Family holiday to Port Douglas

Voted one of Australia's friendliest destinations for families, Port Douglas offers a tropical island experience within a safe and secure environment. From luxury resorts to self-contained apartments, the town provides a full range of family-friendly accommodation options to suit every budget.

With the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and Four Mile Beach right on your doorstep, there is no shortage of activities to keep both "little kids" and "big kids" happy.

The adage “happy kids make happy parents” is certainly true and your holiday in Port Douglas will be just that; a wonderful holiday that will be remembered by everybody.

Best of all, a great vacation doesn't have to break the bank, as there are activities to suit all budgets and interests.  

Here are some of the best ways to enjoy Port Douglas without spending a cent.

Head to the beach

Head out to Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas with a bucket and spade and you can have hours of fun. You can hire a bucket and spade from the hire caravan on Four Mile Beach (at the north end of Four Mile Beach) or it is easy to purchase a set from the local supermarket.

Four Mile Beach stretches the length of Port Douglas and most holiday accommodation is within a leisurely 5 minutes’ walk from its fine white sands. Four Mile Beach is a wonderful place for your child to experiment with scooping, digging, filling, pouring and playing with the sand.  Let's be honest building sandcastles is fun!

Play in a Port Douglas playground

Park Map

There are four wonderful playground areas in Port Douglas. In this safe environment they can enjoy their time of exploration and use up their energy so that they can ‘sleep like a baby’ later:

Rex Smeal Park

Kids will love this shaded playground, where they can clamber over the fort, fly down the slides, and play on the swings. Since it's located right next to a BBQ area, it’s a wonderful spot to pull up for lunch. You can enjoy a picnic at the edge of the park while watching the boats sail in and out of the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.

Anzac Park / Market Park

Located right next to the iconic St. Mary’s by the Sea church, you'll find a great little children’s playground. Since the famous Sunday markets are held in this same area, it’s the perfect spot to let your toddler burn off some energy while you browse the stalls.

Oriole Park, Port Gardens, Port Douglas 

This playground is perfectly designed for peace of mind, with separate areas for 4-8 year olds and toddlers. You won’t have to worry about your little one being overwhelmed by bigger kids while they explore the central climbing fort, tubular slide, or regular slide. With a shaded BBQ table on-site, it’s also an ideal spot to stop for lunch.

Bruno Riedweg Memorial Park

Located on Solander Boulevard, this park is a fantastic choice for younger children, its standout feature is a fun play train that’s sure to capture their imagination.

Splash Around at the Port Douglas Splash Park

Located in Jalunbu Park near the northern end of Four Mile Beach, this free, colourful water play area is designed especially for young children and families. With gentle fountains, spray tunnels, and tipping buckets, it’s a fun and safe way to cool off after a morning on the sand while parents relax in the shaded seating nearby

Opening Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Cost: Free
Best For: Families with kids aged 2-12
Facilities: Toilets, BBQ's, change areas, pram and wheelchair access, nearby parking

More info