Port Douglas Travelers Recommend

Travelers from around the globe make Port Douglas their base for experiencing the myriad outdoor adventures of North Queensland and the Northern Beaches. With three days in the relaxed town, you’ll have plenty of time to explore, on land and in the sea. Here’s how.

Day 1: Great Barrier Reef

Most visitors to Port Douglas are there to see the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are several ways to explore the thousands of individual reefs dotted with hundreds of islands and coral cays, and you should plan to spend the entire day in the area. Most excursions involve a glass-bottom boat, with time for snorkeling, swimming, and soaking up the sun on a white sand beach. If you’re a certified scuba diver, opt for a trip that includes instructors and equipment rental. To get a feel for the immensity of the reef, take a scenic morning helicopter flight above it, followed by an afternoon of snorkeling in the Low Isles. 

Day 2: Daintree Rainforest

North Queensland is home to the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest on the planet. Get an early start, and cruise along the Daintree River spotting crocodiles and butterflies. Then, take a guided nature walk through the jungle, capture the views from Alexandra Range Lookout, or see where the rain forest meets the sea at Cape Tribulation. Many trips to the Daintree Rainforest include time in Mossman Gorge within Daintree National Park. This verdant river gorge sets the scene for hiking, wildlife watching, or swimming along the Mossman River. End your day with a candlelit dinner in the rain forest, served to the sights and sounds of a live Aboriginal performance.

Day 3: Kuranda

Riding along the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of the most memorable experiences on offer in North Queensland, so climb aboard. After an hour and 45 minutes of winding through the rain forest by train, you’ll arrive at the hippie haven of Kuranda, where you can browse the local markets, take in the mountain and sea views from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, or learn more about the local indigenous culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. After your return to Port Douglas, chill out on Four Mile Beach, or treat yourself to a sunset sail along the Australian coast. 

With two days to spend in the Northern Beaches resort town of Port Douglas, you’ll have time to explore two of Australia’s natural wonders, the rain forest and the Great Barrier Reef. Here are some suggestions for how to plant the ultimate 48 hours in Port Douglas.

Day 1: Australian Rain Forest

**Morning:**Get an early start this morning for an excursion through the tropical rain forests of North Queensland. Climb aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a relaxing journey through mountain passes and deep gorges dotted with cascading waterfalls. The journey takes about an hour and 45 minutes and typically includes refreshments onboard.

**Afternoon:**Upon arrival in Kuranda, you’ll have several options for spending your afternoon. Take in the aerial views from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, take a guided wildlife hike through the Rainforestation Nature Park, or learn about local indigenous cultures at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.

**Night:**After returning to Port Douglas in the late afternoon, get ready for a romantic evening on the water. Board a catamaran and embark on a sunset sail through the Low Isles and the Coral Sea. Most cruises include a welcome drink and some light bites to hold you over until dinner back onshore.

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef

**Morning:**No trip to Port Douglas would be complete without some snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Board a glass-bottom boat and head offshore for a day of swimming, snorkeling, and sunning on pristine, white-sand beaches. Certified divers might opt for a guided scuba diving trip instead.

**Afternoon:**Many excursions to the Great Barrier Reef take the better part of a day, but if you’re back from a half-day cruise to the Low Isles, you’ll have time this afternoon to explore the town of Port Douglas. Don’t miss Macrossan Street, the town’s main strip, where you’ll find an assortment of restaurants, cafés, and boutiques.

**Night:**Wrap up your time in Port Douglas with a magical evening in the world’s oldest rain forest, enjoying a candlelit dinner and Aboriginal live performance. Sample some Australian wines and beers alongside your multicourse meal.  

Known for its white-sand beach, superb Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, and tropical rain forest, the fishing village and resort town of Port Douglas in North Queensland makes an excellent base for exploring Australia’s Far North. If you only have one day to spend, here’s how to make the most of your time.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Kick off your day in Port Douglas with an exploration of the town itself. Hop on a Segway for a guided tour along Four Mile Beach, situated between Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, or head out on a self-guided audio tour of the town, with stops at notable points of interest such as Flagstaff Hill Lookout, St. Mary’s by the Sea, and the Old Court House. If you have time, take a stroll down Macrossan Street to do some shopping at the local boutiques or browse the Sunday market.

Afternoon: Low Isles Snorkeling

While most snorkeling excursions to the Great Barrier Reef take most of the day, you can squeeze some snorkeling into a tight schedule by spending an afternoon in the Low Isles—the only Great Barrier Reef islands within quick sailing distance of Port Douglas. Hop in the water to explore the colorful reef, or stay dry onboard the glass-bottom boat. If you’re traveling with kids, consider an afternoon learning about local habitats at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures eco-park.

Night: Dinner Show

After a day of outdoor adventure, unwind with a special dinner experience as the sun goes down. Dine by candlelight in the world’s oldest rain forest or at Tjapukai Aboriginal Park. Sample local foods, sip Australian wines and beers, and watch an Aboriginal cultural performance to learn more about the continent’s earliest inhabitants. Most dinner shows include round-trip transportation to your hotel in the Northern Beaches for a hassle-free night out.