Port Douglas visitor information
Port Douglas is a quiet tropical town that prides itself as being the undiscovered jewel of Tropical Far North Queensland. The locals of Port Douglas have tried for years to keep this prestigious waterfront-surrounded-town a secret but it didn’t take long for people around the world to catch on. Although there are plenty of travellers from around the world and Australia that visit Port Douglas each year the visible tourist trail is hardly apparent. Million dollar resorts and homes are built, seamlessly hidden amongst gardens and Palm trees keeping the scenery and landscapes of Port Douglas natural and pristine. When strolling down the streets of Port Douglas you will not find a single chain operated fast food restaurant (as yet). The casual air of Port Douglas sees tourists blending into the natural flow of the town. Many of Australia’s richest families, business people and celebrities frequent Port Douglas and come to escape the spotlight and pretention that is familiar to many other places so exclusive. In Port Douglas millionaires and moguls enjoy the casual atmosphere and can relax on their yachts, on the beach or in the restaurants in flip flops and board-shorts while mingling with locals and tourists.
Port Douglas has an array of exclusive five star resorts, luxury beachfront holiday homes, practical self-contained apartments and budget conscious hotels and hostels. Many resorts sit beachfront on Four Mile Beach while many others are on the Marina Inlet, in the rainforest or nestled amongst tropical gardens. The main street Macrossan Street has several shops, restaurants and art galleries. The Marina Mirage also is an established shopping area with boardwalk restaurants and reef boats that depart daily for scuba dive and snorkelling trips on the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas has some of Australia’s best golf courses and features the lovely Four Mile beach which stretches from one side of the town to the other. Four Mile beach is a wide sandy beach where you can swim, exercise and play; kids will love this huge beach which is a great place to spend the day.
Many businesses hold their conferences and meetings in Port Douglas and it is also a great incentive destination. There are several weddings held on a daily basis each year on the beach or at the luxurious resorts due to the beauty of the region and the usually reliable days of sunshine offered year round.
Dining in Port Douglas…
Port Douglas has several unique and sumptuous eateries. Along Macrossan Street you will find numerous trendy restaurants with funky interior designs, large outdoor seating areas and mouth-watering cuisines. Choose from innovative menus, and classically tasty Australiana, Italian, Japanese, Indian and Seafood meals. Also along Macrossan Street there are several gourmet cafes, coffee shops and snack bars featuring healthy snacks, specialty coffees and smoothies amongst many other things. Along Port Douglas Marina Inlet there are several other restaurants with large wooden decks that overlook the peaceful Inlet that features several million dollar yachts. On the Inlet Restaurant service prawns and beer from 5:00pm where you can watch a giant groper fish come for his daily snack. At Marina Mirage there are more tasty restaurants again with waterfront views serving cuisines of all types.
Nightlife in Port Douglas…
Port Douglas has a collection of unique night spots. Most venues are located on Macrossan Street and generate the largest crowds on weekends. There are several casual pubs where thongs and sleeveless shirts are acceptable. These pubs are great for sports enthusiasts and gamblers wanting to test their luck on the pokie machines. There are also several up-market bars on Macrossan Street as well as an Irish Pub and a nightclub that opens until the wee hours of the morning. Try the Iron Bar for some real Aussie entertainment such as Cane Toad racing (a favourite with the visiting Movie Stars from Hollywood) and some Aussie grub such as Bangers and Mash with Gravy.
Shopping in Port Douglas…
Most of the shopping in Port Douglas is based on Macrossan Street and at Marina Mirage Shopping Centre. The shopping in Port Douglas is on par with larger cities such as Cairns. Port Douglas has several boutique shops, jewellery stores, art galleries, surf shops, quirky souvenir shops, and many premium brand named stores. Port Douglas has a full sized shopping centre as well as many bottle shops, internet cafes, beauty salons, Destination and Day Spas and much more…
Golf in Port Douglas…
Port Douglas is a place golfers dream about. In addition to the several golf courses in nearby Cairns there are two premium golf courses located right in the heart of Port Douglas. The Mirage Golf and Country Club, located at the Sheraton Mirage Resort, is rated as one of the world’s best courses. The Mirage Golf Course was designed by golf architect Peter Thompson and is an 18 hole course with a combination of par 3, 4, 5 and 6 holes. The Mirage Golf and Country Club has practice putting greens and bunkers, equipment for hire, professional instructors and an aquatic driving range. Sea Temple Golf Club has been rated one of the top 6 link-courses in Australia. This immaculate golf course has a beautiful clubhouse and features some of the most breathtaking views of the Coral Sea that you will find in Queensland. And as the rumours go some resident crocodiles live in the lakes and watert traps so do not get to close to the water to retrieve your lost balls.
Tours in Port Douglas…
No matter how long you stay in Port Douglas you’re itinerary will be full. The Great Barrier Reef is the reason many people choose to visit Port Douglas and is a must see for all itineraries no matter how long you intend to visit. There are day trips to Low Isles, sand cays and outer coral reefs where you can swim, sun-tan, snorkel or scuba diva (introductory or certified PADI). There are also overnight and extended trips to the Great Barrier Reef where you can learn how to scuba dive or if you’re already experienced, discover some of this planets best rated dive sites such as the Cod Hole and Lizard Island. Choose from sail boats or catamarans; dinner cruises are also available. Another must-see is the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest the surrounds Port Douglas. Whether you view this wonder via the Sky Rail or Kuranda Scenic Rail, on a waterfall tour of the Tablelands or in the remote and primitive Daintree Rainforest which is only 20 minutes away! The thundering rivers around Port Douglas create a playground for white water rafting and the calm tropical skies are visited daily by hot air balloons. Horse back riders can enjoy trail rides or guided tours in the outback, rainforest or on the beach and extreme travellers can experience some of the best sky-diving and bungee jumping in the world. The Rainforest Habitat Centre is popular amongst travellers, especially families, and features Breakfast with Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets. Right from 4 Mile Beach you can hire a kayak or jet ski in search for dolphins and other marine life just off the coast. There are too many attractions and tours to list so for a comprehensive list of all the tours in and around Port Douglas click here .
The Climate in Port Douglas…
The climate in Port Douglas has two distinct seasons: The Dry Season and The Green Season. The Dry Season is between May and December and is generally characterised by low humidity, low rainfall and temperatures ranging between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius. The Green Season is between January and April and is characterised by higher temperatures (reaching a maximum of 32 degrees), more rainfall and higher humidity although generally days are dry followed by spectacular thunderstorms in the evenings and then sunny clear days.
The Location of Port Douglas…
Port Douglas is located about an hour north of Cairns and 50 minutes north of Cairns International Airport. Port Douglas is only 20 minutes away from the Daintree Green Tropics World Heritage Listed Rainforest and is a perfect place to base yourself while exploring the area.
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