Port Douglas - Tropic North Queensland

Fast becoming a playground for the rich and famous, the laid back North Queensland town of Port Douglas is blessed with year round, balmy weather. Port Douglas, Australia’s popularity has increased markedly in recent years and the market has certainly kept up.

Apart from a fine range of shopping and dining experiences on offer, Port Douglas has an impressive array of accommodations. From luxurious resorts like the new Sea Temple Port Douglas Resort, with everything you could desire, including your own golf course, to top notch backpacker accommodation, Port Douglas is the luxury escape for every budget. 

The majority of activities in town are centred around Macrossan Street and a Port Douglas map will direct you to its many galleries, restaurants and day spas.

At one end of Macrossan Street is the beautiful Dickson inlet, embarkation point for all of your Great Barrier Reef adventures. It is here you will also find the Sunday morning markets abuzz with local colour and creativity.

At the other end of the street is the spectacular Four Mile Beach, dotted with a number of fine Port Douglas Hotels. As the name suggests, it is four miles of white sand and unspoilt vistas.

While you’re in this unforgettable part of Australia, you must visit the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef and of course the world famous Daintree rainforest.

A map of the area will lead you north to the small town of Daintree, gateway to the Daintree National Park. You’ll find a number of agencies in town to help you book your trip to the Australia’s Daintree, travel in Port Douglas as well as other tours.

Port Douglas and its surrounds in Australia’s tropical north has miles and miles of unspoilt sandy beaches to please the nature lover and naturalist alike. Even the most jaded traveller, can’t help but marvel at the pristine beauty of Cow Bay in Tropical North Queensland’s, Cape Tribulation. This area located just north of Port Douglas in Australia’s Daintree National Park is renowned for being the place where the rainforest meets the beach and that, it does.

The pride of Port Douglas itself is its 4 mile beach aptly named Four Mile Beach. The water temperature here and throughout the region varies throughout the year from between 21 degrees c in winter to 28 degrees c in Summer, which makes this tree lined strip of white sand attractive any time of the year. Netted swimming enclosures are also provided on this life guard patrolled beach during the summer months, due to the possible presence of tropical marine stingers, making for carefree romping in the gentle waves year round.

Another gorgeous strip of sand within a stones throw from Port Douglas, is the Great Barrier Reef’s Lowe Isles. The Lowe Isles consists of a series of small uninhabited islands, a short boat trip from the Port Douglas marina. This protected environment is home to white sandy beaches, spectacular corals, birds and giant sea turtles. Simply not to be missed.

If you’re looking for total seclusion, head south towards Cairns. Along the way you’ll find plenty of spectacular beaches, where you can lay down your towel without another soul in sight.

The Great Barrier Reef just off the coast of Tropical North Queensland, is the largest reef system in the world, offering literally thousands of reefs, islands and coral cays for you to explore. Port Douglas, Australia’s best kept secret, is a stone’s throw from this, one of the natural wonders of the world and is a perfect place to base yourself for your Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkelling adventures.

The weather in Port Douglas is ideal for boating and there are a number of different Port Douglas charter boats as well as dive operators using the town’s marina as their base.

If you’re looking for a family day out, Quicksilver’s massive catamaran and reef pontoon may be just the ticket, with its huge range of reef activities.

For those who’d like to add some beach time to their Port Douglas holiday experience, the Lowe Isles, part of the closest reef to Port Douglas will satisfy the urge, with the added bonus of being able to snorkel with sea turtles. There are also smaller reef charters in Port Douglas such as the Poseidon, which offer you an all inclusive reef adventure with fantastic food and interesting company for the young at heart.

Or if you’d like a more intimate experience, you can charter private vessels for a personalised diving or fishing trip, or join a vessel like the luxurious Synergy, for the ultimate reef experience.

Whether you’re staying at the Reef Club Resort Port Douglas or one of the many backpacker hotels, you can simply book your reef charters or Port Douglas snorkelling adventures at you hotel reception.

As you’re wandering down Macrossan Street, the picturesque centre of Port Douglas, Australia, your senses will be assaulted by the sights, sounds and delicious aromas of this vibrant, tropical north Queensland town. The decision about where to dine will probably be the most stressful of your Port Douglas holiday, as there are just so many fantastic eateries.

For surprisingly good, Australian style fare, you can’t go past the Courthouse Hotel and the nearby Iron Bar for lunch; the latter having the advantage of having regular cane toad races. If watching slimy amphibians is not your cup of tea, Mango Jam on Macrossan Street has magnificent wood fired pizza and just by the Dickson Inlet, Soul ‘n Pepper has delectable lunch time fare combined with one of the best locations in town.

You can find such a range of cuisines in the over 50 Port Douglas restaurants and cafes, as it’s a town that keeps up with trends while developing its own distinct flavour; so when the sun starts dipping behind the horizon, you may be ready to sample some of Port’s 5 star dining experiences.

Nautilus Restaurant, Port Douglas is hard to beat for both food and atmosphere, being in the centre of its own private rainforest and if you’re after fabulous Great Barrier Reef seafood, 2 Fish is bound to impress.

If you’d like a couple of drinks, some soothing lounge music and superb tapas, Zinc at the southern end of Macrossan Street is the place for you and Salsa Bar and Grill at the Northern end has an extensive menu and a typical, laid back, Queensland vibe.

There's various levels of accomodation in Port Douglas, from 5 star resorts to back packer hostels.  If you are looking for somewhere private, and away from the usual resort style atmosphere without losing any of the luxuries, I'd suggest you try Orchid Hill Luxury Holiday House.