzac Park, you can find over 100 vendors selling everything from local artisanal items to produce. We imagine this is very similar to the artisanal market in Buenos Aires.

Unfortunately, we arrived on Sunday afternoon, so we missed the markets, but we will certainly plan to see them next time.

6. Rex Smeal Park

This lovely park is located on a peninsula and provides beautiful views out to the Coral Sea. All along the water’s edge are tall palm trees that provide some shade to sit and just relax. While the grass was pretty dry when we were there, we could see it would be a great spot for a picnic.

There is a children’s playground here, and we saw locals fishing. It is really a nice spot to come and enjoy some quiet time. While we were there earlier in the day, we did hear that this is also a great spot to view the sunset.

Great Day Trips In The Surrounding Area

Port Douglas is perfectly positioned to take a day trip and explore far North Queensland. These are some of the places we visited to enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the region.

7. Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

The Daintree Rainforest is thought to be one of the oldest rainforests in the world dating back 180 million years. That is millions of years older than the Amazon! Here you can really see old growth forest that is lush and full of life. 

And some unique wildlife lives here, including the cassowary that we were fortunate to see twice! These massive animals are the largest Australian birds in existence and are considered endangered. They are quite the sight to see with their large black bodies and very colourful necks and heads.

Located within the Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation is a gorgeous coastal area that connects two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

This region has great walking trails and stunning beaches. It is best explored with a professional guide so that you can learn about some of the extraordinary plant life and wildlife that exists here.

And while the beaches look wonderful and inviting, they are off limits for swimming due to the crocs that frequent the waterways.

8. Mossman Gorge

We also had the pleasure of exploring Mossman Gorge. It is located within Daintree National Park, and a wonderful boardwalk, similar to the experience in the Blue Mountains, has been created to allow visitors to explore the amazing old growth forest safely. We mention safety since the Daintree Rainforest area is loaded with more than 5000 plant and tree species, and 90% of the plant life is venomous! 

We were very happy to be guided through this stunning forest and taught about the plants by an expert who had spent a lot of time in the region. He shared so many insights about the various species that live within the rainforest area.

The canopy is fascinating to see since it is intertwined with branches and vines that keep the trees strong and protected. The ground area is not as covered since the canopy doesn’t let a lot of light in from above, and the trees grow super tall to reach the sun.

The Mossman River runs through the gorge, and the section that we saw, from several lookout points, is beautiful with massive, rounded boulders and crystal clear water where locals swim in the cool waters.

At certain times of the year, the water can be very high, and swimming is not recommended. But the section we visited looked inviting. You can also take a longer walk through this area on trails that wind through the forest for 2-3 kms on a dirt track. 

We saw awesome wildlife, including forest dragons and huge spiders, while walking along the boardwalks and pathways. There are also beautiful plants, and we even saw inside the centre of a strangling fig tree to see how the original tree was taken over.

This is an incredible, serene place to visit. There is a visitor centre at the entrance with washroom facilities and a small gift shop and café.

9. Daintree River Cruise

Not far from Mossman Gorge is a popular boat launch area where you can board boats to take a cruise on the Daintree River.  These boat trips are run by local families who have lived in the area for decades. 

The main purpose of these rides is to check out the saltwater river and see the mangroves where there is plenty of wildlife including the main star of the show – crocodiles! Depending on the time of the year that you visit, you may or may not see the crocs.

During our visit in November the water was close to 30 degrees meaning that the crocs typically stay in the water to keep warm.  When they are in the water rather than on the banks of the river, it can be a little more challenging to spot them.  But we were very fortunate to see two massive crocodiles on the day of our boat tour.

We had a close-up encounter with Scarface who is about 60 years old, measures 4.5 metres and weighs 600kg! He was impressive and quite happily maneuvered alongside our boat while we oohed and aahed over his massive size and scaly, rugged looking body. 

We also saw a croc named Bug Eye, who was even larger at 800kgs. It was an incredible experience to see these creatures in their natural habitat, and it was our first time seeing crocodiles at such close range in the wild.

Here are a few interesting crocodile facts:

✦ Crocodiles grow a foot a year in the first five years

✦ 90% of crocs don’t make it past their first year

✦ Crocs mostly stay in the water when the temperature is over 28 degrees

✦ 2000 people are killed by crocodiles annually on a global basis

✅ If you would like to make a day of it in the Daintree Rainforest and visit all of these sights, be sure to check out the fantastic tour that we took. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and everywhere we visited was absolutely stunning.

Where To Stay In Port Douglas

One of the nicest things about Port Douglas is its small town charm. The majority of accommodations are smaller boutique hotels or guest houses and apartments.

While we were there, we stayed at the Ocean Palms Apartments. We found this to be in a great location so that we could easily walk to everything. The apartment was bright and airy with a wonderful balcony. It had a mini kitchen and a comfortable living area so we could relax in the evenings. With a pool and laundry onsite, we had everything we could need.

If you are looking for a property with more services onsite, consider the Peppers Beach Club. It is located close to the beach and offers an onsite restaurant, pool, fitness centre and the ability to book massages in your room!

Where To Eat In Port Douglas

We found the dining in Port Douglas to be great. There was a large variety of food styles, and everything was fresh and presented nicely.

We would recommend Lichi Restaurant and Cocktail Bar. We had a fantastic dinner here that included bug rolls, prawn baguette and steak tartare. The three starters were enough for a meal for two people. The food was tasty, and the service terrific.

Another option for a great meal would be Salsa Bar and Grill. The food was amazing here. We loved the oysters, pork belly and calamari. The food was so fresh and had amazing flavour combinations. And it was just pretty to look at! Be sure to make a reservation as this spot is quite busy.

Lastly, if you are looking for something very relaxed and laid back, try visiting the Tin Shed. This is a local social club but the dining room is open to visitors. There is an extensive menu and the prices are quite reasonable. We enjoyed the calamari and spaghetti.

And if you time it right, you can enjoy a nice sunset from the patio before dinner.

Final Word…Our List Of Things To Do In Port Douglas

Overall, Port Douglas was one of our favourite places that we visited in Australia. The combination of a small town feeling, great restaurants, beautiful surroundings and lots of activities to do in the area made for a perfect base to explore North Queensland.

Be sure to add these Port Douglas experiences to your Australian itinerary.