Welcome to Port Douglas on the Great Barrier Reef

Port Douglas launched onto the world's tropical destinations map in the late 1980's with the development of the Sheraton Mirage Resort.

Famous for being located between two of the world's most valuable World Heritage listed areas the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest - it continues to delight visitors of all ages and origins.

Why do people visit and fall in love with Port Douglas?

The Weather

Port Douglas weather averages 29 degrees (celsius) over the Summer / Autumn and a balmy 26 degrees over Winter/Spring. Are you sold?
 

Two World Heritage listed areas

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Port Douglas provides access to the most pristine reef systems. The northern ribbon reefs tour operators visit have been lucky to escape much of recent reef bleaching events. The Daintree Rainforest is the world's oldest Rainforest with the single first plant origin being found inside the now national park in the late 1990's. Browse the tours and experience page to find the most suitable experiences for you.

Macrossan Street

Macrossan Street is the main street of Port Douglas and connects the Port (Dickson's Inlet) and Four Mile Beach. Lined with flowering trees, Macrossan street is a simple combination of alfreso cafes, restaurants, boutique retail and accommodation.

The Charm

Established as a port in the gold rush of the 1800's Port Douglas's story continued with the export of sugar cane through the 1900's. Over this time a small fishing fleet thrived but it wasn't until the late 1970's that tourism began to unfold. As you can imagine this pioneer way of life has created a kaleidoscope of historial stories, buildings and people. The charm is something hard to bottle when inviting visitors to the region but it's something you certainly won't leave behind. 

Relax, it’s safe

I'm going to Port Douglas to relax is one of the most popular terms we hear. Port Douglas works mostly on 'island time'. Nothing happens in a hurry and you will love it. However unlike many of the destinations we share our tropical latitude with, Port Douglas offers a first world sense of safety and security. Port Douglas enjoys access to an international first class hospital within 30 minutes helicopter. 

Four Mile Beach

Click here after you read this. Port Douglas is host to one of Queensland's premier beaches - Four Mile Beach. In Port Douglas it is the central feature of every map, so you won't have any trouble finding it. We like to refer to it in the mornings as peak hour in Port Douglas. Walkers take to Four Mile Beach in their tens and hundreds but you will never feel crowded. On low tide the beach can be over 100 meters wide. As you stroll along the crescent shaped beach time stands still. We often enjoy the presence of dolphins, turtles and dugongs on our morning walks.  Port Douglas transport will get you there with a minimum of fuss on board a local shuttle bus, taxi or perhaps you might like to try a bicycle adventure? 

The Restaurants

Home to over 50 restaurants and cafes Port Douglas offers a range of culinary delights fresh from the Great Barrier Reef or straight from the farms of the Atherton Tablelands. Amongst them are celebrity chefs, national award winners but most importantly a passion for serving the best food in the tropics. Here you can browse the menus of these amazing restaurants before you arrive.

The People

Visiting Port Douglas is an experience in itself thanks to the character of many of the locals. Always happy to assist with information and a local yarn the residents of Port Douglas help you capture the charm of this little pioneer fishing village.

Simple Things

Discover the essence of a Port Douglas holiday with a morning stroll along Four Mile Beach before enjoying a scrumptious breakfast at a local Port Douglas restaurant. Port Douglas information providers encourage you to learn the history of Port Douglas before you enjoy one of the many guided or self guided tours.

Port Douglas Accommodation

Bordered by clear, vibrant aquamarine waters and the luxuriant tropical green of World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, a Port Douglas holiday is a first class international vacation experience. Port Douglas accommodation caters to every traveller choosing to make a Port Douglas retreat their holiday of choice. Made famous by the international film industry, heads of state, stars of stage and screen and the five star luxury of the Port Douglas beachfront Sheraton Grand Mirage resort, Port Douglas holiday accommodation beckons travellers to stay and enjoy the stunning Port Douglas resorts, Port Douglas spas and Port Douglas apartments.

Port Douglas holiday accommodation offers spacious self contained holiday units and apartments serviced daily or weekly located in both the heart of Port Douglas along Macrossan Street and a stones throw from Four Mile beach and the Port Douglas waterfront. For those looking to not lift a finger, a Port Douglas resort, dual key apartment or Port Douglas private holiday lettings may be more your style. 

Port Douglas Tours and Experiences

There are the iconic classics: Great Barrier Reef snorkel trips, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tours and Tourist wildlife attractions such as Harley's Crocodile Farm and the Wildlife Habitat. But ensure to take your time to browse some of the newer experiences. These will offer you unique and diverse experiences to remote island cays, food touring, river cruising, rainforest dining, jungle ziplining and indigenous cultural tours, to mention a few.  A wide range of Port Douglas holiday blogs are available here on this website.

Price

For a first world tropical holiday destination Port Douglas compares favourably on price. With the price comes quality and when comparing tropical holidays often ends better than cheap and nasty.  These days we highly recommend guests enquire directly with the hotel and resort accommodation providers. Online prices seen on booking sites can include up to 20% commissions. If you request a direct rate the hotels will be able to remove the commission and you will receive a better price per night. 

Quality, not quantity

Port Douglas won't let you down on quality. Do make the effort to research accommodation, tours and restaurants to ensure you choose the best of each for your trip. We have tried to put together all the options, filters and resources to let you experience Port Douglas before you arrive to ensure you are choosing the best for you.