This tropical seaside village manages to combine a laid-back, relaxed ambience while offering a range of world-class accommodation, dining and shopping options for honeymoon couples.
Stroll down wide, tree-lined Macrossan Street, browse various boutiques, relax at a variety of bars and cafes, visit the charming Sunday market in Anzac Square for arts and crafts or head to Marina Mirage for designer-label clothes, jewellery, shoes and Cuban cigars.
Catch the cane toad races at The Iron Bar, admire the beautiful whitewashed timber church of St Mary's by the Sea (built in 1911), climb up Flagstaff Hill for stunning views of Four Mile Beach and watch native animals at the fascinating Wildlife Habitat.
Create your own footprints in the gorgeous soft sand of Four Mile Beach or cruise out to the Low Isles for the day to snorkel and swim around the palm-fringed white-sand cays.
The nearby World Heritage-listed Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforests provide a natural alternative to the town’s exclusive boutiques and fine dining experiences.
Check out the annual Port Douglas Carnivale, held at the end of May for 10 days over two weekends.
In October, enjoy Porttoberfest (North Queensland's own beer festival) and Go Troppo Arts Festival, which kicks off and ends with The Sunset in the Park Music Festival.
In November, Port Douglas hosts the annual 42.195 km-long Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival.
Take time to discover these sightseeing attractions close to Port Douglas, including…
Create your own footprints in the gorgeous soft sand of Four Mile Beach, a wide, 6km-long palm-fringed strand that begins at a rocky headland just a few minutes walk south of Port Douglas – the perfect spot for a relaxing honeymoon.
Set against a backdrop of rainforest-covered mountains, Four Mile Beach and Port Douglas is the perfect honeymon base from which to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas of the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef.
Sunbathe on the white sand, picnic in the shade of the soaring palm trees, go beachcombing or make tracks along the water’s edge on a bike.
Hire a jet ski or go swimming, windsurfing and kite surfing in the warm, turquoise waters of the Coral Sea.
The region also offers a variety of outdoor pursuits for active honeymoon couples, including scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, white-water rafting, bushwalking, horse riding, bungee jumping and abseiling.
Watch a variety of animals in their natural habitat from the boardwalks of three unique environments – rainforest, wetlands and grassland – at this wildlife sanctuary in Port Douglas.
See more than 180 different species of birds, butterflies and native animals, including koalas, tree kangaroos, crocodiles, lorikeets, cassowaries and jabirus.
Try breakfast or lunch here – a unique buffet experience as birds and other wildlife wander among the tables while you dine!
Relax on this quiet and unspoiled 2km-long white-sand beach that is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying a sunset beach stroll.
Visit on a day trip or stay longer at the five-star Thala Beach Lodge, perched on a headland amid rainforest canopy overlooking the Coral Sea, just a 10-minute drive from Port Douglas.
Ride a fast wave-piercing catamaran from Port Douglas to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, home to more than 400 varieties of coral and 1500 species of tropical fish that inhabit the fringing reefs of 500 islands and 2100 individual reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for more than 2000km and covers an area of more than 23 million hectares. Snorkel or dive among colourful marine life at the Agincourt Reef or stay dry and see various marine animals from the comfort of a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat.
More about the Great Barrier Reef…
Experience a 140 million-year-old tropical rainforest at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park at Cape Tribulation, just north of Port Douglas.
At around 2600sq km, the Daintree is the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent.
Choose from a network of trails that includes the Gorge Circuit, a 3km track that snakes past strangler figs and epiphytic plants in the lush Mossman Gorge and beside the Mossman River.
Spot eastern yellow robins or blue Ulysses butterflies as they flitter through the canopy above clear water cascading over large granite boulders.
Then cool off with a refreshing swim in a nearby rock pool and perhaps spy a Boyd's rainforest dragon sunning itself on a mossy rock.
