Port Douglas in Far North Queensland is one of Australia’s favourite spots for escaping to warm weather – especially when winter hits the southern states.
Perched on the dreamy Coral Sea, it’s a stone’s throw from two World Heritage-listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Here are five amazing experiences you shouldn’t miss while you’re in the area.
SNORKEL OR DIVE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for more than 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast, is the biggest coral reef on Earth. In fact, it’s so big, it’s visible from outer space.
While you’re in Port Douglas, though, you can see it up close. Several tours leave town for the reef every day, giving you the opportunity to experience it pretty much any way you’d like – be that on a half-day trip by motor boat or on a multi-day voyage on a luxury yacht.
WALK THROUGH THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST
The Daintree Rainforest, which has been growing for more than 180 million years, is the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
There’s a variety of enchanting walks to choose from, many starting at Mossman Gorge (where you can also swim). If you’re short on time, take the Lower River Track or wander over the Rex Creek suspension bridge – they’re both only 10 minutes each.
To head deeper into the rainforest, follow the rainforest circuit track, a 3.4-kilometre loop among strangler figs, butterflies and views of Mount Demi.
CATCH A HELICOPTER TO YOUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
One of the most spectacular experiences on offer in Port Douglas is a scenic flight. The views are absolutely breathtaking.
You can spend all your time in the sky. Or you can opt to touch down on Undine Clay, a tiny, uninhabited sand island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.
For two glorious hours, you’ll have the whole island to yourself. You can swim, snorkel, sunbake and picnic to your heart’s content – all the while feeling like you’re a thousand years away from the modern world.
GET UP-CLOSE WITH A CROCODILE
While you probably don’t want to meet a crocodile in the wild, it’s possible to see one in Port Douglas without risking your safety.
How close you want to get is up to you. At Wildlife Habitat, you can watch saltwater crocs from a grandstand – or you can jump in the water and swim just centimetres away from them (while, of course, protected by a glass-walled pool).
Another option is to take a cruise through the Daintree, where you’ll get to witness crocodiles in their native habitat.
VISIT CAPE TRIBULATION
Two hours’ drive north of Port Douglas lies Cape Tribulation, where the Daintree stretches all the way to the sea.
There’s a bunch of fantastic adventures to be had here. You might ride a horse along the sand, camp on a secluded beach, watch the sun rise over the water, dive into a swimming hole surrounded by rainforest, go off-road in a 4WD or sleep in a magical tree house.
GETTING TO PORT DOUGLAS
Cairns Airport is the nearest airport to Port Douglas. It’s two hours and 25 minutes’ flight from Brisbane, three hours and 10 minutes’ flight from Sydney, and three hours and 20 minutes’ flight from Melbourne. SIXT is conveniently located at Cairns Airport, so you can pick up a car and start exploring straight away.
Another option is to turn your holiday into a road trip. If you’re driving from Brisbane to Cairns, then you’ll find loads of tips in our guide.
