10 Best Things To Do in Port Douglas When on a Holiday
Located an hour drive North of Cairns, Port Douglas is a beautiful town you cannot go wrong with whether youre planning a romantic getaway with your partner or a fun-filled vacation with your friends or family. It is also the only place in the world where you can witness two World Heritage Sites meet Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
There are endless reasons to visit Port Douglas, be it arguably the most picturesque coastal drives in the country, witnessing the crystal creeks of the famous Mossman Gorge, dive in the serene waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or immersing in the bustling cafe and bar culture of the town.
Top 10 tourist tips for attractions in Port Douglas
If youre planning a holiday at Port Douglas, we bring you the list of the 10 best things to do in Port Douglas when on holiday. Lets dig in!
Dont Miss Visiting the Port Douglas Markets!
When in Port Douglas, visiting the Sunday Market is a must. Local farmers and traders showcase various products and local produce, starting from handicrafts, fine arts, coffee, books, indigenous jewellery, exotic fruits and vegetables, and more.
Browsing through the stalls through the market with the view of the Coral Sea on the backdrop offers a shopping experience you cant afford to miss. Even if youre not into shopping, go for the feel, vibes and experience this local market offers!
Take a Romantic Tour
When talking about romantic destinations in Australia, Port Douglas has to be on the list invariably. Starting from taking a romantic stroll along the Four Mile Beach to indulging in the candle-lit beachside dinner at one of the many restaurants here, the possibilities are endless.
However, one experience that tops it all is booking the Romance Package at Niramaya Villas & Spa. The romance package is curated carefully for blissful indulgence for you and your partner, starting from decorating the villa with a beautiful floral arrangement to a bottle of champagne waiting in your room; every essence of this package is dipped in romance to help you and your partner bond and enjoy in complete privacy.
The best part about the Romance Package by Niramaya Villas & Spa is the Sunset Sail, where youre onboard the yacht with your partner, with the sea surrounding you as far as your eyes can wander.
Time spent here with your partner watching as the sun sets not only creates beautiful memories but is sure to make your partner feel special. And, you come back with a bottle of champagne waiting in your room. What more can you ask for?
Go Horse Riding Along The Beach
Horse riding on the Wonga Beach in Port Douglas is a popular activity among tourists. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sun, sea, tropical beauty surrounding the Daintree Rainforest and the tip where it meets the Great Barrier Reef. Book yourself a half-day horse riding experience, and youll enjoy every bit of it!
Just visualize the experience with you riding on a horse on the Wonga beach with the Daintree Forest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. It is a sight to behold and is a perfect opportunity to take some splendid photographs to capture beautiful holiday memories for life.
Enjoy Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park and Forest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group Day Tour
You really cannot discount this from your trip at any cost. It is a day tour covering the must do portion of your vacation in Port Douglas. It includes the visit to the base of the Daintree National Park along with your guide, who would be guiding you along the way and introducing you to flora and fauna of this beautiful forest. If youre lucky, you might even spot a Platypus or a Boyds Forest Dragon.
From there, the group tour will head towards Daintree River, where you experience a Wildlife Cruise and try spotting an Estuarine Crocodile. The view from onboard the cruise is tranquil, where you become one with nature. The next stop is the Alexandra Lookout in the Daintree National Park, from where you head to the Kulki Lookout at Cape Tribulation.
A small walk from here, and you would be witnessing the sea, beautiful coastal ranges, and the sea separated by the coral reef. The view is not only breathtaking but insightful in ways more than one. Till you see and experience it yourself, its hard to describe this beauty in words.
The next stop on tour is the Cape Tribulation Beach, which is the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet. After youve strolled on the beach, enjoyed the natural flora and fauna at the Gateway to Paradise, home to some of the rarest and gorgeous flowering plants, you can take the Daintree River Cable Ferry to head back.
From here, dont miss visiting the Noah Valley, a private property listed amongst the World Heritage sites.
This jam-packed tour is perfect for everyone and includes some of the most beautiful sights the world has to offer, right here in Port Douglas.
Eat Chocolate Pudding Fruit Ice Cream
While leaving the Daintree National Park, dont miss out on visiting the Daintree ice Cream Company, which offers a wide range of specialty ice creams prepared in-house from the tropical and exotic fruits they grow in their own orchard.
The Chocolate Pudding Fruit ice cream here is one of a kind and is also one of the highlights of this tour.
Great Barrier Reef Cruise From Port Douglas
If you love the views of the sea, the coral reef, and the beauty of the ocean life, this cruise from Port Douglas should be very much on your itinerary. The cruise includes a guided tour with a marine biologist, introducing you to the exotic sea life and other facts youre sure to be astounded by.
You can enjoy snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat tour on this cruise, which is a unique experience in itself. Witnessing the beauty of your coral reef firsthand shouldnt be missed, dont you agree?
Spot Saltwater Crocs While Cruising Through The Mangroves
One of the enjoyable activities in Port Douglas is spotting the saltwater crocs in their natural habitat on a riverboat. While departing from the Great Barrier Reef, the riverboat cruise would take you through the mangrove channels in all their glory.
Spotting these crocodiles in their natural habitat is fun, and the surrounding view of the natural mangrove forest is astonishing. The guides in these cruises are locals who would help you spot the crocs, rare birds, and more, amplifying your experience manifolds.
Dine Al Fresco at Hemingways Brewery
Located right on the picturesque Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Hemingways Brewery has a relaxed vibe youll fall in love with as soon as you enter. Starting from handcrafted beers to its burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, cobb salad, tuna sashimi, fresh local prawns, Cajun salt and pepper squid, and more, theres a lot this gastropub has to offer with its distinct appeal.
And, it is this appeal and ever-friendly hospitality that makes it one of the most loved breweries in Port Douglas.
4WD Up To Cape Tribulation
While the road to the Cape Tribulation is suitable for most vehicles, when you head towards Cooktown or want to enjoy driving on the 4WD only-Bloomfield Track, you need 4WD. The best way to experience this area (Cape Tribulation) is by driving yourself, stopping on the way, soak in the beautiful view, watch the beauty of the national park up, close, and personal, and click amazing photos to take back home.
Driving 4WD here is an unforgettable experience and an adventure you wouldnt forget anytime soon. Though it is important to remember, many of the stretches in these tracks are for experienced 4WD drivers only.
Check Into A Day Spa in Port Douglas
How can you miss out diving into the lap of luxury when on a vacation right? When youve done all the sightseeing, touring, and adventuring out unearthing the treasures of Port Douglas, it is time to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate truly. And, it is why you need to check into the Niramaya Day Spa, one of the best locations in Port Douglas, to enjoy special body treatments tailored to perfection for you by qualified and experienced therapists.
From their signature massages to hydra-repair facials and from intimate couple massages to complete 3-hour long body treatment, Niramaya Day Spa in Port Douglas helps your mind, body, and soul heal, reflect, and relax. Youre sure to come out refreshed, feeling as good and new! Dont believe us? Try it out yourself!
Port Douglas is one of the most beautiful resort towns in Australia that has an ample amount of activities and things to do for all age groups. Whether youre taking your kids out on vacation or going on a honeymoon, or simply want to soak in the sun, sand, and sea post-retirement, this town offers the best of everything while giving you enough space to enjoy your privacy, relax, and make beautiful memories with your loved ones.
Best accommodation in Port Douglas is found with Niramaya Villas & Spa
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