Travelling with teenagers in Port Douglas Daintree

Words by Cassie Flinn | Images by Sofia Cullen

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Young, Wild and Free

It’s true - travel in the Tropical North is anything but boring, especially when family holiday with teenagers.

No matter your teen tribes #mood Port, Douglas knows how to bring out that inquisitive youthful spirit and spark a sense of adventure, casually encouraging them to live young, wild and free. The laid back village atmosphere, miles away from the city hustle and bustle, creates a safe sense of freedom and independence for our Gen Z’s to make true travel memories and some pretty awesome instagram posts too!

So here’s how to keep the good times rolling with your teens in tow. Heck, they might even tick a few things off twice.

Soak up the salt and sand

Beach Yoga - Start the day in a zen state of mind and lay your mat down for Yoga on the Beach. A unique class that centres your ujjayi breath and stretches your body as you connect with mother earth in one of the most magical outdoor yoga settings. Join in for sun salutation and blissful savasana, and listen to the ocean as the palm trees sway.

Beach Babes - Get comfy on a sunlounger positioned perfectly on the golden sands of Four Mile Beach and work on that enviable holiday tan (SPF50+ approved of course). Laze the day away listening to your BF’s favourite holiday Spotify playlist and when it’s time to cool off, hire a tyre tube and roll about in the waves of the warm tropical waters that are safely patrolled by the lifesaving team.

Bike Hire - Hit the trails on a retro beach treadly, a decked out mountain bike or master the tandem pedal from Port Douglas Bike Hire. Cruise the four kilometre stretch of unspoilt coastline at your own pace. When you take the slow lane you discover hidden gems of Port around every corner or pick up the speed and a map for a secret treasure hunt.

Flagstaff Hill - Get active and climb the stairs of Flagstaff Hill and be rewarded with panoramic views along famous Four Mile Beach. The suspended platform connects you with environment, levitates you over the ever changing colours of the ocean and conjours daydreams of visiting the little lighthouse island in the distance. Following the track along the outer rim of the peninsula is an 1.5km adventure trek to Rex Smeal Park or make it a round trip up to the look out and returning beachside.

The suspended platform connects you with environment, levitates you over the ever changing colours of the ocean and conjours daydreams of visiting the little lighthouse island in the distance

Sunset at the point - It’s all about the chill time at Rex Smeal Park, one of Port’s most iconic locations where you can simply kick back as the day fades into night. Sunsets are epic as the boats return from a day on the water and the colours of the sky change over the palm fringed coastline and Daintree Mountain Ranges. Hook up a hammock or relax on a picnic rug with and cold a platter and cold drinks and discover why the locals have such a soft spot for this way of life.

Get those taste buds talking

Nectar - Say hi to the new kid on the block. Nectar is a smoothie and bowl bar full of sunshine. It’s a cool hang spot packed with tropical goodness for growing teens and sure to make their snap chat streaks. Their Acai bowls are a superfood feast for your eyes and perfect for breakfast, lunch and in betweeners, or grab a fresh blended juice on the fly. Psst....Get connected and jump the queue when you order via the SKIP app. *

The Mexican - Relaxed family dinners don’t come easier than street style food at The Mexican Port Douglas. You don’t have to wait for Taco Tuesday … just check in and hola for a round of booze free margaritas and order up big on fresh mex. The menu highlights unique local flavours mixed with traditional Mexican cooking techniques, creating yummy plates perfect for sharing.

Sunday Markets - Sundays are made for carefree meandering under the shady fig trees at Anzac Park. Markets are made for shopping local artisan wares and curiously sampling unique tropical produce. Take in the sights and sounds of the vibrant weekly market that showcases the region’s finest creators and growers committed to a eco friendly lifestyle. Whatever you do don’t leave the markets without sampling a Duke’s Doughnut, Fruit Pooh whip or a freshly grated coconut bowl.

Whatever you do don’t leave the markets without sampling a Duke’s Doughnut, Fruit Pooh whip or a freshly grated coconut bowl.

Daintree Ice Cream - No trip to the rainforest is complete without a stop in at the world renowned Daintree Ice Cream Company. It’s ice cream like you have never tasted before in a lush location you will find hard to match. The organic fruit is picked from the private orchard and mixed with hand made recipes using the finest local ingredients. The four flavour taster is a hit with tropical fruit unique to the wet tropics. Take a stroll on the orchard walk and meet the weird and wonderful fruit to truly honour their philosophy of tree to cup.

N17 Burger Co - The Americana burger craze has been flipped with an English twist at N17. Grab a seat at a booth and be welcomed to a casual atmosphere in a quirky space with sports streaming around the diner so you can catch your family’s favourite sporting events. Fresh off the grill, the handmade burgers are packed with your favourite fillings and Black Angus Beef fresh from the Atherton Tablelands. Just voted FNQ’s best burgers with a great crew to match.

*Favourtie Nectar combo is the Queenslander bowl with macadamia nuts and mango puree and their Island Time smoothie packed with dragon fruit goodness. The perfect fresh refuel after a hike around Flagstaff hill.

Mackay Coral Cay & Reef with Sailaway is a memorable experience for all ages. Image Sofia Cullen

Amp up the action status

Sup in the Rainforest - If epic adventures are what your teens are chasing then join a stand up paddle board tour on the unspoilt Mossman River. Start off with a quick lesson then paddle up through the rainforest and get wild on a jungle swing if you dare. The crystal clear water is soul healing, the forest sounds are captivating and the natural clay body scrubs from the river bank make for some fun profile updates. The return trip is all about relaxation, lay back on your SUP under the rainforest canopy and let the tranquil river gently drift you downstream.

Ride the Junk - It’s the pirate life aboard this majestic Chinese junk that has calmly sailed the Coral Seas for many generations. Kick back on the Shaolin’s traditional teak decks under the alluring red sails as you cruise from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, along Dickson’s Inlet and onward to postcard perfect Four Mile Beach just as the sun begins to sets. This is a sailing adventure like no other, a fun family experience.

Cape Trib Horse Rides - Saddle up to explore the diverse splendour of The Daintree Rainforest from horse back. Follow the easy trail with your new four legged friend through a tropical evergreen and out onto the soft sands of Myall Beach with a little hoof splashing at low tide. No matter your age, when you visit the only place on earth where two UNESCO world heritage sites meet you can’t help but embrace the importance of protecting this environmental wonder for future generations.

Segway - Get set to glide effortlessly on a two wheel eco fun machine of the future. A fab way for families to see Port, get outdoors and master a new skill together as all terrain segways riders. Zig zag along 12 kilometres of guided coastal paths way and sand straights along spectacular Four Mile Beach. There are plenty of stops for happy snaps with hard to fake segway smiles.

Snorkel with Sailaway - Dive into the Great Barrier Reef underwater magic with the eco tourism warriors Sailaway. Their first class Outer Reef or Low Isles sailing escapes are the most sustainable way to seek pristine reef locations with a personalised group. Swim along side Green Sea Turtles, find Nemo and float over colourful coral gardens. It’s a gift to share memorable moments snorkeling in our world’s natural wonder and one that your teens will love you for.