More about the Daintree National Park…
While the town of Port Douglas offers a huge range of resort accommodation to suit all honeymoon budgets, you may want to consider the 5-star Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas, which nestles in a manicured garden hidden behind towering palm trees just metres away from Four Mile Beach.
Top Port Douglas resorts include…
Thala Beach Lodge
Location: Oak Beach
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD480 per room
Description: Set on over 140 acres of native forest and boasting a private beach, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is an Eco-friendly wildlife retreat. This secluded sanctuary is nestled on a coastal headland and offers magnificent views of the sparkling Coral Sea. These boutique timber bungalows offer ocean, mountain or forest views. Guests can relax on their private balcony and enjoy the native birds and wildlife. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a bathtub, a refrigerator and a minibar. The property features an organic coconut plantation, and natural swimming pools formed by granite boulders and waterfalls. Free guided nature tours are available and include tree planting, stargazing at an outdoor observatory, beach discovery, wildlife walks and bird-watching tours. Thala Beach Nature Reserve is conveniently located within 10 minutes’ drive of Port Douglas. It is 45 minutes’ drive from Cairns City Centre. Guests can explore the nearby Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
Location: Four Mile Beach
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD288 per room
Description: Set on 130 hectares of tropical gardens and saltwater lagoons overlooking Four Mile Beach, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas boasts a tennis court, an 18-hole golf course and a freshwater pool with a swim-up bar. It offers spacious rooms, most offering a private balcony. You can relax in the sauna, or maintain your exercise routine in the fitness centre. The resort also features an aquatic driving range, a play area and a games room with arcade games. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Each room has a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and a work desk. Luxurious villas with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities are also available. Sheraton Mirage is just 3 km from Island Point Lookout, and 6 minutes’ drive from The Wildlife Habitat. Port Douglas and Marina Mirage are each a 5-minute drive, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park is a 1-hour drive away.
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Location: Mitre Street, Four Mile Beach
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD269 per room
Description: This 5-star resort is situated on the secluded beachfront of Four Mile Beach, close to Alexandra Reefs. It offers a large lagoon pool with a bar, an 18-hole golf course, fitness centre and a hot tub. Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas provides a variety of large, luxury studio rooms and apartments. Each features a private bathroom, cable TV and a minibar. Sea Temple’s restaurant overlooks the lagoon pool serves meals and drinks in a relaxed environment. Special children's menus can be arranged for the little ones. Sea Temple Resort is located 50 km from Cairns Airport.
Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel
Location: The Esplanade Port Douglas
Rating: 4.5-star
Prices: from AUD255 per room
Description: Situated by the sea, this luxury apartment is within a 15-minute walk of Court House Museum, St Mary's by the Sea Chapel, and Sugar Wharf. Anzac Park and Marina Mirage are also within 2 km (1 mi). This apartment features a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a spa tub. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, laundry facilities, limo/town car service, and express check-in are onsite. All 4 apartments feature kitchenettes with refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, and dishwashers. Free WiFi and furnished balconies or patios are standard, as are flat-screen TVs with digital channels.
Anytime. But probably the best time to visit Port Douglas is during the winter dry season from May to November when you can expect sunny skies, fresh sea breezes, low humidity and average high daytime temperatures of 28°C (82°F) with a low of 19°C (66°F).
The so-called ‘green’ or wet season lasts from December to April, with January and February receiving the most rainfall.
Note: Stinger (Irukandji jellyfish) season lasts from November to May – stinger nets are available for ocean swimming.
For more climate info: Port Douglas Weather Guide…
Port Douglas is located around 70km (43mi) north of Cairns in Far North Queensland.
The most convenient route to Port Douglas is by air to Cairns International Airport (CNS), located 67km (41mi) south of Port Douglas, followed by car or shuttle bus – a journey of around 1 hour.
From some international destinations this may require first flying into Brisbane Airport (BNE) – or Melbourne or Sydney – followed by a connecting flight to Cairns International Airport.
More about how to get to Port Douglas…
Latest update: Port Douglas: 16 September, 2022
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