Port Douglas is a picturesque and peaceful place making the best start to explore Far North Queensland. It is a quieter northern neighbor to Cairns and situated where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed Winders are located, which include Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
There are thousands of reasons why you should take a trip to Far Queensland, but if you are still confused if Port Douglas is worth visiting, let me tell you its importance. It is packed with serene places and mesmerizing hiking sites that deserve a visit.
This guide aims to unveil some best activities to do and places to visit in Port Douglas. So, let’s have a walk through it.
- Snorkel or Dive on the Great Barrier Reef
If you are visiting Far Queensland and do not go to Port Douglas for snorkeling, you are missing out on an excellent opportunity for adventure. It is Australia’s best base for reef adventure. The Great Barrier lies about 72 kilometers north of the Coast.
Due to the close proximity, tourists are directed to book snorkeling and diving boats to be in the water within the hour. It implies you will be in the water among the abundant sea life, healthy coral reefs, and sea turtles.
Once you reach the destination, you have the option to snorkel or ocean dive. However, if you prefer to stay dry, you can watch and enjoy the kaleidoscopic coral from the underwater platforms. You can have a ride on semi-submersibles.
If you have a vast budget, take a helicopter flight. Yes! This opportunity is also available for a distinct bird’s-eye view of the reef.
- Stroll along Four Mile Beach
It is a tropical beauty that deserves full attention. It has a large number of coconut palm fringes, creamy sand, as well as crystal-clear turquoise sea. However, the development is tightly controlled and monitored along the shore, so it still gives natural and wild vibes. This mini beach is backed by lush tropical foliage, which makes it a worthy attraction of Port Douglas.
Want to dip in the water? You can also go for shallow swimming but will have to stick to the netted area of the beach during the marine stinger season. Moreover, when the season and weather are pleasant, kite surfing also becomes a popular spot.
For a family, it is a considerable destination as children love to play with the crabs scuttling along the shore and love to explore the rocky pool located at the northern end of the beach. The downside of this area is that you may not find continental and big hotels near them, but small hotels are also a good option.
Trinity Bay Lookout and Flagstaff hill are the most famous picturesque areas at this beach, which offers a sweeping view over the entire coast.
- Explore Cape Tribulation & the Daintree Rainforest
This is one of the few places on earth where two world heritage sites come in contact. These world heritage sites include the Great Barrier Reef as well as Daintree Rainforest. It has an astonishing sweep of reef-mottled turquoise sea, and the lush green jungle is like a haven on the earth.
If you are boarding a car, the drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation takes around 1 hour or a bit less. The way is as mesmerizing as the real destination.
This area is entirely drenched in natural beauty as it is one of the largest and oldest living rainforests on earth. Get set on this tour that will take you on the water and land while passing through the spectacular wilderness area, where you can find all sorts of adventure sports, such as horse riding, ziplining, bungee jumping, and kayaking.
It is an excellent place for nature lovers and photographers as they will find what they have been looking for years in all these stunning wilder areas and optional cruises on the Daintree River.
- Wander along Macrossan Street
If you are planning to visit Port Douglas, make sure not to miss the opportunity to roam along Macrossan Street. It is a great way to soak up the scenery downtown. Here you will find Boutiques, souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes, and many restaurants on either side of the street.
Keep walking for a while because you may find some Port Douglas hidden gems. Coconut palms and mango tree shades at the end of the street also lend a laid-back air to this suburb strip.
Do you want to acquire the dressing of a local beachy chic outfit? This street has some shops worth considering, such as Tahitian Lime, Aloha Lucy, and many more. Conversely, if gallery gazing is more of your style, you will love to pop into Nagarro Gallery to appreciate or purchase fine indigenous artwork like paintings and sculptures.
- Take a Cool Dip at Mossman Gorge
It is a significant and prominent name in the names that come in the list of top World Heritage places. Mossman Gorge is a famous half-day trip from Port Douglas. It has multiple picturesque areas where the Mossman River cascades over the huge granite boulders into a few pools of clear water. It is an excellent spot for having a cool dip in the blazing sun.
Here you can also come across lots of astonishing wildlife, including beautiful colorful butterflies and many birds. It is a lovely spot for family picnics and dedicated areas to spread your lunch. After having a refreshing swing time, you are suggesting a two-kilometer rainforest loop trail or the new mesmerizing walkway through the forest.
Wrap up
Port Douglas is one of the best tourist attractions in Australia. It is packed with multiple green lands, forests, beaches, and hiking trails. Whether you are planning a family trip or a long tour with friends, do not miss out on visiting these places.
The above-mentioned attractions of Port Douglas are worth visiting places that offer peace of mind, relaxing beaches, and picturesque sites to save all the beautiful memories of this memorable trip.