'must do' port douglas - things to see and do

25 Years and still Australia’s most sought after tourist destination
 

Port Douglas and its surrounds are truly magnificent. No other region in the world is bordered by two World Heritage Listed areas as is the Port Douglas region.  Visitors have been coming to Port Douglas for over 25 years to touch and taste what is one of the worlds unique and environmentally enriched destinations.
 

Enjoy the gallery below !

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If you see Port Douglas' Island Point from the skies, you wont be disappointed - Four Mile Beach, Marina Mirage, Dickson Inlet.

see island point from four mile end of beach

Go for a run, swim or stroll down on 'Four Mile Beach' every morning. Cafe's and coffee wait for you afterwards at both 'Four Mile' & Port Douglas town.

see the view from the look out

Island Point or Flagstaff Hill - no matter what it is called it's magic. Drive, ride or walk up and see Four Mile Beach in all its glory. Look out for the World Cities Distance Compass. You'll now what we mean when your there. Enjoy!

walk four mile beach

Walk to the suburb of Four Mile and back again along the beach. The Main Beach of Port Douglas has hire equipment and you can even buy drinks and ice-creams.

see the marina mirage from the hill

Only some spots allow the public this view of the marina. If you stay on the hill in Port Douglas you will share these views with the rich and famous.

marina mirage - now operated by meridien marinas

Christopher Skase originally built Marina Mirage in the early 1980's. Just recently purchased by Meridien Marinas, it boasts new restaurants and soon Super Yacht capabilities. Go to the Yacht Club for a Wednesday afternoon sail. Take your own drinks, its free . .

walk down by marina mirage

Marina Mirage is the spark of Port Douglas' unique tourism abilities. A fleet of beautiful vessels visit the Great Barrier Reef everyday.

boutique shopping heaven Marina Mirage

Marina Mirage boasts not only luxury motor yachts but an array of stylish and practical boutique shops. Two grand corridors of shopping heaven.

marina mirage on dusk

Marina Mirage is a spectacular mix of dive / snorkel vessels, charter fishing vessels and plenty of private luxury motor yachts.

see the sunset and dusk from the park on the point

Anzac Mountains in the background, Rex Smeal Park for a sunset and dusk is the perfect cheese, wine and blanket date.

have dinner in the rainforest

Have dinner in the rainforest. Flames of the Forest offers a rainforest dinner to remember.

see the outer reefs from the air

Flying in a helicopter over the Outer Barrier Reefs is an experience unmatched. Although reasonably expensive - the money is easy justified afterwards.

see the reef from a closer perspective

immerse yourself in the great barrier reef via one of the award winning reef tour operators. Scuba diving and/or reef snorkelling is certainly a 'must do' when travelling to this region.

capture your memories of the great barrier reef

Nemo is synonymous for the Great Barrier Reef. He is joined by 1,500 other fish species (more than any 2 other of the worlds oceans combined). Underwater camera's and professional photography are available on all of the reef operators.

better hurry !!

Along with the 1,500 species of fish are 350 different types of coral 4,000 species of molluscs and 10,000 species of sponges.

must travel to a great barrier reef island

One of the 540 Great Barrier Reef Islands is the idyllic Low Isles off Port Douglas. Originally just a sand cay it is now covered in a lush tropical flora.

must swim with or see a green turtle

At one of the islands you are very likely to encounter one of these playful residents - a Green Turtle. Many of the islands play nursery to these graceful creatures.

breakfast with the birds

For the ultimate, the original Breakfast with the Birds is a visitor must do. Guests are immersed within the Wetlands environment whilst enjoying the sounds and colours of wildlife as they wander freely amongst the guests. With One of Queensland’s best tropical buffets, Breakfast with the Birds is an experience not to be missed.

feed the kangaroos at the Rainforest Habitat

Hand feed kangaroos, wallabies, ducks and get up close to koalas, snakes, crocodiles, cassowaries, tree kangaroos and much more. With over 120 species of wildlife, visitors can interact with local flora and fauna. The Rainforest Habitat provides an experience found nowhere else!

go for a drive on the coast road

Hire a car for the day. The Captain Cook Highway now forms part of the Great Tropical Drive. Queensland's Great Ocean Road.

must visit 'the gorge' - mossman gorge

Mossman Gorge is a top 3 things to do. Rain, hail or shine this place is always memorable. A quick dip is recommended but only if it is running slowly and watch out its fresh. Go by bus or hire car and treat yourself to the many easy and adventurous walks - take your own lunch.

the crocodile farm

Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm is about the same distance south. Crocodiles are in their native surroundings here and in abundance.

be in port douglas on a sunday

The Port Douglas Sunday Markets are a collaboration of all that's good of our region. Meander through the 'Cotters Markets' for the morning.

have a coconut cocktail at the markets

A true sense of going tropo is the rich milky taste of coconut milk. There is a number of refreshing stalls at the markets.

st mary's by the sea - port's original church

St Mary's Church is Port Dougals petite pedestal of beauty. Relocated & restored from its 1911 cyclone ruins on the hill, it now serves as a wedding ceremony Mecca for visitors from all over the world.

shopping on macrossan street

Macrossan Street is the heart of boutique style fashion havens. Ladies from all over the world maintain strong ties with many of the lavish stores on this street.

the court house hotel - port's first pub

Never anything else but fantastic. The Court House was built in 1878 and still today serves up the atmosphere that has made its name. Drinks, lunch or dinner.

discover the daintree via the daintree river crossing

The Daintree River Crossing is an icon within the Port Douglas region. This crossing is the only way visitors can access the World Heritage Listed Rainforest. Take your wallet as there is a minor crossing charge.

the daintree rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is an hour north of Port Douglas and is undisputed the world's oldest rainforest.

walk through the world's oldest rainforest

The Port Douglas region offers a diverse array of rainforest experiences. Take a group or personal day tour from Port Douglas, hire a car and visit a Daintree Rainforest operator or stay in the Daintree and explore yourself.

fly over or at least visit cape tribulation

Cape Tribulation is the pinnacle of where the reef meets the rainforest. Lush tropical rainforest literally drapes into the reef laden waters. Approximately an hour and a half from Port Douglas via the Daintree River.

the locals are very friendly

The Daintree is home to hundreds of different frog species. This guy is probably the best known. The 'White Lipped Green Tree Frog'. If you didn't happen to see one anywhere else The Rainforest Habitat is a sure thing.

Some images supplied courtesy of Port Douglas Daintree Tourism

Some images supplied by the following photographers and are protected by copyright: Please contact us for copies if you would like to use.

Perrin Clarke / Ryan Green / Naomi Murphy / Josh Miles

See more of their images in gallery port douglas next door.

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