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Mowbray, 7km from the centre of town. With cabins, villas, powered and boxes! The impressive seafood platter or fresh oysters pairs beautifully
unpowered grass sites, it features a pool and splash park, playground pedal with a bottle of bubbles and a perfect sunset over the mountains. Treat
cars and giant jumping pillow. the whole family and relax as the kids watch the boats sail by.
Depending on the size of your family, budget and requirements (and whether ACTIVITIES
your kids have a hotel appropriate inside voice), a whole villa may suit your
needs. With companies like Port Douglas Accommodation, Executive For an action packed afternoon of fun for the entire family (Dad’s gonna
Retreats and Port Douglas Getaways offering stacks of options for every love it!)head out to Hook-a-Barra 30 minutes north of Port Douglas.
budget, you are spoilt for choice and can really make yourself at home. The working fish farm has ponds teeming with monster Barramundi, just
waiting to be reeled in. Take a 1 hour Barra fishing tour, you can catch and
DINING release or keep, with all the gear provided. Pop by the Big Barra Cafe on
There’s something mesmerising about a marina. Kids just love watching the your way out for delicious Fish and Chips or a Barra Burger, caught just
boats mooring, the birds overhead and spotting the abundance of tiny metres away. Talk about low food miles!
fish below and with an award-winning selection of craft beers located on Port Douglas’ famous Cane Toad Racing Show is a truly unique
the boardwalk at Hemingway’s Brewery, the parents seem to enjoy it too. experience, and one certain to elicit some screams of delight and
Offering burgers, pizzas and snacks from 5pm, it’s a menu that will appeal to disgust! Your chance to smooch a warty winner, and the comedic
both the kids and parents. ‘dinner and a show’ will entertain the adults as much as the kids. Paired
Located on a breezy corner of Four Mile, The Beach Shack is a locals favourite. with fantastic Italian food and wood fired pizza from the team at Chillys
For more than 20 years the Beach Shack has been providing good food and Pizza, it’s a night out for the whole family. Show commences at 6pm
good vibes a stones-throw from the quiet southern end of Four Mile Beach. (doors open 5pm) Tuesday to Saturday. Bookings are essential.
Offering delicious authentic Italian pizzas, plus coffee, breakfast and lunch, For Port Douglas’s most family friendly boat cruise, you can’t go past the
“the Shack” is open 7am-10pm daily. It’s a perfect stop in after an afternoon Lady Douglas. The iconic riverboat has been taking visitors on tours of
making sandcastles and playing in nearby Four Mile Park. the tranquil Dickson Inlet since 1989. With no swell, there’s no chance for
With a great kid’s menu, fun activity packs to entertain and a million-dollar upset tummies, but a very good chance of encountering some of Far
view over Dickson Inlet, the Tin Shed Port Douglas, ticks all the toddler North Queensland’s most famous wildlife. In fact, crocs are spotted on
90% of the tours. Featuring pram access, covered seating and a licensed
bar it is an absolute winner of an outing for the kids and parents.
The Wildlife Habitat is an absolute parent saviour, just ask any local
Choose your pool wisely, you’ll be spending most of your holiday in there parents! It’s an immersive wildlife experience right in Port Douglas that
your toddler is bound to love! Stroll through multiple unique habitats,
get up close (and safely) to a saltwater crocodile, hand feed cute
marsupials or enjoy breakfast with the birds in this award-winning, eco-
certified nature park. You could visit here every day of your trip, and
experience something new.
Now if all this organised fun has left you reeling, and you’re just yearning
for a sit down (aren’t all toddler parents just yearning to sit quietly for
a while) there’s nothing quite like the humble park playground. Grab
a coffee and tire the kids out without spending a dime. There are
playgrounds dotted around town so you’re usually within a short walk.
Rex Smeal Park is the big daddy on the scene, having just been
completed in 2024, there’s giant fig trees, BBQs, incredible coral sea
views and public toilets right nearby.
Just a short stroll toward Market Park and you’ll find another playground
nestled in near St Mary’s by the Sea, particularly hopping on a Sunday
morning during the famed Port Douglas Markets.
If you’ve hired an Airbnb or house for your stay, then Hutchings Park
in Port Gardens might be your most convenient option. Located on a
huge open field, perfect for sports and balls, there’s a covered BBQ and
seating area plus public toilets.
Bruno Reidweg Park is a hidden gem off the end of Solander Boulevard,
it has Four Mile beach access, two separate playgrounds and a BBQ area,
with public toilets just a short walk away.
And then of course, Four Mile Park playground. With adults’ exercise
equipment, showers and toilets and BBQs it’s also a hot spot for Port’s
kite surfing community. The kids will be enthralled with the action on
the water just metres away.
And finally, the cornerstone of all parent-toddler relations, bribery.
Lucky for you there is an abundance of sweet treats throughout Port
Douglas that will tame even the most unruly youngster. On Macrossan
Street you’ll find Shakes Gelati Bar, Wicked Ice Cream, and Capannina
all offering a mouth-watering selection. Down at the Crystalbrook
Marina is Choo Choos Ice Creamery tucked in behind Choo Choos Cafe.
If it’s too early for ice cream (is that possible?), try Nectar Acai Bar for
divine acai bowls, smoothie bowls, freshly squeezed juices & superfood
boosted smoothies. So, mouth wateringly delicious they will never
know it’s good for them too!
See there’s no reason to fear! TWT, travelling with toddlers, not only is it
possible, but it’s also going to stand for a Totally Wonderful Trip.